Garry Monk's Boro will travel to Wolves on August 5th to start off what we hope will be a bounce back season from the EFL. The new fixture list was released today and this is where reality kicks in and the enormity of the task ahead as Boro aim to get promotion at the first attempt. Boro's first home game will be the second match at home to newly promoted Sheffield United.

Of course fixtures are subject to date changes for satellite TV but fingers crossed we can at least get a list of dates for when games are rearranged through the season as we did in the Premier League last season.

There is a ridiculously busy festive period. We are due to travel to Sheffield Wednesday on the day before Christmas Eve. Then our Boxing Day fixture is home to another promoted side, Bolton. We go to Aston Village on 30th and then just two days later are away at Preston on New Year's Day. Hectic rather than festive.

Boro's Riverside clash with Sunderland will come fairly early in the season on 4th Nov. The home game with Leeds is down for Sat 3rd March. Both are certain to be changed.

Do I count nine midweek games at present. Add to that two games on a Monday. That is how tough the Championship is. That is before fixtures are moved and also cup battles are named.

The only way the Championship is kinder to Boro fans is the number of clubs in the north or North Midlands area in this division. That means travelling distances are a lot less as a result. No long hauls to Swansea, Southampton or Bournemouth.

Boro hope to be celebrating promotion away at Ipswich, the final game on May 6th. Fingers crossed.



