Jonathan Woodgate gives his verdict on whether Chris Wilder can get Middlesbrough promoted

Former Middlesbrough player and manager Jonathan Woodgate has given his verdict on whether Middlesbrough can get promoted to the Premier League this season.

Middlesbrough currently sit sixth in the league with games in hand over two other teams also in the playoff places so they are up there at the minute.

They have been slightly inconsistent of late with two losses in their last six league games, one being a 3-2 loss against second bottom of the league Barnsley.

However, a 2-1 victory against Luton last weekend will surely have given them confidence for tonight’s game against Chris Wilder’s former side Sheffield United who sit just one place and one point below them in the table.

When asked his opinion on whether Chris Wilder can take Middlesbrough to the Premier League, Jonathan Woodgate, who most recently managed Bournemouth, told Genting Casino:  “I think he’s capable. If Wilder had been in charge all season, you’d probably have seen Middlesbrough higher up the table.”

Wilder was appointed manager in November after Neil Warnock left the club and has done well with the club winning December’s manager of the month award and taking his side to the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup where they face Chelsea in the next round.

Given they have the FA Cup to focus on too, it’s not a given that Chris Wilder’s side will be able to secure their place in the playoffs this year and go for promotion.

However, Woodgate believes Wilder is the man to take Middlesbrough forward regardless of which league they find themselves in next season. He said: “He’ll have a good chance [of promotion] this season and I think he’ll have an unbelievable chance next season, especially if he gets the backing from the club with signings.”

The Verdict:

It’s