Last updated: 15th May 2008
Southgate: Midfield priority
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out making sweeping changes at The Riverside this summer.
In the past year Boro have brought in the likes of Mido, Gary O'Neil and club record signing Afonso Alves, as well as snapping up Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli.
Boro endured a slightly disappointing campaign after only guaranteeing Premier League survival in the final weeks of the season, but Southgate insists he is happy with the backbone of his squad.
"I have not discussed the absolute finances of it because I know if it is the right thing for the club, the chairman will always try to fund it," said Southgate.
"We have got a considerable reduction in the wage bill with Gaizka Mendieta and Fabio Rochemback going, so that does help the situation of the club.
"In terms of there being spectacular signings, I am not sure that's what we need.
"That's what we have always tried to do as a club, but I am not sure that is what we should be trying to do.
"It's exciting for the supporters, at times, to see a name come in, but in the long-term, is it productive?
"From my perspective, it doesn't have to be spectacular - but I understand why there is an inclination to look that way."
Southgate has been linked with moves for a host of strikers, but the Boro boss is adamant that he will be looking to fine tune his midfield following the departure of Mendieta and Rochemback.
"Strikers are not a priority for us. That might change at some point, but I wouldn't foresee it. I am quite happy with the blend we have got," Southgate added.
"Mido has got a challenge ahead of him now, but the priority with Fabio going is midfield players."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Arsenal vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Wigan |
| 17:30 | Sunderland vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Chelsea vs Portsmouth |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Everton |
| 17:30 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| 16:00 | Man City vs West Ham |
| Monday 25th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 8 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Newcastle | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Derby 0 - 4 Reading | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Wigan 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Birmingham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Tottenham 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton | |
| Monday 5th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 4th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton | |
| Saturday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Reading 0 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 2 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 4 - 1 West Ham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
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