The impressive 2-1 victory against Southampton, a team that was fancied to perform well this season, gave everyone-including the Middlesbrough head coach-a lift on Saturday and could be a catalyst for a run of good form.
It is unlikely Michael Carrick will get carried away with the result. As many a Boro supporter will testify ‘not too high (after a win) and not too low (after a defeat)’ is the unofficial motto of the former United man, who always accentuates the need to ‘stay level’.
He would be right to keep his Boro lions grounded in what will no doubt prove to be another long and at times, enervating campaign. That said, even he would have raised a wry smile on Saturday afternoon, after seeing a much more Carrick-esque display that had an industry, intensity and verve that had so far been lacking before the Southampton clash.
He will say that the performances beforehand have warranted more than what they have received in terms of a points tally. But the showing against the Saints was far superior to anything seen by the Teesside outfit this season.
Another defeat, and the ‘our performances have deserved more points’ line of defence would have started to sound as derisory as the infamous ‘the league table is lying’ quote from his coach Jonathan Woodgate.
Championship experience
Fans pointed to the fact that Carrick-who was partially forced into changing his side because of injuries-picked an eleven that heavily featured players who had Championship experience. In fact, ten of the eleven players picked had played in the Championship in previous seasons, with only Rav van den Berg new to the division and only three of their twelve summer signings starting the match.
There was some speculation from fans as the team-sheets landed, that Carrick was making an exaggerated point about the club’s transfer business and how the club’s new recruitment model had failed him. By selecting a side that was predominantly made up of players he had at his disposal last season, some felt that was a statement from the head coach.
Support from crowd
More likely, is that Carrick understood the need to get some solid, experienced professionals in the side to stand up to the challenge of a potentially difficult environment whilst the club is struggling for points. It proved to be a very wise decision, as Boro went 1-0 down and the palpable tension made the Riverside a very nervy arena.
In fairness to the Boro faithful, there was never any question that they would boo or berate their team when the goal went in. They could see the effort and application that Carrick had talked about so often. But there was, without doubt, a feeling of De ja vu.
They need not have worried though, as the experience of players like Riley McGree, Jonny Howson and Lewis O’Brien, complimented by academy graduates Hayden Hackney and the fresh-faced assassin Josh Coburn, combined to get that all important win.
The Riverside Stadium once again became a cauldron of noise, roaring the red shirts forward with wave after wave of attacks.
Boro need to be patient with arrivals
The successful result gained by those playing on Saturday does not mean that the players who have arrived in the summer are ineffective by default. Many have arrived with little or no experience of the Championship or even English football. So to reproach them after just a handful of appearances would be harsh in the extreme.
Taking some of the new recruits like Sami Silvera and Morgan Rogers out of the firing line during a period of difficulty is a clever tactic from Carrick, who will no doubt offer them an opportunity to impress in future matches. A more gradual approach to their footballing induction may be what is needed.
Those aforementioned attacking midfielders and striker Emannuel Latte Lath could be in line to get game time in the upcoming game against Bradford in the Carabao Cup. Alex Gilbert, a player who has not had much game time, will also hope for minutes at Valley Parade.