CHRIS WILDER was dismissed as Middlesbrough manager yesterday, just 11 months after succeeding Neil Warnock in the Riverside hotseat. What were the main highs and lows from his time on Teesside?


HIGHS


LIFTING SPIRITS LAST SEASON

With Wilder’s reign having unravelled spectacularly in the last few weeks, it is easy to forget just how positive things felt for much of the second half of last season.

Things had fallen flat towards the end of Neil Warnock’s reign, but Wilder’s arrival breathed new life into Boro’s fanbase and created an energy and excitement that was only really dented when the links with Burnley emerged in April.

The ‘Oh Wilder said’ chant that rang around the Riverside became a firm fans’ favourite, with most supporters backing the former Sheffield United boss to emulate the achievements he oversaw at Bramall Lane. Even now, with his departure confirmed, there are still some fans who think he should have been given more time.


THE FA CUP RUN

Last season, Wilder presided over two of the most enjoyable matches Middlesbrough have been involved in for quite some time.

Knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford will live long in the memory, with Matt Crooks’ equaliser leading to a penalty shoot-out in which the standard of Boro’s spot-kicks was truly remarkable. Who can forget Sol Bamba slotting home?

A month or so later, and Boro were emulating their giant-killing heroics against Tottenham in the fifth round, with homegrown youngster Josh Coburn leaving the substitutes’ bench to hammer home an extra-time winner.


DEVELOPING ISAIAH JONES

Neil Warnock might have been the Middlesbrough manager who first installed Jones into the first team, but it was Wilder who gave the wing-back his head and turned him into one of the most exciting players in the Championship.

Jones’ performances in the second half of last season were superb, with his development meaning that few Boro fans were too concerned about the sale of Djed Spence to Spurs in the summer.

Jones has struggled to live up to his billing this season, resulting in his demotion to the bench at Coventry last weekend, but his rampaging displays last term were a real highlight.


DERBY WIN OVER SUNDERLAND

There haven’t been too many highlights this season, but the Tees-Wear derby win over Sunderland was one of the few occasions when Boro successfully hit their stride.

Riley McGree’s first-half strike opened the scoring, with the home crowd in the Riverside roaring their side on as they dominated the early exchanges.

Boro’s defence had to dig in as Sunderland rallied in the second half, but for once this term, the rearguard held firm to secure a 1-0 success.


LOWS


MANAGERIAL LINKS

Is it a coincidence that Boro’s form nosedived after Wilder initially refused to distance himself from speculation linking him with the vacant managerial position at Burnley in April?

It doesn’t feel like it, with the episode undoubtedly having damaged Wilder’s standing in the eyes of many Middlesbrough supporters and also some key figures within the club.

The situation repeated itself last month, with Wilder suddenly being touted as the favourite to take over at Premier League side Bournemouth.

On both occasions, there appeared to be little substance to the rumours, but with Wilder doing little to quash them, the damage was done.


LOSING AT PRESTON ON FINAL DAY

Because of results elsewhere, Middlesbrough wouldn’t have qualified for the play-offs no matter what they did at Preston on the final day of last season.

Nevertheless, losing 4-1 in a game they really needed to win was a damaging sign of the way in which Boro’s performances were unravelling under Wilder.

Paddy McNair’s sending off capped a disappointing day at Deepdale, with Boro’s defensive implosion being repeated in a number of other matches under their recently-departed boss.


DEFENSIVE RESHUFFLE

While certain elements of the Boro team were not really functioning effectively under Neil Warnock, the strength of the defence was a major asset.

Yet instead of building on Warnock’s backline, Wilder set about dismantling it, dropping Anfernee Dijksteel and Dael Fry and obsessing over moving Paddy McNair from the left of the back three to the right.

At Sheffield United, Wilder’s overlapping centre-halves had been a key feature of his side’s play. He talked about nurturing something similar on Teesside, but it never really materialised.


CARDIFF CAPITULATION

Of all the poor performances under Wilder, the first-half collapse against Cardiff last month was easily the most alarming and ultimately serves as the epitaph to the 55-year-old’s reign.

Boro conceded three goals before the break at the Riverside, with each defensive error more calamitous than the last.