r00fie1
Well-known member
The following article is taken from the match-day thread. It is a summary of his most recent Media Conference. Includes his thoughts on Burnley, Isaiah Jones, the Huddersfield game, coping with Management, Marcus forss and the importance of the U21`s in Boro`s First Team selection......
Michael Carrick
By r00fie1
"We don’t need a wake-up call. The boys have been fantastic: their attitude and the way they go about their business. No need to keep looking back. We havent done it since I`ve been here [and] we arent going to start now."
Michael Carrick gave some candid and unambiguous answers to questions at his Media Conference on Wednesday. Some reporter pushed him about how he coped with the defeat at Huddersfield. How did he cope? Had it knocked the players confidence? Had he spoken to Neil Warnock? Will it effect how he approaches the Burnley game?........water off a ducks back for Carrick. He was asked about Isaiah Jones future at the club, about his approach to the Burnley game and ho preparation was going for that. He answered the noted reporter`s questions quite bluntly and unambiguously - with his usual smile. It was only a relatively short media conference, but there was much said of interest to us Boro fans:
Huddersfield?
"One result doesn’t flip how we go about our work. we`ve built up a way of working and a way of playing over a period of time. That didn’t change when we`ve had some good results and it definitely wont change because of a 15-20 minute spell in a game that didn’t go to plan. We have to take that on the chin. We`re looking forward to the next group of games really and certainly the next game [Burnley], which is a big challenge and the boys are looking forward to the game."
Disappointment?
"I think it shows how well we`ve played over a period of time. There havent been many cases of those “moments” within games. You cant always have a reason or blame players. We`ve learnt from it, but we look ahead, which is more important."
What has Carrick learnt from Huddersfield?
"No big deal really, its just a game of football. We`ll move on and we are looking forward to the next game, like I have done every week since I`ve been here."
Complacency?
"No! We just go again. We don’t need a wake-up call. The boys have been fantastic: their attitude and the way they go about their business. No need to keep looking back. We havent done it since I`ve been here [and] we arent going to start now."
Bouncing back?
"Its about the spirit of the group, the togetherness and character within the squad….to keep believing. As for bouncing back, we`ve never spoken about what`s gone before. Its always about what`s next."
Burnley?
"Like every team does...you watch different teams and how they have gone about it: what`s worked and maybe what hasnt worked. We play the way we play and want to get better. So there`s always that balance of adapting a little bit….we try to take [tactics] and put them into our performance, if we think it will help us….[as for our last encounter with Burnley]...... there`s been a lot of water under the bridge since then, so [we] have got to be in the present. Thats just part of preparing for any game. Its only about us. I cant control what they`re doing."
"They`ve had a fantastic season. They are a really good team with a really good Manager. Whatever frame of mind they`re at we`ll expect the best version of them. Whatever happens happens. Its about us being the best version of us and looking forward to the game. Its a good game for us to go and enjoy. We`ve gained a lot of confidence and belief over the last few months. Its not [that] we judge totally where we are just because of one game. I definitely didn’t judge it because of one game last week. It wont tell you the story of where we are as a team. You earn that over a period of time. We look forward to this one-off game and go and try and win it."
What do you do after a game like last week ?
"I think I try to be quite balanced and rational, in terms of judging the performance, the why`s and wherefores of what`s gone wrong and maybe not gone to plan? [I`ve said from the start]….its about being stable and consistent and keeping your emotions in check. I`ve done that when we`ve won. I`ve certainly got to do that when we lose. You`ve got to have perspective...We are in a position now where we are as high as we have been all season in terms of position in the league Great place to be…..so lets not beat ourselves up. Its whats ahead [to look forward] because we`ve earned ourselves and put ourselves in a great position for the end [of the season]."
Managership?
"You`re all in. It takes over your life of course. It should do. It did when I was playing and it certainly does now. Its what enjoy about it: the responsibility and the challenge of improving all the time. Its great. Its all I know. I love working here, its a great place to be….so it doesn’t feel like hard work...its the next challenge you try to become better."
Forss?
Why hasnt Isaiah Jones been getting game time?
Boro U21`s have finished highest in the North East. What impact does that have on players like Sonny Finch and Haydn Hackney who have come through?
Michael Carrick
By r00fie1
"We don’t need a wake-up call. The boys have been fantastic: their attitude and the way they go about their business. No need to keep looking back. We havent done it since I`ve been here [and] we arent going to start now."
Huddersfield?
"One result doesn’t flip how we go about our work. we`ve built up a way of working and a way of playing over a period of time. That didn’t change when we`ve had some good results and it definitely wont change because of a 15-20 minute spell in a game that didn’t go to plan. We have to take that on the chin. We`re looking forward to the next group of games really and certainly the next game [Burnley], which is a big challenge and the boys are looking forward to the game."
"I think it shows how well we`ve played over a period of time. There havent been many cases of those “moments” within games. You cant always have a reason or blame players. We`ve learnt from it, but we look ahead, which is more important."
What has Carrick learnt from Huddersfield?
"No big deal really, its just a game of football. We`ll move on and we are looking forward to the next game, like I have done every week since I`ve been here."
Complacency?
"No! We just go again. We don’t need a wake-up call. The boys have been fantastic: their attitude and the way they go about their business. No need to keep looking back. We havent done it since I`ve been here [and] we arent going to start now."
Bouncing back?
"Its about the spirit of the group, the togetherness and character within the squad….to keep believing. As for bouncing back, we`ve never spoken about what`s gone before. Its always about what`s next."
Burnley?
"Like every team does...you watch different teams and how they have gone about it: what`s worked and maybe what hasnt worked. We play the way we play and want to get better. So there`s always that balance of adapting a little bit….we try to take [tactics] and put them into our performance, if we think it will help us….[as for our last encounter with Burnley]...... there`s been a lot of water under the bridge since then, so [we] have got to be in the present. Thats just part of preparing for any game. Its only about us. I cant control what they`re doing."
What do you do after a game like last week ?
"I think I try to be quite balanced and rational, in terms of judging the performance, the why`s and wherefores of what`s gone wrong and maybe not gone to plan? [I`ve said from the start]….its about being stable and consistent and keeping your emotions in check. I`ve done that when we`ve won. I`ve certainly got to do that when we lose. You`ve got to have perspective...We are in a position now where we are as high as we have been all season in terms of position in the league Great place to be…..so lets not beat ourselves up. Its whats ahead [to look forward] because we`ve earned ourselves and put ourselves in a great position for the end [of the season]."
Managership?
"You`re all in. It takes over your life of course. It should do. It did when I was playing and it certainly does now. Its what enjoy about it: the responsibility and the challenge of improving all the time. Its great. Its all I know. I love working here, its a great place to be….so it doesn’t feel like hard work...its the next challenge you try to become better."
"He`s obviously got a great return of goals. [For Carrick] Its instinct in some ways. Of trying things….some that work. Marcus has done fantastically well since we changed him over. Even before that he done well and give the team a lot of playing through the middle...He`s had real productivity in his game and its not easy to adapt to [different] positions. Its a credit to the players that have tweaked their positions a little but have the willingness to do that and listen. Marcus has great energy and presses very well. He`s a real threat in the box and a natural finisher and he gives us a real good balance…...Marcus has definitely improved as his confidence has grown. He`s performed well...and I`m sure there is loads and loads more to come from Marcus."
Why hasnt Isaiah Jones been getting game time?
"I think its just the quality of the group at the moment and the quality of the squad. There`s two side to having that: there are players that are really good and good lads who unfortunately will miss out at times...but it gives us real flexibility, good options...that`s football. Sometimes in your career your flying and other times you`re not as involved as you want to be. But that can change so quickly. Sometimes you think you are further away [from the first team] than you actually are, but that is about being a successful team in a strong squad of position for places
Is Jones likely to leave Boro?"No! Hes part of the squad. He`s a big part of the squad. Because maybe he has`nt been involved….doesnt mean he`s that far away...we`ve got good options and a really good squad. No. I would`nt write any player off at all. there`s a lot of games to play….a lot of football still to play...so we need everyone."
Boro U21`s have finished highest in the North East. What impact does that have on players like Sonny Finch and Haydn Hackney who have come through?
"Its a big part of the club. It`s a big part of the first team. Staff are trying to get the younger players up to train with us. To have a look at them and give them a chance to show what they can do. I really enjoy seeing them coming up and giving them that feeling that they have a chance. [U21]….its a massive part of the football club."