r00fie1
Well-known member
A pragmatic and upbeat Michael Carrick held a short briefing at his Media Conference prior to tomorrow night`s League Cup Match v Exeter at St James Park. He`s under no illusions about the task in hand. He was asked about the injury situation, the loss against stoke at the weekend and whether he remembers that penalty miss against Boro at Old Trafford! He also heaped praise on fans for selling out twice in a week all that way down to the West Country.
Carrick v Exeter
30.10.23
Assessment of Stoke Performance?
It was a difficult game. They are a good team and they`ve had a really good week themselves, with three big wins themselves. [Shruggs] Yeah, we`ve had a good run of results, of course we have. Its kind of irrelevant in some ways, you know. Its [about] the last game and next game. Tuesday – thats the most important [game] now.
We weren’t quite at it [against Stoke]. We weren’t at our best. Sometimes it can happen: you try and get the best out the game, but unfortunately it was too much . We gave ourselves too much to do in the end. We learn from it, we`ll move on quickly. We have to move on quickly because we`ve got the game tomorrow night.
Isaiah Jones. 100th appearances. Really stepped up. Carricks thoughts?
Hes doing well, he`s been a real threat down the right hand side for us. Its good to see. We know what he`s capable of. Obviously we`ve believed that for some time. He`s in a good moment, so he`ll keep that going ….as there`s more of it and keep improving as he goes.
Alex Gilbert. “Opportunity” last Saturday?
[Assertively] Everybody`s got the opportunity [!]. It doesn’t really change. The squads the squad and everybody is there for a reason. He`s an important part of it….it was good for alex to get on the pitch. It was his first league game [for us]. It was a big step for him. More of the same….be ready for the next chance, be ready for the next opportunity. Keep training [and] working hard. Football`s a funny old game….you know how things turn round pretty quick. That`s the message to all the players. they`ve always been ready, always staid ready, trained well...its carrying that on.
Carrick memories of the League Cup?
[smiles] Probably finals really…..I found that out [laughs] if you want to mention it really. Had some good memories. That is what it is, its in the past. Its a competition we`re in now. We`ve managed to win some games to be in this position. Some might look at it as a good draw for us. Its a tough game, its another game we need to be at our best for. I know Gary [Caldwell. Exeter Manager] well. He`s a good coach, a good Manager. They`ve proved that by beating Luton in the last round, so we have to be right on our game to try and get through this.
Remember the Shoot out against the Boro?
[Whopping smile]….I cant remember that! [Everyone laughs] – He missed!
A real opportunity for Boro to reach the Quarter Final?
You`ve got to be very careful with that, with over-emphasising the opportunity. Its the next game that`s important: we respect the game, the type of game its going to be and respect the opposition and what they`ve done to get here.
Regardless of stage of competition, who`s left in it, its us against Exeter tomorrow night and that matters. [Its our] performance and earn the right in the game. That`s what`s important to us. Anything after that, then we`ll assess that after the game tomorrow night. We`ll be giving everything to put things in place….to give us a chance to win the game.
Exeter have beaten Luton.
Yeah, I`ve just said, they`ve done that with respect [to Exeter] for they are capable of that. We`ve all been around the game long enough to know that football can throw results ….its about us preparing right mentally and then playing well enough you know. They are dangerous,……..so obviously we go there looking forward to it. Its another game, another chance for us to try and lay well and win. [we] look forward to the game
Is there “excitement” to reach last 16?
There`s a natural anticipation and excitement. Not one we`ve overtly built up. I think we don’t need to. It is what it is. The next game is an important game and we`ll treat it like we would any other game. Of course its an opportunity, because its a cup game. [smile] Its all or nothing. We`ll give it everything we`ve got.
How important were those earlier cup wins to bring confidence to players?
It was important….because I think it gave us the chance to keep everybody involved as well and play a part…..keep them ready for the next games if you like. [Smile] Of course, winning games is a perfect tonic for anything really. Confidence, feel-good, progression in competitions, league or cup. So far its been good to us. [Smile] We`ve been away evry round and we`re travelling again, but yeah, we`re in it and look forward to it.
Injuries. “Shuffle the pack” down there?.
Possibly, but thats the reason we`ve got the squad as well. Its a balance...we managed quite well in the last few rounds of the competition. It carries on. We havent got maybe as many [players] to chose from…...but that`s just how it is. But whatever team...Listen[!], we are going down there to give our best and try and get through for sure.
Matt Clarke. Any chance he could play?
There`s every chance he could “feature”, yeah. we`ll have to see how much….and assess that, but…..he`s in and around the group. As I`ve said, we are patient with him and there are steps to be taken, but at the same point he`s trained with us for a good number of weeks now. He`s part of the group.
Fans: Incredible sell out twice in this week?
[smile and shakes head] Yeah, I keep talking about it, but this week of all weeks to sell out both games is incredible. What can I say, but we`re thankfull they are giving everything - to make the journey worthwhile. For those that are going there and back, and for those staying down there, I hope they have a nice week [Big smile].
r00fie1
30.10.23
Carrick v Exeter
30.10.23
Assessment of Stoke Performance?
It was a difficult game. They are a good team and they`ve had a really good week themselves, with three big wins themselves. [Shruggs] Yeah, we`ve had a good run of results, of course we have. Its kind of irrelevant in some ways, you know. Its [about] the last game and next game. Tuesday – thats the most important [game] now.
We weren’t quite at it [against Stoke]. We weren’t at our best. Sometimes it can happen: you try and get the best out the game, but unfortunately it was too much . We gave ourselves too much to do in the end. We learn from it, we`ll move on quickly. We have to move on quickly because we`ve got the game tomorrow night.
Isaiah Jones. 100th appearances. Really stepped up. Carricks thoughts?
Hes doing well, he`s been a real threat down the right hand side for us. Its good to see. We know what he`s capable of. Obviously we`ve believed that for some time. He`s in a good moment, so he`ll keep that going ….as there`s more of it and keep improving as he goes.
Alex Gilbert. “Opportunity” last Saturday?
[Assertively] Everybody`s got the opportunity [!]. It doesn’t really change. The squads the squad and everybody is there for a reason. He`s an important part of it….it was good for alex to get on the pitch. It was his first league game [for us]. It was a big step for him. More of the same….be ready for the next chance, be ready for the next opportunity. Keep training [and] working hard. Football`s a funny old game….you know how things turn round pretty quick. That`s the message to all the players. they`ve always been ready, always staid ready, trained well...its carrying that on.
Carrick memories of the League Cup?
[smiles] Probably finals really…..I found that out [laughs] if you want to mention it really. Had some good memories. That is what it is, its in the past. Its a competition we`re in now. We`ve managed to win some games to be in this position. Some might look at it as a good draw for us. Its a tough game, its another game we need to be at our best for. I know Gary [Caldwell. Exeter Manager] well. He`s a good coach, a good Manager. They`ve proved that by beating Luton in the last round, so we have to be right on our game to try and get through this.
Remember the Shoot out against the Boro?
[Whopping smile]….I cant remember that! [Everyone laughs] – He missed!
A real opportunity for Boro to reach the Quarter Final?
You`ve got to be very careful with that, with over-emphasising the opportunity. Its the next game that`s important: we respect the game, the type of game its going to be and respect the opposition and what they`ve done to get here.
Regardless of stage of competition, who`s left in it, its us against Exeter tomorrow night and that matters. [Its our] performance and earn the right in the game. That`s what`s important to us. Anything after that, then we`ll assess that after the game tomorrow night. We`ll be giving everything to put things in place….to give us a chance to win the game.
Exeter have beaten Luton.
Yeah, I`ve just said, they`ve done that with respect [to Exeter] for they are capable of that. We`ve all been around the game long enough to know that football can throw results ….its about us preparing right mentally and then playing well enough you know. They are dangerous,……..so obviously we go there looking forward to it. Its another game, another chance for us to try and lay well and win. [we] look forward to the game
Is there “excitement” to reach last 16?
There`s a natural anticipation and excitement. Not one we`ve overtly built up. I think we don’t need to. It is what it is. The next game is an important game and we`ll treat it like we would any other game. Of course its an opportunity, because its a cup game. [smile] Its all or nothing. We`ll give it everything we`ve got.
How important were those earlier cup wins to bring confidence to players?
It was important….because I think it gave us the chance to keep everybody involved as well and play a part…..keep them ready for the next games if you like. [Smile] Of course, winning games is a perfect tonic for anything really. Confidence, feel-good, progression in competitions, league or cup. So far its been good to us. [Smile] We`ve been away evry round and we`re travelling again, but yeah, we`re in it and look forward to it.
Injuries. “Shuffle the pack” down there?.
Possibly, but thats the reason we`ve got the squad as well. Its a balance...we managed quite well in the last few rounds of the competition. It carries on. We havent got maybe as many [players] to chose from…...but that`s just how it is. But whatever team...Listen[!], we are going down there to give our best and try and get through for sure.
Matt Clarke. Any chance he could play?
There`s every chance he could “feature”, yeah. we`ll have to see how much….and assess that, but…..he`s in and around the group. As I`ve said, we are patient with him and there are steps to be taken, but at the same point he`s trained with us for a good number of weeks now. He`s part of the group.
Fans: Incredible sell out twice in this week?
[smile and shakes head] Yeah, I keep talking about it, but this week of all weeks to sell out both games is incredible. What can I say, but we`re thankfull they are giving everything - to make the journey worthwhile. For those that are going there and back, and for those staying down there, I hope they have a nice week [Big smile].
r00fie1
30.10.23
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