Football Season Review

Middlesbrough missed out on a Premier League return but in truth did not really have much of a chance of that happening for much of the campaign. Garry Monk invested heavily after arriving at the club last summer and eyebrows were raised when Britt Assombalonga was snapped up for a club record £15 million. It has to be said that Assombalonga did not really live up to his transfer fee with just 15 goals over the whole season. Monk was sacked midway through the season and replaced by Tony Pulis who at least made them harder to beat. Pulis named a settled side and secured a play-off spot. But despite performing well under him, Adama Traore did not deliver in the play-off semi-final against Aston Villa. It was a play-off semi full of regret with no goals or indeed decent chances in either leg as they could not break Villa down. There is enough reason to believe that Pulis could get it right in time for next season though. He is known for his work in the transfer market so given time to bring in his own players could well deliver next term. Boro have some good players but you sense they are lacking in certain areas, something that needs to be addressed over the summer months.

Player of the Season: Adama Traoré