Results may not have gone their way, but Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick says his side “are in a good place”, heading into their clash with Blackburn Rovers.
There have been some poor results in the opening five games of the Championship season for Boro, but that has not weakened the resolve of Carrick and his troops who he says are in fine fettle and relishing the chance to win football matches.
During his scheduled pre-match press conference – aired on the club’s website – Carrick spoke positively about the performances of his players so far, but also recognised that those efforts need to translate into points.
“Of course, there’s no hiding from it, we need results, course we do”, admitted Carrick.
“But I believe we’ll get that if we keep doing the right thing and putting in the performances that we have done, largely, the performances have deserved a hell of a lot more.”
It was-as ever-a calm and measured demeanour that was on display from the former Manchester United man. If there was any suggestion of a mini-crisis, he certainly was not showing it. He was content and comfortable with his squad’s application and their present state of mind.
Faced with a similar line of questioning throughout, Carrick reiterated that there will be no knee-jerk reaction to the recent run of results, you sense that not much will change in the way the team go about winning football matches.
Encouraging signs
In the theme of trusting the process and continuing with their approach, he said, “It’s up to us to manage the group, manage the mood, manage the psychology to a point and keeping the confidence and belief there, when it’s right to be there.
“There is no point saying everything is fine when it’s not, so there is a balance with that, but largely there’s been a lot of good things and the boys are trying the right things and getting some success, not always the success we feel we deserve, but there is enough in there to encourage me and the staff and the players.”
The Boro boss showed no signs of frustration despite the club sitting at the foot of the table. “Honestly, we’re calm.” said Carrick, who almost seemed surprised at the level of concern flagged by a number of the journalists present, such is his confidence that there will be an upturn in the club’s fortunes.
“We’re looking forward to the next game really, irrespective of what has gone on, the boys are in a good place, training well and positive. It is just a case of carrying on how we are going, keep improving, keep pushing, working hard and believing in what we’re doing.”
He has so far protected his charges from that pressure and that level-headedness that comes from a player (and coach) that has operated at the very top, with some of the biggest clubs in football, will help his players just focus on what they need to do on the pitch.
Hopefully for Middlesbrough fans, that will start with a win against Blackburn Rovers.