Middlesbrough find themselves once again being talked about as potential contenders for the Championship play-offs this season.
Not that long ago, a run of just one win in seven had seen them slide down the second-tier table.
Indeed, some had even suggested they were at risk of being dragged into a relegation battle.
However, Michael Carrick‘s side have now rather turned that around. Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 win away at Birmingham City, they have now won each of their last three games.
That has seen ‘Boro climb back up to 9th in the standings, and they are now just five points adrift of the top six spots.
Now though, it seems that Carrick never stopped believing that his team were contenders for a play-off spot this season.
Michael Carrick on play-off hopes
Middlesbrough of course, qualified for the play-offs last season. However, they were knocked at the semi-final stages by Coventry City.
Even so, there will have been an expectation and ambition around the club, to at least go close to matching that during the current campaign.
From their current position, Carrick is seemingly still confident they can do that. However, it appears that confidence did not waver during their recent poor run either.
When asked whether he thinks his side can make the play-offs this season, the Middlesbrough boss told The Northern Echo:
“We’re still part of it for sure. The way this league is, we never gave up on it, to be honest. It’s about winning games, being consistent and putting runs together.
“Everything is in front of us and it’s up to us to play well, get the results and see where we end up. It’s game by game, which I’ve said all along so you’re probably bored of me saying it. But I say it for a reason.
“It’s so unpredictable and you’ve got to live in the moment and be on your game at every opportunity. Step by step we have to take it.”
Next up for ‘Boro in their pursuit of a Championship play-off place, is the visit of Blackburn Rovers to The Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Middlesbrough must believe they can make the top six
There is no reason for those around The Riverside Stadium not to feel as though they can secure a play-off place this season.
With nine games to go, there is plenty of time for them to overhaul the five-point gap to the top six they are facing.
Indeed, some of those they are battling with, such as Norwich City and Coventry City, have been rather inconsistent this season.
If that continues, it could well open the door for Middlesbrough to pounce and claim a top six spot for themselves.
However, given they are playing catch-up, they cannot afford to make any slips ups themselves. As a result, they will have to go into these games with a positive mindset that does not give opposing teams chances.
It is interesting to note Carrick’s claim that he has always been confident his team can claim a top six spot. That does seem to indicate the confidence and ambition with which he approaches management.
Given the aims of the club itself, that does seem to make him a rather good fit for Middlesbrough.