Its game number 18 of what has become a frustrating wait for lift-off: where we can string two wins together and make a much needed move up the table. But not to worry - there were some positive signs at Preston - the back four looked more convincing than for a number of months - and if we hadnt conceded from yet another set-piece, we might have had another valuable point. Fear not, for Michael Carrick is already well aware of the "deep flaws" in our play - which have become characteristic of this season: cant score, cant defend. Conceding 23 goals and scoring 20, puts us where we deserve to be in the table - fourth bottom on goals scored, above Coventry City who have two games in hand. It was a sickener conceding in extra time against Preston - but we move onwards and upwards.
At least Super Chuba got another goal [thats 5 now] - thats one more than Duncan with 4. Hes having a good season - considering he was in the "out" bin before season kick-off. Its the one thing Wilder didnt mess up - he didnt get rid of him. Chuba also featured in the EFL "Team of the Week" - no mean feat.
So its off to the East Riding of Yorkshire for a jolly under the floodlights.
Another big Boro following.
Michael Carrick`s second game in charge - another away game.
Not the easiest of starts, but every game is a tough one in this league [have`nt we heard that before ?]
A 1-0 defeat to Blackburn here at the weekend halted Hull City’s resurgent form (W2, L1), although interim boss Andy Dawson wasn’t too upset about it as he put it down to “small margins” after his side couldn’t take some good second-half chances. Ex-Hull player Liam Rosenior is expected to soon take the reins on a permanent basis, so he’ll hope to get his side firing quickly.
First on the agenda for the new boss will be to fix Hull’s slow starts to matches at home; they've conceded the opener in seven of their nine home league games this term (W2, L5), an unwanted league-high. That run includes each of the last six games, five of which they ended up losing without reply, highlighting a lack of killer instinct from the Tigers.
The Michael Carrick era at Middlesbrough started brilliantly after taking the lead within eight minutes at Preston, although a powerful strike from Emil Riis and a 91st minute sucker punch ultimately consigned them to a 2-1 defeat. The new boss highlighted that it “was never going to be a fairytale from the start” but also reiterated that he expects better from his men going forward.
A second away game in the space of a few days isn’t likely to inspire confidence, Boro have won just once on the road all season (D1, L6) and that sole success was against a Wigan side that have struggled to pay players wages. A desperate record away to Hull across the last decade won’t inspire much belief either (W1, D1, L6) as the pre-season promotion hopefuls’ campaign looks like it’s slowly turning into a survival scrap.
Players to watch:
Former PAOK teammates Dimitrios Pelkas and Chuba Akpom meet each other as opponents for the first time since Pelkas assisted Akpom for the Greek Cup winning goal against AEK back in 2019. Pelkas is one of Hull’s only two scorers across the last six home games whilst Akpom is the only Boro scorer in the infancy of Carrick’s reign.
Hull injury list:
Covil V.
(Injury)
Emmanuel J.
(Injury)
M'Hand S.
(Injury)
Sayyadmanesh A.
(Injury)
Tetteh B.
(Injury)
Traore A.
(Injury)
Had this to say after their recent 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn rovers:
"It's not as if they've played through us, they were the things we've done really well lately, and that's credit to them. They had the majority of the first half and that's why we changed things at half-time. We got more on the front foot, we stopped them getting out as much and we were a lot, lot better. I do have to give them credit because we came up against a really good team today, who created chances - the front two are top, top players.
"We probably had one or two really good chances where, at this level against top-end teams you're not going to create loads, you've got to finish. Demi (Pelkas), you'd fancy him to score and I've just seen the corner back where Toby (Figueiredo) is yards away, he literally has to touch the ball (and it goes in).
"They are the small margins between the teams that end up at the top and the teams that end up at the bottom. I've got to give our lads credit for the second half because they had a real good go, they didn't feel sorry for themselves. They showed more creativity, more resilience to get on the ball, they just lacked that final detail in the final third."
Played for both Boro and Hull. He scored the winning goal in the 2008 play-off final against Bristol City, promoting his home town club into the top tier of English football - for the first time ever!
In his latest media conference, the Boro Head Coach was pragmatic about the task in hand and what his immediate priorities are.
Following the injury time defeat at Deepdale, Carrick and his staff had the team in for training on Sunday morning. No time to dwell on the mistakes of Saturday - only to learn from them and move forward. He stressed "Positivety is key" and emphasised that, although Boro sit just above the relegation slots, being "calm" and "thorough" in building on the teams strengths is the priority. Asked about his "system"(?) of play he pushed aside the idea that he has a set style he wants to impress on the players - defending his tactics on the basis of our strengths and the opposition we face. "Flexibility" Carrick confirmed. What matters to him is creating "stability" amongst the team and his staff: "emotional control....calmness....composure...belief and self control.." are what drives him and what he wants to instil in the players. "Play to the boys strengths" - get the ball "up the pitch" and work together. "You`ve got to make things happen" and "if you never try, you never succeed". Clearly the aim is to get the best out of the squad we`ve got.
Isaiah and Paddy?
Asked about Isaiah Jones and Paddy McNair, and the expectations placed on their shoulders [especially Jones after last seasons tremendous performances] - he was quick to answer that Jones is still a young player and relatively inexperienced - but there is reason to "expect the positives". Clearly he understands the pressure on him and that his game - management will improve. Jones has hardly missed a match since he joined the first team and Carrick understands the issues which that can bring. As for our Northern Ireland International - Carrick said "oh yes I know Paddy - he was my runner....". It appears he has "had a chat" with Paddy and added "when you`re not winning, football can be hard at times".
The Fans
"As a coach and as a player, to have a following like that [at Preston] is such a difference". Engaging with the fans is what the game is all about - "I made sure the lads clapped the fans" - even though the result was`nt what they [the fans] wanted. He sounds genuine - and that is not to question his integrity. We`ve heard Managers trot out familiar lines almost robot like. Fans are`nt fooled by words. Its action and points on the board - and occasionally enjoying the game which matters. Carrick appears to have time for the players, to listen and understand, but also sets high standards. He expects the players to have the same high standards and knuckle down to achieving positive results.
New "number two"?
Finally, he was quizzed as to whom his "number two" was going to be (?) and when that person was likely to arrive? Was it someone from Manchester United? Carrick brushed the question aside, saying "I`m not hung up on the number of the order" [Coaching and backroom staff]. He highlighted that he has two weeks coming up [of the World Cup] to calmly and thoroughly assess the squad and decide how he and his staff are going to move forward when the season recommences.
Tonight?
Could tonight be the night we break our poor away record at Hull? Will we bring home the bacon and allow ourselves a brief smile?
It will be interesting to see how we line up tonight. Suspect it will be a back-four: Carrick appears to have the belief that building a solid defence is the first place to start. Its certainly an area that became destabilised under Wilder - where as before, Boro have always boasted a strong defence if nothing else.
One thing Boro fans have in abundance is "hope". We`ve needed bucket-loads over the years.
So lets have some more of it tonight.
Thousands of the Red Army will be in attendance tonight.
Lets get behind Carrick and the lads
cheers roofie. I think Hull will shade this one. 1-0 maybe 1-1 though I would take a waste of a tenner and a 0-0 right now with nothing to see on the stream for 90 minutes!
Some comments on tonight`s game from Tigers fans>>>>
this is a massive game, certainly the biggest of the season so far
a loss here would be a bit of a disaster and they will leapfrog us
would like to pull away from the pit of despair of the relegation zone
chuba akpom, feel like every team in the championship has an ex city forward
[bradymk2]
I can't see anything else but another home bumming. Could get messy. Wake up and smell the coffee Chazz old chap.
[big vern]
Given they 'brough' rather than 'borough' shouldn't they call themselves 'bro' not 'boro?
[DMD]
Captain Cook thought circular quay in Sydney was one of the most beautiful places on earth but then again he was from Middlesbrough so everywhere was
[Donatella Anybody]
Boro isn't as bad as many remember it, it's had a bit of regeneration.
Now, Stockton on Tees, that's a different kettle of four headed fish.
[Steven Toast]
Tip of the week: When you get a free kick near the halfway line, don't take it quickly and knock it back into your own half, try hitting it into the opponent's penalty area and hope it creates havoc.
[Baldricks Cunning Plan]
I don't care who plays i just want to know whats the distance between Middlesbrough and Hull?
[HFFP]
this is a massive game, certainly the biggest of the season so far
