The Boro boss called for calm despite picking up just one point from their opening three games of the season
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said he’d seen enough to know his side were on the right track despite picking up just one point from their opening three Championship fixtures. Boro had to come from behind against Huddersfield Town to nick their first point of the season, but that didn’t tell the full story.
The Teessiders were much better than their opening two games of the season, but still lacked that ruthlessness in the final third we saw from them last season. Recent arrival Emmanuel Latte Lath gave Carrick’s side a much needed presence up top and it allowed the Boro to win the ball back high up the pitch.
On another day, the hosts could have been four goals to the good, had it not been for the impressive Huddersfield Town shot stopper Lee Nicholls. The opening month of the Championship campaign is always a difficult one for clubs, with key players still able to leave for new pastures – as has been the case with Chuba Akpom last week.
“Yes and no,” Carrick said when asked about the first month of the season being a phoney war. “I’m concentrating on working with the group and trying to get the best out of us, putting things in place.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough transfer quip after Chuba Akpom departure
“I keep saying it – it’s a hell of a long season. I think history proves that over time and especially in this league. There’s almost waves of form that can be created from going on a winning streak to maybe starting a little bit sticky or whatever.
“It’s up to us to finish stronger and to gain momentum through the season. In the end that’s the story that’ll be told.”
Carrick stressed how important it was his side didn’t panic following the 3-0 defeat to Coventry City and the message from the Boro boss was the same again. He said: “Listen, we’d love more points. Of course we would and I’m not hiding from that fact but that’s not the whole story.
“There’s a big picture here and, as I said, there’s quite a big difference in the individuals. The atmosphere around the group hasn’t changed but we’re still bedding young players into the team.
“Sometimes it takes a little bit of time but I’ve seen enough and, I think from my point of view, we’ve done enough in games.
“Things just aren’t quite – and I know it’s an easy excuse when things aren’t dropping for you and I’m aware of that – but I do feel we’re doing a lot of good things and probably not getting the rewards at both ends of the pitch, it’s up to us to change that.
“I was encouraged and I’ve seen enough. We’ve had chances and on another day they go in. Especially ones towards the end.
“The goalkeeper was fantastic and it tells you part of the story. We could beit sting here with a 2-1 victory and everything is different.
“In terms of my position, that one goal doesn’t change what we’re doing in the game. We’ve got to be a bit more pragmatic than that and judge putting the building blocks in place.
“I was pleased with the way the boys stuck at it and encouraged by the way we finished the game.”
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