Carrick Stresses Calmness Amid Middlesbrough’s Recent Struggles

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, who signed a new three-year contract with the club in June, has underscored the necessity for his team to maintain composure following a sequence of three losses in their last five Championship fixtures. Currently, Boro occupies the 10th position in the league table, trailing the play-off spots by three points. A recent 3-0 home defeat against Coventry City on Saturday, during which key midfielder Hayden Hackney received two yellow cards and was subsequently sent off, represented a significant setback. Speaking to BBC Radio Tees, Carrick stated: “We want to win more games – there’s no getting away from that.” He further elaborated on the team’s performance, adding: “In most of the games that we’ve played, we’ve been very close – it wasn’t long ago since we beat Sheffield United and played really well at Norwich.” Carrick emphasized his philosophy, saying: “I think the key to it is staying pretty stable and pretty calm. One result, one half of a game or a performance shouldn’t set the levels of emotion in terms of ups and downs, certainly for the players and the staff.” He concluded by outlining the team’s immediate focus: “We’re concentrating on that really – staying level, staying positive and taking that in to the next two games.” For Middlesbrough’s upcoming match on Tuesday against struggling Queens Park Rangers, club captain Jonny Howson is anticipated to fill in for the suspended Hackney. Additionally, Carrick mentioned that Ben Doak’s participation remains uncertain due to fatigue. Carrick commented on squad rotation, stating: “That’s the squad, that’s why it kicks in during the season – you never, ever play the same XI for long periods of time.”