THERE is perhaps something symbolic in the fact Middlesbrough have launched a new club crest in the season Emanuel Pogatetz has reinvented himself.
Boro yesterday replaced the old rounded badge, that has been in existence since the rebirth of the club in 1986, with a heraldic shield that honours the long tradition of the club which has it's foundations rooted in 1876.
At the same time Pogatetz has replaced the old undisciplined defender with a new, more composed, incarnation.
The Austrian international arrived on Teesside last season with a reputation for being a hothead and many felt former boss Steve McClaren was taking a gamble in bringing him to the Riverside.
When McClaren swooped to pay Bayer Leverkusen £1.8m for his services he arrived on Teesside with a 24-week ban hanging over him, imposed by the Russian Football Association following a reckless challenge on Yaroslav Kharitonskiy while on loan at Spartak Moscow. While the ban was eventually lifted, his reputation wasn't restored. In fact it was further soiled by an over-zealous competitiveness in his inaugural Premiership campaign which brought 13 yellow cards and one red, for both club and country.
But this term there has been an enormous transformation in the competitive defender. Although nine yellow cards have been brandished in his direction, the 24-year-old has managed to curb his natural aggression. And the snarling, angry man has now been replaced by a more composed and accomplished defender.
There are several reasons for this change but Jonathan Woodgate has played a major part in Pogatetz's transformation.
"Last season Steve McClaren spoke to me about my aggressiveness, but most of all Steve Harrison put a lot of work in day in and day out," revealed Pogatetz. "He explained to me as a defender you have to be in control. I wasn't like that at the time last season.
"I also learned from Woody to see how he is in control all through the game. It showed me how to behave and perform.
"Most of it was myself. I just tried to get hold of the situation and I think I did not know the importance of being in control in a game.
"After Steve Harrison spoke to me I could imagine it, but not as much as after I saw Jonathan Woodgate and how good he plays when he is in control. It opened my mind to how important it was."
Pogatetz believes there is another important factor in the change of personality on the pitch. Prior to his arrival at Middlesbrough, the 6ft 2in defender had been at six different clubs, three on loan, and he confessed he didn't know whether he was coming or going. But now he finally believes he has found his home on Teesside.
"My career is always hard for me because I come from a small county and we don't have a lot of good footballers and you always have to impress," said Pogatetz who has now played 58 games for Boro.
"I had lots of clubs but now I am at a good club in Middlesbrough. It was a tough time moving around for me and my family. It didn't help to stay calm and settled. This season I knew that I had everything else sorted and there was nothing else to concentrate on other than my football."
The Austria international has spent nearly the entire season at the heart of Gareth Southgate's defence. When he arrived at the club he was employed at either left back or left midfield. It is no coincidence the performances which earned him the club's player of the year trophy came about because he is not being switched around every week.
Ironically, it is likely Pogatetz will play at left back tomorrow for Fulham's visit because Andrew Taylor is injured, though he prefers playing at centre back.
He said: "I have not only settled off the field but on it too, because if you play in one position all the time you get better and you make an understanding with your teammates.
"It was important I got a run in this position. I prefer to play at centre back but if the manager decides to play me a left back then I don't mind."
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