For Michael Carrick, it’s not clear-cut. The head coach was never particularly worried, even when his team was having trouble breaking down opponents early in the season. He believed that the goals will eventually start to come in.
Even though the results don’t support it, Carrick maintains that some of Boro’s early-season performances were on par with or even better than the recent ones. He acknowledges that his players are now full of confidence, which is to be expected after striking QPR for four, Luton for five, and Oxford for six.
Ahead of tonight’s visit from Blackburn Rovers, where Boro is hoping to win four straight league games, Carrick stated, “It’s hard to say what’s changed.”
“To be honest, it’s a little bit different and a little bit more than we anticipate since there aren’t many runs like the ones we’ve had with as many goals going in.
For the most part, we believed that this season was coming, that we were getting better, and that it was coming. The reality that we are playing some excellent football as a team cannot be denied.
“In the big picture, it feels quite different because the guys are confidence and the front players are on the end of movements, whether it’s finding a little pass or end product.
However, in all honesty, I still believe that we have performed far better than we have in the past few weeks and games this season. Football is that.
Even though there isn’t always an obvious explanation or solution, it’s still fantastic to watch the guys play so well, love football, and put in a lot of effort for one another. We have definitely earned the victories we have had. As a team, we’re doing well.”
And Boro will be in an even better place if they can take maximum points from the visits of Blackburn tonight and struggling Hull City on Saturday.
Carrick said: “Momentum is something you need to use at the right time and try to build and evolve it but it’s only a word. You have to go and make it happen again.
“It’s nice that we’ve been in a good place in terms of performances and the feeling within the group but it’s always about what’s next, that’s what keeps you on edge and pushing.
“You never know what’s around the corner but we’ll take the good feeling that we’ve got and be positive going into the game for sure.”
Tonight’s visitors Blackburn started the season well but have won just two of their last eight and lost three on their bounce prior to their win at Cardiff before the international break. Saturday’s scheduled game against Portsmouth was postponed but Carrick doesn’t think that will work against his side tonight.
“There is more than enough time to recuperate between Saturday and Wednesday,” he stated. It is what it is.
“We know where we are at, the boys have recovered well and prepared well and are ready for the game.”
After Saturday’s 6-2 hammering of Oxford, Carrick was happy with how his players immediately turned their focus, but he emphasised how important it is for both the coaching staff and the playing team to relish a result like that.
Carrick says that as a manager, the excitement of a decisive win is not the same as it was as a player.
“What’s the better feeling?” he said. You could make both arguments. When you’re playing and immersed in the action, there’s all the
It feels great when something comes off because of the work and energy that goes into it and living in the present.
“Plotting it is a little more difficult when you’re on the sidelines, but it’s more fulfilling and rewarding when the information or strategy works. Although it’s different, there’s no denying that it’s satisfying in both ways.
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