Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick paid tribute to his players after watching his side secure their first league win of the season against Southampton at the weekend.
Boro turned in an impressive home performance to topple the team relegated from the Premier League 2-1 after going behind early in the match.
A goal from Riley McGree, followed by a penalty from captain Jonny Howson was enough to take the three points and lift them off the foot of the table. Speaking in an interview-aired on the club website-after the match, the Boro boss said he was so pleased with his team’s performance, that as he watched on in the second half, he claimed he would have been ‘proud of everyone’ no matter which way the game went.
He may have been pleased with his players’ efforts and of course the result, but what really delighted him, was the way in which his troops stayed with him and did not stray in terms of their belief in the cause and indeed faith in their leader.
Boss’ pride
“When things don’t go well, you’re questioned and people might have different agendas, you really see through people and what they’re about.”Said the Boro boss.
“I’ve just said to the whole group in there; staff and players, it’s in them moments when you know who you can count on and every single one of them, no one has ventured off, no one has moaned, felt sorry for themselves, no one has definitely had a different agenda or gone in a different direction and that makes me more proud than anything really.”
It has been difficult for Carrick, who has no doubt heard criticism and has had to continually re-emphasise his message of staying level and believing in his side’s ability. Especially when he has seen them punished with poor results week in week out.
But the eleven selected really did put in a display that the management team and the fans could be proud of, and it could just be the catalyst for a run of good form, such was the manner in which they went about their task.
By the time referee Tim Robinson blew his whistle, the Riverside was rocking. It was probably the first time the stadium was as raucous since last season’s exploits.
There is still a way to go, but a string of better results will see the teams in the championship concertina. Anyone can beat anyone on their day in the second tier of English football, it is a league that is widely considered one of the most competitive in Europe.