r00fie1
Well-known member
It's that time again>>>>
Saturday 20th January 2024. Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium. Kick — off 15:00 hrs.
Saturday 20th January 2024. Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium. Kick — off 15:00 hrs.
They may be bottom of the EFL Championship, but Michael Carrick is under no illusions that today's game, against Rotherham, is going to be easier than any other. Asked at his recent Media conference, if the upcoming Caraboao Cup game against Chelsea was upmost in the player's minds, he replied emphatically: “Not at all! Not at all!” We certainly found that out when we played them recently, they are never in the mood to surrender. Carrick understands that every club has a fight on, where ever they are in the table, whether it's maintaining top spot, getting into a play-off position, consolidation in the Championship, avoiding relegation or fighting for cups in other competitions.
Carrick also gave away a priority in his post-New Year plan, saying “we're in a position where we are desperate to do well”. That obviously means, we are targeting the play-offs and won't give up. It may seem obvious, but he appears to be implying the pressure is gradually being applied on the players to perform. Linked to other comments, he obviously has a plan for this end of the season. So, Rotherham may not sound as attractive as Chelsea in the cup, is the game today important[?]:
It should be! We've got everything to play for in the league. We're in the position now, where we've built up over the course of the season. We are where we are and [I`ve said], its `what's next` [?] What's next [?]. Everything's [still] to play for, so yeah, Tuesday's big, but it's for us as professionals and [with] an eye on the job, Saturday's everything for us.
Certainly, there has been no let-up in the last week and Carrick emphasized that training has continued as normal, with a little “down-time”, following the intense Christmas period:
The boys are in a good place, you know. We've got a lot of things ahead of us that we kind of want to achieve as well, so it's more eyes on what's coming next and being ready for it.
It's easy for players to get distracted by talk of Chelsea, especially with social media influence. It wouldn't be exceptional for players to feel excited about being just one game away from a Wembley final, in a major Domestic Cup Competition. Carrick won't let the player's focus wander. For him and his staff, their role is to occupy the players with the next game. The next challenge. The next opportunity to climb the league. Again, he hinted that the emphasis for him and the team is more than just today or Tuesday:
The next game is always the most important one and, as I said, the league's vital for us in terms of what we want to do and how we get success and, where we want to end up. Plain and simple, it's what we're here for, to focus and `be at our best`….preparing, whether they're right mentally, physically and knowing what challenges the games [going to bring]….and not under-estimate it. [That's] part of the beauty of building a season, is the beauty of football.
Following on from the crazy eight days of playing Villa, followed by Chelsea, followed by Millwall, there has still been the opportunity for some of our players to shine, particularly new arrivals Luke Ayling and Finn Azaz.
Both put in a good shift at the Den and their experience showed. Ayling`s timely tackles and feeding the ball to Jones and Finns shifting the ball from the mid-field added a different dimension to the game. Also, worth a mention, was the welcome return of Marcus Forss, with that Forssesque third goal, which put Millwall to bed. He made his mark and reminds us of what we've been missing.
It also backs up Carricks comments in recent conferences, where he pointed out that “knee-jerk” reactions to injuries, buying and loaning-in players, isn't the answer. He knows players are on the way back from absence and will add more options to the squad.
Marcus Forss has played on the right and down the middle. Crooks has played up top and on the right, he can also play a number ten role. Carrick believes his players can switch sides and roles within a game. He sees that “fluidity” as an essential component to our playing style, particularly on the front line:
I think the boys are all different, have different attributes, different strengths, excel in slightly different situations, so a little bit depends on what game. But the fact we're able to `tweak` it in-game and `flip` positions a bit and, they understand both positions, we see it as a bonus. It's just trying to get the best out of it as much as we can, really. On the flip side, it's not always easy...only certain players can deal with that, with different surrounding on the pitch. It's not easy to `flip` quite quick, but fortunately we've got players at the top end who are able to do that.
Carrick won't accept “pigeonholing” players and accepting they are only suited to particular roles. There is also the question of individual development and improvement pertaining to particular players. Carrick praised Hayden Hackney, having been asked to comment on his recent North East Writer's Young Player of The Year Award. For him, Hayden has much left to show and hasn't yet “scratched the surface”.
Equally important is the way Lucas Engel has overcome his own "fear of failure" and his growing confidence and self-belief. As every game goes by, he adds another string to his bow and scored that important goal against Millwall. It's all part of a player's career and, Carrick highlighted how “set-backs” are as critical in developing maturity and experience in a player as success. That poor team performance against Sheffield Wednesday at the start of the season was highlighted and Carrick was asked how he “managed” Lucas [in particular] afterwards:
I didn’t `sit him down`, it was more `dont worry about it` you know. Don't worry about it. [He's] a good player and here for a reason, so, one week doesn’t make a player. I've sat here and said that enough times for you. Equally, one month doesn’t make a player. We try to see past that and, sometimes, it's good and you excel for a month. Sometimes you have a tougher time. Its easy to judge too quickly, really. Credit to Lucas, he's done fabulous, and you can see him growing all the time….to get his goal last week…[he's] a very important part of the group as time goes on.
Matt Clarke has done a good job, starting some games and coming off the bench in others. Jonny Howson continues to provide that leadership in the midfield. Dan Barlaser has come on in leaps and bounds, Rav Van den Berg always plays a game which goes beyond his 19 years, and it's significant that Josh Coburn could be back soon. And, Manu Latte Lath will be back for selection as soon as he is ready.
“Consistency” has been a buzz-word for Michael Carrick and one he impresses every Media Conference on reporters. For some of them, putting together back-to-back wins is like switching on a tap, and they need reminding it's not that simple. With a big smile and a knowing look [which said something about the reporter - not describable here], our Head Coach had this to say:
It's so easy to say that again in the end you know. Everyone wants to put the run together, everyone wants to be consistent. I've sat here again, a number of times, and [said] consistency is massive….so, so important when you're striving for success in the league. That's the ultimate challenge for us. We know what we're capable of, we know what we can do and at our best, close to our best and put that together for a long period of time.
So, it's a cool day on Teesside and some may think that Rotherham at home is not the most “attractive” game of the season. But, it is probably more significant than we realize, to start putting that run together. We have the options we haven't had for the last month or two. We have a freshness about the squad and a hunger to move forward as soon as possible. We may have the glamour-boys of West London next week, but that is two games away. It would be a pleasant afternoon if we came away with three points and no injuries to our players. Carrick will have to `manage` the lads to make sure they are ready for Tuesday, as well as today.
Finally, Michael Carrick has begun to express a kind of dry humour which wasn't so evident in his first few months in charge. Now, he seems more relaxed. Here's his last words for today:
There's a human element to football, you know. The boys are never going to be at their very best, the most confident, [full of] the most self – belief, stage of their career, every day and in every game….so it's important we all understand that. [Be] patient a little bit at times, strive for a performance ultimately in time. The boys are human. They do have ups and downs. Certain situations affect them, so we got to support them and get the best out of them as much as we can.
Let's do this and allow others to worry about their own results and injuries. We want three points, and we want them starting today.
Up The Mighty Boro!
r00fie1 20.01.2024
Carrick also gave away a priority in his post-New Year plan, saying “we're in a position where we are desperate to do well”. That obviously means, we are targeting the play-offs and won't give up. It may seem obvious, but he appears to be implying the pressure is gradually being applied on the players to perform. Linked to other comments, he obviously has a plan for this end of the season. So, Rotherham may not sound as attractive as Chelsea in the cup, is the game today important[?]:
It should be! We've got everything to play for in the league. We're in the position now, where we've built up over the course of the season. We are where we are and [I`ve said], its `what's next` [?] What's next [?]. Everything's [still] to play for, so yeah, Tuesday's big, but it's for us as professionals and [with] an eye on the job, Saturday's everything for us.
Certainly, there has been no let-up in the last week and Carrick emphasized that training has continued as normal, with a little “down-time”, following the intense Christmas period:
The boys are in a good place, you know. We've got a lot of things ahead of us that we kind of want to achieve as well, so it's more eyes on what's coming next and being ready for it.
It's easy for players to get distracted by talk of Chelsea, especially with social media influence. It wouldn't be exceptional for players to feel excited about being just one game away from a Wembley final, in a major Domestic Cup Competition. Carrick won't let the player's focus wander. For him and his staff, their role is to occupy the players with the next game. The next challenge. The next opportunity to climb the league. Again, he hinted that the emphasis for him and the team is more than just today or Tuesday:
The next game is always the most important one and, as I said, the league's vital for us in terms of what we want to do and how we get success and, where we want to end up. Plain and simple, it's what we're here for, to focus and `be at our best`….preparing, whether they're right mentally, physically and knowing what challenges the games [going to bring]….and not under-estimate it. [That's] part of the beauty of building a season, is the beauty of football.
Following on from the crazy eight days of playing Villa, followed by Chelsea, followed by Millwall, there has still been the opportunity for some of our players to shine, particularly new arrivals Luke Ayling and Finn Azaz.
Both put in a good shift at the Den and their experience showed. Ayling`s timely tackles and feeding the ball to Jones and Finns shifting the ball from the mid-field added a different dimension to the game. Also, worth a mention, was the welcome return of Marcus Forss, with that Forssesque third goal, which put Millwall to bed. He made his mark and reminds us of what we've been missing.
It also backs up Carricks comments in recent conferences, where he pointed out that “knee-jerk” reactions to injuries, buying and loaning-in players, isn't the answer. He knows players are on the way back from absence and will add more options to the squad.
Marcus Forss has played on the right and down the middle. Crooks has played up top and on the right, he can also play a number ten role. Carrick believes his players can switch sides and roles within a game. He sees that “fluidity” as an essential component to our playing style, particularly on the front line:
I think the boys are all different, have different attributes, different strengths, excel in slightly different situations, so a little bit depends on what game. But the fact we're able to `tweak` it in-game and `flip` positions a bit and, they understand both positions, we see it as a bonus. It's just trying to get the best out of it as much as we can, really. On the flip side, it's not always easy...only certain players can deal with that, with different surrounding on the pitch. It's not easy to `flip` quite quick, but fortunately we've got players at the top end who are able to do that.
Carrick won't accept “pigeonholing” players and accepting they are only suited to particular roles. There is also the question of individual development and improvement pertaining to particular players. Carrick praised Hayden Hackney, having been asked to comment on his recent North East Writer's Young Player of The Year Award. For him, Hayden has much left to show and hasn't yet “scratched the surface”.
Equally important is the way Lucas Engel has overcome his own "fear of failure" and his growing confidence and self-belief. As every game goes by, he adds another string to his bow and scored that important goal against Millwall. It's all part of a player's career and, Carrick highlighted how “set-backs” are as critical in developing maturity and experience in a player as success. That poor team performance against Sheffield Wednesday at the start of the season was highlighted and Carrick was asked how he “managed” Lucas [in particular] afterwards:
I didn’t `sit him down`, it was more `dont worry about it` you know. Don't worry about it. [He's] a good player and here for a reason, so, one week doesn’t make a player. I've sat here and said that enough times for you. Equally, one month doesn’t make a player. We try to see past that and, sometimes, it's good and you excel for a month. Sometimes you have a tougher time. Its easy to judge too quickly, really. Credit to Lucas, he's done fabulous, and you can see him growing all the time….to get his goal last week…[he's] a very important part of the group as time goes on.
Matt Clarke has done a good job, starting some games and coming off the bench in others. Jonny Howson continues to provide that leadership in the midfield. Dan Barlaser has come on in leaps and bounds, Rav Van den Berg always plays a game which goes beyond his 19 years, and it's significant that Josh Coburn could be back soon. And, Manu Latte Lath will be back for selection as soon as he is ready.
“Consistency” has been a buzz-word for Michael Carrick and one he impresses every Media Conference on reporters. For some of them, putting together back-to-back wins is like switching on a tap, and they need reminding it's not that simple. With a big smile and a knowing look [which said something about the reporter - not describable here], our Head Coach had this to say:
It's so easy to say that again in the end you know. Everyone wants to put the run together, everyone wants to be consistent. I've sat here again, a number of times, and [said] consistency is massive….so, so important when you're striving for success in the league. That's the ultimate challenge for us. We know what we're capable of, we know what we can do and at our best, close to our best and put that together for a long period of time.
So, it's a cool day on Teesside and some may think that Rotherham at home is not the most “attractive” game of the season. But, it is probably more significant than we realize, to start putting that run together. We have the options we haven't had for the last month or two. We have a freshness about the squad and a hunger to move forward as soon as possible. We may have the glamour-boys of West London next week, but that is two games away. It would be a pleasant afternoon if we came away with three points and no injuries to our players. Carrick will have to `manage` the lads to make sure they are ready for Tuesday, as well as today.
Finally, Michael Carrick has begun to express a kind of dry humour which wasn't so evident in his first few months in charge. Now, he seems more relaxed. Here's his last words for today:
There's a human element to football, you know. The boys are never going to be at their very best, the most confident, [full of] the most self – belief, stage of their career, every day and in every game….so it's important we all understand that. [Be] patient a little bit at times, strive for a performance ultimately in time. The boys are human. They do have ups and downs. Certain situations affect them, so we got to support them and get the best out of them as much as we can.
Let's do this and allow others to worry about their own results and injuries. We want three points, and we want them starting today.
Up The Mighty Boro!
r00fie1 20.01.2024
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