Middlesbrough are lurking ominously in the race for automatic promotion as we approach the end of what has been an exhilarating Championship season. 

Tony Pulis's side currently sit in fifth place with 33 matches played and seven points behind second-placed Sheffield United.

A sizeable gap, but Boro are in the midst of an impressive run of form, losing just once in their last nine matches and winning five to make those above them take notice once again.

But despite this upturn in form, pressure continues to mount on Pulis with the fans growing tired of his stubborn approach to games and it looks like the board may be edging towards the same conclusion.

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This week, TeamTalk reported that the club had already lined up former defender Jonathan Woodgate as his successor, although when they plan to enforce the change remains unclear.

It is not the news that Pulis will want to hear, especially at this stage of the season. But what will he now be thinking after hearing the news?

When it comes to managerial experience, Woodgate and Pulis sit at opposite ends of the scale with the board clearly trying to send a bit of a message to the fans and wider footballing public.

But frankly, I imagine Pulis would be insulted by the rumours. Here he is with the North East club in the play-offs and still challenging for automatic promotion and he might be sacked for somebody who has never managed a senior team? It will not go down well with him.

Of course, it may all be nonsense, but there is little doubt that if Pulis is to take notice of the rumours that he will be well and truly irritated.