The North-East Summit || Middlesbrough F.C. news, reviews and comment

THE NORTH-EAST SUMMIT 9-8-07
Stuart Young

The North-East Summit will keep you up to date on the ups and downs of all three NE sides. Being a big Boro fan I will not be biased in any way shape or form and will give neutral opinions and predictions for the season. Let's hope it's a great season for Gareth and the boys as they begin another campaign in the Premiership.

I'll start with the newly promoted Sunderland. Under the guidance of Roy Keane and the backing of Niall Quinn this team has seen many new faces this summer and will look to better the fifteen points earned from their last campaign in the Premier League.

Sunderland have spent nearly £28m on seven new signings as Keane looks to consolidate the club in the top flight for more than one season. Some good acquisitions in the form of Richardson and Chopra have given the Sunderland faithful something to look forward to.

In my opinion Richardson is Keane's best signing, the former Manchester United fringe player will add a bit of quality to the side. He has great pace and will be a constant threat with his left foot.

Although the signing of Kieran and his cousin Charley will make away games very interesting for the twenty-three year-old.

Sunderland's downfall could be their defence but Keane is in a bullish mood after last season's promotion.

He has brought in Anderson, Halford, McShane and Etuhu to strengthen the back line, and will be pleased with the signing of Anderson as the former Reading player is very versatile and can play in midfield as well as his preferred position of right-back.

Where will the goals come from?

Chopra is not proven at this level and will have a lot of pressure on his back to score the goals to keep the Black Cats above the relegation zone. The lightweight brigade continues with Conolly and Stokes also in the running for those precious goals.

It could be a case of these three being dominated by the strength and power of the accustomed powerful defenders in the Premiership.

Keane might have to rely on his midfield quartet to provide half of the goals this season. It will be interesting to see what the young wingers, Edwards and Richardson will be able to provide in the form of goals.

I think these two will provide the surprise element for Sunderland and might just keep them safe this season.

Players to watch: The exciting youngsters Kieran Richardson and Carlos Edwards.

Newcastle will start the season with a new owner and a new manager. So far Big Sam has been busy in the transfer market and is keen to make further additions to his squad.

Some good signings and a bit of luck has seen a transformation on Tyneside. Allardyce has spent nearly £15m this summer. Barton, Smith and Geremi stand out as the key signings for the Magpies as Allardyce looks to strengthen for the future.

Viduka on a free is a good acquisition for one season if he stays fit. I think he has played his best football in the Premiership and might just have had his best injury-free run at the back end of last season.

I am very upset that the once tipped best centre-half in England has left Tyneside, I think Bramble had a lot of promise for the Magpies as he was a key part of the Geordies destruction. Bye bye Titus!

Big Sam has brought in some good defensive players. Boro fans will know how solid Geremi is and he will strengthen the right side. With the departure of Bramble, Allardyce has signed the powerful stopper Rozehnal. He will bring more stability and less mistakes to the side as he lines up alongside Taylor.

Where will the goals come from?

Newcastle fans need not to worry, your team will score loads of goals and you will be flying up that league. Wait a minute, isn't that what everyone says every season and the total opposite happens.

If, and I mean if, the Newcastle strikers stay fit they will score goals. Owen is injured and Martins could be sold so that leaves Fat-Head Viduka and Alan "I can fill the boots of Keano, honest Sir Alex" Smith to fire Toon to another season of dreaming about being in the Champions League.

It will be a tough season for Allardyce in his first campaign at a "big club".

Players to watch: Michael Owen (when fit) and Joey Barton (if he stays out of jail)

I've left the best of a bad bunch till last. Southgate has been busy in the summer, he's been on holiday with the missus to Turkey and bagged a barman in the form of Tuncay Sanli.

The versatile Turkish international is hot property in Europe and Southgate has done well to land him. How he adapts to the Premier League only time will tell. He can play on either wing, centre midfield and also up front.

I am not alone in saying I'm very excited with the potential this lad has. Now to the Frenchman. If you're reading this Jeremie Aliadiere, you are very welcome to the Riverside.

Don't listen to all the football pundits already writing you off as a flop. Southgate has been monitoring you since he was given the reigns so you must be something he has been missing.

I too have faith in the young Frenchman. He is arguably the best technically gifted player Boro have in their squad and he will be a hit on Teesside.

Defensively we are stronger than ever but for some reason we have only one fit centre half for the opening game this Saturday. In my eyes when all the lads are fit we will have one of the best back fours in the league.

Taylor, Woodgate, Huth and my brother Luke. That is as solid as it gets. The only concern I have is the depth in the squad to replace Boateng or Cattermole if they get injured.

Southgate will need to bring in at least two more midfielders before the transfer window closes. If he does we could really challenge for a UEFA cup spot this season.

Where will the goals come from?

Yakubu has still got a lot to prove to the Boro faithful and with some new additions to the squad we might just see the best of him in a red shirt as he demonstrates to us why we spent all those millions on him.

Depending on where Southgate plays Aliadiere and Tuncay will determine the outcome on the goals they score. Either one will be a great partner for Yakubu meaning the other will play wide right, which will be massive asset to the side as both are blessed with searing pace.

Downing will again provide us with the assists and also chip in with the odd goal.

Players to watch: Boro's very own Stewart Downing and the Turkish heart-throb Tuncay Sanli.

So the journey to the NE summit begins..

See you at the top!

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