Within months, Juninho, Ravanelli, and Emerson had departed, but ambition continued unabated and the ‘Boro crowd were treated to a year of watching the mercurial Paul Merson, while the enigmatic Colombian Hamilton Ricard and experienced Andy Townsend were attracted to the challenge of restoring the Riverside to Premier League status, a job they completed, earning 90 points in an ultra-competitive Division One.
Incredibly, this small parochial club from an industrial town continued to feature at the forefront of the domestic game, and again reached a League Cup final, suffering more extra-time despair against their F.A. Cup vanquishers a year previously, Chelsea. Further weight to the club’s new found profile was added by the debut in that Wembley showpiece of Paul Gascoigne.
After their immediate return to the top-tier, ‘Boro settled in as part of the elite’s furniture for eleven years, a period which included that apogee of winning silverware and swatting aside continental giants such as Lazio during Steve McLaren’s time at the helm. In such high regard was McLaren’s body of work held that he was appointed as the manager of the England national team.
Having suffered demotion again in 2009 under Gareth Southgate, and with heady European campaigns and annual visits to Old Trafford and White Hart Lane replaced by jaunts to London Road and Oakwell, a feeling is hastening that if ‘Boro don’t return to football’s promised land this time out supporters will have to be contented with memories when it comes to their club competing with the best.
Certainly at present, the joy of watching stars such as the aforementioned wonderfully gifted Juninho, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Alen Boksic and Mark Vidulka display their wares by the River Tees must feel as if from another lifetime.
That isn’t to say the current unit is devoid of talent. ‘Boro’s revered academy has proved a rich source of young talent – the club famously fielded a side containing ten home-grown players against Fulham in 2006 – and despite fans being forced to watch products such as Adam Johnson, Stewart Downing, James Morrison, Danny Graham and Joe Bennett flourish elsewhere, the current team features graduates including the much coveted Rhys Williams, midfielder Richard Smallwood, and defender Seb Hines.
That trio are joined by performers such as; Nicky Bailey, Grant Leadbitter, Marvin Emnes, Justin Hoyte, Ishmael Miller, Lukas Jutkiewicz, and when fit, the still majestic Jonathan Woodgate as part of a bunch which has the requisite quality to sustain a promotion charge. Integral to the fluency of the side is Josh McEachran, the precociously skilled 19 year-old playmaker on loan in the North-East from Chelsea.
Regardless of the ability within the ‘Boro ranks, the lack of a killer punch is threatening to be a fatal flaw in their armoury. Twice already this season television viewers have witnessed the Teessiders utterly dominate opponents on away grounds. In September at Blackburn Rovers, ‘Boro escaped with a victory having nearly allowed their opponents an undeserved share of the points with the concession of a late goal. Mowbray’s team weren’t so fortunate at Birmingham City, where they showcased all their wonderful passing and twice took the lead only to incomprehensibly lose 3-2.
It isn’t only the ‘Boro team which needs to shake off the unwelcome criticism of being all style and no substance. Mowbray – a local hero and former captain – was a popular appointment after Gordon Strachan’s surprisingly poor year as boss at the Riverside. During his embryonic managerial career at Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, Mowbray gained a reputation for producing attractive football, a trait that continued in his next position at West Bromwich Albion.
Having won promotion to the Premier League, the Baggies earned many plaudits for their aesthetically pleasing style. The team sorely lacked the clout to compete in exalted company though, and were relegated with 32 points, ironically keeping ‘Boro off the bottom of the table.
After a bruising near ten months at Celtic, Mowbray’s next destination was the Riverside. To date, it has appeared a happy marriage with club and manager proving to be good for each other. Nevertheless, with 20 crucial fixtures ahead, and with ‘Boro now in their fourth year away from the top table, the time has arrived for Tony Mowbray and Middlesbrough to add the much needed bite to their characters that will be essential if either are to compete with the big boys again.
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