Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has urged supporters to get behind the team ahead of their clash against Wigan on Tuesday night.

Boro currently have just one point from their opening fixtures having drawn at newcomers Luton Town before facing defeats to both Brentford and Blackburn.

In the early league table, Boro sit third from bottom having failed to pick up a victory. With two league games coming up against Wigan and Millwall at the Riverside, Woodgate believes it's only a matter of time before the club sees it's first win of the season.

Speaking to GazetteLive, the ex Real Madrid man said:

"Wigan is the first of two home game coming up this week and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“Do we need a win to keep the fans on board? Of course. We have got to believe in what we are doing. It is a long term plan not a short term plan.

“It is not a short term fix. It takes time. So we need the fans to stay with us.

“And I’m sure they will do but it will just be nice to get that win and the players will keep on believing they can do it.”

The Verdict

Woodgate will not be best pleased with his start as Middlesbrough manager. Performance wise, there's lots to improve on, but it's good to see them play in a more attacking way during the matches.

He'll be desperate for a victory and they have a great chance against both Wigan and Millwall. It's the perfect opportunity to pick up some much needed points.

If they are to do that, he'll need the supporters on side. It's key to any club and they cannot begin to turn on the manager, even if the result isn't what they want against Wigan. Like Woodgate said, it's a long-term appointment.