Middlesbrough are sixth in the Championship standing and sit 11 points off the top of the table after 22 matches.

Compared to this time last season, Boro have more points,  are four places better off, and have a better defensive record by six goals – affording them the least amount of goals conceded in the league.

Despite the positive upturn in those areas, it is not all rosy at the Riverside.

Boro made it to the playoffs last season and were knocked out at the semi-final stage by the odd goal over two legs to eventual finalists Aston Villa.

The feeling would be Tony Pulis would strengthen and look to go one better this term and fight for a place in the top two of the league – and they did so during the early weeks of the season.

But they have slipped down the table considerably after recording just three wins in their last ten matches with the style of football becoming more of a talking point.

As well as their slump in form at present, Pulis failed to add to areas that he addressed as needing strengthening.

With a weaker team than last year and an alarming run of form for the standards of Boro, we asked our group of FLW writers if they felt it was time for a change at the Riverside.

The question posed: Is it time for Middlesbrough to axe Pulis as their manager?

We discuss…

Gary Hutchinson

It was time before the season kicked off.

I wouldn’t have kept him after the last campaign.

His football is rotten, he treats good players with contempt, and he’s taking Boro down the table.

Get rid. Now.

Alfie Burns

Pulis is at huge risk, for me.

His style of football means that if results aren’t good enough, he will face massive criticism.

A difficult Christmas period and he will be walking on the thinnest of ice.

Louie Chandler

Not yet.

Realistically there would be very little point letting go of him now as they are unlikely to bring anyone better in mid-season.

I would give him until the end of the season and the chance to build in January.