Michael Carrick has spoken of his encouragement as Boro prepare to host Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Sky Bet Championship meeting at the Riverside, here are some of the key quotes from Carrick's pre-match press conference...
ON THE CHALLENGE OF THE BLADES...
They’re a very, very good team at this level with good players who know the league and have had success in this league. Chris (Wilder) is a good manager who has assembled a really good squad. I’d expect them to be up there challenging and around it towards the end, so we’re in for a really tough game.
ON SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST BRISTOL CITY...
I thought we thoroughly deserved to win the game. As players you keep trying to put yourself in a position and play the game in a way which gives you the best chances to win, by creating opportunities, playing in and around their box and creating chances to score. We’re certainly doing that and we’re doing it very, very well. That next bit, goals, is massive. That’s pretty obvious and we just need to convert that, which we will. The boys will do that. There’s a mixed feeling of disappointment with the result, which is not something we’re accepting, but we’re definitely hugely encouraged by a lot of the football that’s going on at both ends of the pitch. I think we’ve had the most shots in the league and conceded among the fewest, so throughout the pitch it has been really good. It has not proven to be at the moment in terms of results, but in terms of giving us the best chance over a long period of time, I think we’re doing a lot of good things.
ON REMAINING LEVEL...
Everyone gets caught up in the highs and the lows and that’s what attracts us to football. In my position I’ve got to be a little bit different and not get too carried away with the ups and downs and take a bit more of a calculated approach. That’s why I’m encouraged with the underlying nature of the performances, but it’s pretty obvious we need to pick up results. The players are giving themselves a great chance. With the quality they have, their attitude, the way they’re going about it and their positivity, we’ll be fine.
ON WHAT HE ENJOYS THE MOST ABOUT MANAGEMENT...
I enjoy seeing the boys expressing themselves and playing with a freedom, confidence and brand of football where they’re showing what they’re capable of. Sometimes you get results from that. Most of the time, if we do the right things we will do. Seeing them showing a good attitude, a confidence and playing in a certain way gives me a lot of pride. I feel we’re improving as a team in a lot of ways all over the pitch. It’s as good as we’ve been since I’ve been here. We’re a more complete team than what we’ve been, so that gives me a lot of encouragement.
ON WHERE THE TEAM IS AT...
I genuinely believe we’re close and that we’re a very good team at this level. We’re very close so I’m not concerned or worried. I’m hugely encouraged by what I’ve seen and what we’re capable of doing. When I judge it for what has gone into the performance I honestly believe we are doing a lot more high level all-round with the ball and without the ball as a team than we have done since I have been here. I think we are in a really good place to do that, which gives us the foundation to take it to the next level. I’m encouraged by those things; we have had spells where we have been dangerous and been deadly in front of goal since I’ve been here without maybe creating loads of chances but we have taken them. Sometimes we have maybe not been solid defensively. I think at the moment we are top in terms of shots or chances and extended goals, and we are near the top in terms of least shots conceded in the league. That is a good balance to have, which shows you that there are a lot of good things in the game. Ultimately goals are what decide it but that’s what is giving me the total encouragement and belief, because I know what the boys can do, and I know they can put that little bit of a cherry on the top to finish things off.
ON HOW THE CLUB HAS CHANGED DURING HIS TWO YEARS IN CHARGE...
There is obviously expectation, which is a fantastic thing, and I spoke to the players (recently) and told them expectation is a privilege, because when you’re in a place where people expect good things from you it means that there is something there. It (time) goes quickly, I’ve loved it and it’s gone so fast, but I’m in such a privileged position at such a great club with a good group of players and supporters. I’m lucky to be here and I’ve loved every minute of it.