Michael Carrick has responded to the suggestion that injuries to Lewis O’Brien and Alex Bangura, mean an opportunity for his other left-back players to ‘step up’.
The Boro head coach prepares to name his starting eleven to take on Cardiff City, looking for three league wins on the bounce, but faces a tough decision regarding who will fill the coveted left-back role.
Lewis O’Brien-who has started the last three matches there-went off injured during the away match against Watford, with increasingly impressive teenager Rav van den Berg covering on the left-hand side for the remainder of the game.
With summer signing Lukas Engel and local lad Hayden Coulson waiting in the wings, Carrick-whilst undertaking his pre-match press duties-was asked if he is looking for either of those players to ‘step up and cement that place’.
Speaking via the club’s website, he answered,”I don’t think anyone has to step up, just be themselves, you know, be what they are; performers just like anyone else in the team.
“You just bring the best version of what they are, the boys get a chance and they can take it, but I’m not looking for anything extra from them, just be the best version you can be and I don’t worry about them at all.”
Head coach with decisions to make
It is a typically understated response from a head coach who-despite his inexperience as a boss-knows exactly how to diffuse pressure situations, especially when the focus is on his players. He will know that Engel and Coulson have faced criticism from fans, but both are young men who are still learning as they ply their trade in a difficult division, at a club that is expected to do well.
Hayden Coulson turned out for the Under 21 side on Friday evening, with Carrick insisting it was merely a case of ‘topping up’ his match fitness. That could prove to be a shrewd move if he decides to pitch him back in against Cardiff City.
Alternatively, he could decide to give former Silkeborg defender Engel another chance to stake his claim after what can only be described as a nightmare of a first-half against Sheffield Wednesday. It was a poor night all round for Boro players in one of the poorest performances of the season, so he wasn’t on his own.
Getting the balance right
The other option of course, would be to put Rav van den Berg on the left and bring in the experience of Tommy Smith at right-back. That could be the most likely outcome, but it is not without its drawbacks.
Whilst van den Berg has been excellent, he is a right-footed centre-back, so playing as a full-back on his weaker side could serve to imbalance the team.
He is also not going to be a marauding type of full-back who will support attacks in the same way, and neither is Smith. In that sense, it could be a selection that limits Boro in terms of overloading on the flanks.
Fans will eagerly await the team selection come 18:45 this evening, and no matter what the line-up is, will be hoping to extend the recent run of form.