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Carrick v Sunlun
[Media Conference 05.10.23]
Victory over Cardiff?
Results help and the boys have played well over the last couple of weeks and got what they deserved really out of the games – which is nice to see. They are enjoying the football, enjoying playing together….some clean sheets, some goals ….lots of positives. Obviously looking forward to Saturday, but actually looking forward to the period coming up ahead after the International break, to see how much better we can become.
[Media Conference 05.10.23]
Victory over Cardiff?
Results help and the boys have played well over the last couple of weeks and got what they deserved really out of the games – which is nice to see. They are enjoying the football, enjoying playing together….some clean sheets, some goals ….lots of positives. Obviously looking forward to Saturday, but actually looking forward to the period coming up ahead after the International break, to see how much better we can become.
[Smile] Of course three points is the most important thing. I think performances then give you the best chance of that. We`ve been trying to build those over recent times. Sometimes football throws up different things. The Watford game, for instance, we started well – we had the game where we wanted it. We kind of lost control of that in some ways, but managed to get it back, so it was a tough game for us. I thought the Cardiff game in particular midweek, the longer the game went we looked comfortable….really in charge of the game and got better as it went. That was an easier finish to the game in some way, if you like. Different strengths, different attributes you got to draw on. Different players at times coming on the pitch and making an impact when we need them, so it was encouraging.
Things heading in the right direction?
[Laughs] Yeah, changes quick. I think [good] results obviously have a massive impact on that. there`s no denying that. But, it changes quick from the outside . It changes quick on the kind of outlook in some ways, but it …..hasnt changed much in terms of us day-to-da, how we work or what we`re trying to achieve. Its the same things...messages [to players]. [Staff] have huge belief in the boys. They`ve done great over the last couple of weeks and we need to keep that going.
Things heading in the right direction?
[Laughs] Yeah, changes quick. I think [good] results obviously have a massive impact on that. there`s no denying that. But, it changes quick from the outside . It changes quick on the kind of outlook in some ways, but it …..hasnt changed much in terms of us day-to-da, how we work or what we`re trying to achieve. Its the same things...messages [to players]. [Staff] have huge belief in the boys. They`ve done great over the last couple of weeks and we need to keep that going.
Sunlun?
They`re playing very well, had a really good start to the season, got a young team. From their point of view [they have] a lot of young talent there and Tony`s [Mowbray] done a terrific job and molding them together. A really good game for us, you know, exciting. The type of game you want to be involved in and test yourself. The boys will be looking forward to it, the supporters will be looking forward to it and…...lets hope for a good game and a good performance from us [smile]. Give us a chance to get the right result.
They`re playing very well, had a really good start to the season, got a young team. From their point of view [they have] a lot of young talent there and Tony`s [Mowbray] done a terrific job and molding them together. A really good game for us, you know, exciting. The type of game you want to be involved in and test yourself. The boys will be looking forward to it, the supporters will be looking forward to it and…...lets hope for a good game and a good performance from us [smile]. Give us a chance to get the right result.
Its a “derby” to Boro fans. Is Carricks preparation any different?
There`s an element of understanding the game and emotion...and you`ve got to manage that in different ways. Like any game….you maybe need that extra motivation. You almost kick yourself into gear a little bit which comes quite naturally. You cant always be right up for every single game naturally. Sometimes you got to play tricks on your mind mentally and motivate yourself. Other times...you almost need to calm yourself down and keep your feet on the ground. Its a constant battle to be in the right spot to be able to have your peak performance. They`l be...a big atmosphere, a lot of emotion [and] intensity around the game. But when you got to perform you got to pull yourself away from that….think clearly and have a composure about you [and] still have that fire in you [smile] and that passion, which the boys will have. Its the balance you got to find for these games and thats what we look forward to….where you want to be involve.….right at the front of it. Thats what Saturday brings.
There`s an element of understanding the game and emotion...and you`ve got to manage that in different ways. Like any game….you maybe need that extra motivation. You almost kick yourself into gear a little bit which comes quite naturally. You cant always be right up for every single game naturally. Sometimes you got to play tricks on your mind mentally and motivate yourself. Other times...you almost need to calm yourself down and keep your feet on the ground. Its a constant battle to be in the right spot to be able to have your peak performance. They`l be...a big atmosphere, a lot of emotion [and] intensity around the game. But when you got to perform you got to pull yourself away from that….think clearly and have a composure about you [and] still have that fire in you [smile] and that passion, which the boys will have. Its the balance you got to find for these games and thats what we look forward to….where you want to be involve.….right at the front of it. Thats what Saturday brings.
Does Mowbray being a Boro Legend make any difference on the day?
[Big smile] I don’t think that makes any difference. Tony`s experienced. He`s seen a lot in his time and I`m sure it wont change what he does, how he goes about it. It certainly wont change us. We respect him for the Manager he is and the...team that they are, because they`re dangerous and a good team. How it affects the game I`m not so sure. Its another game once the balls rolling and [we] get our details right, get our positions right [and] attacking the right spaces. All that`s kind of the same game-to-game. It`s what we need to get right.
[Big smile] I don’t think that makes any difference. Tony`s experienced. He`s seen a lot in his time and I`m sure it wont change what he does, how he goes about it. It certainly wont change us. We respect him for the Manager he is and the...team that they are, because they`re dangerous and a good team. How it affects the game I`m not so sure. Its another game once the balls rolling and [we] get our details right, get our positions right [and] attacking the right spaces. All that`s kind of the same game-to-game. It`s what we need to get right.
Injuries?
[Big smile] We`re taking it day by day to be honest….seeing who`s okay. Hopefully no one else takes the hit [in training] and steps aside. we`re monitoring . we`re trying to be as careful as we can and taking precautions and looking after the players as much as we can. [Smile] As of today hopefully no ones bad [for] tomorrow.
[Big smile] We`re taking it day by day to be honest….seeing who`s okay. Hopefully no one else takes the hit [in training] and steps aside. we`re monitoring . we`re trying to be as careful as we can and taking precautions and looking after the players as much as we can. [Smile] As of today hopefully no ones bad [for] tomorrow.
Guarding against injuries?
There`s only so much you can do really. There`s work we need to get done, the players need to train. You just got to try your best to prevent anything travelling any further. We`ve had three or four [injuries] over the last week or so….the boys are taking care of themselves [so] that no one else falls foul of the same thing.
There`s only so much you can do really. There`s work we need to get done, the players need to train. You just got to try your best to prevent anything travelling any further. We`ve had three or four [injuries] over the last week or so….the boys are taking care of themselves [so] that no one else falls foul of the same thing.
Lewis O`Brien?
He`l be out for a period of time now. Could be two...or three months. A disappointment really. He`s gonna see a surgeon...towards the start of next week. Hopefully he will get the surgery done and he will come back to us….rehab and recover as soon as he can. He`s a terrific lad. Terrific character and desperate to do all he can to get fit as quick as he can. So, really disappointed for him. He`s come in and fitted in so well. Its a big blow for us as well as Lewis. But we`l work with him. We`l get him back around us as quick as we can.
He`l be out for a period of time now. Could be two...or three months. A disappointment really. He`s gonna see a surgeon...towards the start of next week. Hopefully he will get the surgery done and he will come back to us….rehab and recover as soon as he can. He`s a terrific lad. Terrific character and desperate to do all he can to get fit as quick as he can. So, really disappointed for him. He`s come in and fitted in so well. Its a big blow for us as well as Lewis. But we`l work with him. We`l get him back around us as quick as we can.
What has O`Brien done?
It is a fracture of the tibia as well as a little bit of ankle damage. Unfortunate really. Innocuous...his foot got stuck in the turf and took a bit of a kick at the same time. Disappointment….but football`s football and Lewis will make the best of the situation….and we`l have to move on quick as well.
It is a fracture of the tibia as well as a little bit of ankle damage. Unfortunate really. Innocuous...his foot got stuck in the turf and took a bit of a kick at the same time. Disappointment….but football`s football and Lewis will make the best of the situation….and we`l have to move on quick as well.
Will Lewis rehab at Boro or Forest?
He`s a Forest player obviously so that will need working out.
He`s a Forest player obviously so that will need working out.
Has Carrick spoke to Lewis O`Brien?
Yes, I`ve spoken to him. He`s disappointed. Its a blow. No footballer wants to be injured for any time, but he`s [as I said] a fantastic character. He`l do everything he can to get back soon.
Yes, I`ve spoken to him. He`s disappointed. Its a blow. No footballer wants to be injured for any time, but he`s [as I said] a fantastic character. He`l do everything he can to get back soon.
Building momentum. Does Carrick think the International Break has come at the wrong time?
I said it last time. You were talking about it the last break...being a different scenario. No, not really. For us it was the same and it is what it is. We plan for it, its in the schedule and its just what`s in front of us. We`l try and make the best of it. Some boys are going away….some staying behind...some taking a few days off and freshening up. Its all about getting that balance right of who needs what to b ready for the games when we get back. Its not really a case of “good time” “bad time”, its just it is what it is [smile] and we make the best of it.
I said it last time. You were talking about it the last break...being a different scenario. No, not really. For us it was the same and it is what it is. We plan for it, its in the schedule and its just what`s in front of us. We`l try and make the best of it. Some boys are going away….some staying behind...some taking a few days off and freshening up. Its all about getting that balance right of who needs what to b ready for the games when we get back. Its not really a case of “good time” “bad time”, its just it is what it is [smile] and we make the best of it.
Carricks message for Boro fans travelling to Sunlun?
Nothing in particular, other than its a great game that we`re looking forward to. The support they`ve given us over a period of time now has been pretty special – away from home. You know – selling out and supporting us loud every week. I think they can see the effort and the kind of attitude the boys are giving on the pitch. That`s all they can do. We`l have some good games….and some games maybe don’t quite go to plan. Hopefully, [big smile] this one does just that and goes to plan quite nicely [big smile].
Nothing in particular, other than its a great game that we`re looking forward to. The support they`ve given us over a period of time now has been pretty special – away from home. You know – selling out and supporting us loud every week. I think they can see the effort and the kind of attitude the boys are giving on the pitch. That`s all they can do. We`l have some good games….and some games maybe don’t quite go to plan. Hopefully, [big smile] this one does just that and goes to plan quite nicely [big smile].
Sunlun: what type of game is Carrick expecting?
Its hard to say really. I said it last week….its difficult to predict what type of game its gonna be. Goals have an impact in games: if there`s an early goal either way – momentum can shift, can swing. Who would predict we would have been two up last week at Watford in such a short space of time, so its difficult to predict. They`l be a good atmosphere, a lot of noise in the stadium, a lot of emotion around...as I said before...and that intensity. So that`s part of what we`ve got to manage. [To] Be ready for whatever the game throws at us.
Its hard to say really. I said it last week….its difficult to predict what type of game its gonna be. Goals have an impact in games: if there`s an early goal either way – momentum can shift, can swing. Who would predict we would have been two up last week at Watford in such a short space of time, so its difficult to predict. They`l be a good atmosphere, a lot of noise in the stadium, a lot of emotion around...as I said before...and that intensity. So that`s part of what we`ve got to manage. [To] Be ready for whatever the game throws at us.
How can Boro impose themselves on Mowbray`s team?
[Laugh. Big smile] Its not for me to tell you that [looks straight at reporter]. Listen! They`l look at us and they`l be things that they can [see]. They can try to utilise certain things. We look at them as well and there`s certain things we will try and make a difference in the game. [Smile]. That`s sport. That`s football, but I`m certainly not going to throw them out here now. I don’t think its necessarily a weakness, its just certain spots, certain tactics within games that you try to exploit. It comes down to playing to our strengths. We play how we play and we believe in it strongly. Tony`s the same with his Sunlun team and its who`s the best on the day that counts.
[Laugh. Big smile] Its not for me to tell you that [looks straight at reporter]. Listen! They`l look at us and they`l be things that they can [see]. They can try to utilise certain things. We look at them as well and there`s certain things we will try and make a difference in the game. [Smile]. That`s sport. That`s football, but I`m certainly not going to throw them out here now. I don’t think its necessarily a weakness, its just certain spots, certain tactics within games that you try to exploit. It comes down to playing to our strengths. We play how we play and we believe in it strongly. Tony`s the same with his Sunlun team and its who`s the best on the day that counts.
Is keeping Sunlun`s crowd quiet important?
Managing the game`s important yeah. That comes with that in terms of the atmosphere, the momentum within the game, the flow of the game and obviously.....the performance and how that`s going at that moment in time. Thats a part in any game, but certainly when there`s a game a little more charged than others, thats a big part of it.
Managing the game`s important yeah. That comes with that in terms of the atmosphere, the momentum within the game, the flow of the game and obviously.....the performance and how that`s going at that moment in time. Thats a part in any game, but certainly when there`s a game a little more charged than others, thats a big part of it.
Sam Greenwood. How impressed is Carrick with him?
Sams done great since he`s been here. He`s getting up to speed. He had an injury in preseason and he hadnt played a lot of games, so it was kind of building him up a little bit and we feel we are doing that all the time. he`s an important part of the group, so...we`ve got some really good options across that front line – as I`ve said to you many times before. I was really pleased with Sam [on Tuesday v Cardiff]. You could see the more he got into the game and he got into his rhythm, he found his flow and I thought the longer the game went [on] the better got. So, good signs for him
Sams done great since he`s been here. He`s getting up to speed. He had an injury in preseason and he hadnt played a lot of games, so it was kind of building him up a little bit and we feel we are doing that all the time. he`s an important part of the group, so...we`ve got some really good options across that front line – as I`ve said to you many times before. I was really pleased with Sam [on Tuesday v Cardiff]. You could see the more he got into the game and he got into his rhythm, he found his flow and I thought the longer the game went [on] the better got. So, good signs for him
Is it about “connections” for the new signings?
Yes. Of course. Sometimes it takes a bit of time. Training is part of that on the pitch. You cant replace or replicate that. So. Yeah – good signs for Sam. He`l have a big impact for us in the games in the weeks, in the months, to come.
Yes. Of course. Sometimes it takes a bit of time. Training is part of that on the pitch. You cant replace or replicate that. So. Yeah – good signs for Sam. He`l have a big impact for us in the games in the weeks, in the months, to come.
Sunlun saturday: Do local players from around Boro and Sunlun need to know the details of the game plan?
[Its about] just managing your emotions. In football we all love the game because of the emotions and certain other games bring different emotions, intensity, atmosphere to them. That`s part of it...as a player its something you got to deal with. You got to take it [emotion] a little bit, but you got to hide it [smile]. A little bit as well. That`s the challenge. The boys have all played in big games…...in these type of games before, so I don’t worry….or have any concerns with them of how they deal with that.
[Its about] just managing your emotions. In football we all love the game because of the emotions and certain other games bring different emotions, intensity, atmosphere to them. That`s part of it...as a player its something you got to deal with. You got to take it [emotion] a little bit, but you got to hide it [smile]. A little bit as well. That`s the challenge. The boys have all played in big games…...in these type of games before, so I don’t worry….or have any concerns with them of how they deal with that.
Riley, Tom, Sam potentially being called up to play against England at Wembley. How beneficial does Carrick think that will be for them?
I havent really given it much thought at the minute to be honest with you. Listen. Its good for all our boys to go away and play and have the experience of playing for their country. Playing at Wembley against England is a fantastic game for them.
I havent really given it much thought at the minute to be honest with you. Listen. Its good for all our boys to go away and play and have the experience of playing for their country. Playing at Wembley against England is a fantastic game for them.
At the moment, all our heads are firmly on Saturday.
Rav VDB injury?
We were hopeful he would be back in and around it in some way yeah.
We were hopeful he would be back in and around it in some way yeah.
Alex Gilbert back in the squad Tuesday. A welcome boost?
Its funny in a way: just as you`re hoping to get someone back to have a better squad, you end up losing one or two for different reasons. Really pleased to have him in the squad. He`s been out a while and had some frustrating time – being back preseason, [then] getting injured and Alex playing the game…..then taking that blow. Great to have him back in and around it and making the squad a lot stronger.
Its funny in a way: just as you`re hoping to get someone back to have a better squad, you end up losing one or two for different reasons. Really pleased to have him in the squad. He`s been out a while and had some frustrating time – being back preseason, [then] getting injured and Alex playing the game…..then taking that blow. Great to have him back in and around it and making the squad a lot stronger.
Is the Sunlun match a “derby” for Carrick?
[smile]. What`s a “derby” really? I think its local. Both teams are looking forward to it. Both supporters are looking forward to it. It means a lot...an awful lot. [Laughs] I don’t really know what it is these days, you know what I mean. I don’t know if you can say its 100% or not , but its a huge game for the area, in terms of the North East. Fantastic game and its why we love football. we`l have to approach it like any other game . There`s no hiding there`s an extra bit of emotion and extra bit of excitement about the place ….and that`s brilliant. You got to use that as a positive.
[smile]. What`s a “derby” really? I think its local. Both teams are looking forward to it. Both supporters are looking forward to it. It means a lot...an awful lot. [Laughs] I don’t really know what it is these days, you know what I mean. I don’t know if you can say its 100% or not , but its a huge game for the area, in terms of the North East. Fantastic game and its why we love football. we`l have to approach it like any other game . There`s no hiding there`s an extra bit of emotion and extra bit of excitement about the place ….and that`s brilliant. You got to use that as a positive.
The game last season and the sending off. Was that the most disappointing match?
Not particularly. We played OK. We weren’t at our best. There was a big moment in the game when Dael got sent off, but we learn from it as a group. He`s [points to reporter] saying about boys managing the atmosphere and things like that. Its in the past. Its done. We`l move on and see what Saturday brings.
Not particularly. We played OK. We weren’t at our best. There was a big moment in the game when Dael got sent off, but we learn from it as a group. He`s [points to reporter] saying about boys managing the atmosphere and things like that. Its in the past. Its done. We`l move on and see what Saturday brings.
Is Carrick seeing the summer signings “settling down”?
I`ve seen them from day one to be honest with you. I think results havent been….start of the season…... weren’t what we kind of hoped for or expected, but it was nothing to do with just being “new signings” by any stretch. It was just finding our way, finding our form, finding our rythym and great that the boys have had a good week. The squads getting stronger. We`re improving, developing …..definitely getting better as a team. I was pleased for them boys [the newer players] in particular [on Tuesday] because that was a step for them and they`l be definitely more to come.
I`ve seen them from day one to be honest with you. I think results havent been….start of the season…... weren’t what we kind of hoped for or expected, but it was nothing to do with just being “new signings” by any stretch. It was just finding our way, finding our form, finding our rythym and great that the boys have had a good week. The squads getting stronger. We`re improving, developing …..definitely getting better as a team. I was pleased for them boys [the newer players] in particular [on Tuesday] because that was a step for them and they`l be definitely more to come.