The good, the bad and the Boro

Boro's record signing, Ehiogu has slotted in well

Whatever else Bryan Robson is remembered for at the Riverside Stadium, he will always be known as a man who was not afraid to spend money.

Bankrolled by chairman Steve Gibson's millions, he set Teesside alight with a series of high-profile acquisitions, laying out almost £80m but recouping more than £45m in sales.

However, while many of his purchases proved value for money, others were not so successful.

Here, BBC Sport Online breaks down the best and worst of Robson's Riverside deals:

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BEST FIVE:

JUNINHO

The Brazilian's arrival at the Riverside Stadium for £4.75m from Sao Paolo in November 1995 brought samba style to Teesside.

Juninho gave the Premiership a regrettably-brief taste of one of the most exciting talents in Brazilian football.

Boro's relegation to Division One at the end of the following season sparked a club-record £12m move to Atletico Madrid.

His second spell at Boro proved less effective than the first but the affection in which the diminutive striker is held remains undimmed.

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ALEN BOKSIC

Boksic arrived at Boro from Lazio last summer as Robson invested £2.5m in a man he had been trailing for some time.

Critics insisted that the Croatian was well past his best but, despite a series of niggling injuries, the 31-year-old has shown that he can still win games almost on his own.

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FABRIZIO RAVANELLI

Perhaps a more controversial choice, Ravanelli - the club's record signing when he left Juventus for Teesside in August 1996 - will be remembered for his criticism of the club.

But no Boro fan will forget the 31 goals he scored in his one full season in the North-East to help fire Robson's side to two domestic finals and within touching distance of a first-ever trophy before relegation saw him head for Marseille.

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PAUL INCE

A snip at £1m when Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier decided there was no longer a place for him at Anfield two summers ago.

Ince has proved more than value for money at the heart of a side which has at times lacked cohesion.

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UGO EHIOGU

Eyebrows were raised back in October when Robson paid Aston Villa a club record £8m for the central defender.

Fears heightened when the defender was injured on his Boro debut, but Ehiogu has made a full recovery and slotted seamlessly into the Boro rearguard.

His form also heralded an England recall and Ehiogu celebrated with a goal against Spain in Sven Goran Eriksson's first game in charge.

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WORST FIVE:

PAUL GASCOIGNE

Gascoigne arrived at the Riverside Stadium from Glasgow Rangers for £3.45m in March 1998 and played his part in Boro's promotion back to the Premiership.

However, his undoubted talent on the pitch was overshadowed by problems off it.

His form suffered until Everton boss Walter Smith threw him a lifeline last summer.

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Ziege left for Liverpool in acrimonious circumstances

CHRISTIAN ZIEGE

Ziege's ability on the pitch was worth every penny of the £4m Robson paid AC Milan for the German international during the summer of 1999.

But his controversial departure ruined the manager's plans for last season.

Boro had no option but to accept Liverpool's bid of £5.5m because of a clause in Ziege's contract which the manager knew nothing about.

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BRANCO

The Brazilian burst on to the English scene in March 1996 after Boro laid out a huge signing-on fee to bring him to England.

The 31-year-old nevertheless lasted just a few months on Teesside and was released after failing to get anywhere near full match fitness.

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MIKKEL BECK

Beck, who arrived from German side Fortuna Cologne in September 1996, had the misfortune to find himself playing alongside Fabrizio Ravanelli.

His confidence increased when Ravanelli left but he still struggled to establish himself in the role for which he was bought.

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JOSEPH-DESIRE JOB

The Cameroon international cost Robson £3m when he moved from French side Lens last summer.

But he struggled to cope with the rigors of the Premiership and has been wracked by injury.