This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Comment’ series, this content strand is where the author of the article issues their personal opinion on the topic at hand….

The international break came at the perfect time for Middlesbrough Football Club, but now it's time for action.

Jonathan Woodgate's first season in charge has hardly got off to the start that he'd have wished for, and not only that, but there's a case for saying that he's fortunate to still be in his role.

That's not my personal view, but it's certainly worth noting that managers in the Championship have certainly been sacked for less.

Woodgate is the ideal face for this new era that Middlesbrough are heading into, with a young, ambitious manager with a real connection to the Teesside area being the perfect man to build a squad in that same mould.

But like the gaffer himself, the players who have been brought in all look to be a little bit green at this stage, meaning that it could be a steep learning curve for the entire Middlesbrough team.

Unfortunately, time is not something that they're blessed with.

The Teessiders have picked up just 13 points from 16 games so far which has left them sitting in the relegation zone.

Any calls that the table isn't a true reflection on what's going on is rubbish; mainly because it's a results-based business and what is the table built on? You guessed it - results.

Middlesbrough are over a third over the way through the season now, and it's time for results to pick up otherwise Jonathan Woodgate will be under serious pressure.

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand the need for a change of business model and the need for a new, attractive style of play - but the most important thing is winning games.

While Middlesbrough didn't get the win against Queens Park Rangers before the international break, there was a definite sign of improvement as a number of players returned to fitness.

However that has to be followed up with a positive result.

Following Sunday's home clash with Hull City, Jonathan Woodgate's side face Barnsley at home before travelling to Elland Road the following weekend.

Those three fixtures represent the perfect sample to see how Middlesbrough stack up against a title-contender, a mid-table side and one which is fighting for relegation.

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If Middlesbrough's winless run extends to 12 as the season moves into December then serious questions need to be asked regarding what happens with the squad.Quite simply, Middlesbrough need to be ending their winless run during that week, and really should be aiming for a minimum of four points from nine, otherwise things are starting to look a little bit desperate.

Whether that's hiring a manager with more experience at Championship level, or merely bringing in a more experienced number two to help Jonathan Woodgate in the short-term, something has to give.

There's been plenty of examples in recent years of clubs who have deemed themselves 'too big' or 'too good' to be relegated, and it's absolutely crucial that Middlesbrough don't fall into that trap and do everything that they can to avoid a proper relegation battle in the New Year.