Football Season Review

Middlesbrough finished in second spot and were promoted back to the Premier League. There is no doubt that Boro deserved promotion but it became nervy in the remaining weeks and especially their last game against direct promotion rival Brighton where they sneaked a draw to go up on goal difference. Aitor Karanka has done a good job after losing in the play-offs last term but a mid-season spat where he refused to take charge of the team for one game threatened to undermine his good work. Once again it was the defence, superbly led by Daniel Ayala, that helped Boro to their target and they conceded only eight goals at home all season, a quite phenomenal achievement. Up-front too they impressed with Dave Nugent leading the line well and Jordan Rhodes eventually delivering despite a poor start with the weight of being the club's record signing. Gaston Ramirez was also a vitally important figure in the closing stages of the season as he arrived on loan from Southampton. You get the impression that further squad investment is desperately needed if Boro have any chance of Premier League survival.

Player of the Season: Daniel Ayala