The thing about Michael Carrick

viv_andersons_nana

viv_andersons_nana

Well-known member
That really stands out above calmness and the level-headedness, is that this is the third time he’s turned around poor form since he joined the club. We’ve seem Boro managers in the past unable to do it even once whereas Carrick just seems to roll up his sleeves and come up with solutions.

I do wonder what would’ve happened if that Norwich player hadn’t been sent off last week but the point is that he was, and we’ve been much, much better since that equaliser went in last week.

Obviously having the No1 ‘keeper back in, the skipper back in midfield, as well as an actual striker in the team, are all big helps but we’re starting to see McGree find his rhythm and Ayling settle down. Engel looks better at wing back.

To me it shows how much can change in football so quickly. That win against Norwich has clearly lifted the pressure. But Carrick deserves a lot of credit for staying calm and trying another shape and system as well. We’ve had managers in the past who wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of shifting from their precious shape or style or philosophy and chose to moan about poor results or bad form or the recruitment staff or throw players under the bus instead, and then eventually get sacked.

Carrick is just different. You need that calm head and that willingness to acknowledge you might not always be able to do exactly what you want to do. You have to admire him for it.
 
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The only thing I'd question is why we go on these long losing streaks, followed by a decent spell (or at least it feels like we do).

Seems like ironing out the inconsistencies and finding a way to draw rather than lose games is what he needs to address.
 
His calmness is certainly a massive factor in his style but what I’m beginning to like about him is his underlying intelligence and thoughtfulness; my other criticism of him was that he wasn’t changing things or substituting effectively enough for me. He appears to be addressing that now as well.
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
Weve had managers in the past who wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of shifting from their precious shape or style or philosophy and chose to moan about poor results or bad form or the recruitment staff or throw players under the bus instead, and then eventually get sacked.
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Oooohhh.......can't quite think who you could mean........🤔🤔

Think the inconsistencies could be down to the number of injuries, losing players to international duty etc. Constantly having to shuffle the deck.

Not too sure what the reason is why we start games so flat, like we've just had a pre match nanna nap 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

To think, some of our fans were wanting him to go a few weeks back.........
 
Yes he is very level-headed, has never tried to make excuses or throw folk under the bus. If we somehow make the play-offs we’ve had another good season, regardless of the outcome or how we got here.

I think you said 5th this season Viv, I said 8th.
 
Yep. That is very impressive too. So maybe next time we do have a little slump we need to show a little bit more faith. Me included.

Delighted he’s changed the system around and started to find some results. If we don’t manage it this season I think he’s the right man for another tilt next.


Still think we’ve got a great shout this season now.
 
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The_Lizards_Jumpers said:
The only thing I'd question is why we go on these long losing streaks, followed by a decent spell (or at least it feels like we do).

Seems like ironing out the inconsistencies and finding a way to draw rather than lose games is what he needs to address.
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There have been genuine reasons outside of MCs control though. Of the team that were very successful last year I'd say about 8 have been unavailable, or mostly unavailable this season.
(Steffen, Giles, Lenihan, Smith, Hackney, Akpom, Ramsey and Archer), that's a heck of a lot of players.
We've also had incredible problems with injuries, more than I can ever remember. For about a month we had 13 fit players!
We then lost Rogers who was the player most likely to create chances, and Crooks who will get you double figures and several assists and maybe didn't properly strengthen afterwards
I genuinely think Carrick has done as well this season as he did last season with the hand he's been dealt.
 
His willingness to adapt recently has been the most impressive thing he has done here in a lot of ways. I don't think the back 3 is the long term solution but I didn't think he was willing to change. I'm all for having principles and a style of play but when you're shooting yourself in the foot repeatedly you have to change something, Wilder didn't do that and it cost him his job.

Hopefully this run will also put to bed the nonsense about him not criticising players in post match interviews. They didn't need a rocket or slamming in the media, he will always back them and that is the right thing to do.
 
He's shown patience with players who have struggled, which is a good thing, and has paid off with a number of players.

He hasn't shown panic when results have gone the wrong way and he's now shown that he can change the team's formation, albeit a little late.

He's got the makings of being a good manager, dealt an incredibly poor hand this season with the injury crisis. Hopefully he'll prove that over the coming years
 
Gibbo needs to sit down and get MC tied down with a longer contract, hopefully discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, but as MC is so laid back will he just wait till nxt jan as he seems to do with players contracts,
UTFMB
 
The team that’s won the last three games is still missing Hackney, Lenihan, Smith, Coburn and Jones. I understand every team has injuries but it’s absolutely crippled us this season. I’ve never seen anything like it at Boro before. We’ve had 4 or 5 first-choice players missing for almost every single game since the summer window closed. It can’t happen again next season, surely.
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
That really stands out above calmness and the level-headedness, is that this is the third time he’s turned around poor form since he joined the club. We’ve seem Boro managers in the past unable to do it even once whereas Carrick just seems to roll up his sleeves and come up with solutions.

I do wonder what would’ve happened if that Norwich player hadn’t been sent off last week but the point is that he was, and we’ve been much, much better since that equaliser went in last week.

Obviously having the No1 ‘keeper back in, the skipper back in midfield, as well as an actual striker in the team, are all big helps but we’re starting to see McGree find his rhythm and Ayling settle down. Engel looks better at wing back.

To me it shows how much can change in football so quickly. That win against Norwich has clearly lifted the pressure. But Carrick deserves a lot of credit for staying calm and trying another shape and system as well. We’ve had managers in the past who wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of shifting from their precious shape or style or philosophy and chose to moan about poor results or bad form or the recruitment staff or throw players under the bus instead, and then eventually get sacked.

Carrick is just different. You need that calm head and that willingness to acknowledge you might be able to do exactly what you want to do. You have to admire him for it.
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This is true, but however the same can be said for deflected goals against - it's just football
 
We seem to get better when we have a few wins on the bounce. I think he is very good at managing a winning team. I disagree about "turning things around". It took a long time at the start of the season to turn things around and it's taken a long time up until last week and it wasn't just results that were going against us but performances were really bad as well. There was also a huge portion of the season that was inconsistent where we were winning one week and losing the next. Some of it comes down to luck (Norwich red card, kind fixtures etc). He's a decent manager and I really like the way we play (when it is working) but I don't think he is very good at reacting to games and making a change where it is needed and we have a clear problem in starting games poorly. He is still young though and this is only his first full season managing so he is still learning so happy to give him time and I think Gibson is.

The big advantage he has is that he seems to be a nice bloke. His run of results would have had managers like Wilder sacked but people don't think Carrick is a bellend so are happy to keep working with him.
 
mattiethomp709 said:
Gibbo needs to sit down and get MC tied down with a longer contract, hopefully discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, but as MC is so laid back will he just wait till nxt jan as he seems to do with players contracts,
UTFMB
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a) You really think he sorts players contracts out ?
b) Whilst he may give the impression of being laid back, you dont enjoy the success he has without being incredibly focused and driven
 
mattiethomp709 said:
Gibbo needs to sit down and get MC tied down with a longer contract, hopefully discussions are ongoing behind the scenes, but as MC is so laid back will he just wait till nxt jan as he seems to do with players contracts,
UTFMB
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Personally I don’t see the point in this.

Next season will be a third crack at this. If he got us into the play-offs (even if it was for the third season running) I think he’d fancy a new challenge afterwards, unless he took us up.

As things stand I think it suits all parties to just wait and see where we are in 12 months.
 
We'll be announcing an extension soon, I'd guess.

Talks were already well underway and positive, with the reports being that one was about to be agree, but then that run of bad home defeats obviously made the optics of announcing it difficult.
 
I like his style - particularly the smart jerseys, jumpers, shoes and that big watch.
No schitty baggy Primark-style joggers or tracksuit on the touchline.
Always looks and acts the ultimate professional.
A real gentleman.
(y)
 
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