Stuart Parnaby has vowed to prove himself after being frozen out last season.
Stuart Parnaby has called the 2006/2007 campaign a "wasted season" after Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate presented him with few first-team opportunities.
Parnaby was a regular feature during Steve McClaren's reign at Boro but Southgate did not see the former England Under 21 in his future plans.
The defender moved to Birmingham City on a free transfer on 6th June and recently voiced his determination to put one over his boyhood club when they meet on 1st September.
The 24-year-old is eager to prove his worth, saying: "Under Steve McClaren, I played most of the games at Middlesbrough that I was available for and it was a great time when we got to the Uefa Cup final.
"But when Gareth took over, he wanted to change things and I didn't fit into his plans. It meant it was a bit of a wasted season for me.
"Now I am at Birmingham, I am enjoying it here already and I have got a point to prove after not playing as many games as I would have liked last season.
"It's a chance in this coming season for me to prove things to people who maybe didn't think I was good enough."
Parnaby though does not hold any grudges against Southgate, adding: "Having said that, you can't really blame Gareth because different managers have different opinions. That's just the way it is."
