2006–07 Middlesbrough F.C. season explained

Club:Middlesbrough
Season:2006–07
Manager:Gareth Southgate
Chairman:Steve Gibson
League:Premier League
League Result:12th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Sixth round
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Second round
League Topscorer:Mark Viduka (14)
Season Topscorer:Mark Viduka (19)
Highest Attendance:33,308 v Man Utd
Away: 75,967 v Man Utd
Lowest Attendance:16,702 v Hull City
Away: 17,520 v Hull City
Prevseason:2005–06
Nextseason:2007–08

During the 2006–07 season, Middlesbrough participated in the Premier League.

Team kit and sponsors

Middlesbrough's kits were once again produced by Errea, and sponsored by 888.com for the third season running. The club retained the white band of the previous two seasons.

Search for a new manager

On 4 May 2006, Steve McClaren was chosen to take over as the manager of the England national team after the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[1] Managers linked to take over as new Boro boss included Terry Venables,[2] Martin O'Neill, Tony Mowbray and Alan Curbishley,[3] with Steve Gibson expecting whoever took over to achieve a Champions League place in the near future.[4] Venables declined the job offer citing an unwillingness to return to full-time management.[5] Venables subsequently joined McClaren as England's assistant coach.[6]

Gibson then looked within his own club and decided to name club captain Gareth Southgate as manager. Southgate signed a five-year contract and decided to finish his playing career, at the age of 35, to focus entirely on his new job. His appointment was controversial as he did not possess the coaching qualifications required to manage a Premier League football club.[7] However, at a Premier League meeting on 22 November 2006, Southgate was granted a dispensation to continue in his role until the end of the season, during which time it was announced that he will study for the Uefa Pro A Licence.[8]

Transfers

Summer transfer window

Several players, including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink[9] and Doriva[10] left the club at the end of the previous season, and Franck Queudrue was sold to Fulham for £3 million. Argentinian left-back Julio Arca was signed from local rivals Sunderland for a fee of £1.75m, and young Frenchman Herold Goulon was signed from Olympique Lyonnais on a three-year deal.

Southgate signed two international defenders to strengthen up his backline following the second game of the season. England international Jonathan Woodgate joined his home-town team on loan from Real Madrid, while Chelsea's German international centreback Robert Huth signed for a fee of £6 million. Charlton Athletic's Jamaican international striker Jason Euell was signed on the final day of the transfer window.

January transfer window

Lee Dong-Gook arrived from Pohang Steelers in the January transfer window, while Ray Parlour, Ugo Ehiogu and Massimo Maccarone all left the club for free.

Summary

In

DatePlayerPrevious ClubFeeRef
12 July 2006 Herold Goulon Olympique LyonnaisUndisclosed[11]
26 July 2006 Julio ArcaSunderland£1.75 million[12]
30 August 2006 Robert HuthChelsea£6 million[13]
31 August 2006 Jason EuellCharlton Athletic£300,000[14]
31 January 2007 Lee Dong-Gook Pohang SteelersFree[15]

Out

For departures of players out of contract at the end of 2005–06 see 2005–06 Middlesbrough F.C. season.

DatePlayerNew clubFeeRef
27 July 2006 Franck QueudrueFulham£3 million[16]
5 January 2007 Kevin BurgessDarlingtonFree[17]
25 January 2007 Ugo Ehiogu RangersFree[18]
30 January 2007 Massimo Maccarone SienaFree[19]
9 February 2007 Ray ParlourHull CityFree[20]
14 May 2007 Malcolm Christie-Out of contract[21]
15 May 2007 Abel Xavier Los Angeles GalaxyOut of contract[22]
1 June 2007 Stuart ParnabyBirmingham CityOut of contract[23]
6 June 2007 Danny GrahamCarlisle UnitedOut of contract[24]
7 June 2007 Mark VidukaNewcastleOut of contract[25]
3 July 2007 Daryl Robson Galway UnitedFree[26]

Loans out

DatePlayerClub atPeriodRef
2 August 2006 Danny GrahamBlackpool1 month[27]
4 August 2006 Brad JonesSheffield Wednesday3 months[28]
25 August 2006 David KnightOldham Athletic1 month[29]
28 September 2006 David WheaterWolverhampton WanderersTo 16 November 2006[30] [31]
16 October 2006 Adam JohnsonLeeds United1 month[32]
27 October 2006 Tom Craddock Wrexham3 days[33]
3 November 2006 Jason KennedyBoston United3 months
13 November 2006 Matthew BatesIpswich1 month
23 November 2006 Ugo EhioguLeeds UnitedTo 2007-01-01
1 January 2007 Danny GrahamCarlisle UnitedTo 2007-04-22
8 January 2007 David WheaterDarlington3 months
2 March 2007 Jason KennedyBury3 months
9 March 2007 Josh WalkerAFC Bournemouth1 month

Notes

Wheater's loan was initially intended to last three months, but he was returned to Middlesbrough after making only one appearance.

Craddock's loan was initially intended to last one month, but he was injured in his first game and returned to Middlesbrough.

Squad

Senior squad

Appearances and goals

Appearance and goalscoring records for all the players who were in the Middlesbrough F.C. first team squad during the 2006-07 season.[34] |}

Discipline

Disciplinary records for 2006-07 league and cup matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.[34]

No.Nat.Player Yellow cards Red cards
1 10
2 20
3 30
5 10
7 82
8 50
9 20
10 60
1110
12 120
14 30
16 30
17 30
1940
20 20
23 20
24Andrew Davies 30
2501
27120
28Adam Johnson 10
3330

Academy squad

Academy players for 2006-07 season.[35]

Nat.PositionPlayerAcademy year
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Pre-season

Results

Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first.

GameDateVenueOpponentResult
F–A
AttendanceBoro GoalscorersReport
122 July 2006A Rangers0–131,544Report
222 July 2006A Darlington0–1Report
325 July 2006A Barnsley3–13,971Yakubu (2), MaccaroneReport
425 July 2006A York City1–01,342Morrison 55'Report
528 July 2006A Doncaster Rovers0–23,452Report
629 July 2006A Sheffield Wednesday2–15,684Christie, YakubuReport
73 August 2006N Athletic Bilbao0–1Report
83 August 2006A FC Cologne0–2Report
96 August 2006A Feyenoord0–2Report
108 August 2006A Heerenveen0–4Report
1112 August 2006H Chievo0–08,647Report

Premier League

Southgate's managerial reign started with a 3–2 defeat at newly promoted Reading,[36] but was followed up by a 2–1 win home victory over reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.[37] Boro were brought crashing down to Earth straight afterwards though with a 4–0 home defeat to Portsmouth.[38]

Overall, Middlesbrough's form in 2006–07 was indifferent. Promising results such as the surprising home victory over Chelsea were coupled with the team losing away from home to all three newly promoted Premiership sides.[36] [39] [40] It took until mid-January for Boro to register their first away win of the season, at struggling Charlton Athletic, their first away win since April of the year before.[41] They comprehensively beat Bolton Wanderers 5–1 at home in January, their biggest victory of the season.[42]

Middlesbrough ultimately finished 12th in the table with 46 points, winning twelve, drawing ten and losing sixteen matches - slightly better than last season, but their dismal form in the early and late part of the season prevented them from attaining an even higher position and at one time put them in danger of being relegated. The fact that they were 8 points away from a UEFA Cup spot and 8 points away from getting relegated neatly summed up their season.[43]

Results

Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to mfc.co.uk.

GameDateVenueOpponentResult
F–A
AttendanceBoro GoalscorersMan of the MatchReport
119 August 2006AReading2–323,855Downing 11', Yakubu 21'VidukaReport
223 August 2006HChelsea2–129,198Pogatetz 80', Viduka 90'PogatetzReport
328 August 2006HPortsmouth0–424,834DowningReport
49 September 2006AArsenal1–160,007Morrison 22'WoodgateReport
516 September 2006ABolton Wanderers0–021,164PogatetzReport
623 September 2006HBlackburn Rovers0–124,959PogatetzReport
730 September 2006ASheffield United1–227,483Yakubu 49'SchwarzerReport
814 October 2006HEverton2–127,156Yakubu 27' (pen.), Viduka 71'HuthReport
922 October 2006HNewcastle United1–030,060Yakubu 85'DowningReport
1030 October 2006, 20:00AManchester City0–136,720MaccaroneReport
114 November 2006AWatford0–218,951DowningReport
1211 November 2006HWest Ham United1–025,898Maccarone 74'DowningReport
1318 November 2006HLiverpool0–031,424WoodgateReport
1425 November 2006AAston Villa1–133,162Christie 43'ChristieReport
152 December 2006HManchester United1–231,238Morrison 66'HuthReport
165 December 2006ATottenham Hotspur1–234,154Huth 80'HuthReport
179 December 2006HWigan Athletic1–123,638Yakubu 67'VidukaReport
1818 December 2006AFulham1–216,891Viduka 74'YakubuReport
1923 December 2006HCharlton2–032,013Yakubu 29', Arca 52'ArcaReport
2026 December 2006AEverton0–038,126WoodgateReport
2130 December 2006ABlackburn Rovers1–222,653Yakubu 61' (pen.)CattermoleReport
221 January 2007HSheffield United3–127,963Viduka 36', Yakubu (2) 69', 76' (pen.)YakubuReport
2313 January 2007ACharlton Athletic3–126,384Cattermole 45', Arca 63', Yakubu 68'VidukaReport
2420 January 2007HBolton Wanderers5–124,614Speed 6' (o.g.), Xavier 10',
Viduka (2) 23', 84', Downing 43'
VidukaReport
2530 January 2007APortsmouth0–019,820WoodgateReport
263 February 2007HArsenal1–131,122Yakubu 63' (pen.)ArcaReport
2710 February 2007AChelsea0–341,699DaviesReport
2824 February 2007HReading2–126,412Viduka 7', Yakubu 69'VidukaReport
293 March 2007ANewcastle United0–052,303WoodgateReport
3017 March 2007HManchester City0–226,427DowningReport
3131 March 2007AWest Ham United0–234,977XavierReport
327 April 2007HWatford4–125,534Viduka (2) 5', 75', Boateng 27',
Rochemback 79'
JohnsonReport
3314 April 2007HAston Villa1–326,959Rochemback 13'TaylorReport
3418 April 2007ALiverpool0–241,458PogatetzReport
3521 April 2007AManchester United1–175,967Viduka 45+1'PogatetzReport
3628 April 2007HTottenham Hotspur2–327,861Viduka 66', Pogatetz 89'RochembackReport
375 May 2007AWigan Athletic1–021,204Viduka 29'PogatetzReport
3813 May 2007HFulham3–129,556Viduka (2) 34', 47', Wheater 45+3'VidukaReport

League progress

This chart shows the league position of Middlesbrough F.C. over the course of the season. The green area represents the UEFA Champions League positions (positions 1 to 4), the yellow area represents what turned out to be the UEFA Cup positions (positions 5 to 7) and the red area represents the relegation places (positions 18 to 20). The lowest position in the league that Middlesbrough reached during the course of the season was 18th, prior to the home game versus Charlton Athletic on 23 December 2006 (an early kick-off result had knocked them down from 17th), and their highest placing was 9th, after the second game.

League Cup

Boro suffered an embarrassing home defeat in the League Cup to Football League Two side Notts County in the second round, losing 0–1 with a weakened team - albeit one featuring debutant Robert Huth.[44]

Results

Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to mfc.co.uk.

FA Cup

Middlesbrough's FA Cup run was significantly longer than their League Cup run - partly due to them being taken to a replay in every round they played. They drew 1–1 at Hull in the FA Cup, with the replay resulting in an exciting 4–3 win. A 2–2 draw with Bristol City followed, setting up another replay. It was a nerve-wrecking 2–2 draw, with Boro winning 5–4 on penalties, presenting them with a tie at the Riverside with former player Tony Mowbray's West Brom. That game also ended 2–2, and the replay resulted in a Middlesbrough victory via penalties, after a 1–1 draw in normal time. Middlesbrough were eventually knocked out by champions-elect and eventual FA Cup runners-up Manchester United at Old Trafford in the quarter finals. The 2–2 result at the Riverside set up another replay, as Middlesbrough came from behind to lead 2–1, before George Boateng conceded a penalty for handball. Cristiano Ronaldo struck from the spot to force a replay, won by Manchester United 1–0 and ending Boro's run.

Due to every possible match going to a replay, Middlesbrough actually played more FA Cup games than Liverpool had in the competition the previous season, when they emerged as winners.[45]

Results

Note: Results are given with Middlesbrough score listed first. Man of the Match is according to mfc.co.uk.

RoundDateOpponentVenueResult
F–A
AttendanceGoalscorers
38 January 2007Hull CityA1–117,520Viduka 73'
3R16 January 2007Hull CityH4–316,702Hines 32', Viduka (2) 49', 64', Yakubu 57' (pen.)
427 January 2007Bristol CityA2–219,008Yakubu 4', Christie 23'
4R13 February 2007Bristol CityH2–2
(5–4p)
26,328Viduka 69', Yakubu 102'
517 February 2007West Bromwich AlbionH2–231,491Arca 29', Yakubu 45+1' (pen.)
5R27 February 2007West Bromwich AlbionA1–1
(5–4p)
24,925Viduka 63'
610 March 2007Manchester UnitedH2–233,308Cattermole 45', Boateng 47'
6R19 March 2007Manchester UnitedA0–161,325

Off the pitch

Staff changes

First team coach Steve Round left the club on 15 December 2006 following a "difference in philosophy and ideas" with Gareth Southgate, and was replaced by Colin Cooper.[46] Chief European Scout Don Mackay left the team at the end of the year moving to Leicester City as part of their new management team.[47]

Notes and References

  1. News: McClaren named as England manager . . 24 December 2007 . 4 May 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20070830142337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4969592.stm. 30 August 2007. live.
  2. News: Gibson reveals manager wish-list . . 12 May 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  3. News: Mowbray cool on vacant Boro post . . 7 May 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  4. News: Boro begin search for new manager . . 5 May 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  5. News: Venables rejects Boro job offer . . 28 May 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  6. News: Venables named England assistant . . 11 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  7. News: Southgate appointed as Boro boss . . 7 July 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  8. News: Southgate wins coaching reprieve . . 22 November 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  9. News: Hasselbaink not given Boro deal . . 4 July 2006 . 23 December 2007.
  10. News: Doriva released by Middlesbrough . . 6 July 2006 . 23 December 2007.
  11. News: Midfielder Goulon pens Boro deal . . 13 July 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  12. News: Middlesbrough complete Arca swoop . . 26 July 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  13. News: Woodgate & £6m Huth sign for Boro . . 30 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  14. News: Middlesbrough complete Euell deal . . 31 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  15. News: Middlesbrough complete Lee deal . 25 January 2007 . 18 September 2007 . BBC Sport.
  16. News: Sanchez will let Franck leave . . 16 July 2007 . 22 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102952/http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C19528%2C11681_2609995%2C00.html . 29 September 2007 . live .
  17. News: Transfer deadline day . . 3 February 2007 . 24 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070826084716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6222283.stm. 26 August 2007. live.
  18. News: Ehiogu completes move to Rangers . . 25 January 2007 . 24 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080207025304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6286283.stm. 7 February 2008 . live.
  19. News: Maccarone completes Siena switch . . 30 January 2007 . 24 December 2007.
  20. News: Tigers add Parlour's experience . . 9 February 2007 . 24 December 2007.
  21. News: The Reasons Why . mfc.co.uk . 6 June 2007 . 14 May 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070614014118/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C1~1024351%2C00.html . 14 June 2007 . dead .
  22. News: Xavier agrees move to LA Galaxy . BBC Sport . 6 June 2007 . 15 May 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070617100015/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6656623.stm. 17 June 2007 . live.
  23. News: Parnaby makes Birmingham switch . BBC Sport . 1 June 2007 . 1 June 2007.
  24. News: Carlisle win race to sign Graham . BBC Sport . 6 June 2007 . 6 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070528185519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/carlisle_united/6673013.stm. 28 May 2007 . live.
  25. News: Viduka makes switch to Newcastle . BBC Sport . 7 June 2007 . 7 June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070704090216/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/6729863.stm. 4 July 2007 . live.
  26. News: Irish Eyes Smile For Daryl . 3 July 2007 . 3 July 2007 . mfc.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070705211459/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C1~1066711%2C00.html . 5 July 2007 .
  27. News: Blackpool sign Middlesbrough star . . 2 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  28. News: Wednesday sign Boro keeper Jones . . 4 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  29. News: Oldham make loan swoop for Knight . . 24 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  30. News: Wolves snap up Middlesbrough ace . . 28 September 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  31. News: Wheater returns to Middlesbrough . . 16 November 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  32. News: Leeds take Boro's Johnson on loan . . 16 October 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  33. News: Wrexham sign Premiership striker . . 25 October 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  34. Web site: Soccerbase . 20 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070919000334/http://www.soccerbase.com/. 19 September 2007 . live.
  35. Web site: Academy Roll Call 2006/7 . mfc.co.uk . 24 December 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080105141042/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Academy/0%2C%2C1~906703%2C00.html . 5 January 2008 . dead .
  36. News: Reading 3-2 Middlesbrough . . 19 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  37. News: Middlesbrough 2-1 Chelsea . . 23 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  38. News: Middlesbrough 0-4 Portsmouth . . 28 August 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  39. News: Sheff Utd 2-1 Middlesbrough . . 30 September 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  40. News: Watford 2-0 Middlesbrough . . 4 November 2006 . 24 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080124155928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6094116.stm. 24 January 2008 . live.
  41. News: Charlton 1-3 Middlesbrough . . 13 January 2007 . 24 December 2007.
  42. News: Middlesbrough 5-1 Bolton . . 20 January 2007 . 24 December 2007.
  43. Web site: Barclays Premiership . 13 May 2007 . 24 December 2007 . mfc.co.uk . https://web.archive.org/web/20080410042851/http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/Tables/0,,1~20070513,00.html . 10 April 2008 . dead .
  44. News: Middlesbrough 0-1 Notts County . . 20 September 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  45. News: The fans view: Middlesbrough season rests on FA Cup replay . 18 March 2007 . 21 May 2007 . Colin . Illingworth . SQUARE football. https://web.archive.org/web/20070513181559/http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=4290. 13 May 2007 . dead.
  46. News: Coach Round leaves Middlesbrough . . 15 December 2006 . 24 December 2007.
  47. News: Foxes recruit N'Gotty and Nielsen . . 4 June 2007 . 24 December 2007.