Last Updated: Fri, 09 May 2008 12:35
Stewart Downing has admitted this season has seen Boro underachieve in their second campaign under the leadership of Gareth Southgate.
But the England wide-man, who has been named the Official Supporters Club's Player of the Year, is backing the manager's new signings to help the club do better next term.
He said: "Speaking to the manager, I know what he wants to do and how he wants to play. I am sure next season he will have a good go at it in his third year of management.
"He will want to do well, get his own players in and hopefully strengthen the squad."
Afonso Alves has followed Tuncay Sanli, Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gary O'Neil into the Riverside Stadium under Southgate and Downing believes it has taken time for them all to bed down.
"The squad was ageing a little bit and we had to clear the decks and get new players in," he said. "That takes time and with Gareth taking over as manager coming from being a player, that has been tough for him.
"It has been a massive change, but hopefully in the long run, it will pay off."