This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Middlesbrough head into what is a crucial match for them this weekend, when Jonathan Woodgate's side host current Championship leaders West Brom, looking to improve on the 20th position they find themselves in the league, only two points above the relegation zone.

It has been a tough start to first-team management for Woodgate, who took over at the Riverside in the summer following the exit of Tony Pulis, with the 39-year-old leading Boro to only two league wins from 11 played so far this season.

So is Woodgate the man to take Middlesbrough forward or is it time for a change at the Riverside?

We discuss........

Kris Smith

"After eleven games you can begin to see the philosophy of a manager take shape and results beginning to follow, with Middlesbrough and Woodgate, I’m struggling to see any positive impact on the side thus far.

"Last season was a struggle under Pulis with many calling for his head at the lack of attacking flair, but the bonus to any Pulis side is a rock-hard defence.

"They’ve lacked both of these this season, Boro have only scored 11 but have conceded 16 leaving me wondering what happened to their brilliant defensive record.

"Obviously losing Flint to Cardiff is a big blow, but Dael Fry has shown he’s ready to make the step up. They appear to be lacking creativity going forward also, which doesn’t help the defence when you have no lead to protect.

"If Boro are to salvage anything from this season, I think they need to first ensure they’re solid at the back, but secondly, they must recruit attacking players in January. Assombalonga has cut a frustrated figure so far with barely any service or creativity supplying him."

George Brooks

"It was definitely time for a change at Middlesbrough and I think the club made the right decision to part company with Tony Pulis.

"It's the start of a new era at Middlesbrough and the club need to accept that it's going to take time. I think getting rid of Woodgate now would be a mistake. It's his first job as a manager and he deserves time to turn things around.

"The expectation at Middlesbrough is to be challenging for promotion and the club obviously felt that Woodgate was the right man to take the club forward at the time of his appointment, but they also would have known the risks that come with giving the job to someone with no experience.

"If the club aren't prepared to accept that, they shouldn't have given him the job in the first place. There were more experienced managers available at the time."

Chris Thorpe

"Hard to say so far, it's his first job in senior management, so therefore I think you have to cut him a bit of slack more than you would with most managers, purely because he is learning on the job.

"The fact that Middlesborough have high expectations doesn't help things, and I feel this has put Woodgate under increased pressure to get results and fast.

"So far I don't think we have seen the best of his side, maybe he doesn't know what his best team is yet, only time will tell if he can be a success at the Riverside, however I have my doubts.

"I believe he will have a few more months at the helm to prove himself, if results don't improve, I fully expect to see a more experienced man going in there to replace him this season."

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