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Middlesbrough FC: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Victor Valdes of Middlesbrough in action during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough FC and Crystal Palace FC at Riverside Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) *** Local Caption **** Victor Valdes
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Victor Valdes of Middlesbrough in action during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough FC and Crystal Palace FC at Riverside Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) *** Local Caption **** Victor Valdes /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Daniel Ayala of Middlesbrough challenges David Nugent of Leicester City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Middlesbrough at The King Power Stadium on January 25, 2014 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Daniel Ayala of Middlesbrough challenges David Nugent of Leicester City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Middlesbrough at The King Power Stadium on January 25, 2014 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

The big fear: That Aranka’s lack of experience in the Premier League will prove costly in their relegation fight.

When Aitor Karanka came to Middlesbrough in 2013 the club was in shambles. In three years the former Real Madrid defender and assistant coach has rebuilt the side into a defensive force and a side that finally this season made it back to the Premier League.

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It was not always easy but after getting rid of some dead weight and giving some younger players a chance Karanka has found a nice corps of players to take on the Premier League.

The big fear though is that in year one he might not have the experience necessary to keep this team in the first division. Make no mistake about it- Karanka is certainly a very talented coach. But he has never really gone through a relegation battle.

During his time as a player and his limited time as a coach he has never had to face the fear of being dropped a division. It takes a certain type of manager to go through a Premier League relegation fight and a management group that is patient and not willing to react as if every loss is curtains.

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