Ex-Middlesbrough and Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says Boro’s “gamble” in sacking Chris Wilder and appointing Michael Carrick has paid dividends for his former club.

While it is always a risk changing a head coach, especially when you appoint someone who has had very little experience in the role, Parlour feels that hiring Carrick has proven to be an inspired decision:

“Middlesbrough have been brilliant this year under Michael. It’s always a gamble when you get a coach in as a manager, but I’m sure he’s got so much respect from the players considering what he’s achieved in his career.”

You only have to look at the results that Carrick has delivered to see that chairman Steve Gibson was right to make a change back in October.

Boro have lost just five times in 23 games since the Manchester United legend took charge and they are now just three points off automatic promotion, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Sheffield United.

With eight games to go, a return to the top flight is a genuine possibility and it will be a stunning achievement if Carrick and his team manage to pull it off.