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Carrick v Millwall
[Media Conference Transcript 11/01/2024]
What a night – Tuesday Night?
I actually drove home to see the family [in Cheshire], so I was wide awake. I don’t think I`d have got any sleep anyway. I was a little bit later than normal. It was a special night for everybody. A lot of people will remember that night for a long time, and rightly so, because it was a big achievement in itself from the boys to beat a team like that. Nevertheless, obviously, nowhere near is the tie finished at all, but...to celebrate the boys and the performance and the effort. Really, they got all the praise and what their efforts deserved.
The fans rocked up ten fold didn’t they?
The noise, the energy, the boys needed it a times. The second half especially and that was when it was almost…..it was vital that they felt that and give them the boost to get through it. Certainly, from the start, you could feel it, you could feel a sense of something a little bit different around the stadium and that`s what those nights are for. Thats what I`ve said about cup runs and special nights. You got to take them, you got to embrace them, you got to enjoy them and, we certainly did that.
What can an atmosphere and a night like Tuesday do for the club as a whole?
I don’t want to get too quite carried away with that either you know, because I don’t know what`s gonna happen next, is the honest answer. I think feeling the energy, feeling the togetherness and feeling the spirit, was quite rewarding, quite satisfying for that one-off occasion. There`s no way we`re taking the next game and assuming anything at all, cuz we know its a whole new thing and a whole new challenge for us. But, as I`ve just said, its what those games are all about, to feel that emotion, that passion and that sense of achievement really...the small side of achievement it is for what we need to do next.
Tom Glover assessment after stepping in for Dengy?
Its easy for me to say about the squad and easy to say everyone`s got to play a part and, its not always easy when you`re training every day and you havent got a game at the end of the week…..and it goes on for a period of time. That`s the ultimate test really, of self-motivation and belief in the end to keep going and waiting for your opportunity. Being ready is as important as anything. Credit to Tom for that. He`s had a good run of games which I think helps get into the rhythm and settle down. He`s made some really big saves for us over a few weeks now.
How is Deng after he came back?
He`s back now, working his way back to fitness, so he`s not available yet, as you expect...that`s why he`s came back. Hopefully we can get him back as soon as we can.
Bangura and Latte Lath fitness after Tuesday?
Both coming off was a big blow for us at that stage of the game, so early on. we`re still kind of fully assessing [them], but it looks like [return] will be a period of time for both of them unfortunately.
Luke Ayling?
Delighted to have Luke, he`s proven at this level and at Premiership level and experienced a lot. Knows what it takes to be successful, especially in this league and, [we`re] delighted for different reasons: his character, his attitude, as a person and how he carries himself. He`s going to be a big asset for us obviously [and] his quality as well. Absolutely delighted to have him, [he`s] a big boost for the squad and a big boost for the team.
How did Luke look in training as he`s not been playing regularly?
As you`d expect: fit, ready and raring to go.
Were Boro always trying for him?
I think we always try and plan for a while. Some come up [whom] you might not have on the radar, but certainly….I`ve looked from afar and admired him from afar for quite some time. I came up against him at certain points, the when the opportunity came, we jumped at the chance.
Lewis O`Brien. Overcome injuries and back in amongst it again?
Lewis is another one, similar to Luke [Ayling]. Unbelievable character and person really, off the pitch in terms of how they look after themselves, how they handle themselves…...and for Lewis [injury] was a big setback for him. But the way he`s handled it, has been incredible really, he`s been so positive. Considering he`s here on loan as well, he feels like he`s one of ours and made a real effort that side of things and credit to him. Again, were delighted to have him back, he`s a big player, a real quality player and he`ll have a big say for us between now and the end of the season.
Millwall. From the high`s of this week, back to the Championship?
That`s the challenge. That`s a great challenge for us and we`ll be ready. The boys have moved on already from it and trained well thgis morning so thats gone now. we`ve got this game, we`ve got another game next Saturday before Chelsea, so maybe thats the last question I`ll have of about Chelsea! I don’t know. I may have one or two more coming, but hopefully that`s it [!] [Big laugh], we can put it to bed. Because that`s done you know and we have came in today and, for us and the players its all about Saturday, because its a huge challenge. [Millwall] They`re in good form, they`re playing well and we know we have to be right at our best to get the result we want.
You cant take your foot off the pedal at Millwall. Its one of those games?
100% yeah. The next game is always important and I stress that as much as I can. But, certainly after [a game] we all know and is pretty clear was a `high` on Tuesday, to prepare yourself and go again, to regroup is a skill in itself. Not everyone can do it. Its not always easy. Sometimes you try for all the right reasons and some people get carried away with the emotion of it and cant do it. So, its important that we`re on the right state of mind because, again, its one of those games you`ve got to be ready for.
Announced today Sven Goran Eriksson gave Carrick first England call up. Has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thoughts?
Incredibly sad news. Heard it this morning, just before we went out training. Really sad to hear. Sven had a big impact on me, in terms of giving me my England debut and in-and-around the squad in Germany…..the World Cup in 2006. Its really, really, sad. He had a huge impact on English football around that time and was close to having real success, with the players that we had and….how calm he was and how much responsibility he passed on to the players. How much faith and belief he had on the players always sticks with me. Always super, super, calm and give the lads the utmost kind of confidence. My thoughts are certainly with him at the moment and terribly sad news.
Has Carrick told the players to forget Tuesday and focus on Saturday?
I`m not afraid to say that. We spoke about that today. Its imperative we wipe this slate clean and start again, so the boys have been good, came in really focused this morning. Obviously, in good spirits and a good place so, [we`ll] channel that in the right way.
Focus minds on what comes next?
I hope so, because its…..as I said, there`s so much to play for. I said it going over the Christmas period really [we] have this huge opportunity in front of us to achieve something, both in the cup competitions and in the league. We`ve had a kind of mini-season break, in terms of two cup games and, now getting back into the thick of it again. I think we can take a lot of positives from the last week in the two games that we`ve played in. [There were] different results, but nevertheless a lot of positives to take and the boys will hopefully be bouyed by that and take that into the games coming up.
Atmosphere at the Den on Saturday. Handling that?
Its always the case, especially going away from home. We know what its like down there and its a tough place to play, but the same point, its a great place to play. I love those type of atmospheres when there`s a bit of an edge to it, and its noisy and its lively. You got to find a way of playing your best football, so we look forward to it.
Is managing the atmosphere the key to playing your best `stuff`?
It will go a long way to it yeah. Its easier said than done, as I said…..they`re playing well at the moment, they`ve had some really, really, good results and they`re a really good team and Joe [Edwards] has done a good job. We know what we`re facing.
Paddy McNair and Marcus Forss training yet? Anfernee Dijksteel?
Marcus is training yeah. Paddy`s not quite [ready].
If we get Lewis, Marcus, obviously Finn`s added to the group, and Luke, so I feel like we`ve had a bit of a boost. I know we`ve lost a couple in Bangura and Latte Lath, but nevertheless, it feels good to have the boys in and around the training group and they trained well today. Anfernee….shouldnt be too long. Hopefully, in the next week or so, may be ten days, we`ll get him back around it. Finn has settled in really well. I think in some ways its been good for him to have a few days settling in, getting used to the surroundings, used to the boys. He`s the same as Luke [Ayling] as you can imagine: he`s fit, he`s raring to go. we`ve got some good options to choose from, so we`ll see what kind of direction we go with.
Signing Luke Ayling a sign of pragmatism in terms of recruitment?
Just balance. There`s credit to Steve [Gibson] and Neil [Bausor]and Kieran [Scott] for that as well, in terms of [an] open mind and having a plan…...a longer term plan of how we want to kind of build a team, the squad and the club and move forward. But, [at] certain points with that is the balance. We feel at this point that Luke is the ideal kind of spot to fill really, in terms of his character, his experience is really important. We got really good Senior players and character and attitude and they [are an] example. [Luke] is certainly that as well, so he`s a perfect fit for us.
Is lack of league consistency the one frustration with only one back-to-back win since October?
I`ve said it for a bit! Nah! I`ve said it for a bit! Consistency is key! I`ve said it for a long time. Consistency is key. We know what we`re capable of doing. We`ve shown that. we`ve shown it again this week, we`ve shown it over a period of time. we`ve shown it over the Christmas period and we know what we`re capable of doing. Its putting it together. There`s challenges to that, of course there is, in terms of suspensions at time, injuries or whatever, but if we can become consistent then we`ll have a real chance.
Is it hard not to have Barlaser, Howson and Hackney all in the same team?
Its nice to have good players to choose from, I`ll tell ya. We`ve got that [choice] in a few positions to be honest and, flexibility and good options. Its great to see Dan[Bolaser] and Johnny [Howson] have done an unbelievable job over….seem to be playing every game now for six weeks and one of the busiest periods of the season. You can see that in terms of their kind of connections and wavelength and the confidence that they`re playing with. Obviously, Hayden [Hackney], we know what [he`s] capable of and he stepped back straight into the game last week and looked like he`d never been away. Thats not easy. So, we`ve got good options and Hayden can play a bit higher up at times. So, we can be a little bit flexible with that. Its great to have the options you know. We`ve got games coming up, where we`ll have to pick and choose a little bit, but the boys work well together whoever plays.
The transfer window is still open. With players coming back, is there a danger of overloading the squad?
100% I think I`ve said that. You don’t just make a signing for whatever`s coming up in the next week or two. You make the signings for the right reasons and the longer term. Sometimes its towards it for the end of the season. Some[times] just beyond that. We feel we`ve got good options, we`re flexible as well. We`ve got players that can play in a number of positions, that kind of accommodate as well, so that can be a strength. I`m not saying we`re not still trying to improve. We`re always trying to improve, it just depends what pops up and whether we can kind of deal with what`s ahead. But for sure at the moment, we know we can make it work
[Media Conference Transcript 11/01/2024]
What a night – Tuesday Night?
I actually drove home to see the family [in Cheshire], so I was wide awake. I don’t think I`d have got any sleep anyway. I was a little bit later than normal. It was a special night for everybody. A lot of people will remember that night for a long time, and rightly so, because it was a big achievement in itself from the boys to beat a team like that. Nevertheless, obviously, nowhere near is the tie finished at all, but...to celebrate the boys and the performance and the effort. Really, they got all the praise and what their efforts deserved.
The fans rocked up ten fold didn’t they?
The noise, the energy, the boys needed it a times. The second half especially and that was when it was almost…..it was vital that they felt that and give them the boost to get through it. Certainly, from the start, you could feel it, you could feel a sense of something a little bit different around the stadium and that`s what those nights are for. Thats what I`ve said about cup runs and special nights. You got to take them, you got to embrace them, you got to enjoy them and, we certainly did that.
What can an atmosphere and a night like Tuesday do for the club as a whole?
I don’t want to get too quite carried away with that either you know, because I don’t know what`s gonna happen next, is the honest answer. I think feeling the energy, feeling the togetherness and feeling the spirit, was quite rewarding, quite satisfying for that one-off occasion. There`s no way we`re taking the next game and assuming anything at all, cuz we know its a whole new thing and a whole new challenge for us. But, as I`ve just said, its what those games are all about, to feel that emotion, that passion and that sense of achievement really...the small side of achievement it is for what we need to do next.
Tom Glover assessment after stepping in for Dengy?
Its easy for me to say about the squad and easy to say everyone`s got to play a part and, its not always easy when you`re training every day and you havent got a game at the end of the week…..and it goes on for a period of time. That`s the ultimate test really, of self-motivation and belief in the end to keep going and waiting for your opportunity. Being ready is as important as anything. Credit to Tom for that. He`s had a good run of games which I think helps get into the rhythm and settle down. He`s made some really big saves for us over a few weeks now.
How is Deng after he came back?
He`s back now, working his way back to fitness, so he`s not available yet, as you expect...that`s why he`s came back. Hopefully we can get him back as soon as we can.
Bangura and Latte Lath fitness after Tuesday?
Both coming off was a big blow for us at that stage of the game, so early on. we`re still kind of fully assessing [them], but it looks like [return] will be a period of time for both of them unfortunately.
Luke Ayling?
Delighted to have Luke, he`s proven at this level and at Premiership level and experienced a lot. Knows what it takes to be successful, especially in this league and, [we`re] delighted for different reasons: his character, his attitude, as a person and how he carries himself. He`s going to be a big asset for us obviously [and] his quality as well. Absolutely delighted to have him, [he`s] a big boost for the squad and a big boost for the team.
How did Luke look in training as he`s not been playing regularly?
As you`d expect: fit, ready and raring to go.
Were Boro always trying for him?
I think we always try and plan for a while. Some come up [whom] you might not have on the radar, but certainly….I`ve looked from afar and admired him from afar for quite some time. I came up against him at certain points, the when the opportunity came, we jumped at the chance.
Lewis O`Brien. Overcome injuries and back in amongst it again?
Lewis is another one, similar to Luke [Ayling]. Unbelievable character and person really, off the pitch in terms of how they look after themselves, how they handle themselves…...and for Lewis [injury] was a big setback for him. But the way he`s handled it, has been incredible really, he`s been so positive. Considering he`s here on loan as well, he feels like he`s one of ours and made a real effort that side of things and credit to him. Again, were delighted to have him back, he`s a big player, a real quality player and he`ll have a big say for us between now and the end of the season.
Millwall. From the high`s of this week, back to the Championship?
That`s the challenge. That`s a great challenge for us and we`ll be ready. The boys have moved on already from it and trained well thgis morning so thats gone now. we`ve got this game, we`ve got another game next Saturday before Chelsea, so maybe thats the last question I`ll have of about Chelsea! I don’t know. I may have one or two more coming, but hopefully that`s it [!] [Big laugh], we can put it to bed. Because that`s done you know and we have came in today and, for us and the players its all about Saturday, because its a huge challenge. [Millwall] They`re in good form, they`re playing well and we know we have to be right at our best to get the result we want.
You cant take your foot off the pedal at Millwall. Its one of those games?
100% yeah. The next game is always important and I stress that as much as I can. But, certainly after [a game] we all know and is pretty clear was a `high` on Tuesday, to prepare yourself and go again, to regroup is a skill in itself. Not everyone can do it. Its not always easy. Sometimes you try for all the right reasons and some people get carried away with the emotion of it and cant do it. So, its important that we`re on the right state of mind because, again, its one of those games you`ve got to be ready for.
Announced today Sven Goran Eriksson gave Carrick first England call up. Has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thoughts?
Incredibly sad news. Heard it this morning, just before we went out training. Really sad to hear. Sven had a big impact on me, in terms of giving me my England debut and in-and-around the squad in Germany…..the World Cup in 2006. Its really, really, sad. He had a huge impact on English football around that time and was close to having real success, with the players that we had and….how calm he was and how much responsibility he passed on to the players. How much faith and belief he had on the players always sticks with me. Always super, super, calm and give the lads the utmost kind of confidence. My thoughts are certainly with him at the moment and terribly sad news.
Has Carrick told the players to forget Tuesday and focus on Saturday?
I`m not afraid to say that. We spoke about that today. Its imperative we wipe this slate clean and start again, so the boys have been good, came in really focused this morning. Obviously, in good spirits and a good place so, [we`ll] channel that in the right way.
Focus minds on what comes next?
I hope so, because its…..as I said, there`s so much to play for. I said it going over the Christmas period really [we] have this huge opportunity in front of us to achieve something, both in the cup competitions and in the league. We`ve had a kind of mini-season break, in terms of two cup games and, now getting back into the thick of it again. I think we can take a lot of positives from the last week in the two games that we`ve played in. [There were] different results, but nevertheless a lot of positives to take and the boys will hopefully be bouyed by that and take that into the games coming up.
Atmosphere at the Den on Saturday. Handling that?
Its always the case, especially going away from home. We know what its like down there and its a tough place to play, but the same point, its a great place to play. I love those type of atmospheres when there`s a bit of an edge to it, and its noisy and its lively. You got to find a way of playing your best football, so we look forward to it.
Is managing the atmosphere the key to playing your best `stuff`?
It will go a long way to it yeah. Its easier said than done, as I said…..they`re playing well at the moment, they`ve had some really, really, good results and they`re a really good team and Joe [Edwards] has done a good job. We know what we`re facing.
Paddy McNair and Marcus Forss training yet? Anfernee Dijksteel?
Marcus is training yeah. Paddy`s not quite [ready].
If we get Lewis, Marcus, obviously Finn`s added to the group, and Luke, so I feel like we`ve had a bit of a boost. I know we`ve lost a couple in Bangura and Latte Lath, but nevertheless, it feels good to have the boys in and around the training group and they trained well today. Anfernee….shouldnt be too long. Hopefully, in the next week or so, may be ten days, we`ll get him back around it. Finn has settled in really well. I think in some ways its been good for him to have a few days settling in, getting used to the surroundings, used to the boys. He`s the same as Luke [Ayling] as you can imagine: he`s fit, he`s raring to go. we`ve got some good options to choose from, so we`ll see what kind of direction we go with.
Signing Luke Ayling a sign of pragmatism in terms of recruitment?
Just balance. There`s credit to Steve [Gibson] and Neil [Bausor]and Kieran [Scott] for that as well, in terms of [an] open mind and having a plan…...a longer term plan of how we want to kind of build a team, the squad and the club and move forward. But, [at] certain points with that is the balance. We feel at this point that Luke is the ideal kind of spot to fill really, in terms of his character, his experience is really important. We got really good Senior players and character and attitude and they [are an] example. [Luke] is certainly that as well, so he`s a perfect fit for us.
Is lack of league consistency the one frustration with only one back-to-back win since October?
I`ve said it for a bit! Nah! I`ve said it for a bit! Consistency is key! I`ve said it for a long time. Consistency is key. We know what we`re capable of doing. We`ve shown that. we`ve shown it again this week, we`ve shown it over a period of time. we`ve shown it over the Christmas period and we know what we`re capable of doing. Its putting it together. There`s challenges to that, of course there is, in terms of suspensions at time, injuries or whatever, but if we can become consistent then we`ll have a real chance.
Is it hard not to have Barlaser, Howson and Hackney all in the same team?
Its nice to have good players to choose from, I`ll tell ya. We`ve got that [choice] in a few positions to be honest and, flexibility and good options. Its great to see Dan[Bolaser] and Johnny [Howson] have done an unbelievable job over….seem to be playing every game now for six weeks and one of the busiest periods of the season. You can see that in terms of their kind of connections and wavelength and the confidence that they`re playing with. Obviously, Hayden [Hackney], we know what [he`s] capable of and he stepped back straight into the game last week and looked like he`d never been away. Thats not easy. So, we`ve got good options and Hayden can play a bit higher up at times. So, we can be a little bit flexible with that. Its great to have the options you know. We`ve got games coming up, where we`ll have to pick and choose a little bit, but the boys work well together whoever plays.
The transfer window is still open. With players coming back, is there a danger of overloading the squad?
100% I think I`ve said that. You don’t just make a signing for whatever`s coming up in the next week or two. You make the signings for the right reasons and the longer term. Sometimes its towards it for the end of the season. Some[times] just beyond that. We feel we`ve got good options, we`re flexible as well. We`ve got players that can play in a number of positions, that kind of accommodate as well, so that can be a strength. I`m not saying we`re not still trying to improve. We`re always trying to improve, it just depends what pops up and whether we can kind of deal with what`s ahead. But for sure at the moment, we know we can make it work
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