Odds on championship: 1,000-1. Odds on relegation: 10-1

Manager: Gareth Southgate (since June 2006). Odds on first out the job: 15-2

Last season: 13th, 42 points; FA Cup quarter-finals; Carling Cup third round

Ins: Didier Digard (Paris St Germain, £4m), Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam, £3.2m).

Outs: Lee Cattermole (Wigan, £3.5m), George Boateng (Hull City, £1m), Fabio Rochemback (Sporting Lisbon, free), Lee Dong-Gook (released), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, free), Steve Thompson (Port Vale, free)

Middlesbrough's FA Cup quarter-final with Cardiff was one of the worst performances I've seen, albeit at a distance, from a side in that kind of position. There was misfortune about the opening goal, but the singular failure of Gareth Southgate to send out a team that looked like winning that game poses serious doubts about his prospects as a manager.

Loyal as Steve Gibson is - or, unwilling to admit to mistaken appointments as Steve Gibson is - that abject afternoon should have given him pause for thought. So, surely, should the detail of the league table. The position was 13th - on a par with every recent season bar 2004-05 - but just 39 points had been accrued before the last day of the season. Manchester City arrived in turmoil and Boro took advantage, but that 8-1 was the freak result of the season. They were never in real danger, but only thanks to the ineptitude of teams beneath them.

Looking at the squad, there are grounds for optimism, beginning with Afonso Alves, a January arrival with the potential to score hatfuls. Maybe Marvin Emnes will do more than add to my sense of wonder at the throwback quality of Dutch first names. Gone is Lee Dong-Gook, released to find a new career elsewhere - perhaps as a bricklayer, or an accountant, as it's plain that footballer is not his true calling.

Still there is Stewart Downing, who rebuilt his reputation by turns dilligently and imaginatively. David Wheater is more proof of a finely-functioning youth system.

Boro fans seem to have faith still and for those with a long enough memory or sense of history these remain golden times. Twenty years ago they were locking the gates at Ayresome Park for what could have been the last time and Gibson is plainly the best man for his job. But I can't help but wonder if Southgate is the man for his. If Southgate does lose his way again, then at least he'll be able to turn to sponsors Garmin's sat-nav.

But with any other chairman the odds on his departure would be considerably shorter and if this season runs a meandering course like 2007-08 did then even Gibson may choose to turn to some stronger, more experienced leadership.

make or break season for GS i think