r00fie1
Well-known member
Its Wear-Tees "derby" day>>>>>>>>>
Michael Carrick: "Its going to be a challenge. Its one we`re ready for and one we`re looking forward to"
You have to go back to 20th September 2008 when Sunderlun last beat Boro in the League at their place! Substitute, Michael Chopra, scored twice in the final nine minutes, in a side which included Dean Whitehead, El Hadji Diouf and Anton Ferdinand. Our recent history against the Skunks lesser-cousins has been outstanding,considering they have a habit of getting relegated and disappearing off the radar.But, lets not get carried away. History is junk and counts for nothing today.
Michael Carrick, in Friday`s media conference, was asked how he felt the team would responde with only a relatively small number of Boro fans - stuffed up in a corner - at the Stadium of Light? His reply was that it didnt mater if it was 2000 or 200: "I`m sure the boys will feel the support - its the belief....." [in the team - from the fans]. For Carrick, todays game is a "derby" game, where the team can use the emotions and excitement to gain advantage over the Mackems. "Its just a game of football. You play from the energy and the spike from the game". Experienced players have a part to play in providing calm heads, but younger plays are "fresher" and "not afraid" to have a go. I think he meant "fearless". Can players "block out" the atmosphere (?): thats not always easy, but "thats the human element. We`re not robots" (!).
Preparation has been as important this week as it has any other week. He approaches the match with the same calm, pragmatic frame of mind he always does. As players and staff "we have roles to play and jobs to do...and put things in place to be ready. Have that clarity of thinking and be calm under all the surrounding atmosphere". Has the nature and importance of the game meant putting in a bit extra this week? I love his response to the reporter who is always looking for "headlines" - "If you put extra in, it shows you`re not doing enough for the games before it"(!) "Its just a normal game.I love the local derbie`s and love the healthy rivalries. It doesnt have to change our preparation". Its worth remembering that almost all our players wont have any experience of the rivalry between us Smoggies and the Deck-chairs. Certainly, Paddy, Duncan and Johnny know the atmosphere, the anticipation and what the build-up is all about.
Carrick is well aware of their main threat: they "have a good forward line. I know Amad [Diallo] very well, from [my time] at United. He`s a terrific footballer. He seems to have jumped up a level again. Over the course of this season his performance has improved and he is a threat". Was Carrick concerned that Boro`s main goal threat comes mainly from a few players and not all over the tyeam/ He wasnt very happy with the question and basically said he couldnt line up players to score as they all have their own jobs to do - though every goal is important. Its certainly something the journo asking the question overlooked - a player need only score one goal in a match to bag the three points. See Marcus Forss and Riley McGree!
To the usuual questions about transfers and other player matters such as injuries: did Michael "expect2 there to be movement in and out on the transfer front in the coming week or so? "I could sit here and expect anything during the January transfer window(!)" - but the work carries on behind closed doors. He reiterated that transfers dont just involve boro, but "third parties" and others. There wont be last-minute players moving in just to fil a gap for long-term injuries - "they`l be no knee-jerk reaction". It wasnt just about what Boro want. as for paper-talk about muniz moving on? "You can never expect anything" - its not just about Carrick`s opinion. What of Hoppe being called up for the United States squad? "Its a big boost for him. Well deserved. I wouldnt stand in his way. I`m delighted for him".
Finally:
"I`m delighted with the squad we have.
I trust all the players 100%".
"The dynamics of the squad are so important to me and my staff".
and....
"We`ve got nothing to be satisfied yet.
Its a work in progress. we are trying to get better. To improve"
Michael Carrick: "Its going to be a challenge. Its one we`re ready for and one we`re looking forward to"
You have to go back to 20th September 2008 when Sunderlun last beat Boro in the League at their place! Substitute, Michael Chopra, scored twice in the final nine minutes, in a side which included Dean Whitehead, El Hadji Diouf and Anton Ferdinand. Our recent history against the Skunks lesser-cousins has been outstanding,considering they have a habit of getting relegated and disappearing off the radar.But, lets not get carried away. History is junk and counts for nothing today.
Michael Carrick, in Friday`s media conference, was asked how he felt the team would responde with only a relatively small number of Boro fans - stuffed up in a corner - at the Stadium of Light? His reply was that it didnt mater if it was 2000 or 200: "I`m sure the boys will feel the support - its the belief....." [in the team - from the fans]. For Carrick, todays game is a "derby" game, where the team can use the emotions and excitement to gain advantage over the Mackems. "Its just a game of football. You play from the energy and the spike from the game". Experienced players have a part to play in providing calm heads, but younger plays are "fresher" and "not afraid" to have a go. I think he meant "fearless". Can players "block out" the atmosphere (?): thats not always easy, but "thats the human element. We`re not robots" (!).
Preparation has been as important this week as it has any other week. He approaches the match with the same calm, pragmatic frame of mind he always does. As players and staff "we have roles to play and jobs to do...and put things in place to be ready. Have that clarity of thinking and be calm under all the surrounding atmosphere". Has the nature and importance of the game meant putting in a bit extra this week? I love his response to the reporter who is always looking for "headlines" - "If you put extra in, it shows you`re not doing enough for the games before it"(!) "Its just a normal game.I love the local derbie`s and love the healthy rivalries. It doesnt have to change our preparation". Its worth remembering that almost all our players wont have any experience of the rivalry between us Smoggies and the Deck-chairs. Certainly, Paddy, Duncan and Johnny know the atmosphere, the anticipation and what the build-up is all about.
Carrick is well aware of their main threat: they "have a good forward line. I know Amad [Diallo] very well, from [my time] at United. He`s a terrific footballer. He seems to have jumped up a level again. Over the course of this season his performance has improved and he is a threat". Was Carrick concerned that Boro`s main goal threat comes mainly from a few players and not all over the tyeam/ He wasnt very happy with the question and basically said he couldnt line up players to score as they all have their own jobs to do - though every goal is important. Its certainly something the journo asking the question overlooked - a player need only score one goal in a match to bag the three points. See Marcus Forss and Riley McGree!
To the usuual questions about transfers and other player matters such as injuries: did Michael "expect2 there to be movement in and out on the transfer front in the coming week or so? "I could sit here and expect anything during the January transfer window(!)" - but the work carries on behind closed doors. He reiterated that transfers dont just involve boro, but "third parties" and others. There wont be last-minute players moving in just to fil a gap for long-term injuries - "they`l be no knee-jerk reaction". It wasnt just about what Boro want. as for paper-talk about muniz moving on? "You can never expect anything" - its not just about Carrick`s opinion. What of Hoppe being called up for the United States squad? "Its a big boost for him. Well deserved. I wouldnt stand in his way. I`m delighted for him".
Finally:
"I`m delighted with the squad we have.
I trust all the players 100%".
"The dynamics of the squad are so important to me and my staff".
and....
"We`ve got nothing to be satisfied yet.
Its a work in progress. we are trying to get better. To improve"
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