Even though it looked like Middlesbrough were improving under Garry Monk after a somewhat inconsistent start, the timing of his firing seemed harsh and shocking in equal measures.
Monk himself was saddened by his release as we wrote recently as he believed Boro had turned the corner with their inconsistent form and were moving in the right direction shown by their slow ascent up to the table.
Tony Pulis was appointed following his availability after West Brom fired him and it possibly forced the Boro board to act if they wanted to get a manager who clearly they coveted.
Pulis of course has got teams promoted into the Premier League and Boro will be hoping he can do the same for the Riverside club but it is Pulis’ knack of keeping teams in the top tier of English football that was perhaps the most attractive trait they saw in their new manager.
Tony Pulis has not come in promising the world but has asked for patience as he gets to grips with the task he faces. It remains to be seen what Boro will do in the transfer window but you would expect them to back their new boss.
Since the firing of Monk, Middlesbrough won their first game 2-0 against relegation strugglers Bolton Wanderers, then went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to in-form Aston Villa away at Villa Park before they managed a 3-2 away win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
So it is too early to say how Tony Pulis will do but with his Boro side sitting in 8th only 2 points out of a play-off spot it has been a reasonable start and it has taken the heat off him after the shock of Garry Monk and his staff being jettisoned.
Middlesbrough face Sunderland in the tyne-wear derby in the Emirates FA Cup 3rd round on this Saturday January 6th 2018 with a 1pm kick-off at the Riverside.
A win in this match against Chris Coleman’s struggling Black Cats will certainly endear himself to the Boro faithful and give the teessiders the chance of landing a big club in the 4th round.