Middlesbrough

Manager: Steve McClaren

Blackburn's nightmarish experience with Brian Kidd didn't deter Steve Gibson from investing his faith and a lot more of his money in another untried former assistant of Alex Ferguson. Time will tell whether the judgement of the man who most felt should have ditched Bryan Robson a lot earlier has improved.

Early indications are vaguely positive, although Southgate aside there was little enough in the summer transfer dealings to get all that worked up about. Southgate will bring leadership to the defence and if Alen Boksic can stay fit, then it's hard to see the club struggling.

Challenging for anything is another thing, though, and so like Leicester's, the club's supporters might have to settle for a slightly humdrum period - after Robbo that'll probably do just fine.

In: Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa, £6.5m); Szilard Nemeth (Inter Bratislava, up to £3m), Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson (Manchester United £2.5m and £1.5m respectively). Total £13.5m.

Out: Gary Pallister (retired), Christian Karembeu (Olympiakos, £3.5m), Neil Maddison (Darlington, free), Keith O'Neill (Coventry City, £1m) Alan Moore (Burnley, free). Total: £4.5m. Net spend: £9 million.

Rep of Ireland players: Steve Baker, Curtis Fleming and Jason Gavin.

Last year: Prem: 14th, FAC: 4th.

This year:14th.

Official website: www.mfc.co.uk

Betting: 350-1.