Its always worth reminding ourselves of the facts.
The period from 2009 till now [bar one season] compared to the period from 1995 to 2009 represents a considerably different Middlesbrough.
A Tale of Two Boro`s
[Quote nicked from the latest Boro Breakdown Podcast]
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Finishing Positions - the last 10 years:
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Managers - The last 10 years:
[Not including Caretakers: Mark Venus, Steve Agnew or Leo Percovic]
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Our fall from the Premiership, other than the one season under Aitor Karanka [until he was sacked with a quarter of the season still to go] - certainly highlights the decreasing quality of the playing stock and - with the increasing speed of Management sackings and hiring - appears to represent "panic" to claw promotion from the jaws of mediocrity. Obviously we are not going to either attract or afford top quality Premiership players - which is a hurdle every championship club faces - due to the unlevel playing field £££££££££. The three relegated clubs have the parachute payments to sustain top quality squads, but also have that legacy for a further two seasons if they dont go back up immediately. Like Newy said - its a complicated situation and its hard to accept the present environment often just rewards clubs with the most money.
Most Premiership players are mercenaries and dont stay around long if a club is relegated. The days when Premiership - standard players stay to help Championship clubs get promotion are few and far between. Remember the 1997 / 98 season when we went straight back up to the Premiership - with Paul Merson ["The Magic Man"] finishing top scorer on 16 goals.
We have to be bob-on with the Manager, recruitment, financial prudence and the right culture, to follow the likes of Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace [for example].
Until the next Manager proves his credentials - there doesnt appear to be a great deal of positivity around - that we are going to do any more than bobble along in the Championship. We are all clutching at straws, in the hope that the next gaffa is the Messiah. Personally, I couldnt care who it is, so long as we start winning - regularly and climb up the bluddy league. We`ve tried all the different permutations. So lets just hope we do find the Messiah,.......this time (?!)