U's boss predicts 'incredibly tough' new season ahead

MIDDLESBROUGH will be hoping to win promotion next season but have been warned to expect a much tougher Championship field.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Compounding the frustrations of a really disappointing campaign on Teesside is the fact that everyone expected last season to be the best opportunity for many years to earn promotion.

And though Leeds United and Burnley blew that theory out of the water by claiming 100 points apiece, Sunderland's promotion via the play-offs highlighted how much of a missed opportunity it was for Michael Carrick's side.