So, the new season is upon us. Middlesbrough have been tipped to do well but how optimistic are you going into the campaign?
With Mowbray in charge I am optimistic but unless we bring some new faces in we are a weaker team on paper then last term. That said I expect us to be looking up the table rather than down it as we were for large parts of last season.
Tony Mowbray is regarded as a legend on Teeside. Do you think he's the man to guide Boro back to the big time eventually?
From what I have seen so far I am very pleased. He has managed to change the way we play for the better and bought some excitement back to our games. He has also clearly improved individuals within the team with players such as Bennett suddenly becoming important players from nowhere.
He has said from the start to not expect miracles and that it will take time to get back to the premier league but I think under Mowbray we will get there.
Are you happy with your transfer dealings so far? Where do you need to strengthen and who can't you afford to lose?
It was clear that there would be more outs than ins with the wage bill needing to be cut but I am pleased with how we have gone about it. We've lost big names like Digard and Boyd but they are players who have just not performed for us.
At this point it is essential to keep our academy players along with McDonald our only striker if we are to progress this season.
It might be early days, but who do you believe to be the most important player in your team?
Rhys Williams. Consistent, strong and can play anywhere. He has experience of getting promoted with Burnley when on loan and he loves the Boro. If he can stay fit I expect him to be a key player for us this season. However McDonald is also of huge importance being our only proven striker.
What is your biggest concern with regards to your team going into the new campaign?
As mentioned previously our small squad and lack of strikers. I think we really need to bring someone in on loan at least or we may struggle. However Mowbray has got us playing in such a way that goals are coming from all over the team which is reassuring.
What do you make of the current Pompey side and do you think we'll do well this season?
I have a Pompey friend who was very depressed at the end of last season. The squad is small but has some players who should be great in this division in Lawrence, Kitson and Tal Ben Haim. I don't know much about your new owner but I think success relies on how much he is willing to put into the squad. I expect a midtable finish as the club starts to restructure and rebuild.
What sort of match are you expecting at The Riverside on Saturday?
An exciting one, I expect goals for both teams, hopefully more for the Boro. Lawrence better not have a good day because he tore us to shreds last time I saw him.
Predict the outcome of the match.
2-1 Boro with a goal from McDonald.