Middlesbrough currently sit ninth in the league and with three games left to go this season find themselves five points from the play-offs. 

Whether or not they'll make it to a top six finish this season is yet to be seen and will rely on them being at the top of their game as the season draws to a close.

However regardless of which league Boro find themselves in next season, Chris Wilder will be keen to make some changes to his side to ensure they can be better next season and he says players can still influence him either way in their final games.

Discussing the upcoming summer transfer window, Wilder told Teesside Live: "Will I learn things? One hundred per cent I will. I'm looking at them and learning all the time, and of course, I'll learn something from the way they react to disappointment. Ultimately, if you're going to be successful, these are things you're going to have to deal with. You're going to have to deal with the business end of seasons.

"Some might not be up to it, some will come through it. There's always the chance to impress. Nothing's set in stone. I still think looking medium and long term, there's a rebuild to do.

"That will happen, and are people playing for their futures, to be a part of that? Yeah, they are. I think you always are. You're always playing for your future because every time you go out you have that opportunity to cement something or to disappoint somebody.

"The players have that opportunity to affect their future. Let's say one of the players is incredible between now and the end of the season, am I going to look on that favourably? Of course I am. I'm going to say, 'Yeah, he'll do for me on every aspect.'"

 

 

The Verdict: 

Middlesbrough will certainly be looking to do some business this season regardless of the league they find themselves in as Wilder will want to see his team progressing even further next season.

However, the message he has given his players right now is a clever one. He is not putting direct pressure on them for the end of the season but his message that these are people who are in control of their own destiny at the club should motivate the players to do their best as the season comes to an end.

Furthermore, Wilder has assured players that no decision is set in stone and his mind on anyone can still change. Therefore, we may see a late surge of intensity come to Boro which in turn could see them still make it to the play-offs this season.