Jonathan Woodgate's confident responses, what Middlesbrough boss told Steve Gibson plus encouraging Adam Clayton anecdote

It has become tradition over the last year for the Middlesbrough head coach to arrive at the exact moment his press conference is about to start.

The fact this media gathering was taking place via a video link on Zoom didn’t change that, with Woodgate ready to begin at 12:30pm.

As is the norm, broadcast reporters, in this instance ITV Tyne Tees’ Simon O'Rourke, asked the first questions, as Woodgate was quizzed on the enforced training ground changes which have been introduced.

Next came the question which every Boro fan was pondering. What is the situation with Daniel Ayala?

The influential centre-back is out of contract at the end of this month and it had been reported the Spaniard had refused to play.

Woodgate answered the question admirably, insisting he didn’t have a problem with Ayala’s attitude, before explaining the defender wasn’t fit enough to play for the remainder of his contract in June.

The Boro boss spoke confidently but didn’t hide away from the challenges of playing behind closed doors and quick fixture turnarounds.

Still, Woodgate will be well aware that he will be judged predominantly on results, especially with his side just two points above the Championship drop zone.

Yet Boro have been keen to play their remaining nine games ever since the season was suspended in March - even if an unweighted points-per-game system would have kept them up.

“I always wanted the season to finish,” said Woodgate. “I always said that to Steve (Gibson) and Neil (Bausor) let's finish it the right way. The integrity of the league comes first.”

Woodgate has remained confident in his own ability throughout this season, even when the club slipped into the relegation zone following a ten-match winless run.

He will be desperate to prove himself as a head coach and show his appointment this time last year was the right call.

When speaking to the written press, Woodgate provided more detail about the other six players who will be out of contract this summer - particularly Adam Clayton, whose father was in intensive care for 51 days after contracting Covid-19.

Like Clayton, Jonny Howson, George Friend, Marvin Johnson, Ryan Shotton and Rudy Gestede will all see their contracts expire this month but are expected to play until the end of the campaign.

That gives you an indication of the unity and positivity Woodgate has created at Rockliffe, even if results have fallen below expectations.

“When I asked Clayts what he wanted to do, he said, ‘I’m playing, 100 per cent I’m playing,” added Woodgate.

“And he said if I don’t get a contract here I’ll back myself to get a contract somewhere else, I’ll back myself to play well and get a contract here’.

“That’s the type of person that I want. But, listen, all different players have different scenarios, different agendas going on so, but the response from Clayts was brilliant.”

Anecdotes like that are certainly encouraging, yet the true state of Boro’s overall preparations remain unclear.

We will get a much better indication when Swansea visit the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.

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