Surprise League Seasons

[DB23]

I know we are all full of hope, and sometimes as Boro fans being bi-polar, more often dread, but I was curious as to what other members saw as being real surprise seasons. Below is the history of our performance over the years:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesbrough_F.C._seasons

Personally I was really surprised from a negative point of view with 1996-97 and 2009-10. Thought in 1996-97 with TLF, Rav, Emerson et al that we would have gone on to be very special - yet we go down. 2009-10 and to a degree 2010-11 were also a shock as previously we had gone down and come back pretty quickly (personally think Strachan made a disaster out of that one as I thought he would do OK).

However, 1987-88 (more than 1986-87 imho) was a real surprise and great fun - I really did think it would be a season of consolidation. Also, 2004-05 and coming 7th with a last minute penalty save was amazing and something I could not imagine now.

So we talk of rollercoaster, but I've only got four seasons re league position surprises - anyone got a different view or thoughts?

BTW: Got tickets for the game on Friday, so at least we can imagine Brazilians playing for Boro again

UTB