BORO'S Premiership future looked bleak when Terry Venables arrived
as head coach alongside Bryan Robson at Christmas 2000.

The side were rooted to the bottom with just two wins from 17 games and Robson had turned to his former boss at England level for help.

Venables picked the team and decided on tactics in consultation with Robson and the combination immediately had the desired effect.

Although the personnel remained virtually unchanged, Boro's team of losers discovered a steely new resolve based on defensive strength.

Crucial victories against Chelsea and Liverpool followed as Boro gained mid-table respectability, with memorable away wins at Arsenal, Newcastle and Leicester along the way.

When Boro wrapped up the campaign with a 2-1 home win over West Ham, Venables received a rapturous ovation from the Riverside fans.

But Robson was booed by a section of the crowd as he took to the pitch, a moment that helped ensure the end of his seven-year spell with the club.