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Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Reports during pre-season on expected 1st team Line-Ups for clubs in the English Premier League
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FootballWriter1
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Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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2015/2016 SEASON REVIEW

After seven straight seasons in the Championship, Middlesbrough have finally managed to get back to the Premier League. They ended their season on a 10 match unbeaten run and finished just behind Burnley in 2nd spot, tied with Brighton but had a better goal difference which secured them the place in Premier League. They played 46 matches in the Championship and won 26 of them, losing just 9 matches and drawing 11. They had a good run in the League Cup, but lost to Everton in the quarterfinals 0-2. In the FA Cup they lost their first match, third round against Burnley 1-2. Their best time of the season was from November to January when they won 25 of possible 27 points and made a great push towards the Premier League.

PRESEASON 2016/2017

Middlesbrough made excellent work of preseason and showed that they have big intentions in this season and they want to stay in Premier League. Boro made some very well-known signings. After the preseason I can say they are one of the teams that I expect to stay at the Premier League and to be around 12th place. Maybe they are new Leicester from this season, who knows. They signed Victor Valdes, Brad Guzan, Antonio Barragan, Bernardo Espinosa, Viktor Fischer, Marten de Roon and also Alvaro Negredo on one year loan from Valencia. Boro signed very quality players and also made a 5 million pounds bid for Hull defender McGuire. Subotic was inches from signing for the club, but failed to pass the medical and the transfer broke down. They have filled every position with quality names and if they make some more signings they are true candidates to stay in the Premier League.

GOALKEEPERS

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos had the best season in his career last season. The 37 year old goalkeeper was magnificent last season, conceding only 8 goals on 23 home games and keeping a clean sheet in 22 matches, setting a new club record. He finished the season playing in all 46 games, conceding only 31 goals with 119 saves. He came to Middlesbrough in 2013 and since then, made already over 100 appearances for the club. With the signings Boro made this preseason, it will be extremely tough for him to stay the first choice at this position. 34 year old Victor Valdes is a worldwide known name in football and after last season where he spent on loan in Standard Liege, he will have another shot to prove the world he is not done but he has not had much match time in the last few years. They have also signed a very proven goalkeeper with a lot of Premier League experience 31 year old Brad Guzan. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, but after they got relegated this season he took a chance to sign with a new Premier League team. There is a 4th goalkeeper, 27 year old Meijas, but the manager has said either Meijas or Konstantopoulos will be leaving the club in August as he only wants 3 goalkeepers on the wage bill. It will be a very tough to choose the main goalkeeper without further information from the club/manager, but even though Valdes is currently the main favourite, I think despite his age Konstantopoulos deserves to be the first choice because of last season and if he starts in the final pre-season match of the season on 6 August he could have one more year as Boro's main keeper. If you're looking to put a 'cheap' goalkeeper in your fantasy football team now then look at another club because this one is hard to say at the moment.

DEFENDERS

The defence that played most games for Boro the last season was George Friend at left back, Daniel Ayala at centre back, Ben Gibson at centre back and Tomas Kalas at right back. They represented the best defence in Championship last season and did a great job together. Ayala and Friend were named to the Championship Team of the season. Full-back Friend was a key player in Middlesbrough’s stellar back line and his successful season was capped by being named the PFA Player in the community. Ayala was in 7th place at the Manager’s Player of the year award. He also scored 3 goals during the season. The defence will have dramatic changes for the next season. Kalas already left to Fulham as he was on a loan from Chelsea and his replacement is Antonio Barragan from Valencia. Another signing in defence is Bernardo Espinosa who plays centre back position and came from Sporting Gijon. All in all, a solid defence for a team that is fighting to stay in Premier League and if they keep the level of playing like last season, they can do a good job.

MIDFIELD

Middlesbrough have very solid midfield players and now added Fischer and defensive midfielder, de Roon, which will make them a very good team. Last season Gaston Ramirez came on loan from Southampton in January, but he is now a player of Boro after signing a three year contract with the club. He played in 18 matches for the club and scored 7 goals. Gaston played brilliantly and this season has a new chance to improve and prove himself back in Premier League. Adam Clayton has become an integral player in the Middlesbrough midfield under current manager Aitor Karanka, forming a formidable partnership alongside club captain Grant Leadbitter (currently injured). Clayton played 43 games for the club in Championship at defensive midfielder position, scored and assisted 1 goal. 30 year old defensive midfielder Leadbitter is a team captain and was named into Championship Team of the year. In 41 games played, the captain scored 4 and assisted 3 goals and will be one of the crucial players for Boro next season but he is currently injured until September. Another very famous name in Middlesbrough is Stewart Downing, former Liverpool and West Ham player. He only missed one game in the whole Championship season and scored 3 goals along with 5 assists. This 32 year old player will be back in the Premier League next season and will be a great mentor for the team as he has great Premier League experience. Emilio Nsue is very versatile player who can play in many positions on the pitch, as midfielder or right back or even in striker position. He was one of the best players last season, playing in 40 matches for the club and scoring 3 goals. At attacking midfielder, right winger position, very good and consistent player for Boro last 3 seasons is Albert Adomah. He played his best season of the career, scoring 6 goals and assisting 5. Adomah will have a huge impact on the offensive game of Middlesbrough and will try to take his good form from Championship to Premier League. Super sub last season was Adam Forshaw. He played in 29 matches, but 20 of them came of the bench and scored and assisted 2 goals. He is expected to take the role of bench player this year too, but with less playing time now that new players have arrived.

STRIKERS

Middlesbrough sold their best striker last season in January, Kike to Eibar, but they bought a new striker and that proved to be a brilliant move for Boro. They signed Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn on a 4 and a half years contract. In the first half season, he scored 10 goals in 25 matches for Blackburn, but from the first minute he came to Middlesbrough he showed that he will be a great signing. He played just 18 matches for the team, scoring 6 goals and assisting 2 more. He is now familiar with the team and the style and will surely do well in Premier League too. Their best striker last season was Cristhaian Stuani, who came to Middlesbrough in 2015 after changing several clubs in Spain. He played in 36 league matches, started 20 of them and scored 7 goals for the team. Biggest signing for the club is getting Alvaro Negredo from Valencia. Not a world-class player but definitely a great striker who will help them a lot this season and might turn his career into something great again. I expect him to be team’s leader and score the most goals by far on this team. David Nugent is also on the books at Boro and has 2 years left on his 3 year contract.

PREDICTED 2016/2017 LINEUP

I don’t think Karanka will change his tactics and style and with the addition of some of these great players, Middlesbrough can make good things. I expect him to stay at him 4-2-3-1 tactics :

Konstantopoulos/Valdes

Barragan Gibson Ayala Friend

Clayton Leadbitter (injured so prob replaced by de Roon)

Fischer/Adomah Ramirez Downing

Negredo (Rhodes)


SUMMARY

Middlesbrough is definitely a team who did a remarkable job in preseason and is now one of the favourites to stay in the Premier League after this upcoming season. The team is made out of very proven, experienced players who are used to the Premier League. Newcomers will help the team a lot and improve the current squad to the level that they can expect to stay in the league. My prediction for them in next season is around 12th spot, being better than clubs like Hull, Bournemouth and Burnley. Negredo could shine again and make us all believe that he can turn into great player that he used to be.

FANTASY FOOTBALL :

Alvaro Negredo – Negredo is my absolute pick to be the best player on this team. Once considered a world-class player, still has a lot of things to bring to the table. I think without the doubt that he will be the leader of this team and that he will score more than 10 goals in the Premier league and let’s just hope that he stays healthy. This is one of the last chances for him to show that he can still play at a high level and he did a great job moving to Boro where he can show the world what he can do.


INJURY UPDATE

Daniel Ayala – Ankle injury – 10 DAYS
Marten De Roon – Hip injury – 10 DAYS
Bernardo – Knee injury – 10 DAYS
Grant Leadbitter – Hernia – 6 WEEKS

PRESEASON RESULTS

July 9 – York City (Bootham Crescent) 6-0 (Rhodes (2), Nugent, Adomah, Reach, Flinders (o.g.) )
July 16 – Doncaster Rovers (Keepmoat Stadium) 2-0 (Butler (o.g, Pattison)
July 19 – Real Betis (Municipal Stadium) 1-2 (Rhodes)
July 23 – AD Alcorcon (Marbella) 2-2 (Negredo, Rhodes)
July 25 – Al-Ahli (Marbella) 2-0 (Nugent, De Sart)
July 30 – Aston Villa (Villa Park) 3-1 (Negredo, Fischer, Rhodes)
August 3 – Udinese 0-0
August 6 – Real Sociedad

FIRST 10 PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Round 1 – Stoke City HOME 3pm Sat 13 Aug
Round 2 – Sunderland AWAY
Round 3 – West Brom AWAY
Round 4 – Crystal Palace HOME
Round 5 – Everton AWAY
Round 6 – Tottenham HOME
Round 7 – West Ham AWAY
Round 8 – Watford HOME
Round 9 – Arsenal AWAY
Round 10 – Bournemouth HOME

FootballWriter1
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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala has signed a new four-year contract.

Summer signings Gaston Ramirez and Brad Guzan have finally been cleared to play in England for club Middlesbrough.

FootballWriter1
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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Preseason Friendly : Middlesbrough - Real Sociedad 0-0

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by mad dog »

Ayala is injured isn't he deffo out first weekend?

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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mad dog wrote:Ayala is injured isn't he deffo out first weekend?
I haven't seen any definite news he's out but he didn't play in today's friendly 0-0 draw. Instead Barragan played at CB with Nsue taking his RB role.

P.S. Valdes played GK until replaced by Konstantopoulos near the end. Starting line-up against Real Sociedad (below) and that looks like the one they may start with next Saturday if Ayala not back:

Valdes

Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend

Clayton, de Roon

Fischer, Ramirez, Downing

Negredo

But Adomah did come on for Fischer and apparently looked dangerous as did Ramirez during the game and Nsue and Barragan looked good as well. Rhodes came on in the 2nd half as well. So looks like only doubt to above starting 11 is whether it's Fischer or Adomah and if Ayala is fit then Barragan moves over to RB with Nsue dropping to the bench. Rhodes likely to be a 2nd half sub for Negredo.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by mad dog »

I'll be happy with that line up boss

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by FootballWriter1 »

Middlesbrough are hoping to conclude a deal to sign Cardiff defender Fabio Da Silva in the next 48 hours.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by Parmoman »

Ayala definitely not fit for season start. Ramirez / Downing likely to take set pieces.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka insists avoiding relegation from the Premier League is his main target for the season ahead.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

admin wrote:
Valdes

Nsue, Barragan, Gibson, Friend

Clayton, de Roon

Fischer, Ramirez, Downing

Negredo

But Adomah did come on for Fischer and apparently looked dangerous as did Ramirez during the game and Nsue and Barragan looked good as well. Rhodes came on in the 2nd half as well. So looks like only doubt to above starting 11 is whether it's Fischer or Adomah and if Ayala is fit then Barragan moves over to RB with Nsue dropping to the bench. Rhodes likely to be a 2nd half sub for Negredo.
Still happy with this as the predicted line-up although Sky Sports now report Ayala as fit so Nsue would drop out.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

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Premier League : Game 1 - Middlesbrough vs Stoke City 1-1 (Negredo 11', Shaqiri 67')

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

The line-up was:

V Valdes, E Nsue, A Barragan, B Gibson, G Friend, A Adomah, A Clayton, G Ramirez yellow card (D Nugent, 88), M de Roon - hamstring (A Forshaw yellow card, 22), S Downing yellow card, A Negredo

Subs not used: A Baptiste, D Konstantopoulos, V Fischer, J Rhodes, C Stuani

Ayala might now be fit to take over CB role. Fabio was signed but is likely FB back-up at moment. de Roon injured so will be replaced in middle of the park.

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by kevchenko »

Any idea why Valdes not involved today?

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Re: Middlesbrough - Expected Line-Ups 13 August 2016

Post by admin »

kevchenko wrote:Any idea why Valdes not involved today?
Reported as a muscle injury.

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