The next batch of games will go some way to revealing Middlesbrough’s aspirations for the rest of the season.
Four of the next five matches-which includes a Carabao Cup fixture-are away from home, but that might just be a blessing for the Boro head coach, who will be desperately hoping for a return to some kind of form.
Carrick takes his side to Ewood Park to face Blackburn this weekend, followed by away days at Watford, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford over the next few weeks.
It is often that teams will look to press home the advantage when playing in their own surroundings, and of course that is the same with Boro. They have enjoyed some huge attendances and stirring atmospheres already this season.
Away results can be a catalyst
Sometimes though, the players need those away matches to just throw the shackles off a little bit. To go to someone’s back yard and silence the vociferous home support. Almost like an underdog mentality.
Rewind to last season when Carrick assumed his new role as Boro boss, he enjoyed three big away wins in his first 5 matches. A couple of resounding wins against Hull City and Blackpool, 3-1 and 3-0 respectively, plus the adrenaline-pumping 2-1 Norwich City comeback gave the club lift-off. Who could forget the scissor kick beauty from Riley McGree and the late winner from Matt Crooks?
Those results were sandwiched by a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City and a home defeat to Preston going down 2-1.
Now obviously, Carrick managed to sort out last season’s home form too, they weren’t just away day specialists. But those away games were a catalyst for the scintillating form that followed. They provided a platform and made other clubs fear the visit of the Boro.
Rebuilding confidence
The pressure will surely lift from both players and the coaching staff if Boro can pick up points on the road. Amassing points on their travels and then coming back-in good form-to a cauldron of noise and support from the Teesside faithful, would be a real tonic, given their current predicament.
There is no reason for that not to happen. A bit of luck would be most welcome, but there is enough talent and depth within the Boro squad to win football matches. Players like Marcus Forss, Isaiah Jones, Sami Silvera and Emannuel Latte Lath can all cause problems with their pace on the counter.
I’m sure that Carrick, Woodgate and Aaron Danks are devising a plan to have Boro climb further up the table as we speak. Whichever personnel Michael Carrick decides to go with, Boro will have bench that has players that can impact a game and that talent across the squad could come into it’s own over the course of the season.
Hopefully that can start with a win against Blackburn Rovers, and some better league performances, thus enabling the players to return to fortress Riverside with a new found confidence.