Sky Sports EFL pundit Andy Hinchcliffe says Middlesbrough could soon find themselves in a relegation battle, if results do not improve soon.

It has been a difficult start to the Championship season under new manager Jonathan Woodgate for 'Boro, who despite a change to a more attacking style than the one employed by previous manager Tony Pulis, have won just two of their 16 league games so far this season.

That run of results means 'Boro are 22nd in the Championship table going into the November international break, one point off safety, and Hinchcliffe feels that Middlesbrough need to do something quickly in order to avoid getting stuck down there for the entirety of the campaign.

Speaking about 'Boro's season so far on Sky Sports' EFL Podcast, the former Manchester City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday defender said: "I saw them at Luton (in a 3-3 draw on the opening day of the campaign), it was a brilliant way to start the season. The open attacking way was such a change from Pulis.

"This was the way Jonathan wanted to play, he felt playing this way would bring results. It hasn’t.

At the end of that game, I said pragmatism will kick in at some point.

"The fans enjoyed the opening game but if you lose 3-2 the fans will say the football is better but we’re near the bottom.

Discussing the possibility of Woodgate changing his approach in search 0f an upturn in results, Hinchcliffe continued: "Eventually you do need to change the way you play to become harder to beat. There has been signs of that, Jonathan has admitted that.

"All coaches want to play great football but if you want to get results there’s enough quality in this league to pick you off. That change is starting to kick in at Middlesbrough, it’s vital that it does and that it works.

"If they’re not careful Middlesbrough could be in a relegation battle. Dropping down to League One is not what the Championship or Jonathan was expecting."

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Following the international break, Middlesbrough return to action when they host Hull City on Sunday 24th November, before taking on fellow strugglers Barnsley and travelling to promotion-chasing Leeds United later that same week.

The Verdict

I think Hinchliffe is right here.

As it stands, there are currently only three teams above Middlesbrough in the table that they could catch with just a single win, so it appears as though the threat of being cut adrift at the bottom of the standings is already starting to emerge for Jonathan Woodgate's side.

That is something they cannot afford to let get out of hand, and it already seems as though any hopes of replicating last season's challenge for a place in the play-offs are looking distant, meaning this could now be a season of consolidation for the club.

Indeed, you couldn't blame Woodgate for a change in approach in the hope of improving the club's chances here, not only in order to help better their own recent results, but also to boost his own prospects of remaining at the Riverside Stadium long term.