2007/08 SEASON - WRITER'S PREDICTIONS - PART TWO

Jeff Winter (Former Premiership Referee & Writer - Soccer Spotlight).

Where will Boro finish?
11th.

Who will go down?
Derby, Wigan and Birmingham.

Who will win the title?
Liverpool.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
Yakubu.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Jason Kennedy.

Other thoughts:
The fans should get behind the team in numbers and noise - the media, local and national, will only be interested in Newcastle and Sunderland. Let's once again prove them all wrong.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gordon Dalton (Well-dressed man).

Where will Boro finish?
I know it's a bit of a cliché, but that's because it's true. So, thirteenth it is then.

Who will go down?
I was pinning my hopes on Manchester City going down so I will stick with them. Derby and Wigan are also doomed. You can't play in a quarter full home stadium with an average team and expect to stay up.

Who will win the title?
Manchester United, by some distance.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
Is this a trick question? Tuncay looks good, but will be stuck out on the right; Aliadiere won't play enough games. So, with service from both flanks, I'm going to stick with Yakubu. If we get a lot of penalties, that is.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Does Taylor still count as Academy? Seb Hines has shown he has the potential but with Boro's terminal right-sided problem still playing havoc, I'd like to see Craddock given a chance.

Other thoughts.
I like the cut of Mr Gareth's tailored jib. The club has done good business with Tuncay, Young and Aliadiere and hopefully one or two more as we go to press. All I ask is that we are not predictable. Mr Gareth, probably by mistake, has made us less so than in the McClaren era but there were times last season where we looked lost for ideas. We have got to adapt to different systems and not just hope that Woodgate can save our ass at the back. I'm as optimistic as any Boro fan can be for this season.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Darren Beattie (Writer).

Where will Boro finish?
I'm usually an optimist, yes even for the Boro. So this season I'm going to put my money on a respectable ninth position finish, just missing out on Europe.

Who will go down?
This is a very tough question. There isn't one single bad side in the Premiership this season and although I'd love to say Sunderland, I just don't think it's going to happen. Derby are probably the favourites to go down for me, with Fulham and, surprisingly, Bolton to follow.

Who will win the title?
Again, a difficult question. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and maybe even Spurs will be thereabouts but I don't think anyone will prevent Sir Alex's men from lifting the title for the second season in a row.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
What is it with you people and these hard questions? If Yakubu stays, he's going to be the man we rely on to put the ball into the back of the net. If not, we're going to struggle for goals unless we get another striker.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Tom Craddock looked good against Darlington, so that's who I'm going to choose.

Other thoughts:
Tuncay will really show the Premiership what he's about. What a signing Luke Young is. This could be our best season for a couple of years!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Andy Morgan (ComeOnBoro.com's verbose Deputy Editor).

Where will Boro finish?
Thirteenth - looks like another mediocre season for Boro this season really. We have a far more solid defence than last season with the addition of Luke Young creating an international-class back-four. He is also a major solution to our right-sided problem although time will tell if he will be enough.

At the other end however we have an unproven striker (Tuncay), a striker who hasn't really set the Premiership alight (Aliadiere) and Yakubu who flatters to deceive at the best of times. Viduka's goals arguably kept Boro up last season so let's just hope one of the above three can grab the mettle and surge Boro up the League. As for midfield - we're too reliant on Downing and Arca really. Keep them fit and we'll do just fine.

Who will go down?
Fulham, Wigan and Derby County. Wigan are dead certs - wrong manager and narrowly avoided the drop last time round. Of the promoted clubs Derby look the weakest whilst I have a sneaky suspicion that Fulham may just get pushed the wrong side of the trapdoor.

Who will win the title?
Chelsea by a point. It's going to be a tighter season than last I believe but I think Chelsea will rise to Manchester United's challenge and pip them at the post. In many ways it's also make-or-break season for Jose Mourinho and I think he has the class to beat Sir Alex Ferguson.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
That's a difficult one. Part of me says Julio Arca. If he plays in an attacking minded midfield I think he could possibly beat Aliadiere and Tuncay, who both need to settle in to Premier League football. Aliadiere never really had a consistent stretch of top flight football at Arsenal and I don't think he ever fully acclimatised. Tuncay, of course, has never played in the Premiership despite scoring a hat-trick in European competition against Manchester United. As for Yakubu - you might as well flip a coin on that one.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Apart from Downing? The sadist in me would say the absence of Stuart Parnaby whilst the two Andrews, Taylor and Davies I expect to go from strength to strength. As for new blood this may be the season for Jason Kennedy - impressive performances at Bury and Boston United on loan - who has made a handful of appearances for the senior squad. Should Arca find himself injured he is an ideal replacement for the former-Sunderland man.

Other thoughts:
I just don't see anything other than another plodding average season. Whilst teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Spurs have made significant additions to their squads the Boro haven't really done all that much.

But what we have done is stabilised the squad and with Woodgate committed and Luke Young present the backline is stronger than it was last season.

I still think there is a dearth of attacking midfielders and the worry is that George Boateng may also be getting too old to be our sole workhorse in the centre of the park.

Our strikers meanwhile are either unproven or unreliable and it's hard to judge which way they will go. If they assimilate quickly then Boro will have a good season - if not it could be a struggle. Either way, our defence is definitely good enough to avoid a flirt with relegation.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Stuart Ward (Writer - Tactics Talk).

Where will Boro finish?
I am going to say eighth this season, but probably more like twelfth as every other year!

Who will go down?
Sunderland, Derby, Wigan

Who will win the title?
Manchester United - They have brought in some unbelievable players, for equally unbelievable money. Hard to look past them really, although Liverpool will be second this season.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
Yakubu, providing he stays. The big man is still our most potent threat whether certain fans like it or not!

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
I am not really clued up on the academy players at the minute, I have heard good things about Owens, and I also look forward to seeing more of Adam Johnson this season.

Other thoughts:
I really can't wait to see Tuncay Sanli in action. From what I have seen of the lad he looks like he really has quality. Also the signing of Luke Young is a masterstroke, he is arguably the second best English right back at the minute, and will be rock solid for us this season, hopefully filling the missing part of our defence and leading us to a strong season.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steve Morley (Writer).

Where will Boro finish?
I'm going for an optimistic ninth or tenth. But I'd like to underline, bold, italicise and decorate with flashing lights, the word 'optimistic'.

Who will go down?
Wigan, Derby, Reading.

Who will win the title?
Manchester United.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
Tuncay Sanli, the wild card - he's got blistering pace, Premiership defenders don't know his game and he looks pacy. He shredded the Manchester United defence and he's going to be hungry to prove himself. I would go for Yakubu but ironically he seems to get fatter and slower with each game (maybe it's a Nigerian thing, all that jewellery and dosh tucked into his shorts and socks) and given all the 'no smoke without fire' surrounding him, odds on he's going to play a starring role in 'The Saviour - The Second Coming of Billy Bunter ' at some desperately delusional club (think of The Maggots).

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
If he gets a run in the team, Tony McMahon.

Other thoughts:
High in the Himalayan mountains, 100 miles north-east of Srinagar and just the right side of Jihadstan there's an old man who's spends his time in deep meditation. Pilgrims who reach the remote location testify to his strange powers. If you can get there pre-season, don't hesitate. Make your offerings... we may need it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

John Powls (Writer).

Where will Boro finish?
As things stand, twelfth. With a couple more of the right type of signings, maybe top ten but only just.

Who will go down?
Mackems, Wigan and Derby.

Who will win the title?
Manchester United.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
Yakubu - if he stays. If not, Tuncay - but with a very low number. The goals - which will be down on last season - will be more spread around.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Seb Hines - but in a box to box midfield role rather than in defence.

Other thoughts:
This season - even more than ever - the first quarter of our season is absolutely vital. We have a run of very winnable games in the first quarter which could set us up for an early points 'bank' that means we won't be flirting with the bottom three all season. But if we don't win a good few...? We have to come out of the blocks fit, fast and on the front foot, attacking.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nick Wesson (Writer - Blast From The Past)

Where will Boro finish?
I'm going to go for a creditable eighth position with a decent cup run thrown in for good measure.

Who will go down?
1) Wigan - I don't think they've strengthened enough so far in the close season and have been punching above their weight for a while now. With the exception of Koumas their signings wouldn't fill me with confidence if I was a Wigan fan. Come in, Dave Whelan, your time is up.

2) Reading - Success last season. Just don't fancy them this season. Sidwell going will be a big miss for them and I don't think team spirit will be enough this year.

3) Derby - Sadly I don't think they'll stay up. I have a healthy respect for their manager but at the time of writing their squad doesn't look good enough to cope with the Premiership. Hope I'm wrong and Portsmouth go down instead.

Who will win the title?
Manchester United. For a top four team they look a little lightweight in terms of defensive cover but with the reputations of existing and new attacking signings I have an awful feeling Manchester United are going to be knocking in goals from everywhere this season.

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
If Yakubu stays then my money's on him. If he leaves then I'll have to go for Tuncay with about ten.

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
I have absolutely no idea on this one. I'm hoping Adam Johnson will finally establish himself.

Other thoughts:
I look forward to the demise of Newcastle's latest revival and the continual expectation of Boro turning it around "next week."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

James Keen (Writer - Deep In My Heart).

Where will Boro finish?
In the style of my column, I think that there's definite cause to separate my head from my heart here... My heart is saying that we can equal our best Premier League finish with seventh place, but my head is telling me that an average tenth place may be our calling this season.

Who will go down?
Wigan, Derby County and Sunderland... Maybe it's just wishful thinking on the part of Sunderland, but I really don't think that they have the quality to survive, too many semi-pro Irishmen in their squad. Wigan will struggle to re-establish themselves this season, they already appear to be preparing for the drop by allowing people like Baines to talk to other clubs, and Derby will not be good enough, simple as that... although Giles Barnes is one to watch!

Who will win the title?
I'm going to go for Chelsea... I don't think that they'll accept coming second two years in a row, and Manchester United will be looking to win the Champions League this season so will allow their minds to slip and league form to become erratic. They'll still finish second like!

Who will be Boro's top scorer?
If he is still with us Yakubu will be our top finisher, if not, I'm going to go for Mr Tuncay... I have faith in our Turkish superstar!

Which academy player will have the biggest impact?
Not taking into account the established lads, Cattermole, Taylor, Morrison etc, I've been quite impressed by what I've seen of Seb Hines and Josh Walker. Walker seems like our next, slightly less aggressive version of Lee Cattermole.

Other thoughts:
A cup run is beckoning for the Boro I reckon, perhaps even a cup final appearance. And although I feel the FA Cup may be a little beyond us at this junction, I can see a Middlesbrough v Chelsea final in the Carling Cup; wouldn't that be swell!?! I've got my fingers crossed for Rocky, I reckon our Fabio Rochemback could really progress this season alongside some like-minded players like Tuncay, Arca and Aliadiere, players who want to try something a bit special, play the little passes and stretch the play.

I still have faith in Fabio; the way he tore Steaua and Basle apart still lives in the memory. He can do it if he gets the chances. I think as Boro progress towards this new 'fast and slick' style of play, players like Boateng will probably need to start taking a back seat, and I wouldn't be overly surprised if George made his way out of the Riverside at the end of his contract.

READ PART ONE OF THE WRITER'S PREDICTIONS HERE