Michael Carrick says Boro are motivated and excited about the opportunity ahead of them in the closing week of the regular league season.
Boro host Norwich City on Saturday before travelling to Coventry City a week later as part of the final round of fixtures.
Here are some of the key points made by Carrick in his pre-Norwich press conference…
ON SATURDAY’S GAME…
It’s all on the line now. There is no getting away from it. There are probably no other chances and this is it, but it’s a chance. After the disappointment of losing at Sheffield Wednesday, we realised it’s largely in our hands and that’s still where we find ourselves. That disappointment turns to huge motivation and still excitement of what’s possible. It’s important we have that perspective and the boys have shown a really good energy and positivity, and there’s something to look forward to. It gives you that buzz and excitement.
ON BORO’S “BIG CHANCE”…
As a team we’ve shown at certain times we can be really good and be one of the better teams in the league. That gives expectation and belief, but over time we haven’t had the consistency. It’s difficult to get in the play-offs and that’s the challenge we’re facing. That’s what this league is. We’ve been stable and consistent the last two years. Once we got in and once we just missed, and now we’ve still right in with a big chance of getting in there.
ON NORWICH INTERIM HEAD COACH JACK WILSHERE…
Jack was a fabulous footballer and very unlucky with injuries. I’m pleased that the opportunity has come his way after going through Arsenal and working his way up. Credit to him for that. We know each other to a point, but that won’t have too much impact on the game. There’s a bit to figure out and a bit of calculated guess-work of what we think might happen. It’s a potential clean slate (for Norwich). That’s what’s in front of us but the way we’ve approached it, we want to be better at certain things and continue doing certain things we’re good at. For us it’s about getting the balance right.
ON DARRAGH LENIHAN AND ALEX BANGURA…
Darragh has put a lot of work in and there have been so many ups and downs, so just to have him around the group, training every day, smiling and feeling fit is great to see. It’s nice to have him back around for his experience, know-how and how he is in the dressing room. Alex has just joined in for the first time with the boys this week on the grass, very lightly. Just to have him back around the group was fantastic. It has been a long journey for him.
ON OTHER RESULTS…
As we stand, it is largely in our own hands, our sole focus is trying to win the game on Saturday and if we do that, then we are in a better place going into the next game, regardless of what is happening. It’s not easy because everyone is going to know the scores but it doesn’t mean that our focus has got to be on that and we have to react to that. We have got to play the game to try and win the game and it’s the only way.
ON TOMMY CONWAY…
He’s done well, it’s a big season. It’s new, he has played a lot of football, which comes with expectations from himself as well. It’s another kind of learning curve and he has adapted unbelievably. He’s a great character, he cares a lot and takes a lot on his shoulders. He is a joy to be around and he’s a big part of the group.