I spoke to Boro boss Michael Carrick as he prepares the team for the next challenge v Bristol City. Carrick watched and sympathised with City for their narrow cup defeat to Premier outfit Nottingham Forest but he will hope to show no mercy on Saturday. We need to be more clinical now. Carrick recognises that we will have to be at our best to beat a team that have often been a bogey side. But it is time to start winning home games to put ourselves back in that play off chasing pack.
Q: Apart from what you have just told us about Matty Crooks you must be heartened that we are starting to have a few more options again, team wise?
MC: The boys are ready. I think we have got good balance and good options and the beauty of it is the boys can play right across the front line in different positions so it does give us flexibility as well. We share the goals out pretty well this season, we always want more goals of course we do and I am hopeful and I am pretty sure that we'll go on to keep scoring goals. But the boys have shared it well and I am excited to see how they can perform and see what we can achieve going forward.
Q: As you have said Riley McGree looked to be just getting back to himself before he went off to join Australia in the Asia Cup. He brings a lot of energy doesn't he and like Marcus Forss is another player with a cutting edge.
MC: Yeah. Riley is important player, he is a really important part of the group. He's proved that ever since I got here. He's played an awful lot. He is another one he can play across the front line in different positions and play off the front in different ways. So, he gives us something a little bit different. So, yes I am looking forward to having him back and getting him firing and getting him back involved.
Q: And Sammy Silvera also seemed to be stepping up prior to the Asia Cup. He is another player to have gained a lot of match experience through the Carabao Cup run. He seemed to be maturing in the League as well.
MC: Yes, I am excited about Sammy. I think it was a huge step for him to come over in summer. The intensity of the league from what he is used to. It was a big change. He's dealt with it really well. He's got huge talent Sam. He is dangerous the way he plays. He's shown that in glimpses at certain times. He'll get more football and he will want more football and I am really excited to see what he can do between now and the end of the season.
Q: We obviously need to start winning our games at home but Bristol City can be quite formidable opponents.
MC: Yes, it is a tough game you know. It is a tough league isn't it? We sit here and say the same things every week (smiles). It is a tough league.
They're a good team and they have had some good results and they have been involved in close games but listen we have got to be at our best and we look forward to it and prepare right and be ready for it.
Q: Apart from what you have just told us about Matty Crooks you must be heartened that we are starting to have a few more options again, team wise?
MC: The boys are ready. I think we have got good balance and good options and the beauty of it is the boys can play right across the front line in different positions so it does give us flexibility as well. We share the goals out pretty well this season, we always want more goals of course we do and I am hopeful and I am pretty sure that we'll go on to keep scoring goals. But the boys have shared it well and I am excited to see how they can perform and see what we can achieve going forward.
Q: As you have said Riley McGree looked to be just getting back to himself before he went off to join Australia in the Asia Cup. He brings a lot of energy doesn't he and like Marcus Forss is another player with a cutting edge.
MC: Yeah. Riley is important player, he is a really important part of the group. He's proved that ever since I got here. He's played an awful lot. He is another one he can play across the front line in different positions and play off the front in different ways. So, he gives us something a little bit different. So, yes I am looking forward to having him back and getting him firing and getting him back involved.
Q: And Sammy Silvera also seemed to be stepping up prior to the Asia Cup. He is another player to have gained a lot of match experience through the Carabao Cup run. He seemed to be maturing in the League as well.
MC: Yes, I am excited about Sammy. I think it was a huge step for him to come over in summer. The intensity of the league from what he is used to. It was a big change. He's dealt with it really well. He's got huge talent Sam. He is dangerous the way he plays. He's shown that in glimpses at certain times. He'll get more football and he will want more football and I am really excited to see what he can do between now and the end of the season.
Q: We obviously need to start winning our games at home but Bristol City can be quite formidable opponents.
MC: Yes, it is a tough game you know. It is a tough league isn't it? We sit here and say the same things every week (smiles). It is a tough league.
They're a good team and they have had some good results and they have been involved in close games but listen we have got to be at our best and we look forward to it and prepare right and be ready for it.
