Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has praised his side for their effort and application, with two wins in a week giving them their first back-to-back victories of the season.
Despite those victories, the Boro boss reiterated his message that the performances have been-for the most part-good enough to amass more points this season.
He has certainly not shown any element of panic despite the poor results, and pointed that out in his pre-match press conference-via the club website-ahead of the clash with Watford.
Asked how he will use the recently acquired momentum, he said, “Much of the same really, we won’t approach the game any different to the way we did last week, or the week before, it is important that we stick to what we know, the process and believe in what we are doing.
“I don’t think an awful lot has changed. Yeah, I think the results have changed, but performances have largely been there, as I’ve said all along.”
No change in mentality
Carrick; who has always shouldered any responsibility with regards to defeats and poor results, has constantly backed his players this season, even when there have been questions about whether the squad has enough quality.
Asked the question of whether he has felt a lift around the place after a couple of wins, he answered unequivocally, “Honestly? no not really, I think the place was fine before that, results weren’t fine, but the actual atmosphere, the environment, the energy around the group, the positivity, the togetherness, trust me, it was all there, so there wasn’t really a difference.”
That relaxed, unemotional response will be of no surprise to Boro supporters who have seen Carrick’s assured presence throughout the campaign so far, despite their initial struggles. In fact, it was the source for titters of laughter throughout the room as Carrick smilingly asked, “boring you mean?” in response to the suggestion that he always portrays a calm demeanour.
That constant message of ‘staying level’ however the results pan out is something that Carrick lives by, he will never go too far one way or the other in terms of temperament. It is rare to see such control and measured maturity from a coach, let alone someone who is his first full-time managerial position.
Boss not getting carried away
They will also be acutely aware that he won’t allow the wins against Southampton and Bradford to cause complacency. He has always adopted the ‘stay level’ mantra with regards to preparing his team for games. “Of course, we can’t get carried away now, we’ve had a really, really good performance, I’m not kidding myself, it was a good performance all-round, probably up there with as good as we’ve had in terms of the opposition and the level of opposition, to have as much control and dominate as we did in an important game, I was really pleased with Saturday.
“It gives us the confidence and belief, but you know, we have got to get back to work and do it all over again on Saturday, and on Tuesday and after that on Saturday.”