Michael Carrick says Boro are relishing the challenge as they head to Elland Road on Tuesday.
Four days on from the 1-1 draw at Burnley, Carrick’s men face another promotion contender in the shape of Leeds United.
Here are some of the key points which came out of the head coach’s pre-match press conference.
ON TRAVELLING TO LEEDS SO SOON AFTER BURNLEY…
You just adapt to what is in front of you. The boys have prepared for it well, as they do every game. We knew going into it that it was two challenging games, but we’ve not taken it as just two challenging games, because we’ve got Millwall after that and the Christmas period after that. It’s just whittling it down to one at a time and we know it’s a big challenge. They (Leeds) are playing some really good football and getting some really good results. They’ve got some fantastic individual players. We’ve had some good games against them over the last year or so and I’m sure this will be a good one as well.
ON LEEDS…
They’re a dangerous team. They commit a lot of bodies forward, have got really good individuals and don’t give much away. That’s why they are where they are, towards the top of the league. It’s a great game for us in terms of the challenge and going there to perform in a game like this, like we did on Friday. It’s all in front of us and the boys are ready for it.
ON ANFERNEE DIJKSTEEL…
I’m really pleased with him. He has been playing well for some time now and the situation is that he has played some and Luke (Ayling) has played some. It’s good to have the options and to have that decision to make over who plays throughout the team, pretty much in every position, for good reasons. The boys are playing well and whoever is playing is making a real claim to play the next game, which is fantastic. There are a lot of games and the boys are all ready for it.
ON DAEL FRY…
He has done really well. It’s not easy to come in after so long but he has stepped into it. We have been patient with him and I think it’s credit to Dael for all the work he has put in.
ON NOT LOOKING TOO FAR AHEAD…
There’s an underlying belief and a confidence and understanding of what’s possible and what we’re capable of on any given day. It’s about how can we do more of that, and then what comes of it will come towards the end. We’ve been building for some time now to keep striving to be towards the top of the table and challenging, and that comes through performances. The boys get confidence from that.
ON THE SOLD-OUT AWAY FOLLOWING…
They had a big impact in the cup game there earlier this season, being close to the tunnel and giving us that feeling, that noise and that energy. The boys will certainly feed off that so it will add to a good occasion. It’s another sold out away game, and we’ve got to respond and make it a good night for them. My wife were in the away end on Friday and they enjoyed it and had a fantastic night. My son and daughter have been to many games in the away end, and they can’t get enough of it. I love going to away games myself as a fan and feeding off that atmosphere, and that’s why I really appreciate the effort. We have another one on Tuesday night and we’re really looking forward to that.