Football FanCast columnist Luke Raine looks back at Middlesbrough's season and feels that there has been a great deal of positives to be taken from it.

Middlesbrough's game against Manchester City on Sunday may well feature last on Match of The Day, but that doesn't mean it isn't important for the players to give the home fans the send off they perhaps deserve after a season that has flirted with the idea of being successful but often flattered to deceive.

It hasn't been a bad season for Middlesbrough football club, far from it. Premier League status has been secured, and for a team like ours that is always the most important factor at the start of a season. Just ask fans of Birmingham what they would give to be going into their game with Blackburn with just prize money at stake.

There have been highs this season, which have included the annual big performances against the big four. Taking four points off Arsenal and arguably ending their title challenge after they looked like they were going to steamroller the Premier League was probably the high performance - wise.

The team also reignited the title race with an enthusiastic performance against the champions, but Boro fans will say that these performances were few and far between.

The emergence of David Wheater as a genuine talent has surprised everyone, probably himself as much as anyone. Stewart Downing committing himself to the club has got to rank as another high as well.

Gareth Southgate has shown promise as a young English manager, but that is all it is at the minute. Next season is massive for him, and he will not need reminding of this. The fans and chairman also know this too.

Crowds at The Riverside have been dwindling, which has led to Steve Gibson slashing prices for certain age ranges, including students, for next season. He should be applauded for this and he certainly deserves any future success which might come the club's way.

There have also been some dark days, the defeat to Cardiff City in the F.A Cup quarter finals the day after Manchester United and Chelsea had been knocked out took some getting over - but it was just typical Boro.

There is also reason to be optimistic for the next campaign too, with Afonso Alves showing glimpses of his ability, and a back four which looks stronger every week in my opinion. The goalkeeping situation is a grey area, however, that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

In my opinion Boro fans are too critical of Mark Schwarzer and will not realise just how good he was until next season when he isn't there. Numerous names have been mentioned regarding a possible successor, but for me Schwarzer could do a good job for another two seasons.

So maybe Sunday's game with City isn't the be all and end all, but it will give the players the chance to thank the loyal fans for their support during an inconsistent season. With the second worst scoring record at home, a few goals would be nice to send the fans off for the summer too.