Middlesbrough will be looking to climb the table during the second half of the season.
Speaking live on Sky Sports’ Gillette Soccer Special AT 12:11 on January 2nd, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson offered his opinion on what would represent an acceptable season for Middlesbrough, in their first campaign back in the Premier League since they were relegated in 2009.
Aitor Karanka’s men have been solid if not spectacular during the first half of their campaign in the top flight, with their lack of goals so far proving to be a major problem.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka looks dejected after the game
They have, however, impressed when playing tough games away from the Riverside, with their resilience proving to be a key feature of their game.
And Merson explained how, if the Teessiders can avoid relegation, they would have achieved their target, when speaking to Sky Sports:
“This is a difficult league. If they could be honest, they have been out of this league for a long, long time. For me, if they could finish 17th this season, I think they would have done a great job.”
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
With the January transfer window now open, Karanka will surely be looking to strengthen his options in the forward department, in an attempt to add firepower to his goal-shy frontline.
And with a very winnable run of fixtures coming up over the course of the next few weeks, January could turn out to be a season defining month in more ways than one.
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