Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate today reiterated his desire to keep winger Stewart Downing at the Riverside. Despite not having the best season ever, Southgate believes it is not in the club’s or the player’s best interest to move just yet. Downing has clearly been affected by transfer speculation in recent weeks, and Boro fans are hoping the issue can be resolved as soon as possible.
“Spurs have expressed an interest in Stewart but we’re not interested in selling him,” Southgate said. “We think we need to keep hold of our best …

Keith Lamb, Middlesbrough’s chief executive, has revealed Middlesbrough’s plan to look towards their youth academy instead of buying big. Last January Middlesbrough splashed the cash on record signing Afonso Alves, as they paid £12 million for the striker. Lamb now says that Boro will be relying on their famed youth academy to provide them with new players from now on.

“Now it’s about what is best for us at this time.
“Policy is very important to us and that’s why we have sat down with Gareth Southgate and formulated a plan to …

With one month of Premiership action out of the way, Premiership Talk reviews all twenty teams and grades them based on their early season performances.
Manchester United
The defending Premiership champions are perennial slow starters, and this year is no different. Even with their slow start, though, United are in a good position - still without a loss this year. Albeit, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have only played two games, their last match in August was postponed due to the Super Cup. A home draw against Newcastle opened the season, and an …

Each year the English Premier League casts many surprises. Whether it’s a surprise team (think back to Wigan in their first season in the Premiership), a surprise player, or a surprise manager (hello, Mr. Mourinho), there are always twists and turns to each season’s story. Already this season has seen a few twists, especially when it comes to the following five players and their early season triumphs.
Dean Ashton
Dean Ashton certainly isn’t an unknown quantity, but few could’ve expected the form we’ve seen from him in preseason and in the first …

United States international Michael Bradley is currently attracting the interest of three English clubs. With Celtic also hot on his heels, Dutch club Heerenveen has stated that Bradley is available for transfer at the right price. Bradley is fresh off of the Olympics and is returning to Europe today.
Middlesbrough, Blackburn, and Everton are the three sides interested in the American. He has previously been sought after by clubs like Derby County. Many people in American soccer circles believe that Bradley has what it takes to make it in the Premier …

The opening weekend of the English Premier League saw many surprise results as well as many disappointments. Here’s a rundown of which players, teams, managers, and fans won or lost:
Winners
- Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate and his men were faced with the tough task of going up against a rejuvenated Spurs side to open the season. Boro played above all expectations and grabbed a well deserved victory at home. The manner of the victory was important, too. Southgate’s men weren’t hesitant at all as they ripped the Tottenham backline apart with plenty …

Part 6 of Premiership Talk’s season preview features Manchester United and Middlesbrough.
Manchester United
Best Case: Champions. United enter the season as marked men; the defending champions are being gunned down by the rest of the league as they chase a third straight Premier League trophy. While they haven’t made any additions to the squad this summer, no one can’t doubt the strength of the side as it is. Being champions of England and champions of Europe is quite an accomplishment, and Sir Alex Ferguson clearly feels the squad is strong enough …