Middlesbrough FC v Lincoln City: Kim Hellberg issues Imps warning - and with good reason
EXPECTATION does not always sit snugly on the shoulders of Middlesbrough.
Given their major outlay so far in the summer window and the fact that they are widely seen as the side most likely - alongside Norwich City and Southampton - to stop the relegated Premier League clubs occupying the top-two come May - they are going to have to get used to it.
This is especially true if the season turns out to be the success everyone on Teesside so desperately wants.
On Saturday, they face reigning League One champions Lincoln - who have never visited the Riverside. A sold-out stadium adds to the sense of anticipation.
Boro's new signings including £10m striker Will Lankshear and £7m goalkeeper Radek Vitak will be on parade alongside US international duo Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten.
In fairness, it is also a red-letter day - even more so in truth - for the visiting Imps ahead of their first game at second-tier level since way back in April 1961.
A little bit closer to the present, it is also worth mentioning that Lincoln, who ran away with the third-tier title last season - have not lost a league match, regardless of venue, since last November.
It has not escaped the attention of Kim Hellberg either, a head coach who usually leaves little to chance.
He said: "They have gone almost a year without losing a competitive game. They lost some friendlies, but then they beat Derby away in the cup.
"This is a very solid, good, strong team who are good at what they do. It will be a challenge, as every game is in the Championship.
"Their mentality, in terms of not losing, is very impressive. You could see against Derby that they are a good side."
Lincoln's last visit to Middlesbrough was back in November 1960.