Middlesbrough knew that a fast start would put them in a “good position” at Ewood Park, according to Michael Carrick.
After an unlucky own goal by Danny Batth and a brilliant moment from Tommy Conway, Carrick’s team was up 2-0 before eight minutes.
As Rovers supporters persisted in their demonstrations against Venky’s ownership and the club’s management, resentment flared.
“Not so much really, just the impact we could have by playing well, getting ahead, controlling the game, and playing with a real confidence,” Carrick told BBC Tees in response to a question on whether he had discussed the present state of affairs at Ewood Park with his players.
“I think we did that from the start. Whatever is going on at other clubs, it is not something we really speak about but obviously we kind of knew a start would put us in a good position tonight.
“Credit to them, they made us work for it all the way through and the boys had to put a big effort in tonight.”
Boro have now won five of their last seven games and are up to fifth place as they battle to finish in the play-offs.
“That was a good win for us, I think it was an important one,” Carrick said to the club’s official channels.
“Every one is going to get that little bit more important and we wanted to carry on that little run we have got going.
“I know there is a little bit going on here and they have had a bit of a sticky patch and run. But they are a good team, they have got some good players and made us work for it.
“Even with the start, I never thought the game was done. We had to keep doing the right things and the boys managed it, saw it out really well. A clean sheet and one really good goal, I am delighted all round.”
Rovers had more possession and territory after the frantic start but struggled to test Mark Travers in the Middlesbrough goal.
“I thought we defended well as a team and, for the most part, we had to,” Carrick added. “They put a lot of bodies forward and played a lot of long balls, tried to put it in our box and pin us back.
“It is not easy to defend those second balls but I thought largely we did that really well. The backline was good and the midfield boys backed it up.
“A third goal would have been nice on transition, we had moments to do that. All round, it was a good performance.”
