by Josh Bell
Pompey travel to the Riverside Stadium this weekend to kick-off their npower Championship season at Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough.
Last season – despite having a small squad – Steve Cotterill successfully guided the Blues to mid-table, an achievement he will be eager to build on that this term.
A wave of optimism has swept the south coast following the arrival of new owners Convers Sports Initiatives at Fratton Park, and Pompey will be keen to better last season’s total of 58 points.
The first test of their aspirations will be accompanied by the longest trip of the season as the Blues face a Middlesbrough side who ended last season as the form team in the division.
Although predicted to make an instant return to the top flight, Boro have struggled since their relegation in 2009, finishing an uninspiring 11th and 12th.
At times last season, under the stewardship of former Southampton and Celtic boss Gordon Strachan, Middlesbrough even flirted with relegation.
A host of Scottish imports, notably the SPL’s all-time leading scorer Kris Boyd, failed to make an immediate impact and by October Boro were languishing in 22nd place.
After Strachan’s resignation, Mowbray picked up the reigns and overcame a slow opening to lead Boro up the table into 12th place, concluding the season with four straight victories.
Understandably, Boro fans will set their sights slightly higher this season, particularly as Mowbray won the Championship back in 2008 with West Brom.
Yet one could argue pre-season on Teeside has been more strenuous than Mowbray would have anticipated.
Although fitness is the chief priority over the summer months, the Boro supporters may be slightly concerned that their team have won just once in six pre-season outings.
That solitary 3-2 victory came against Croatian Cup finalists NK Varazdin, with reverses including a 2-0 defeat to League One Carlisle and, more worryingly, a 4-2 loss against Blue Square Bet Premier side Darlington.
Moreover, Middlesbrough have had to endure a string of departures since the end of last season.
Left-back Andrew Taylor, who spent time on loan at Watford last term, has joined Cardiff to link up with Malky Mackay once more, while Frenchman Didier Digard has signed permanently for Nice after spending the past 18 months on loan at the Ligue One side.
Leroy Lita – last season’s joint top scorer on Teesside – has joined Premier League new boys Swansea and, with Turkish outfit Eskisehirspor acquiring Boyd’s services, Mowbray has been left with a substantial lack of firepower.
Nevertheless, last season’s other top goalscorer Scott McDonald remains at Middlesbrough under, ironically, the manager who sold him to the Riverside in February 2010 and the Australian will be keen to repay his manager’s faith.
Talents from Middlesbrough prestigious youth academy, which has produced stars such as Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson, remain the core of Mowbray’s side.
Despite his age, 25-year-old defender Tony McMahon is almost considered a veteran considering he made his debut back in 2004, while highly rated England under-21 international goalkeeper Jason Steele and left back Joe Bennett will again be given the opportunity to showcase their credentials.
Steele, though, will be absent from this weekend’s fixture as he recovers from a wrist injury and is likely to be replaced by Wolves’ Carl Ikeme, who has signed on a one-month emergency loan deal.
Arrivals at the Riverside have been minimal over the summer as Mowbray strives for continuity, with former Blackpool and French U21 international midfielder Malaury Martin the only permanent recruitment.
Pompey’s last visit to the Riverside highlighted the Blues’ season-long fighting spirit: 2-0 down after 42 minutes, David Nugent’s powerful header and an 88th-minute penalty from Liam Lawrence rescued a point for Cotterill’s side.
Similar levels of determination on Saturday would be a promising start to the season for the Blues.