Boro defender backs Woodgate to turn things around

Middlesbrough have endured a rough run in recent weeks with the club sliding into the relegation battle.

The pressure has ramped up on manager Jonathan Woodgate with fans turning on the team.

The defeat at Barnsley was the last straw with over 4000 fans chanting against the team following the disappointing defeat and seeing a key trio dropped for the game.

Despite the current issues faced by the team, Boro defender Ryan Shotton believes that Woodgate remains the right man for to turn things around.

Shotton was included in the lineup for the first time at Barnsley following his recovery from an injury that had kept him out since October.

Speaking recently to reporters, Shotton believes that Woodgate should be given time.

“I bump into people in the street and they ask me if he is good enough, can he do it?”

“Of course he can,” he said.

He also gave support to his manager claiming that Woodgate was the best manager to ever coach him.

“He is the best manager I have had. Hands down. He is great with the lads, his man-management is brilliant and his quality on the training ground is perfect.”

From his statement it appears that the mood within the club is that of calm not panic.

However, it doesn't get easier with promotion chasing Leeds United their next opponents at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Woodgate will be hoping to get a reaction from his players following the poor display on Saturday.