r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>>
Michael Carrick doesn’t usually show much emotion and keeps a level head in press conferences, but there were signs of frustration when commenting on the defeat to Bristol City on Saturday. He acknowledged the team had`nt managed “the chaos...when it gets a bit messy” and learnt from that.
Michael Carrick doesn’t usually show much emotion and keeps a level head in press conferences, but there were signs of frustration when commenting on the defeat to Bristol City on Saturday. He acknowledged the team had`nt managed “the chaos...when it gets a bit messy” and learnt from that.
It was certainly a frustrating game: conceding a goal from outside the box and that penalty which was arguably unnecessary. With consistent defending and avoiding ball-watching we could have prevented that. Bristol were in our faces and at times our passing was poor. We had the structure, but lost control at key moments. The third goal was from a tight angle and again we lost concentration for that brief moment. But Carrick said that was all behind us and rightly we had to look forward to tonight`s game.
Carrick looked frustrated and shook his hand, when answering a question about conceding eight goals in our last three away games. Was the defence up to scratch and was he going to “tweak” the players in that department? He defended the players, but highlighted the issues with giving opponents a head start away from home and giving us too much to do. Creating problems for ourselves:
[Frustrated look. Sigh] Yeah. Its a little bit isolated instances in some ways. Its not like we`ve been defending poorly or looked fragile as a team. We had one transition and the first time they got in the box was actually for the second goal was for the penalty. The second time they got in the box was the third goal from the corner. So its not like we`re defending poorly as a team...of course we have to defend better [shakes hand]. These moments [mistakes] are really important. There`s a lot of good things that`s encouraging, but we`re giving ourselves too much to do to win a game away from home. But that`ll change. Its up to us to change.
Carrick looked frustrated and shook his hand, when answering a question about conceding eight goals in our last three away games. Was the defence up to scratch and was he going to “tweak” the players in that department? He defended the players, but highlighted the issues with giving opponents a head start away from home and giving us too much to do. Creating problems for ourselves:
[Frustrated look. Sigh] Yeah. Its a little bit isolated instances in some ways. Its not like we`ve been defending poorly or looked fragile as a team. We had one transition and the first time they got in the box was actually for the second goal was for the penalty. The second time they got in the box was the third goal from the corner. So its not like we`re defending poorly as a team...of course we have to defend better [shakes hand]. These moments [mistakes] are really important. There`s a lot of good things that`s encouraging, but we`re giving ourselves too much to do to win a game away from home. But that`ll change. Its up to us to change.
Preston present a more organised threat tonight and his staff have “watched” them carefully: they pile into the box, push into wide areas and try to suffocate the opposition. They`ve had a good start, but have faultered and Carrick hopes the Riverside will be bouncing to encourage the boys to take the three points. Its another tough challenge – like all the games in the Championship. There were questions which have been asked three times in as many press conferences and Carrick looks frustrated having to give the same answer. Was the upcoming “busy” period a concern for him and was this the time for him to test where we are at, in terms of strength and confidence to face the challenges? So, was he concerned about the “busy” period the reporters seemed so anxious about? He responded in his usual pragmatic, matter-of-fact style:
Not really. Its the next phase of games. Some really tough games, some really good teams coming up. That is what it is, no matter what phase it is. Its about what`s next: what team we put out, can we best prepare, can we manage the next period of games…..the freshness, the balance, trying to get players back fit, its about that. Its not really `test` or about that. We`ll see where we are at a certain stage and take it step by step and pick up as many points as we can.
Its certainly a time to manage those players out with injury. Basically there is little change: Smith, O`Brien and Lenihan are out for a long spell. McGree could be a few weeks [but Carrick has no intention of rushing him back]. Likewise with Marcus Forss. The only concern is Lucas Engel, but Carrick said he was still undergoing tests, wont be back for tonight`s game, but hopefully back soon. Big Josh Coburn has a toe injury and stiffness around the groin, but Carrick made the point that he`s had a lot of expectation placed upon him recently and needs to be Managed. That appeared to be why he didn’t start saturday and came off the bench:
Yes he came through [the game] OK . He`s just had a period over a number of week where he`s missed a bit going into Leicester because he`s had a bad toe, then ...with the International Break he`s had a bit of stiffness around the groin. As you know, he`s had quite a big load...he`s a young boy, big, strong lad, but we`ve got to manage him as well. Its a balance. We`ve got good choices. OK.
Alex Gilbert could be in contention for the starting block tonight, having got injured early on this season, but now has the opportunity to put in a good performance. But there are no doubts if called upon for him to do the job:
Alex, for instance….came to the club, started but unfortunately he got injured. He`s trained so, so well, supported the boys incredibly. Kind of shows you why he was Captain previously, because hes got that attitude [and] character….patience, wait your time….and play games.
Alex, for instance….came to the club, started but unfortunately he got injured. He`s trained so, so well, supported the boys incredibly. Kind of shows you why he was Captain previously, because hes got that attitude [and] character….patience, wait your time….and play games.
The passing of Terry Venables was a sad moment for football and us Boro fans this week: he helped salvage the club from almost certain relegation from the Premiership: forming a partnership with Brian Robson, leading us to 14th place and safety at the end of the season. Carrick was teenager during Venables tenure with England and described the “buzz” of Euro 96, when England came so close – yet so far.
Carrick`s main memory was “penalty shoot-outs”! And the excitement that attaches to every major tournament. Carrick was asked “has football been your life” [?!]. What did the reporters expect him to say? Perhaps if he had read “Between The Lines” [Carrick`s autobiography] and “The History of Wallsend Boys Club” he might not have made himself looks so foolish!
I was 14 / 15 by then and by that stage [Euro 96] was starting to take football a little bit seriously or more seriously……...I had hopes and dreams…..watching it and imagining one day `could it be me`. It was one time that sticks out for me.
Carrick`s main memory was “penalty shoot-outs”! And the excitement that attaches to every major tournament. Carrick was asked “has football been your life” [?!]. What did the reporters expect him to say? Perhaps if he had read “Between The Lines” [Carrick`s autobiography] and “The History of Wallsend Boys Club” he might not have made himself looks so foolish!
I was 14 / 15 by then and by that stage [Euro 96] was starting to take football a little bit seriously or more seriously……...I had hopes and dreams…..watching it and imagining one day `could it be me`. It was one time that sticks out for me.
But its back to the bread and butter on a cool night by Steel River and the grey North Sea under the Riverside flood lights. We`ve played five teams out of the top nine and won four. Can we start building on that, improving our defence and our consistency and do best what we know we are good at? Its as easy as just stringing a few good results together is`nt it[?!] We need to be on our metal and concentrate 110% against a good Preston side. This league is “brutal” said the boss:
..the beauty of the league is you come across all kinds of different styles and approaches to games, which is refreshing. Keeps you on your toes and a new challenge all the time. It probably shows the boys what they`re capable of doing, the results they can get, the performance levels they can hit. [Smile] It comes back to the last answer really...consistency. How much can you repeat that throughout a game. But that gives me a lot of encouragement to know we are capable of that…...its putting it together.
We can do this….
Come On Boro
r00fie1 28/11/2023
..the beauty of the league is you come across all kinds of different styles and approaches to games, which is refreshing. Keeps you on your toes and a new challenge all the time. It probably shows the boys what they`re capable of doing, the results they can get, the performance levels they can hit. [Smile] It comes back to the last answer really...consistency. How much can you repeat that throughout a game. But that gives me a lot of encouragement to know we are capable of that…...its putting it together.
We can do this….
Come On Boro
r00fie1 28/11/2023
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