r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again….
Boro v Ipswich Town. Saturday 9th December 2023. KO 15:00 hrs.
The last five league games have seen us concede nine, but at the same time we`ve scored twelve, including that 4-0 thrashing of Preston. That shows, in spite of the disappointment in terms of points, we are doing the right things. Perhaps the unfortunate moments of panic and apparent “chaos” at Leeds was avoidable, but we pushed and pushed, even having a goal ruled off-side. We have`nt had a settled spine of a team for several months now and it looks like we might have an almost unrecognisable team by the end of the season.
Carrick was clearly frustrated and disappointed about the Leeds result and mentioned, after the game the dressing room was particularly “quiet”. But that`s no bad thing. Its a sign that the players knew they expected more and could probably have come away with a draw if not all three points. But the disappointment quickly wears off and for Carrick:
The next game is always the biggest one, the most important one and I think that`l kind of [be] the focus....and [provide] the adrenaline [and] motivation if you like, playing against a team that`s right up at the top of the league…..certainly does that for us.
Its been entertaining this season if nothing else. But clearly we need to find the best team we can to make a fist of the rest of the season. We cant include players who are injured, suspended or banned for whatever reason. Neither can we expect to find an instant fix with loan signings and new players in January. Carrick was clear before the Leeds game that loan-signings covering for injured players in the new year was only one option, not the only option. He repeated that sentiment after a familiar reporter asked the same question as before. Had the recent injury situation changed his plans for the January transfer window:
No. I think you got to be careful [of] the injuries, because at this moment in time, we`re missing quite a few. You know, we`re hoping by the time the actual window comes around [smile] then we`ll have most….we`ll have a good few of them back anyway. And then of course you`re getting a player in for when someone gets fit: its just because you lose a player for a number of weeks or a couple of months, doesn’t mean you need to get one in. That`s always the balance anyway, so I don’t think [injuries] dramatically changes our plans. For that, its just unfortunate when you have got a lot of injuries that its kind of outside the window. It will probably tip everyone`s back come January.
Carrick and his staff can only deal with what they have – which may sound like common-sense, but he repeated quite assertively that his focus was`nt dwelling on the sick list and more on those available:
That`s not my focus to be honest [said very assertively] I think its more getting the boys who are fit and ready and available, ready for the game. Its a great challenge for us, for certain players who have`nt played so much and now in the team: great, making an impact [having] the opportunity. Fantastic! I`m really looking to the game and this spell of games to see what we`re capable of doing.
We`ve heard him repeat the faith he has in the squad and the belief he has in their ability and that has been reflected today in Law McCabe extending his Professional Contract today [Friday] until the end of the 26 / 27 season. He`s not the first under Carrick and it shows his commitment to the young lads and bringing on our players from the Academy.
Kieran McKenna is an old pal of Michael Carrick`s from his coaching days at Manchester United. He praised the Ipswich Manager for doing so well, transforming the club and getting the best out of the players. Carrick is not in the least bit surprised and would`nt have expected any different:
He`s done an incredible job, which I`m not surprised with one bit and obviously worked very closely with Kiernan over quite a period of time and got to know him and how good he is. He`s one of the best coaches you could ever hope for really and one of the best that I`ve come across. So I`m delighted for him. He`s a good person, he`s a terrific coach and [I`m] delighted to see doing so well in Management. From when he took over to where they are now and the run that they`ve been on, the consistency and how they play….its a testament largely to him. But again, [I`m] not surprised and I knew from the start how good he was when I first seen him working with the Youth Team and Under 18`s at United when I was playing. Then I got to work with him through the first team closely, and I knew from that stage that he`d go on to have a terrific career.
Ipswich are clearly doing better than many fans might have been expected(?) No big salaried players or big time Charlies in their squad [Although there is a `Conor Chaplin` who is a very dangerous forward!]. Compared to the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, loaded with players with Premiership experience, they really have done well - so far - to hold their own. We know its going to be “tough”. Carrick acknowledges that before every game. For whatever reason teams change formation, personnel and adapt their approach to each game. Despite the “insider” knowledge of McKenna and his coaching skills, Carrick said he would do the “catch up” after the game on Saturday:
Its about Middlesbrough against Ipswich and the two teams on the pitch really. It`ll be good to see him after the game for sure, it will be in a catch-up, but before that its preparing the boys the best we can for the game.
Carrick was reminded that Mogga had got his P45 from the Deck Chairs this week and expressed empathy:
In the position I`m in, its never nice to see a fellow Manager or Coach lose their job for whatever reason and I`ve known Tony and spoke to him over a period of time from being here [?!]…...playing against him a few times and he`s a good man you know. Its unfortunate [but] its part of the business now and part of the sport if you like, but never nice.
So, there are almost as many walking [or not] wounded as there are those fit to fight. Its not unusual – you only have to look at other teams in the league and see key players out here, players coming back there. Its part of what Carrick describes as a key element of his job: to manage recovery as sensibly as possible, not rushing players back too early and keeping a calm cool head – even if reporters keep asking the same questions time and again.
Middlesbrough Chairman and Owner Steve Gibson OBE got a mention this week and Carrick responded in the only way we`ve come to expect – with upmost professionalism. When a reporter asks “How have you found working with Steve Gibson”, its hard to imagine any Head Coach making derogatory remarks about the man holding the purse strings and paying his wages…….[!]
He`s been fantastic. I think the biggest thing, like I`ve just answered before there, is I know what`s expected of me, but I know the support that`s there for me all the time and the patience. [He] lets me get on largely with my role and my job and doesn’t interfere, but is always there and I feel his upmost level of support, so that`s the biggest thing I can say really. It goes without saying what he`s done over the years for this football club and for the area. But, for me personally he`s been fantastic.
It will be nice to see Mogga at The Riverside this Saturday [if he has a ticket] and even nicer if we can do to Ipswich what we did to Leicester. Lets hold it together and accept that its the latest in “big” games against “tough” opponents. Heads up and move onwards and upwards together. Its only just into the second week of December and we`re still in the FA Cup and League Cup. Just under two thirds of the season to go……
We can do this
Come On Boro!
Boro v Ipswich Town. Saturday 9th December 2023. KO 15:00 hrs.
The last five league games have seen us concede nine, but at the same time we`ve scored twelve, including that 4-0 thrashing of Preston. That shows, in spite of the disappointment in terms of points, we are doing the right things. Perhaps the unfortunate moments of panic and apparent “chaos” at Leeds was avoidable, but we pushed and pushed, even having a goal ruled off-side. We have`nt had a settled spine of a team for several months now and it looks like we might have an almost unrecognisable team by the end of the season.
Carrick was clearly frustrated and disappointed about the Leeds result and mentioned, after the game the dressing room was particularly “quiet”. But that`s no bad thing. Its a sign that the players knew they expected more and could probably have come away with a draw if not all three points. But the disappointment quickly wears off and for Carrick:
The next game is always the biggest one, the most important one and I think that`l kind of [be] the focus....and [provide] the adrenaline [and] motivation if you like, playing against a team that`s right up at the top of the league…..certainly does that for us.
Its been entertaining this season if nothing else. But clearly we need to find the best team we can to make a fist of the rest of the season. We cant include players who are injured, suspended or banned for whatever reason. Neither can we expect to find an instant fix with loan signings and new players in January. Carrick was clear before the Leeds game that loan-signings covering for injured players in the new year was only one option, not the only option. He repeated that sentiment after a familiar reporter asked the same question as before. Had the recent injury situation changed his plans for the January transfer window:
No. I think you got to be careful [of] the injuries, because at this moment in time, we`re missing quite a few. You know, we`re hoping by the time the actual window comes around [smile] then we`ll have most….we`ll have a good few of them back anyway. And then of course you`re getting a player in for when someone gets fit: its just because you lose a player for a number of weeks or a couple of months, doesn’t mean you need to get one in. That`s always the balance anyway, so I don’t think [injuries] dramatically changes our plans. For that, its just unfortunate when you have got a lot of injuries that its kind of outside the window. It will probably tip everyone`s back come January.
Carrick and his staff can only deal with what they have – which may sound like common-sense, but he repeated quite assertively that his focus was`nt dwelling on the sick list and more on those available:
That`s not my focus to be honest [said very assertively] I think its more getting the boys who are fit and ready and available, ready for the game. Its a great challenge for us, for certain players who have`nt played so much and now in the team: great, making an impact [having] the opportunity. Fantastic! I`m really looking to the game and this spell of games to see what we`re capable of doing.
We`ve heard him repeat the faith he has in the squad and the belief he has in their ability and that has been reflected today in Law McCabe extending his Professional Contract today [Friday] until the end of the 26 / 27 season. He`s not the first under Carrick and it shows his commitment to the young lads and bringing on our players from the Academy.
Kieran McKenna is an old pal of Michael Carrick`s from his coaching days at Manchester United. He praised the Ipswich Manager for doing so well, transforming the club and getting the best out of the players. Carrick is not in the least bit surprised and would`nt have expected any different:
He`s done an incredible job, which I`m not surprised with one bit and obviously worked very closely with Kiernan over quite a period of time and got to know him and how good he is. He`s one of the best coaches you could ever hope for really and one of the best that I`ve come across. So I`m delighted for him. He`s a good person, he`s a terrific coach and [I`m] delighted to see doing so well in Management. From when he took over to where they are now and the run that they`ve been on, the consistency and how they play….its a testament largely to him. But again, [I`m] not surprised and I knew from the start how good he was when I first seen him working with the Youth Team and Under 18`s at United when I was playing. Then I got to work with him through the first team closely, and I knew from that stage that he`d go on to have a terrific career.
Ipswich are clearly doing better than many fans might have been expected(?) No big salaried players or big time Charlies in their squad [Although there is a `Conor Chaplin` who is a very dangerous forward!]. Compared to the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, loaded with players with Premiership experience, they really have done well - so far - to hold their own. We know its going to be “tough”. Carrick acknowledges that before every game. For whatever reason teams change formation, personnel and adapt their approach to each game. Despite the “insider” knowledge of McKenna and his coaching skills, Carrick said he would do the “catch up” after the game on Saturday:
Its about Middlesbrough against Ipswich and the two teams on the pitch really. It`ll be good to see him after the game for sure, it will be in a catch-up, but before that its preparing the boys the best we can for the game.
Carrick was reminded that Mogga had got his P45 from the Deck Chairs this week and expressed empathy:
In the position I`m in, its never nice to see a fellow Manager or Coach lose their job for whatever reason and I`ve known Tony and spoke to him over a period of time from being here [?!]…...playing against him a few times and he`s a good man you know. Its unfortunate [but] its part of the business now and part of the sport if you like, but never nice.
So, there are almost as many walking [or not] wounded as there are those fit to fight. Its not unusual – you only have to look at other teams in the league and see key players out here, players coming back there. Its part of what Carrick describes as a key element of his job: to manage recovery as sensibly as possible, not rushing players back too early and keeping a calm cool head – even if reporters keep asking the same questions time and again.
Middlesbrough Chairman and Owner Steve Gibson OBE got a mention this week and Carrick responded in the only way we`ve come to expect – with upmost professionalism. When a reporter asks “How have you found working with Steve Gibson”, its hard to imagine any Head Coach making derogatory remarks about the man holding the purse strings and paying his wages…….[!]
He`s been fantastic. I think the biggest thing, like I`ve just answered before there, is I know what`s expected of me, but I know the support that`s there for me all the time and the patience. [He] lets me get on largely with my role and my job and doesn’t interfere, but is always there and I feel his upmost level of support, so that`s the biggest thing I can say really. It goes without saying what he`s done over the years for this football club and for the area. But, for me personally he`s been fantastic.
It will be nice to see Mogga at The Riverside this Saturday [if he has a ticket] and even nicer if we can do to Ipswich what we did to Leicester. Lets hold it together and accept that its the latest in “big” games against “tough” opponents. Heads up and move onwards and upwards together. Its only just into the second week of December and we`re still in the FA Cup and League Cup. Just under two thirds of the season to go……
We can do this
Come On Boro!
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