Football FanCast columnist Luke Raine takes look back has been a progressive season for Middlesbrough football club.

As Portsmouth FA Cup victory brought down the curtain for yet another season, it gives us all an opportunity to let the dust settle and work out where it all went wrong for our respective clubs. We at Football FanCast are doing our own review of each clubs season; and pinpointing all the positives and negatives to be taken from the 2007/08 campaign.

Club: Middlesbrough
Pos: 13th
Pts: 42

Prize money: £5.76m

In the 2006/2007 season Middlesbrough finished 12th with a final points' total of 46, the following season the team slipped down a place and accumulated four fewer points. However the season is not necessarily regarded as one step forward and two steps backwards. Gareth Southgate has another year under his managerial belt, which is extremely important for a man who is still improving and learning with every game.

Statistically at least it could be argued that this season was not as good as the one that preceded it, but there are other factors to consider other than simply the amount of points the team won. The squad is still undergoing an overhaul, with Gareth Southgate starting to be able to pick from "his" players rather than those from the previous regime. There is also a definite shift starting to appear in the style of football played. Although this isn't apparent all of the time, the side are certainly trying to incorporate more energy and style into their game when it is possible.

There have also been disappointments, but they are part of the contract when you sign up to be a Boro fan. The F.A Cup exit at the hands of Cardiff City was the major let down, although poor league form through autumn got fans thinking about what life would be like in The Championship next season.

Thankfully for the club it didn't come to that, with the victory over Arsenal on December 9th, the catalyst for the points won which would ultimately see the club safe from the threat of relegation.

As for signings, there were a few. Not all of them settled as quickly as the fans would have liked but nevertheless, the acquisitions will give Southgate confidence in the transfer market next season. The arrival of Tuncay Sanli on a free transfer was a great bit of business, with the Turk ending the season with eight league goals and endearing himself to the club's supporters with his high work rate.

Afonso Alves arrived in a big money transfer in January, and the Brazilian finally found his feet by the end of the season, scoring six goals in his first seven starts for the club. He will certainly be a player to look out for next season if he continues his progression in English football.

 
Who's hot?

For me, the signing of last summer was undoubtedly Luke Young. The full back was arguably the side's most consistent performer last term, and, in my view, was unlucky not to be considered for England at some point over the season. His price tag of £2.5 million can be considered a bargain after the season the right back has had.

Who's not?

As for disappointments, I am going to rule out Dong Gook Lee straight away, as Boro fans were aware that he was about as much use as a chocolate teapot the previous season. Towards the end of his stay at The Riverside, the Korean became a running joke with the fans and no tears were spilt when he departed - except those of relief.

So excluding Lee from the worst signing category, it leaves me with no option but to give that award to Gary O Neil. Five million pounds for a midfielder should provide a return of more than no goals in my opinion, and although you can't fault the player's effort, his overall performances have to be seen as disappointing simply because of the lack of goals he has contributed from midfield in a team that could have done with half a dozen.

 
Rising star:

The rising star of the season is a no contest, with David Wheater taking the award for a season which started with him being sixth choice central defender at the club, and finished with the player on the verge of his first England cap. The consistency of his performances have been remarkable considering he is such a young player and it is accurate to say that he has surprised everyone at the club with his rise up the ranks, including himself.

 
Player of the year:

The player of the season award is easily distributed too. Stewart Downing contributed nine goals from the left wing, and as many, if not more assists as well. If he had been playing for a top four club this season he would have been touted in the press as England's saviour, but instead his reputation from Steve McClaren's tenure as England boss hangs over him like a bad smell despite the excellent performances.

Right Result:

Middlesbrough is one of the teams that have been living proof that refereeing decisions even themselves out over a season.
The Right Result is a company whose mission is to show you, the fans, how the Premier League table would look, if the match officials got all their decisions right - Click here to view the Right Result table.

Conclusion 

So overall it has been a promising season, even if Premier League status wasn't mathematically secured until the penultimate weekend of the season. The manager is starting to find his feet and his record in the transfer window is improving with every purchase. With a couple of signings (James Milner and Tom Huddlestone please) which will sure up the midfield, next season could be much more comfortable, with a place in the top ten easily within reach if the team hit the ground running - but remember this is Middlesbrough we are talking about.

 How do you think your season has panned out? Who would you like to see come in and be sold in the summer? What must be the minimum requirement for next season?