Football Season Review

Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on a top six finish after a late loss of form saw Tony Mowbray's men miss out on a shot at the Premier League. Boro made an electric start to the season, with striker Marvin Emnes in particularly prolific form from the outset. However, injuries and a loss of form took their toll after Christmas and it became a struggle for the Reds to maintain a playoff position. Over the course of the season Mowbray has had a largely youthful squad at his disposal with a large percentage made up of homegrown talent. The likes of Matt Bates, Rhys Williams, Tony McMahon and Jason Steele have all formed a solid spine and should be the basis of another playoff tilt next year. Boro struggled to pick up enough points on home soil in the second half of the season. Their inability to break sides down left them vulnerable and this was one of the main reasons behind their seventh-placed finish. Midfielder Barry Robson has been a calming influence on the side throughout the campaign and his goals and assists will be greatly missed next term with the Scot leaving the club to join the Vancouver Whitecaps. With a small summer transfer budget Mowbray looks unlikely to make wholesale changes to his squad in a bid to maintain some continuity and consistency for 2012/13.

Player of the Season: Barry Robson