Middlesbrough No1 Fan
28-06-2007, 22:21
Teamtalk
Middlesbrough must establish themselves in the top half of the Premier League table to fulfil their potential, according to coach Colin Cooper.
Manager Gareth Southgate is attempting to lay a foundation for lasting success.
Cooper, 40, is ideally placed to assess the club's progression over the 21 years since it very nearly went out of existence, having spent two hugely successful spells there as a player, and now working as a member of Southgate's staff.
He was part of the squad which lifted the Carling Cup in 2004, the club's first ever trophy, and embarked upon successive UEFA Cup campaigns, the second of which took them all the way to the final in 2006.
However, he admits it is on league standings that Boro will be judged, and with only two top-10 finishes in the last eight top-flight campaigns, that situation must be addressed.
He said: "The Carling Cup was absolutely wonderful and the UEFA Cup was something this club has waited an awful long time for, so to get to the final was an amazing experience.
"But in all fairness, what you are really judged on is the bread and butter of the Premiership and we are not finishing in the top half enough.
"I think we have done that twice in the time we have been back in the top flight and I know this football club has got a lot more to offer."
Boro finished ninth in the Premier League under Bryan Robson in 1998-99, and seventh under Steve McClaren six years later.
However, their 12th-place at the end of last season was two better than they had managed a year earlier, and while Southgate has admitted his first campaign as manager was always going to be one of transition, his sights are set higher than that.
Cooper told the club's official website: "What we need to do here to make us progress is break into that top eight on a regular basis.
"Then our expectations as players, as staff and as fans will become greater because we know we can perform at a higher level.
"The message to the supporters would be that the manager and all of us are trying very hard to try and progress this football club.
"No-one is taking anything away from the previous regime. It was wonderful to win the trophy and have that run in Europe, but for me, we need to be concentrating on the domestic league.
"To break into the top four at this moment in time for any club is virtually impossible but if you can do a Bolton and get closer every year, then you are heading in the right direction, and that's what we should be looking for."
Meanwhile, Southgate is anxiously awaiting news of South Korea striker Dong-Gook Lee after he complained of pain in his knee while preparing for the Asian Cup.
The 28-year-old missed the 2006 World Cup finals with knee ligament damage and Boro will hope his current problem is only a minor one.
They have made a move for Manchester United's Alan Smith having already signed Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere.
However, Ayegbeni Yakubu's future at the Riverside Stadium is currently the subject of intense speculation, and a lengthy lay-off for Lee could have major repercussions for the Nigeria international.
Reports from Holland have once again linked the Teessiders with AZ Alkmaar's Icelandic full-back Gretar Steinsson.
But AZ's £4million valuation of the 25-year-old is steep for Southgate despite his pressing need to recruit a right-back.
Coops must be a legend the length of time hes been here.. :thumbup:
Top 10 is a must next season, aim for about 8th :thumbup1:
Middlesbrough must establish themselves in the top half of the Premier League table to fulfil their potential, according to coach Colin Cooper.
Manager Gareth Southgate is attempting to lay a foundation for lasting success.
Cooper, 40, is ideally placed to assess the club's progression over the 21 years since it very nearly went out of existence, having spent two hugely successful spells there as a player, and now working as a member of Southgate's staff.
He was part of the squad which lifted the Carling Cup in 2004, the club's first ever trophy, and embarked upon successive UEFA Cup campaigns, the second of which took them all the way to the final in 2006.
However, he admits it is on league standings that Boro will be judged, and with only two top-10 finishes in the last eight top-flight campaigns, that situation must be addressed.
He said: "The Carling Cup was absolutely wonderful and the UEFA Cup was something this club has waited an awful long time for, so to get to the final was an amazing experience.
"But in all fairness, what you are really judged on is the bread and butter of the Premiership and we are not finishing in the top half enough.
"I think we have done that twice in the time we have been back in the top flight and I know this football club has got a lot more to offer."
Boro finished ninth in the Premier League under Bryan Robson in 1998-99, and seventh under Steve McClaren six years later.
However, their 12th-place at the end of last season was two better than they had managed a year earlier, and while Southgate has admitted his first campaign as manager was always going to be one of transition, his sights are set higher than that.
Cooper told the club's official website: "What we need to do here to make us progress is break into that top eight on a regular basis.
"Then our expectations as players, as staff and as fans will become greater because we know we can perform at a higher level.
"The message to the supporters would be that the manager and all of us are trying very hard to try and progress this football club.
"No-one is taking anything away from the previous regime. It was wonderful to win the trophy and have that run in Europe, but for me, we need to be concentrating on the domestic league.
"To break into the top four at this moment in time for any club is virtually impossible but if you can do a Bolton and get closer every year, then you are heading in the right direction, and that's what we should be looking for."
Meanwhile, Southgate is anxiously awaiting news of South Korea striker Dong-Gook Lee after he complained of pain in his knee while preparing for the Asian Cup.
The 28-year-old missed the 2006 World Cup finals with knee ligament damage and Boro will hope his current problem is only a minor one.
They have made a move for Manchester United's Alan Smith having already signed Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere.
However, Ayegbeni Yakubu's future at the Riverside Stadium is currently the subject of intense speculation, and a lengthy lay-off for Lee could have major repercussions for the Nigeria international.
Reports from Holland have once again linked the Teessiders with AZ Alkmaar's Icelandic full-back Gretar Steinsson.
But AZ's £4million valuation of the 25-year-old is steep for Southgate despite his pressing need to recruit a right-back.
Coops must be a legend the length of time hes been here.. :thumbup:
Top 10 is a must next season, aim for about 8th :thumbup1: