Jonathan Woodgate says Middlesbrough are a bigger club than Newcastle | OneFootball

Jonathan Woodgate believes Middlesbrough are bigger than Newcastle due to their better recent history.

Woodgate played for both Boro and the Magpies during his playing career, and is now the manager at the Riverside Stadium.

And speaking about how new signings Marc Bola and Anfernee Dijksteel have adjusted to the new surroundings, Woodgate has explained how moving to Boro is a big step up while also aiming a dig at Newcastle.

“It’s a big step up for them to play for this football club,” he said.

“This football club is a big football club, who’s done well. I know we’ve only been in the Premier League once in 10 years but we’ve been to a Uefa Cup final, we won the Carling Cup, Newcastle haven’t.

“When was the last time Newcastle went to a Uefa Cup final? Our history is better than theirs in recent times, I’d say. It’s a big club.

“So I would say it’s a bit of a step up for them. It was difficult for them at first but those two will improve, they will get better, that is guaranteed.

“I’m seeing it in training, they will definitely improve and they will be a success at this club if they keep on going and keep on wanting to improve which they do, they are keen as mustard, the pair of them.

“They they listen to everything I want them to do, they look me in the eye, there’s no looking at the floor, they want to improve.

“They have got better. Listen, Bola is the same age as (Hayden) Coulson, 21, they are two young full-backs who have never played in this league before, they will get better.”