The finances are such at the Riverside that the Middlesbrough hierarchy require the side to get promoted this season to avoid the need for dramatic cost-cutting measures according to TEAMtalk.

These cut-backs go as far as the manager himself, with Tony Pulis's position in doubt if Boro do not go up according to the aforementioned report, considering he is one of he highest paid managers outside the English top-flight.

The cheapest option would be to promote Jonathan Woodgate from within, with the 39-year-old having worked under Pulis as a first team coach for a number of seasons now, and the club have earmarked him for the role.

So would Woodgate be a good appointment at Boro?

We discuss.....

Jacob Potter

"What a bizarre appointment this would be.

"Woodgate doesn’t have any managerial experience under his belt in the English game, and it would be a huge risk by Boro in appointing him.

"This appointment will be a masterstroke or a complete flop."

Alfie Burns

“In many ways, yes.

“However, it’s quite refreshing to see a club willing to appoint from within rather than taking the usual route.

“Woodgate has been working closely with Pulis at Boro and will know the ins and outs of the playing squad.”

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Gary Hutchinson

“Ridiculous.

“There’s nobody I’d rather have less, other than Pulis.

“If they go for Woodgate they’ll be a laughing stock.

“What’s wrong with the likes of Stendel, McCann, Bowyer, Cowley, Lowe and any other number of managers coming up through the ranks?”

Jay Taylor

“It isn’t a surprise to me, to be honest.

“If Boro don’t go up this season, then they will have to cut back financially, and Woodgate is the cheap option, so to speak.

“There will be no compensation needed to appoint him and the backroom staff will largely remain the same.

“It’s a choice that makes sense financially with the club potentially needing to cut back.”