Michael Carrick says Boro will be looking to feed off the energy of a sold-out Riverside in the Boxing Day clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Boro face Wednesday before completing 2024 with another home game on Sunday against Burnley.
Ahead of the festive double-header, here are some of the key quotes from Carrick’s pre-match press conference…
ON THE NEXT TWO GAMES AT HOME…
Every game is challenging in this league and we’re used to playing tough matches. Sheffield Wednesday are on a very good run and played particularly well to win with 10 men the other day. It’s one we’re looking forward to. We want to get back to doing what we’re good at as soon as possible and trying to win games. We’ve got chances to do that if we do the right things.
ON FINDING A BALANCE AT CHRISTMAS…
It’s important we get the balance right. The boys will spend time with their families but we won’t take our eye off what is a hugely important game. I’ve had one Christmas off since I moved away when I was 15. It’s an important time of the year to share with friends and family, but we’ve got quite a big job to do as well.
ON SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY…
It’s a very tough game. They really are a good team and are on a really good run. Their performance and the way they found a way to win the other day was impressive. It’ll be a tough game.
ON A SOLD-OUT RIVERSIDE…
It’s great that we know going into the game it’s a sell-out. It’s an important time of year and it’s important the supporters are excited and looking to be entertained, first and foremost. That comes with results as well and it’s up to us to do that. It’s fantastic to know that and the boys will be looking forward to it massively.
ON THE SEASON SO FAR…
There has been lots of encouragement and positive signs in our play and the results we’ve had in certain games. There are always things we want to get better and we feel we could have and should have got more out of certain situations, but I’m happy with the group and how everyone has contributed. That’s a big factor for us and moving through the season, hopefully we keep that freshness and energy in the group because there’s still a long way to go.
ON TIGHTENING UP…
Generally I’m encouraged and excited about what we can do. We’ve scored a lot and been dangerous, but we’ve ended up conceding too many goals for where we want to be. For long periods of the season we’ve not given a lot away but we’ve ended up conceding too many goals. That’s something we need to tighten up. We’ve got to adjust, adapt and find a way to do it. There are a lot of good things in there and we need to tighten up certain little aspects to give ourselves a better chance of winning games we feel we probably should.
ON FESTIVE SEASON ENERGY…
There’s a massive opportunity for all of us to feed off that energy and create that energy. We’ve got a responsibility to try to create that within the stadium on the pitch and for the supporters to all be as loud and as vocal and supportive as they possibly can be, which they are really good at. At certain times that little extra boost and that little extra spice and energy around the place would be fantastic, and it’s up to us to repay that as well.