By Damian Spellman
July 13 2006

Gareth Southgate will attempt to shed Steve McClaren's reputation for caution as he launches a new era at Middlesbrough. The England head coach elect left the Riverside Stadium having rightly or wrongly been labelled as a manager who took few risks in games.
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McClaren could justifiably point to the astonishing UEFA Cup fightbacks against Basle and Steaua Bucharest last season in his defence, although he freely admits the basis of his reign was to make Boro difficult to beat.

However, Southgate, while not abandoning the defensive qualities which made him such a good player, is determined to entertain the club's fans.

He said: "I want to attack. I want to play an attacking brand of football next season.

"That's not to say we want to win games 8-6 every week, but I am mindful of how expensive it is for supporters to watch Premiership football these days.

"Fans pay a hell of a lot of money to come and watch us, and we have to do what we can to send them home with a smile on their faces."

To that end, Southgate will do all he can to ensure that last season's leading scorer Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Australian international Mark Viduka remain on board despite continuing speculation over the futures of both.

With out-of-contract Dutchman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink almost certain to leave, the Teessiders have already told Portsmouth not to bother pursuing former striker Yakubu, while Viduka remains wanted despite interest from a series of suitors.

Massimo Maccarone remains the only other senior striker with first-team experience on the books, although youngster Danny Graham will hope to make the breakthrough next season.

Boro's cup exploits during the last campaign left the players and fans alike with bittersweet memories, but Southgate is a subscriber to the theory that it is ultimately on league results that a side is judged.

Fourteenth place was painfully short of the club's ambitions last season, although that was due in part to a concentration on securing European football via the FA or UEFA Cups.

Southgate said: "I think we were better than 14th in the Premiership last season, but we put the emphasis on winning cup games because we had so much more to gain in those competitions.

"We won't be in that situation this season, and so we have to concentrate on winning points and climbing the table."

The 35-year-old has been back at the club's Rockliffe Park training headquarters this week working towards completing his UEFA B Licence coaching qualification.

He was appointed as McClaren's successor despite not having the required UEFA Pro Licence, but Boro are confident of winning special dispensation.

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By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.