r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>
v
When we all pay our respects to those who are serving, those who have served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
After returning from the rain-drenched trip to the South West, we learned a lot: how to score and how not to concede. Plymouth was a "fans" game - from end to end - and a cause of concern for the coaches. But, inspite of the pause with Stoke and a draw against the Pilgrims, we are unbeaten in 11 out of the last 12 games in all competitions. Thats not to be sniffed at. Onwards and upwards.
Michael Carrick, in his Thursday Media Conference, focused on Saturday`s game against the current League Leaders - Leicester City. Reporters were keen to ask about the "gap" between relegated teams and the rest of the Championship, about competing for the top places and whether he adapted his approach because we are facing the top team? As usual, he was pragmatic: acknowledging the Foxes as "largely a Premier League Team" with a good Manager and quality players.
I`ve been hugely impressed at what they`ve done and how they`ve done it. Its not easy. You can look at it in individual player wise and as a squad: largely a Premier League team really and Premier League club. That doesn’t mean its easy to drop down and put the results together like they have done and play so well. Its a credit to them for that. We know the challenge. Its a big test for us, but its a good on. A terrific football game [enthusiasm in voice] for us to do what we`re good at and try and win the game. They are in a good position in the league…...but we approach it for us and be the best version of us. A game we will try to win for sure.
However, it doesnt mean they are going to romp to the Championship title straight back in to the Premiership. Enzo Maresca has done a good job, coming into a club just relegated from the Premiership. Its a big job to steady the ship, but [so far] he has done a good job. Asked by one reporter if Carrick thought "Leicester have already won the league", he smiled and gave that look which says [are you stupid?!]. Its not been such an easy ride for Leicester as results suggest. They have lost at home to both Hull and Leeds. The latter being last week, when they appeared to run out of ideas. Leeds were "in their faces" and it appears they havent got to grips with handling the way Championship teams can go all guns blazing, whilst others sit back and wait on the counter. Carrick responded in his usual fashion:
[Big Carrick smile] Its still November isnt it?…… The leagues the league for me and I don’t pay much attention to it. You get to this stage of the season and its picking up as many points as you can. Listen. They`re in the position of having picked up the most points so far…….but in terms of winning the league. NO! I believe that they`ll be there or about`s without a doubt, but there`s still a long way to go.
He wasnt conceding to the notion that this game would be any different, in terms of players preparation and the team doing what it can do best. Never mind Leicester, he was concerned that we control what we can control and not spend too much time dwelling on what might be and "what if`s". The focus has to be on using the strengths of the squad to take on the challenge [which Carrick said was "massive"] - just like any other game:
[Theres] probably that little extra edge of knowing you`re up against the best team in the league and you know you got to be spot-on with your performance….concentration levels need to be spot on. But in terms of what we do….hopefully the consistency and the messages and knowing how good the boys can be, will benefit us in the long run.
There may be points and places different between us and Leicester, but we know how unpredictable this league can be. A side at the bottom can produce a win away to one of the top sides and turn-over clubs with much mre resources and quality players. Having a "Premier Leage Team" in the Championship is a different challenge - especially for their players. The games are relentless. With Cup games its even more intense and endurance becomes an important factor. Good coaching and player Management is also key. Perhaps one of the similarities with both Maresca and Carrick, is that they are relatively young Managers, facing their first big challenge as the boss-man. The difference being , Carrick is completely rebuilding the team, without the benefit of parachute payments, whilst Maresca still has some well-paid ex-Premier players who may not be up to scratch in Championship conditions.
Its a big game, for sure. But Carrick isnt phased by it, even if the media were.
There were a few "interesting" comments from Carrick about possible activity[?] on the player front around Christmas and the New Year. Its easy to get wrong, but:
There`s still a long way to go for all of us in this season, especially for us coming into December and January: how busy it is and how much progress you can make quickly. Its can go in the other direction, but we`re certainly looking up and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Asked about the difference in financial clout of the relegated teams and those in the Championship, he commented:
For me, in terms of the club and payments [massive smile] that`s not for me to get involved in. I`m here to focus on the team: what can we do? How can I be the best Manager, the best Coach? What do the players need to be the best they can be? Developing the players we`ve got is a massive focus….and get the best out of them...and helping them learn.[Its about] adding to the group and making the group as good as we can. Whatever our resources are, how ever much money there is to spend...is only so much and we`re only allowed to spend so much as well. We just got to make the best of it. Whether there`s other people out there who are bigger, have more money, less money or whatever it is...that`s not for me to worry about what`s in these walls. It`s not up to me to worry about.
Credit must be given to Latte Lath, Morgan Rogers, Sam Greenwood and Josh Coburn - who all scored on our trip to the South West. Why? Because they have all spent time on the bench, not always started and have made big contributions to results. It shows the strength and depth of the squad. Ironically, a reporter asked why Carrick had "stuck" with Josh Coburn when he hadnt been scoring. His response was predictable:
I didn’t have to stick with him. Its just picking the team from week to week, obviously having a plan. [Smile] Goals win you games, of course, but we don’t just judge players on what goals they score. There`s a lot more than that really. They`ll be times when he`s playing, they`ll be times when he sits out, rested, there are time we got to Manage that. He`s still young, learning, developing and we`ve got good options within the group. [Looks straight at the reporter] I keep saying that. Its creating a balance. We know what Josh is capable of [and] how much more he can develop. Its up to us to try and help him do that.
So its a big challenge. They`ll be a near packed-house and a great atmosphere. We know we can do this.
Come On Boro!
r00fie1 10/11/2023
vWhen we all pay our respects to those who are serving, those who have served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
After returning from the rain-drenched trip to the South West, we learned a lot: how to score and how not to concede. Plymouth was a "fans" game - from end to end - and a cause of concern for the coaches. But, inspite of the pause with Stoke and a draw against the Pilgrims, we are unbeaten in 11 out of the last 12 games in all competitions. Thats not to be sniffed at. Onwards and upwards.
Michael Carrick, in his Thursday Media Conference, focused on Saturday`s game against the current League Leaders - Leicester City. Reporters were keen to ask about the "gap" between relegated teams and the rest of the Championship, about competing for the top places and whether he adapted his approach because we are facing the top team? As usual, he was pragmatic: acknowledging the Foxes as "largely a Premier League Team" with a good Manager and quality players.
I`ve been hugely impressed at what they`ve done and how they`ve done it. Its not easy. You can look at it in individual player wise and as a squad: largely a Premier League team really and Premier League club. That doesn’t mean its easy to drop down and put the results together like they have done and play so well. Its a credit to them for that. We know the challenge. Its a big test for us, but its a good on. A terrific football game [enthusiasm in voice] for us to do what we`re good at and try and win the game. They are in a good position in the league…...but we approach it for us and be the best version of us. A game we will try to win for sure.
However, it doesnt mean they are going to romp to the Championship title straight back in to the Premiership. Enzo Maresca has done a good job, coming into a club just relegated from the Premiership. Its a big job to steady the ship, but [so far] he has done a good job. Asked by one reporter if Carrick thought "Leicester have already won the league", he smiled and gave that look which says [are you stupid?!]. Its not been such an easy ride for Leicester as results suggest. They have lost at home to both Hull and Leeds. The latter being last week, when they appeared to run out of ideas. Leeds were "in their faces" and it appears they havent got to grips with handling the way Championship teams can go all guns blazing, whilst others sit back and wait on the counter. Carrick responded in his usual fashion:
[Big Carrick smile] Its still November isnt it?…… The leagues the league for me and I don’t pay much attention to it. You get to this stage of the season and its picking up as many points as you can. Listen. They`re in the position of having picked up the most points so far…….but in terms of winning the league. NO! I believe that they`ll be there or about`s without a doubt, but there`s still a long way to go.
He wasnt conceding to the notion that this game would be any different, in terms of players preparation and the team doing what it can do best. Never mind Leicester, he was concerned that we control what we can control and not spend too much time dwelling on what might be and "what if`s". The focus has to be on using the strengths of the squad to take on the challenge [which Carrick said was "massive"] - just like any other game:
[Theres] probably that little extra edge of knowing you`re up against the best team in the league and you know you got to be spot-on with your performance….concentration levels need to be spot on. But in terms of what we do….hopefully the consistency and the messages and knowing how good the boys can be, will benefit us in the long run.
There may be points and places different between us and Leicester, but we know how unpredictable this league can be. A side at the bottom can produce a win away to one of the top sides and turn-over clubs with much mre resources and quality players. Having a "Premier Leage Team" in the Championship is a different challenge - especially for their players. The games are relentless. With Cup games its even more intense and endurance becomes an important factor. Good coaching and player Management is also key. Perhaps one of the similarities with both Maresca and Carrick, is that they are relatively young Managers, facing their first big challenge as the boss-man. The difference being , Carrick is completely rebuilding the team, without the benefit of parachute payments, whilst Maresca still has some well-paid ex-Premier players who may not be up to scratch in Championship conditions.
Its a big game, for sure. But Carrick isnt phased by it, even if the media were.
There were a few "interesting" comments from Carrick about possible activity[?] on the player front around Christmas and the New Year. Its easy to get wrong, but:
There`s still a long way to go for all of us in this season, especially for us coming into December and January: how busy it is and how much progress you can make quickly. Its can go in the other direction, but we`re certainly looking up and looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Asked about the difference in financial clout of the relegated teams and those in the Championship, he commented:
For me, in terms of the club and payments [massive smile] that`s not for me to get involved in. I`m here to focus on the team: what can we do? How can I be the best Manager, the best Coach? What do the players need to be the best they can be? Developing the players we`ve got is a massive focus….and get the best out of them...and helping them learn.[Its about] adding to the group and making the group as good as we can. Whatever our resources are, how ever much money there is to spend...is only so much and we`re only allowed to spend so much as well. We just got to make the best of it. Whether there`s other people out there who are bigger, have more money, less money or whatever it is...that`s not for me to worry about what`s in these walls. It`s not up to me to worry about.
Credit must be given to Latte Lath, Morgan Rogers, Sam Greenwood and Josh Coburn - who all scored on our trip to the South West. Why? Because they have all spent time on the bench, not always started and have made big contributions to results. It shows the strength and depth of the squad. Ironically, a reporter asked why Carrick had "stuck" with Josh Coburn when he hadnt been scoring. His response was predictable:
I didn’t have to stick with him. Its just picking the team from week to week, obviously having a plan. [Smile] Goals win you games, of course, but we don’t just judge players on what goals they score. There`s a lot more than that really. They`ll be times when he`s playing, they`ll be times when he sits out, rested, there are time we got to Manage that. He`s still young, learning, developing and we`ve got good options within the group. [Looks straight at the reporter] I keep saying that. Its creating a balance. We know what Josh is capable of [and] how much more he can develop. Its up to us to try and help him do that.
So its a big challenge. They`ll be a near packed-house and a great atmosphere. We know we can do this.
Come On Boro!
r00fie1 10/11/2023
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