Michael Carrick has praised the quality possessed by summer loan signing Sam Greenwood, and insists he will have a big part to play in the coming weeks and months.
The 21-year-old on loan from Leeds United made his first start for Middlesbrough on Tuesday night against Cardiff City, and Carrick, not one for over-the-top praise, was happy to talk about the merits of the attacking midfielder.
“Sam’s done great since he’s been here.” Said Carrick, addressing the media in his pre-match press conference aired on the club’s website.
“I think he’s kind of getting up to speed a little bit, he had an injury in pre-season and he hadn’t played a lot of games, so we’re kind of building up a little bit and we feel we’re doing that over time and he is an important part of the group, Sam.”
Carrick predicts ‘big impact’
Boro’s head coach obviously felt that, as Greenwood nears full fitness, the skill and ability he has, warranted a start against the Bluebirds.
“I was really pleased with Sam, I thought the more he got into the game, he found his rhythm and found his flow really, the longer the game went, the better he got.
“It’s good signs for Sam, he will have a big impact for us in games in the weeks and the months to come.”
Sam Greenwood brings something a little different to the other candidates in that position for Boro. Matt Crooks and Morgan Rogers have both had opportunities in the number ten role, and whilst they will surely still start games, in Greenwood, Carrick has a very mobile, pacey individual, a good ball carrier and someone who is adept at finding pockets of space in between the lines.
The ex-Arsenal academy player also has a keen eye for goal and nearly opened his account for the Boro with a neatly received pass on the half turn and a run towards goal that ended with a stinging drive that the keeper could only parry onto the roof of the net.
Selection headache
The performance clearly pleased the Boro boss, who may be tempted to give him a start against his hometown club Sunderland; a team most of his family (including his father) support.
It could be that Carrick goes with the more experienced Crooks, who gave an impressive performance against Watford, but he will be pleased to have been given a selection headache of the very best kind by Greenwood.
Middlesbrough now have genuine game-changers on the bench, with the likes of Marcus Forss, Emannuel Latte Lath and Morgan Rogers all coming on to good effect on Tuesday evening.
Middlesbrough may have had a shaky start to the season, but the opportunity is there for Carrick and his side, to send the fans into the international break with a win against their neighbours, but more importantly than local bragging rights, is the chance to bag another precious three points and continue the ascent up the Championship ladder.