r00fie1
Well-known member
* Sometimes Carrick gets the same questions more than once from different reporters. Today there was one reporter who appeared to be wanting a strap-line out of every question. He was especially interested in asking questions about Josh Coburn. I deliberately dont lump all the same questions together - in order to keep the questions and answers in context. Carrick sometimes gets more direct when answering the same question and also elaborates very clearly, with various phrases [like "as I`ve said to you before"] Today, he was obviously fending off any suggestions that any particular players are "in" or "out" "of favour". For him "thats why we have the squad we have" when there are injuries or players arent able to play - for whatever reason. Anyway. It weas a long one today. I used to have voice-to-script software, which made life very easy. Now I do it manually and try to be as accurate as I can. I try to modify or insert [....] as little as necessary, but football coaches or reporters dont read auto-cues, so Michael`s Geordie phraisiology and little foibles, I try to leave in. Enjoy the read.
Carrick v Cardiff
Carrick v Cardiff
[October 2023]
How does Carrick assess the Watford win?
Obviously it was a great win for us. It was a little bit of an up and down game. Played good at times. Not so good at other parts of the game, but thought we showed some really good qualities with the goals we scored and the character: we had to dig deep and at 2-2 we found a way to win. [I`m] delighted with the outcome. We….made hard work of it, more than we should of.
Does Carrick think things are starting to “click” and building momentum?
In some ways. Obviously it was a good week for us. Three wins is a really good week for us . Performances before that made us believe we had a good chance of doing that, so it didn’t come as a surprise by any stretch. Doesn’t mean we`ve cracked it [smile], its what`s next really is the important thing. Its two really tough games ahead of us this week, so ….we`re not getting carried away by any stretch. We can definitely take the positives and we can take the performance….and the character the boys have shown and definitely try and build on them.
Has there been a change in atmosphere around the place? The “positivety”?
No. Not really. No. Only because it was fine before. We were all working towards something, we were all fully invested in it. The boys were certainly in the attitude and around the place – no one was feeling sorry for themselves. We all believe [that] you keep doing the right things, it would turn for us. It doesn’t mean that because we`ve had a good week that`s it. Its what happens next, so no one is getting carried away. Certainly confidence and that little bit of extra spark of winning games gives you…..but in terms of around the place, it hasnt changed really an awful lot.
Josh Coburn: how pleased is Carrick to see him in the team and “stamp his authority on the position”?
Pleased with Josh. He`s probably had a couple of frustrating months, coming back from pre-season….getting injured….and working his way up: trying to get “sharpeness”, getting fit, trying to see what this season would bring. The best decision for all of us was for him to stay here. I`m really pleased that we made that decision, Josh included and he`s really enjoying his football and developing really well. [We will] encourage Josh to see what we can achieve next.
Rav VDB seems to have gone under the radar and hasnt put a foot wrong. Carricks assessment?
I think hes done great. Its a whole new experience for him in type of football. Its different challenges to what he`s maybe been used to. Credit to him, he`s really embraced that and that`s why he`s here. He wanted to go through that experience and test himself in that way. He`l definitely be better for it as his career goes through. He`s played right back for us, left back for us and he`l play as centre back at some point, as that`s his natural position. He`s just humble, down to earth, steady, solid, stable character with obviously fantastic potential in terms of football ability. So credit for him taking on the challenge and the way he`s developed so far. Playing in different positions will help him moving forward as well.
Cardiff?
They`re on a good run….even the games they`ve lost have been really tight. They`re up towards the top of the table with a lot of points at this stage. [They are]...well organised. Dangerous on the break...got good threats throughout the team. Its a really tough game. They`l be confident. they`ve had some good results in the last few weeks, so it`l be a good test for us.
What does Carrick know of the Cardiff Managers style of play?
Looking at Cardiff as a team...they like to play through the pitch. Obviously [Aaron] Ramsey has been a big player for them [although] he`s not available at the moment, but, in between the lines [and] they`ve got good threats up the top, so it`ll be a good challenge for us. We`re looking forward to it.
This will be the first time Boro have played under the lights at The Riverside this season. That creates a special atmosphere doesn’t it
Yeah. Looking forward to it. It does have a tinge of different feeling about it. This is the support we`ve had all season and going from last season. [Support]...has been fantastic and hopefully we can put on a good performance and get the right result for the fans.
O`Brien update?
We`re waiting on scan results at the moment. Its not looking too promising at this moment, so at this stage I cant give you anything specific. It wont be too long. we`re hoping for results today or tomorrow.
He`s been really versatile for you hasnt he?
Lewis has came in and done fantastically well for us. Played in different positions, integrated into the group really quickly and he`s a really good footballer. Of course its a blow for us, but….as tough as it is on Lewis...the nature of the beast [is] we`ve got a squad for that reason. People do have setbacks,…...unfortunately we don’t like to lose anybody, but it gives other boys the opportunity and that`s why we have the squad we have. We know that this season`s gonna throw things up with us. We got to deal with it as best as we can. Gutted for Lewis. we`ll have to get him back as quick as we can.
Rest of the squad? Any other injuries?
No, not particularly. A few knocks, niggles, bumps and bruises. The boys have played a fair bit of football over the last couple of weeks, so we`l have to take a look at that with a balanced view and see who`s fresh and ready to go.
Darragh?
He`s been ill over the weekend, so….[we`l] just kind of assess where hes at. Hopefully he`l be feeling a little bit better. Whether he`s better enough to get back involved, we will see.
Compare Crooks and Josh up front compared to those last season, do you set the drills different, training different?
I wouldnt say it was the same as last season, but we don’t change. We`ve got players in some ways [who] were doubled-up across the forward line really nicely….not necessarily totally like for like: we`ve got Matty [Crooks], we got Josh, we doubled up….in that we see both can be effective...both [are] slightly different, but it doesn’t change the team, how we set up or [change] the things we`re looking to do. We`re still looking to play the same way, attack the same spaces in slightly different styles. But its good to have the balance which is good …..they can offer [different things] into the system, into the structure, but with different kinds of strengths.
Riley McGree and his form. “Is he where you want him”?
Everyone cant play at the same time [Wry smile]. Its why we`ve got the squad you know. I`ve said it all along – just because someone`s not in the team for this game or the next game doesn’t mean, they`re discarded or anything like that. You know, we`ve got to obviously pick teams for certain games, or certain times of the season. At certain points everyone will have a big part to play. Its getting the boys up to speed, finding the best form and who`s in the best momernt. It comes around at times. Sometimes someone has a really good patch and someone else all of a sudden sparks to life a little bit more. As I say, that`s why we have the options we have….and its up to us [wry smile] to obviously make decisions. But Riley [McGree] has done really well over the last couple of weeks. Its good to see. He knows his football, he`s in a good flow, a good rhythm….scoring goals, which does make a difference to the “headlines” if you like. But he always offers us so much when he plays. He`s delighted as anyone to see the goals go in.
Does Carrick think Riley coming in on the left hand side is where he is most effective?
He`s played a lot for us there. He played off the right sometimes last season and actually done really well. He does a lot of his work around the box on the right hand side….so he`s flexible. He plays across the lines Riley, he`s really clever, so I wouldnt pigeon-hole him and say [out left] that`s his best position. You`ll find he`s not always in that [position] for long spells in the game anyway. Certainly, when we have the ball, that`s his kind of skill and his gift of being quite fluid and elusive. I would say that [about his positioning]. He has played there quite a bit and it does suit him. [Smile] So we`ll see where he ends up playing for the rest of the season
Dieng has slotted in like he`s been a Boro player all his life?
I think he`s getting better all the time, in terms of connections with the back four and who`s playing in front of him. Relationships [are] really important. Its not always [easy] to step into a team and carry on as you are. You need to understand each [player] you are playing with. He`s improving all the time: he had to make some big saves for us on Saturday and its important he`s obviously there for that. But at times in this season he`s going to have to make saves for us….he did that….coming in for a couple of crosses...which makes a big big difference. He`s gaining that presence all the time..….with confidence. You can probably see that as he`s grown, and obviously a big part of the other side of it is with the ball at his feet – setting up the second goal, all comes from him and his distribution. He obviously has a big part to play for us and he`s grown all the time.
Are Dieng`s qualities what you looked for in signing a goalkeeper in the summer?
Of course. For us, we feel [a goalie] is an extra kind of attacking weapon if you like or an extra string to our bow. Another player on the pitch who can cope comfortably with the ball….does give you an extra player in possession, so its something we believe in and would like to use. Listen: he doesn’t have to be played at all costs...but this is the way we certainly want to play. He`s fitted in as well as Tom [Tom Glover ] JJ [Jamie Jones ]as well, when they`ve played they can all do that. As I said, it goes with some boys in other positions. We`ve got the structure, we`ve got the principles we want to play in….and we try to stick to that, whoever plays and whatever strength and whatever individuals [fit] within that structure.
Josh [Again]?
Josh has done well. I don’t want to get too carried away, he`s done fantastic. Not putting anything on his shoulders, he doesn’t need that put there. He`s had a couple of good games within the last week and you can see him growing and his belief and his confidence. His movements and his link-up play…...similar to what we were talking about Dieng then….getting to know the boys a bit better and how we play. It takes a little time, but I shall be patient with Josh. I`m not expecting miracles off him. I think he`s had a really good week and he`ll continue to improve as the season goes on. He`s still at a young age and learning the game, so I`m looking forward to see where we can take him. I wouldnt say Josh has surprised me. I think we were hopeful. We knew what type of player Josh was and his strengths and attributes. He`s still growing physically and still developing as a man. So there`s still more to come from him from that side of things. Technically, he plays well and as he improves and trains all the time with the boys, gets to know that side of the game. I`ve been pleased with him not surprised. You always hope and you always believe in the players and trust them to do well. As I said – it just gives us encouragement for moving forward….as well [as with] the rest of the players [who are] showing good signs at the moment. They`l be ups and downs along the way, but we`l all be trying for the right reasons.
Developing young players?
You never know…..and I`ve said that to you a few times about that…..I`ve given players a chance and hopefully they can thrive. Josh has done that over the last week and he`s done that over recent times since he got fit again. So that`s what you hope for and he`s definitely done well.
Hayden Coulson. “Where`s he at the moment”?
Hayden`s fine. He`s training with the boys every day. He`s a big part of the squad. Just needed a game [Friday U21`s] really. A top up. You know – Managing the minutes for the players so they`re all ready, if and when they need to play. Yeah. Hayden`s fine. He`s in good shape.
With injuries is Carrick expecting players to “step up”?
[Frustrated face] I don’t think anyone has to “step up”. They can just be themselves you know: be what they are and perform just like anyone else in the team. Just bring the best version of what they are and get a chance and for them to take it. [I`m] not hoping for anything extra from any of them. Just be the best version you can be.
I don’t worry about them at all.
R00fie1. 02:10:23
How does Carrick assess the Watford win?
Obviously it was a great win for us. It was a little bit of an up and down game. Played good at times. Not so good at other parts of the game, but thought we showed some really good qualities with the goals we scored and the character: we had to dig deep and at 2-2 we found a way to win. [I`m] delighted with the outcome. We….made hard work of it, more than we should of.
Does Carrick think things are starting to “click” and building momentum?
In some ways. Obviously it was a good week for us. Three wins is a really good week for us . Performances before that made us believe we had a good chance of doing that, so it didn’t come as a surprise by any stretch. Doesn’t mean we`ve cracked it [smile], its what`s next really is the important thing. Its two really tough games ahead of us this week, so ….we`re not getting carried away by any stretch. We can definitely take the positives and we can take the performance….and the character the boys have shown and definitely try and build on them.
Has there been a change in atmosphere around the place? The “positivety”?
No. Not really. No. Only because it was fine before. We were all working towards something, we were all fully invested in it. The boys were certainly in the attitude and around the place – no one was feeling sorry for themselves. We all believe [that] you keep doing the right things, it would turn for us. It doesn’t mean that because we`ve had a good week that`s it. Its what happens next, so no one is getting carried away. Certainly confidence and that little bit of extra spark of winning games gives you…..but in terms of around the place, it hasnt changed really an awful lot.
Josh Coburn: how pleased is Carrick to see him in the team and “stamp his authority on the position”?
Pleased with Josh. He`s probably had a couple of frustrating months, coming back from pre-season….getting injured….and working his way up: trying to get “sharpeness”, getting fit, trying to see what this season would bring. The best decision for all of us was for him to stay here. I`m really pleased that we made that decision, Josh included and he`s really enjoying his football and developing really well. [We will] encourage Josh to see what we can achieve next.
Rav VDB seems to have gone under the radar and hasnt put a foot wrong. Carricks assessment?
I think hes done great. Its a whole new experience for him in type of football. Its different challenges to what he`s maybe been used to. Credit to him, he`s really embraced that and that`s why he`s here. He wanted to go through that experience and test himself in that way. He`l definitely be better for it as his career goes through. He`s played right back for us, left back for us and he`l play as centre back at some point, as that`s his natural position. He`s just humble, down to earth, steady, solid, stable character with obviously fantastic potential in terms of football ability. So credit for him taking on the challenge and the way he`s developed so far. Playing in different positions will help him moving forward as well.
Cardiff?
They`re on a good run….even the games they`ve lost have been really tight. They`re up towards the top of the table with a lot of points at this stage. [They are]...well organised. Dangerous on the break...got good threats throughout the team. Its a really tough game. They`l be confident. they`ve had some good results in the last few weeks, so it`l be a good test for us.
What does Carrick know of the Cardiff Managers style of play?
Looking at Cardiff as a team...they like to play through the pitch. Obviously [Aaron] Ramsey has been a big player for them [although] he`s not available at the moment, but, in between the lines [and] they`ve got good threats up the top, so it`ll be a good challenge for us. We`re looking forward to it.
This will be the first time Boro have played under the lights at The Riverside this season. That creates a special atmosphere doesn’t it
Yeah. Looking forward to it. It does have a tinge of different feeling about it. This is the support we`ve had all season and going from last season. [Support]...has been fantastic and hopefully we can put on a good performance and get the right result for the fans.
O`Brien update?
We`re waiting on scan results at the moment. Its not looking too promising at this moment, so at this stage I cant give you anything specific. It wont be too long. we`re hoping for results today or tomorrow.
He`s been really versatile for you hasnt he?
Lewis has came in and done fantastically well for us. Played in different positions, integrated into the group really quickly and he`s a really good footballer. Of course its a blow for us, but….as tough as it is on Lewis...the nature of the beast [is] we`ve got a squad for that reason. People do have setbacks,…...unfortunately we don’t like to lose anybody, but it gives other boys the opportunity and that`s why we have the squad we have. We know that this season`s gonna throw things up with us. We got to deal with it as best as we can. Gutted for Lewis. we`ll have to get him back as quick as we can.
Rest of the squad? Any other injuries?
No, not particularly. A few knocks, niggles, bumps and bruises. The boys have played a fair bit of football over the last couple of weeks, so we`l have to take a look at that with a balanced view and see who`s fresh and ready to go.
Darragh?
He`s been ill over the weekend, so….[we`l] just kind of assess where hes at. Hopefully he`l be feeling a little bit better. Whether he`s better enough to get back involved, we will see.
Compare Crooks and Josh up front compared to those last season, do you set the drills different, training different?
I wouldnt say it was the same as last season, but we don’t change. We`ve got players in some ways [who] were doubled-up across the forward line really nicely….not necessarily totally like for like: we`ve got Matty [Crooks], we got Josh, we doubled up….in that we see both can be effective...both [are] slightly different, but it doesn’t change the team, how we set up or [change] the things we`re looking to do. We`re still looking to play the same way, attack the same spaces in slightly different styles. But its good to have the balance which is good …..they can offer [different things] into the system, into the structure, but with different kinds of strengths.
Riley McGree and his form. “Is he where you want him”?
Everyone cant play at the same time [Wry smile]. Its why we`ve got the squad you know. I`ve said it all along – just because someone`s not in the team for this game or the next game doesn’t mean, they`re discarded or anything like that. You know, we`ve got to obviously pick teams for certain games, or certain times of the season. At certain points everyone will have a big part to play. Its getting the boys up to speed, finding the best form and who`s in the best momernt. It comes around at times. Sometimes someone has a really good patch and someone else all of a sudden sparks to life a little bit more. As I say, that`s why we have the options we have….and its up to us [wry smile] to obviously make decisions. But Riley [McGree] has done really well over the last couple of weeks. Its good to see. He knows his football, he`s in a good flow, a good rhythm….scoring goals, which does make a difference to the “headlines” if you like. But he always offers us so much when he plays. He`s delighted as anyone to see the goals go in.
Does Carrick think Riley coming in on the left hand side is where he is most effective?
He`s played a lot for us there. He played off the right sometimes last season and actually done really well. He does a lot of his work around the box on the right hand side….so he`s flexible. He plays across the lines Riley, he`s really clever, so I wouldnt pigeon-hole him and say [out left] that`s his best position. You`ll find he`s not always in that [position] for long spells in the game anyway. Certainly, when we have the ball, that`s his kind of skill and his gift of being quite fluid and elusive. I would say that [about his positioning]. He has played there quite a bit and it does suit him. [Smile] So we`ll see where he ends up playing for the rest of the season
Dieng has slotted in like he`s been a Boro player all his life?
I think he`s getting better all the time, in terms of connections with the back four and who`s playing in front of him. Relationships [are] really important. Its not always [easy] to step into a team and carry on as you are. You need to understand each [player] you are playing with. He`s improving all the time: he had to make some big saves for us on Saturday and its important he`s obviously there for that. But at times in this season he`s going to have to make saves for us….he did that….coming in for a couple of crosses...which makes a big big difference. He`s gaining that presence all the time..….with confidence. You can probably see that as he`s grown, and obviously a big part of the other side of it is with the ball at his feet – setting up the second goal, all comes from him and his distribution. He obviously has a big part to play for us and he`s grown all the time.
Are Dieng`s qualities what you looked for in signing a goalkeeper in the summer?
Of course. For us, we feel [a goalie] is an extra kind of attacking weapon if you like or an extra string to our bow. Another player on the pitch who can cope comfortably with the ball….does give you an extra player in possession, so its something we believe in and would like to use. Listen: he doesn’t have to be played at all costs...but this is the way we certainly want to play. He`s fitted in as well as Tom [Tom Glover ] JJ [Jamie Jones ]as well, when they`ve played they can all do that. As I said, it goes with some boys in other positions. We`ve got the structure, we`ve got the principles we want to play in….and we try to stick to that, whoever plays and whatever strength and whatever individuals [fit] within that structure.
Josh [Again]?
Josh has done well. I don’t want to get too carried away, he`s done fantastic. Not putting anything on his shoulders, he doesn’t need that put there. He`s had a couple of good games within the last week and you can see him growing and his belief and his confidence. His movements and his link-up play…...similar to what we were talking about Dieng then….getting to know the boys a bit better and how we play. It takes a little time, but I shall be patient with Josh. I`m not expecting miracles off him. I think he`s had a really good week and he`ll continue to improve as the season goes on. He`s still at a young age and learning the game, so I`m looking forward to see where we can take him. I wouldnt say Josh has surprised me. I think we were hopeful. We knew what type of player Josh was and his strengths and attributes. He`s still growing physically and still developing as a man. So there`s still more to come from him from that side of things. Technically, he plays well and as he improves and trains all the time with the boys, gets to know that side of the game. I`ve been pleased with him not surprised. You always hope and you always believe in the players and trust them to do well. As I said – it just gives us encouragement for moving forward….as well [as with] the rest of the players [who are] showing good signs at the moment. They`l be ups and downs along the way, but we`l all be trying for the right reasons.
Developing young players?
You never know…..and I`ve said that to you a few times about that…..I`ve given players a chance and hopefully they can thrive. Josh has done that over the last week and he`s done that over recent times since he got fit again. So that`s what you hope for and he`s definitely done well.
Hayden Coulson. “Where`s he at the moment”?
Hayden`s fine. He`s training with the boys every day. He`s a big part of the squad. Just needed a game [Friday U21`s] really. A top up. You know – Managing the minutes for the players so they`re all ready, if and when they need to play. Yeah. Hayden`s fine. He`s in good shape.
With injuries is Carrick expecting players to “step up”?
[Frustrated face] I don’t think anyone has to “step up”. They can just be themselves you know: be what they are and perform just like anyone else in the team. Just bring the best version of what they are and get a chance and for them to take it. [I`m] not hoping for anything extra from any of them. Just be the best version you can be.
I don’t worry about them at all.
R00fie1. 02:10:23
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