The concept of “minnow teams” in the Premier League is fast losing ground as was the case last season when we saw an unprecedented amount of competition in, what is known as, the best league in the world. The beautiful success story of a club like Leicester City who played some quality football to win the title, ousting some very formidable sides show exactly how far a team can improve with practice.
The so called elitist hegemony among the clubs is now a thing of the past as most of the “historically great” and dominant clubs of the EPL have successively failed to create a mark for the past two seasons. Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC may be held as prime examples of this trend.
Not just Leicester but even teams like Tottenham and Southampton have been steadily rising through the ranks to become established and strong opponents. A team like Stoke City has maintained its place in the Premier League for nine consecutive seasons. Watford also had lukewarm success in the League last season and it is this trend that Middlesbrough will seek to emulate in the 2016/17 season.
After a fantastic run in the Championships, Boro look all set to face the challenges of the League head on. With whatever little that can be deduced from their Championship run last season and their current transfer activity, here are 5 reasons why Middlesbrough have it in them to be yet another Premier League success straight after promotion.
#1 Theoretically easy start
On paper, Middlesbrough look to have the ideal start to the season as their first five games are against teams that might just give them good practice for the remainder of the schedule. The way they are rearing to go, they might just give some of the teams a run for their money in their aim to the top. They open their campaign at home against a consistent Stoke City, a team as confident as they are about their upcoming season.
After that, they face Sunderland in their first away game before playing against West Brom and Crystal Palace. On paper, it seems like a steadily increasing difficulty level before they actually face the so-called big guns of the tournament. With most of the teams going through a transition phase this year, Middlesbrough may have their work cut out for them but if they can hold their own among a bunch of currently struggling teams, Middlesbrough are set to be the next success story of the newly promoted teams.
#2 An inspiring manager
Under Aitor Karanka, Middlesbrough have had a fantastic season in the Championships and have emerged brilliantly. This historically great club have come close to qualifying for top flight football in England several times. Recently, there was still some doubt regarding Karanka's continuing association with the club after he went incommunicado following Boro's loss to Charlton Athletic.
However, the manager returned with full gusto and Boro won six consecutive games after this one defeat. This do-or-die attitude and the desire to play as a cohesive team is something that will come extremely handy once the club returns to playing regularly at a massively big stage like the EPL. Karanka has expressed his fondness for the club and shut down whatever doubt regarding his contracts there were by saying that he was in no danger of leaving the club before the season.
Karanka has been a prolific player during his time in Spain and is quite famous for taking risks that no one else would. But really, after Leicester's fairy tale run in the league, maybe it is a sign that the tried and tested style of play that has dominated the English tournament so far, needs a tactical revision
#3 Unexpected but brilliant signings
Up until now, Boro have done and completed some fantastic signings that add to their already versatile platter of existing players. And they show no signs of stopping as they are continuously being linked to even better players. Recently, they completed the deal for Victor Valdes, a player who has consistently been regarded as one of the best players during his time with FC Barcelona, played the role of the second choice goalie during his time at Manchester United.
The former LFC youngster Antonio Barragan and Dutch League star Viktor Fischer are the newest additions to the side. Boro have also been linked to players like Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj and Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic.
The Danish attacking midfielder has lately been sidelined by his boyhood club due to continuing injuries. Furthermore, playmaker Gaston Ramirez who is currently a free agent released from Southampton is also on the cards.
A season-long loan deal for Alvaro Negredo is also in place. Negredo, it must be remembered adapted quite well to the format of the Premier League and put in a decent performance in the one season with Manchester City. This strengthens Boro’s attacking lineup even more and will make for an interesting watch.
It is in no way implied that big names are in any way proportional to great performances. However, being relatively inexperienced in the Premier League at this point, Boro could use the experience the new signings bring and make sure it works in their favour.
#4 Style of football
Judging solely on their Championship run and the melting pot of players currently in their roost, a comprehensive analysis of their gameplay may be made. Looking at matches like the one against Liverpool in the 3rd Round of the Capital One Cup or the 2-0 win against Derby in the Championship right down to the game against Manchester City in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, an unparalleled brilliance has come to light.
Leicester, last season did not rely on possession at all. Rather, the department they impressed the most in was the accuracy of their passing game and most noticeably their quick counter-attacks spelt misery for their opponents and success for them. Based on Boro's current line-up and recent performances, they could be looking to emulate something similar that Leicester pulled off.
Against a City lineup that included several big names like David Silva and Sergio Aguero, Boro pulled off their sixth consecutive clean sheet of the season before taking the lead through a stunning piece of counter-attack that earned Patrick Bamford the result. With all their signings it seems it seems the season will continue to be based on this kind of football.
#5 Only one priority
The only thing Middlesbrough have to concentrate on this season is maintaining a top division spot. For a feisty club that has absolutely nothing to lose, Boro can concentrate simply on doing well and setting up a treat for their supporters in both home and away games. Unlike last year's heroes Leicester, they have no Champion's League to fret and worry about and can take some time off to settle comfortably in the format of the Premier League.
Being promoted from the Football Championships is a big deal owing to its gruelling games and competitiveness among the teams to achieve a top spot. Middlesborough have emerged from that and will be playing with comparatively less pressure on them to prove themselves at every step of the league. This will undoubtedly work in their favour.
