Several Middlesbrough players have started the current campaign well but Michael Carrick is still looking to see improvements.
After four games of the season, Middlesbrough sit seventh in the Championship table.
The Teessiders will be somewhat disappointed to have dropped points against two of the three newly promoted teams already this term.
But Michael Carrick will be well aware that his squad have already vastly improved on their start from 2023/24, which saw them winless in their opening five Championship fixtures.
The North East outfit have also endured yet another injury crisis early in 2024/25, making their seven points from 12 somewhat more respectable.
A number of Boro stars have performed well in their opening four games. Aidan Morris shone versus Cardiff City in their last league outing.
Elsewhere, Matt Clarke has been praised heavily after the centre-back stepped up in the absence of key stars like Rav van den Berg and Dael Fry.
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Michael Carrick tells Finn Azaz where he must improve
Finn Azaz is leading the Championship in three statistics as we prepare to welcome club football back.
The former Plymouth Argyle star has recorded the most shots on target (nine), created the most chances (13), and had the most total shots (17) of any Championship player so far this season.
However, speaking after the win over Cardiff recently, Carrick has urged Azaz to improve his end product, as per Teesside Live.
He said: “Finn is a talented player and he’s really clever how he plays the game.
“He’s an important player because of how many chances he creates and how he manages to find those pockets of space and can provide that final pass as well as goals. It hasn’t quite come for him in terms of the end product yet. I think that’s the case for all our front players at the moment.
“We’re doing a lot of good things though. Finn was good today [Cardiff], playing off the left which he’s flexible enough to do. He’s hungry to develop and be better, which is fantastic for me as a coach. Great personality. There is a lot more to come, but he’s doing well.”
Alex Gilbert is ready to replace Finn Azaz at Middlesbrough
If Azaz does not improve his attacking threat, Carrick already has a quality backup waiting to step up.
Middlesbrough decided not to loan Alex Gilbert out during the 2024 summer transfer window despite initially believing a move would be best for the former Brentford man.
And after being kept at the Riverside, the 22-year-old has been doing everything in his power to break into the starting eleven.
Gilbert impressed for Middlesbrough versus Stoke City and was arguably the only player to come out of the 5-0 thrashing looking positive.
The Irishman has shown a real creative spark and desire to run at defenders every time he has been on the pitch so far this season and could be key to Boro’s promotion push this term.
The Teessiders are back in action against Preston North End this weekend and Gilbert will be desperate to prove he can replace Azaz as the club’s primary number 10 if given the chance.