Wilder on Middlesbrough dressing room message, Steve Gibson decision & Hayden Hackney

CHRIS Wilder believes it was an "excellent" decision from Steve Gibson to appoint Michael Carrick two years ago - even if it did follow his sacking at Middlesbrough.

Wilder will return to the Riverside for the first time tonight since his Boro exit but only had positive things to say about his former club, the fans and the current head coach and players.

That included Hayden Hackney, who, despite not getting an opportunity to play under Wilder, was described as a "top talent" by Boro's former boss.

Wilder believes Boro's squad is packed with talent and is confident Carrick's side will soon string a run of results together and establish themselves at the top end of the table, though he obviously hopes to get one over on his former side tonight.

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“They’re a good team, a really good team," said Wilder.

"They're really well coached by Michael. Excellent choice by Steve Gibson…Michael is a top, top manager now, and he will go on to be as well.

"It’s a really good club, they’ve got some really good players and they’re going to be in and amongst it - one of the outstanding teams in the division. We played Friday, we play Wednesday against two of the top teams in the division. It’s a tough ask, but we have to be ready for it and we have to show what we’re about."

Boro are looking to get back to winning ways after successive defeats to Watford and Bristol City before and after the international break. It was a familiar story in both games, with Boro on top for long stages but punished for failing to take their chances.

Wilder understands why Carrick is calm and confident, despite the underwhelming results, and predicted what his successor's current message will be in the Boro dressing room.

He said: "They’re a possession-based team that create a lot of chances, looking at the stats again, it shows that.

"A lot of good players with a good mix of experience - Luke Ayling - and then good young players - Hayden Hackney - top talent. "They want to dominate the ball, control the game. I think the things Michael will possibly be saying regarding his team is, ‘we need to be more clinical’.

"But there is not a lot wrong with their team at all. They’re a good side, extremely well coached and managed. We have to deal with that.”