Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has claimed that Jonathan Woodgate could be forced to abandon the current attacking style of play his Middlesbrough side have started the season with, in pursuit of an upturn in results.

Woodgate was appointed manager at the Riverside Stadium earlier this summer, after 'Boro elected not to extend Tony Pulis' contract with the club at the end of last season.

Since then, Middlesbrough have taken a more attacking approach to new games than they did under Pulis, although that has yet to really pay off, with the club winning just one of their first five league games this season, and Hinchcliffe believes that Woodgate may be forced to adjust that style of play if that return does not improve.

Speaking to the EFL's Podcast Preview Show about Woodgate's start to life as Middlesbrough manager, the former Manchester City defender said: "I covered Middlesbrough in that crazy opening game against Luton the 3-3 draw, it was amazing to see Middlesbrough playing with such freedom after playing under Tony Pulis.

"But even then after that game I thought it's great to see them doing this but surely it will only last so long.

Discussing the feelings he believes the 'Boro faithful will have to those changes this season, Hinchcliffe added: "The fans wanted to see more adventurous football, but would they settle for the team playing with bit more adventure but finishing say mid-table? Because this is Middlesbrough and promotion has to be the aim every single season.

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"So I think style over substance will only last so long, I think eventually the pressure will grow on Jonathan to produce kind of balanced but winning performances and I can see that pressure growing around Christmas time.

"If they're in the top six it'll maybe be a little bit easier for him, I can't see them being up there, because it will take time to implement because it is such a big change, with a lot of younger players in that Middlesbrough team as well.

"I think it's great Middlesbrough have gone down this road but I'm looking at around Christmas time/New Year, depending on where they are the Middlesbrough fans might say we're enjoying the football, but we're not winning enough games so the pressure will ramp up on him."

Middlesbrough are next in action on Saturday, when they travel to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City in the day's early kickoff.

The Verdict

I find myself inclined to agree with Hinchcliffe here.

Middlesbrough are a big side, and they are one of those who will be expecting to compete for promotion at the very least whenever they are in this division.

So far this season however, 'Boro have yet to really do that under Woodgate, although I can sympathise with the attacking approach he has taken this season, considering the frustration that Tony Pulis' style of play was met with from the stands last season.

Even so, it is worth noting that Pulis was let go by 'Boro despite the club finishing just a single place outside the play-off spots last season, so Woodgate will surely have to improve on that in order to keep himself in the job long term.

If results do not improve in a way that suggests they will do that with this approach to matches, then you feel that that is something else that may have to change, to give them the best chance of promotion, and Woodgate the best chance of keeping his job.