r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again..........
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises this week was the club signing an extended contract with Hayden Coulson: a player we thought would be on his way, has now been hooked back into the fold. Its beginning to look like Michael Carrick and his coaching staff deserve the nickname of "Florence Nightingale" - rescuing lost souls who seem to be all at sea and nursing them back to full fitness. More later.
Michael Carrick was asked the usual questions at his recent Media Conference, but also about particular players, whether Boro could catch the Blades, the League Table.....the Premier League. It appears that Carrick is having to calm down the reporters with their note-books!
Cardiff is another challenge - the latest this season - and Carrick stressed "Its irrelevant where teams are or which league". "We respect them for the challenge they are going to bring...especially across their forward line". Look out for Callum Robinson and Callum O`Dowda - who have both been free goal-scoring and providing assists. In the Championship, "everyones fighting in the league, whether your down the bottom, you`re fighting to...get out of trouble. If you`re at the top, you`re fighting to try and get out the league. So everyones fighting for something". Often, reporters and us fans think of clubs fighting for survival at the wrong end of the table, but as Carrick pointed out - no club wants to stand still. Can Boro catch the Blades asked one reporter(?): Carrick smiled that smile which says [what a daft question], saying "I didnt know the table exists" ;@)). "The biggest game is Saturday in Cardiff".
Will the recent good form and the selection of Paddy McNair effect team selection and does his selections give out a "message" to the players?
"I dont have to give a message. The boys have been unbelievable. I`ve not had one issue, not any attitude, no one causing a fuss, no one disappearing. Disappointed 100% for sure [at not being on the team sheet]. They should be disappointed , but they are not showing it towards me, or the coaching staff, or certainly not to [other] players. I think that is a credit to every single one of them."
"All the boys are in a good place......[recently] it hasnt been a busy shedule at all. Everyone is fresh and raring to go". "We`ve obviously got an idea of how we want the team to look over the next three games,...but he have options".
Manager of the Month award Nomination? Is there a spring in the step around the place after last weeks success against Blackpool and Watford?
Guess what? "Its not about me. Its nice, but we have to think about the weekend".
"I`ve said it since I walked in here really: there`s been a real good energy and a spring in the step of everyone from the start. Winning games helps...but we are fully aware like, you`ve got to do the same thing all over again this weekend - to carry it [momentum] on".
Players:
Aaron Ramsey is not far away to being included but Carrick refused to say he would definitely include him this weekend: "He will soon be back to his best". Matt Clarke is a little further off returning, but Carrick is very impressed by his attitude and determination to get back in the squad. He explained, its not easy for a player watching from the side-lines, especially when the team are "playing well". Darnell Fisher appears to have picked up a "niggle", but Carrick assured he was back in training. Rodrigo [Muiniz] should be back soon.
Asked about Isaiah Jones, Carrick commented that its easy to forget just how young some players are and how soon they have experienced huge "highs" and expected to carry that on..... "Hes been great". It appears Carrick and his staff are training Jones and helping him to adapt - be realistic, and bring out the best in him. Chuba? "I`m delighted. Not much more to say that I havent said before". He is bound to grab the headlines, but "its what he brings to the group" which matters most.
Haydn Coulson?
The reason he had signed a contract this week? The reporter who always answers his own questions first, before handing over to Michael Carrick: Is it because [Carrick] likes what he sees and wants him back in the building to have a closer look at him?
"Yes. Of course. I`ve not been fortunate enough to work with him....because he`s been away since I`ve been here. But he`s done well up there [Aberdeen]. I think its great experience playing a lot of football. A different situation, different circumstances, but some big games. Its part of the learning experience as a younger player and I think it sees you in good stead. So [we are] looking forward to getting him back and working with him and seeing how it goes pre-season". "Thats the plan because of that left-back position. Ryan [Giles] has been absolutely fantastic, but clearly there`s question marks [about] the long term".
Have there been any "conversations" about players for the future and what might be happening?
Carrick smiled that knowing smile again: "There`s conversations all the time. Its not just like we dont talk about things and all of a sudden dealing [with it] in the summer....its an ongoing thing." Its a case of constantly looking to improve and "nailing things down".
Fans?
Cardiff: "I hear we`ve got 1500 going down there, which is a long journey. It shows the level of support we`ve got. Its incredible. I`ve been so pleased with the support weve got in numbers, in volume and the noise! It definitely helps the boys. You can see the energy that they take from it. Hopefully [on Saturday] we can make the journey worthwhile".
Come on!
Up The Mighty Boro!
Michael Carrick was asked the usual questions at his recent Media Conference, but also about particular players, whether Boro could catch the Blades, the League Table.....the Premier League. It appears that Carrick is having to calm down the reporters with their note-books!
Cardiff is another challenge - the latest this season - and Carrick stressed "Its irrelevant where teams are or which league". "We respect them for the challenge they are going to bring...especially across their forward line". Look out for Callum Robinson and Callum O`Dowda - who have both been free goal-scoring and providing assists. In the Championship, "everyones fighting in the league, whether your down the bottom, you`re fighting to...get out of trouble. If you`re at the top, you`re fighting to try and get out the league. So everyones fighting for something". Often, reporters and us fans think of clubs fighting for survival at the wrong end of the table, but as Carrick pointed out - no club wants to stand still. Can Boro catch the Blades asked one reporter(?): Carrick smiled that smile which says [what a daft question], saying "I didnt know the table exists" ;@)). "The biggest game is Saturday in Cardiff".
Will the recent good form and the selection of Paddy McNair effect team selection and does his selections give out a "message" to the players?
"I dont have to give a message. The boys have been unbelievable. I`ve not had one issue, not any attitude, no one causing a fuss, no one disappearing. Disappointed 100% for sure [at not being on the team sheet]. They should be disappointed , but they are not showing it towards me, or the coaching staff, or certainly not to [other] players. I think that is a credit to every single one of them."
"All the boys are in a good place......[recently] it hasnt been a busy shedule at all. Everyone is fresh and raring to go". "We`ve obviously got an idea of how we want the team to look over the next three games,...but he have options".
Manager of the Month award Nomination? Is there a spring in the step around the place after last weeks success against Blackpool and Watford?
Guess what? "Its not about me. Its nice, but we have to think about the weekend".
"I`ve said it since I walked in here really: there`s been a real good energy and a spring in the step of everyone from the start. Winning games helps...but we are fully aware like, you`ve got to do the same thing all over again this weekend - to carry it [momentum] on".
Players:
Aaron Ramsey is not far away to being included but Carrick refused to say he would definitely include him this weekend: "He will soon be back to his best". Matt Clarke is a little further off returning, but Carrick is very impressed by his attitude and determination to get back in the squad. He explained, its not easy for a player watching from the side-lines, especially when the team are "playing well". Darnell Fisher appears to have picked up a "niggle", but Carrick assured he was back in training. Rodrigo [Muiniz] should be back soon.
Asked about Isaiah Jones, Carrick commented that its easy to forget just how young some players are and how soon they have experienced huge "highs" and expected to carry that on..... "Hes been great". It appears Carrick and his staff are training Jones and helping him to adapt - be realistic, and bring out the best in him. Chuba? "I`m delighted. Not much more to say that I havent said before". He is bound to grab the headlines, but "its what he brings to the group" which matters most.
Haydn Coulson?
The reason he had signed a contract this week? The reporter who always answers his own questions first, before handing over to Michael Carrick: Is it because [Carrick] likes what he sees and wants him back in the building to have a closer look at him?
"Yes. Of course. I`ve not been fortunate enough to work with him....because he`s been away since I`ve been here. But he`s done well up there [Aberdeen]. I think its great experience playing a lot of football. A different situation, different circumstances, but some big games. Its part of the learning experience as a younger player and I think it sees you in good stead. So [we are] looking forward to getting him back and working with him and seeing how it goes pre-season". "Thats the plan because of that left-back position. Ryan [Giles] has been absolutely fantastic, but clearly there`s question marks [about] the long term".
Have there been any "conversations" about players for the future and what might be happening?
Carrick smiled that knowing smile again: "There`s conversations all the time. Its not just like we dont talk about things and all of a sudden dealing [with it] in the summer....its an ongoing thing." Its a case of constantly looking to improve and "nailing things down".
Fans?
Cardiff: "I hear we`ve got 1500 going down there, which is a long journey. It shows the level of support we`ve got. Its incredible. I`ve been so pleased with the support weve got in numbers, in volume and the noise! It definitely helps the boys. You can see the energy that they take from it. Hopefully [on Saturday] we can make the journey worthwhile".
Come on!
Up The Mighty Boro!
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