r00fie1
Well-known member
Carrick v Plymouth
2nd Nov 2023
Carrick reactions on the draw?
[Looking very relaxed] Delighted to be in the draw [big smile]. The draw`s the draw. You get what you`re given. Its what`s in front of us for being away every game so far and we`ve hot another….we look forward to. We`re happy to be involved in the competition at this stage. Its great to have the cup run and have that feeling….there`s a whole new challenge ahead for us, so we look forward to that.
Boro “lucky” to have avoided Premier League clubs?
Nah. Its a case of judging what`s ahead of us and respecting the game totally for what it is…….a whole new challenge, it`ll be tough. Its an opportunity for Port Vale, as it is for us. Its about getting through to the next round regardless of who`s in the rest of the competition. At this stage it doesn’t matter to us. Its what`s ahead of us really and we`ll approach the game like we have done all the rest and look forward to it.
Cup match later in December. Will that match effect Carricks mind-set?
[Looks straight at reporter] Its a long way off to be honest. The game we are speaking about is a long way off….we`re delighted to be in the draw is what I`d say. My mind-set hasnt gone to that at all, in terms of happy to be in this position. There`s a lot to go on before now and then. The closer we get, we`ll get our heads on that…...but [we`re] focused on this week, this Saturday and leading into the International Break.
Your “incredible fans”?
Honestly, its unbelievable, and we got an incredible following at Norwich the week before, so its three of the longest journeys you could get. I`ve said it many times, we don’t take that for granted……..its such a big effort….not easy in current times and for those travelling there and back, and there and back again, we thank them an awful lot. For those who stayed down there, hopefully they`ve had a nice few days and ...we can give them a performance that makes it worthwhile. Tuesday night for them was obviously great. They enjoyed it and it was brilliant to share that at the end. We`re trying to do that all over again, but still thankful for the effort and we`re just trying to repay that and hopefully they see that by what the boys are giving on the pitch.
Good to see Morgan Rogers emerge?
Fantastic. We`ve obviously brought Morgan to the club because we believe in him, we know what he`s capable of doing, hes a really exciting player. He`s came here to learn and develop and to take the next step in his career and at the moment he`s doing fantastically well. He`s had a big impact on us over recent weeks: scored some big goals in the cup competition, scored a big goal against Birmingham. [I`m] really happy the way he`s going. He`s been patient, training really well , training really hard as a group – as all of them have. In the end you get the rewards from it. He`s doing really well Morgan. We always expect more and I think there`s more to come from him.
Injury concerns after Exeter game?
Thankfully, as I speak, not anything new. A few boys have played minutes that….they needed really, so for them to come through the game. Yeah, [there`s] a little bit of fatigue and they [will] recover well, but in terms of injuries we`re in as good shape as we were going into the game.
Other injury news?
Nothing. No.
Plymouth challenges?
They are a very dangerous team. They`ve had some really big results, scored a lot of goals. Its a tough place to go. Their results show that. We`ll have to be really prepared for that and its a big challenge for us, but we look forward to it. We are playing alright at this moment of time ourselves and obviously winning football matches is a great feeling [smile]. That`s the challenge, but we know its a tough one going down there.
Stoke a “set-back”. Boro still on fringe of the play-offs?
Its not so much what happened last week, I think its just what`s next for us. We`ve had a decent run over the last six weeks or so. Its a whole new challenge you know on Saturday. We got two games before the International Break and we want to finish them strong. Hopefully it was a blip...whatever it was last week, its about the next game. The boys are focused, looking forward to it…..the boys will be ready.
Port Vale. A chance to get to the Semi-Final?
[Looks straight at reporter. Answers in assertive tone]. I will be looking forward to it yeah, [but] at this stage, we know the draw, we obviously make plans for that...but our mind doesn’t go too far ahead of that. Its a long way away. [Big smile] Its understandable you`re asking me about it because the draw`s just [been] freshly made, but really for us that`s further down the line. Its an opportunity just because we`re still in the competition, regardless of who we play its an opportunity…….It equally an opportunity for them [Port Vale] so they`re in the competition because they deserve it. Its not about taking them lightly or expecting anything different. We look forward to the game. Thats what I`ll say.
Carrick impressed by the good turn-around after poor start?
Yeah! I`ve been impressed. Kind of what we expected. We have got a good squad and I think [with] the number of injuries and illnesses, at times we`ve suffered and are still suffering….will test the squad...but the boys have came through so far very, very well and every one`s played their part and every one`s been ready when we`ve needed them and that`s the beauty of having a good squad. There`s some really, really good players we cant chose from at the moment, but we have some really good players who have stepped up and give us different options. I`m lucky that we`ve got that choice because it could easily not be there [looks questioningly at reporter]. So at the moment we`ve got to keep pushing, we got to keep getting better. We got things to improve on, but at the moment the boys are doing really well.
Carrick happy with depth of squad to cope with cup and league successfully?
Yeah. The cups the cup. Its only a few more games. Its not like we`re committed to playing an extra 15 or 20 games you know. I think you can make more of that than actually is the case. Hopefully, its more than one more game, but it might be one more game. [Smile] Its up to us to do that, but certainly cant complain about playing extra football – that`s what we want and if you want to be successful you have to do that.
Is the feeling “lets park the [cup] game” for now?
[Laughs] I don’t want to be a spoiler but from our point of view, I`m not diminishing the cup when it comes around, we`ll be hugely looking forward to it and….its fantastic for the supporters and that`s why we take the cup and approach it so seriously, because it means a lot to us because we understand what cup runs can bring...to the supporters and the club in general. [Laughs] But there`s a lot to go on, and quickly obviously, [such] as Saturday, so we cant [when we`re in it] let our minds wander. Got to keep the focus on what`s ahead for us.
Boro 3rd if league table was based on second halves. Why are Boro so strong in the second half?
[Smile] That`s a good question. [Laughter]Nah. Listen. Its good to know we`re capable of doing that. There`s maybe different reasons for doing that; how we play, maybe the amount of possession, maybe its the case of wearing teams down, whether its gaining control, whether its a game where we become stronger as the game goes on. There`s a lot of reasons. Of course, we want to start games better. We don’t want to have to chase games and we want to be ahead and we want the first half to be as good as the second half. There`s the challenge. You take the positives of course and what it probably does do is give us belief, as [shown] last season and as a group, whatever the circumstances we feel that we are always in the game and that we`re capable of scoring goals towards the end of the game. We`ll take it as a positive.
Is there a mental aspect to sticking from the 1st to the 90th minute in games?
Yeah. I think there`s two side to it. There`s the mental side...and I talk about belief a lot and confidence, but you got to keep believing in what you`re doing and its not always easy to do that, especially if its a tight game. That side of things [the boys] have shown [in order] to get the rewards in the end, that to keep believing, keep trying the similar things and stick to the plan and principles. Certainly the physical side as well as fitness and I think a lot of it ….is the squad and the boys on the pitch finishing the game, just as much as the boys starting the game. That shows how important [decisions] can be, whether that`s change at half time, whether thats change after an hour or 70 minutes. Its give us a real impetus in the game. Going towards the end of games its a real push [with] boys coming off the bench and finishing the game well for us, which makes a huge, huge difference.
Carrick credit for what he says to players at half time?
[Big smile] Players win your football matches. Listen. We try to give them the message, the positive message at times and we maybe give them other messages at other times. For me, it comes down to that belief and buying into it and being together...and the boys have been fantastic at that [no matter] who`s started [and] who`s finished the game, it really makes a huge difference.
Matt Crooks. Three Boro Managers. Why is he so “key”?
I think first and foremost Crooks is a terrific player as well. When you get talked about as great character, great person, great round the group, it can take away from the quality that you bring on the pitch and it can be……...But Crooksy brings both sides to it and that`s why he`s so important around the group. His example – how he trains every single day and the impact he has on the pitch in terms of being such a threat, his work for the team without the ball is really important for us....and in and around the box. He`s threatening, his combination-playing….so he brings an awful lot to it. Being a stable character for me is about people and having good people around the place. He goes about his business in the right way and he`s a great example for us.
Crooks played briefly up front now he seems more comfortable a bit deeper?
Crooks is right where he says he probably naturally feels more comfortable and at home in that position. I still thought he did have and could have, moving forward, an influence playing that little bit higher up, because of how he is in and around the box. He`s really clever and got a natural instinct for his timing and arriving in the right place, in the right space, in the right time and that`s something that`s difficult to coach. He`s got that naturally. Over his career and how he`s developed he feels a little bit more comfortable playing deeper and I get that and understand that. He`s certainly improved since I`ve been here and its all down to him.
r00fie1 02.11.23
2nd Nov 2023
Carrick reactions on the draw?
[Looking very relaxed] Delighted to be in the draw [big smile]. The draw`s the draw. You get what you`re given. Its what`s in front of us for being away every game so far and we`ve hot another….we look forward to. We`re happy to be involved in the competition at this stage. Its great to have the cup run and have that feeling….there`s a whole new challenge ahead for us, so we look forward to that.
Boro “lucky” to have avoided Premier League clubs?
Nah. Its a case of judging what`s ahead of us and respecting the game totally for what it is…….a whole new challenge, it`ll be tough. Its an opportunity for Port Vale, as it is for us. Its about getting through to the next round regardless of who`s in the rest of the competition. At this stage it doesn’t matter to us. Its what`s ahead of us really and we`ll approach the game like we have done all the rest and look forward to it.
Cup match later in December. Will that match effect Carricks mind-set?
[Looks straight at reporter] Its a long way off to be honest. The game we are speaking about is a long way off….we`re delighted to be in the draw is what I`d say. My mind-set hasnt gone to that at all, in terms of happy to be in this position. There`s a lot to go on before now and then. The closer we get, we`ll get our heads on that…...but [we`re] focused on this week, this Saturday and leading into the International Break.
Your “incredible fans”?
Honestly, its unbelievable, and we got an incredible following at Norwich the week before, so its three of the longest journeys you could get. I`ve said it many times, we don’t take that for granted……..its such a big effort….not easy in current times and for those travelling there and back, and there and back again, we thank them an awful lot. For those who stayed down there, hopefully they`ve had a nice few days and ...we can give them a performance that makes it worthwhile. Tuesday night for them was obviously great. They enjoyed it and it was brilliant to share that at the end. We`re trying to do that all over again, but still thankful for the effort and we`re just trying to repay that and hopefully they see that by what the boys are giving on the pitch.
Good to see Morgan Rogers emerge?
Fantastic. We`ve obviously brought Morgan to the club because we believe in him, we know what he`s capable of doing, hes a really exciting player. He`s came here to learn and develop and to take the next step in his career and at the moment he`s doing fantastically well. He`s had a big impact on us over recent weeks: scored some big goals in the cup competition, scored a big goal against Birmingham. [I`m] really happy the way he`s going. He`s been patient, training really well , training really hard as a group – as all of them have. In the end you get the rewards from it. He`s doing really well Morgan. We always expect more and I think there`s more to come from him.
Injury concerns after Exeter game?
Thankfully, as I speak, not anything new. A few boys have played minutes that….they needed really, so for them to come through the game. Yeah, [there`s] a little bit of fatigue and they [will] recover well, but in terms of injuries we`re in as good shape as we were going into the game.
Other injury news?
Nothing. No.
Plymouth challenges?
They are a very dangerous team. They`ve had some really big results, scored a lot of goals. Its a tough place to go. Their results show that. We`ll have to be really prepared for that and its a big challenge for us, but we look forward to it. We are playing alright at this moment of time ourselves and obviously winning football matches is a great feeling [smile]. That`s the challenge, but we know its a tough one going down there.
Stoke a “set-back”. Boro still on fringe of the play-offs?
Its not so much what happened last week, I think its just what`s next for us. We`ve had a decent run over the last six weeks or so. Its a whole new challenge you know on Saturday. We got two games before the International Break and we want to finish them strong. Hopefully it was a blip...whatever it was last week, its about the next game. The boys are focused, looking forward to it…..the boys will be ready.
Port Vale. A chance to get to the Semi-Final?
[Looks straight at reporter. Answers in assertive tone]. I will be looking forward to it yeah, [but] at this stage, we know the draw, we obviously make plans for that...but our mind doesn’t go too far ahead of that. Its a long way away. [Big smile] Its understandable you`re asking me about it because the draw`s just [been] freshly made, but really for us that`s further down the line. Its an opportunity just because we`re still in the competition, regardless of who we play its an opportunity…….It equally an opportunity for them [Port Vale] so they`re in the competition because they deserve it. Its not about taking them lightly or expecting anything different. We look forward to the game. Thats what I`ll say.
Carrick impressed by the good turn-around after poor start?
Yeah! I`ve been impressed. Kind of what we expected. We have got a good squad and I think [with] the number of injuries and illnesses, at times we`ve suffered and are still suffering….will test the squad...but the boys have came through so far very, very well and every one`s played their part and every one`s been ready when we`ve needed them and that`s the beauty of having a good squad. There`s some really, really good players we cant chose from at the moment, but we have some really good players who have stepped up and give us different options. I`m lucky that we`ve got that choice because it could easily not be there [looks questioningly at reporter]. So at the moment we`ve got to keep pushing, we got to keep getting better. We got things to improve on, but at the moment the boys are doing really well.
Carrick happy with depth of squad to cope with cup and league successfully?
Yeah. The cups the cup. Its only a few more games. Its not like we`re committed to playing an extra 15 or 20 games you know. I think you can make more of that than actually is the case. Hopefully, its more than one more game, but it might be one more game. [Smile] Its up to us to do that, but certainly cant complain about playing extra football – that`s what we want and if you want to be successful you have to do that.
Is the feeling “lets park the [cup] game” for now?
[Laughs] I don’t want to be a spoiler but from our point of view, I`m not diminishing the cup when it comes around, we`ll be hugely looking forward to it and….its fantastic for the supporters and that`s why we take the cup and approach it so seriously, because it means a lot to us because we understand what cup runs can bring...to the supporters and the club in general. [Laughs] But there`s a lot to go on, and quickly obviously, [such] as Saturday, so we cant [when we`re in it] let our minds wander. Got to keep the focus on what`s ahead for us.
Boro 3rd if league table was based on second halves. Why are Boro so strong in the second half?
[Smile] That`s a good question. [Laughter]Nah. Listen. Its good to know we`re capable of doing that. There`s maybe different reasons for doing that; how we play, maybe the amount of possession, maybe its the case of wearing teams down, whether its gaining control, whether its a game where we become stronger as the game goes on. There`s a lot of reasons. Of course, we want to start games better. We don’t want to have to chase games and we want to be ahead and we want the first half to be as good as the second half. There`s the challenge. You take the positives of course and what it probably does do is give us belief, as [shown] last season and as a group, whatever the circumstances we feel that we are always in the game and that we`re capable of scoring goals towards the end of the game. We`ll take it as a positive.
Is there a mental aspect to sticking from the 1st to the 90th minute in games?
Yeah. I think there`s two side to it. There`s the mental side...and I talk about belief a lot and confidence, but you got to keep believing in what you`re doing and its not always easy to do that, especially if its a tight game. That side of things [the boys] have shown [in order] to get the rewards in the end, that to keep believing, keep trying the similar things and stick to the plan and principles. Certainly the physical side as well as fitness and I think a lot of it ….is the squad and the boys on the pitch finishing the game, just as much as the boys starting the game. That shows how important [decisions] can be, whether that`s change at half time, whether thats change after an hour or 70 minutes. Its give us a real impetus in the game. Going towards the end of games its a real push [with] boys coming off the bench and finishing the game well for us, which makes a huge, huge difference.
Carrick credit for what he says to players at half time?
[Big smile] Players win your football matches. Listen. We try to give them the message, the positive message at times and we maybe give them other messages at other times. For me, it comes down to that belief and buying into it and being together...and the boys have been fantastic at that [no matter] who`s started [and] who`s finished the game, it really makes a huge difference.
Matt Crooks. Three Boro Managers. Why is he so “key”?
I think first and foremost Crooks is a terrific player as well. When you get talked about as great character, great person, great round the group, it can take away from the quality that you bring on the pitch and it can be……...But Crooksy brings both sides to it and that`s why he`s so important around the group. His example – how he trains every single day and the impact he has on the pitch in terms of being such a threat, his work for the team without the ball is really important for us....and in and around the box. He`s threatening, his combination-playing….so he brings an awful lot to it. Being a stable character for me is about people and having good people around the place. He goes about his business in the right way and he`s a great example for us.
Crooks played briefly up front now he seems more comfortable a bit deeper?
Crooks is right where he says he probably naturally feels more comfortable and at home in that position. I still thought he did have and could have, moving forward, an influence playing that little bit higher up, because of how he is in and around the box. He`s really clever and got a natural instinct for his timing and arriving in the right place, in the right space, in the right time and that`s something that`s difficult to coach. He`s got that naturally. Over his career and how he`s developed he feels a little bit more comfortable playing deeper and I get that and understand that. He`s certainly improved since I`ve been here and its all down to him.
r00fie1 02.11.23
