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Michael Carrick explains what 'has to be there' for Boro to succeed next season
MICHAEL CARRICK is confident the mentality displayed by Middlesbrough’s players in the last few months will stand them in good stead as they look to mount a successful promotion push next season.
While Boro will end the campaign outside the play-off places no matter what they do in their final game at home to Watford on Saturday, Carrick is nevertheless proud of the way in which his side has responded to adversity this term.
A series of crippling injuries have decimated Carrick’s squad for much of the season, but rather than downing tools when it became apparent a top-six finish was going to be beyond them, Boro’s players have produced arguably their best form of the whole campaign in the last few weeks.
Last weekend’s 4-1 win at Cardiff City made it just one defeat in the last 11 games, a run Carrick feels augurs well for next season, when most of the current side should still be lining up in a Boro shirt.
“Mentality is massive,” said the Boro boss. “It overrides talent. If you're in a good head space, confident and you feel good about yourself, it's a lot more powerful than having a bit of talent.
“It's encouraging, definitely. As I’ve said before, the ups and downs and challenges we've had this season, to come through them in a certain way, certainly the players and the experience, when you're going through a tough spell you find out where everyone is at. We've found out we're all there and looking after each other.”
Boro’s players have also convinced Carrick they have the stomach for a fight, and an ability to turn things around when the cards have not been falling in their favour. So, while there is understandable disappointment at missing out on the play-offs, having been beaten in the semi-finals 12 months ago, there is also excitement at what the future might hold.
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“We wouldn't have ever ended up having the season we've had, in terms of the cup run and finishing where we’ll finish, if we didn't show that (character),” said Carrick. “As much as anything, that's encouraging.
“Hopefully, there’s excitement for the start of the season and what we're capable of doing. We've shown it against what you'd argue to be the better teams in the league, who are ahead of us. We know we can produce performances - we just have to be consistent with it.”
Boro’s final game pits them against a Watford side with nothing to play for either, but who signed off their home campaign with a win over Sunderland at the weekend.
The Teessiders’ performances in the last couple of months have generated increased optimism heading into the summer break, and Carrick is desperate for his players to sign off in style. They received plenty of plaudits for their spirited showing as they went down 4-3 to Leeds in their last outing at the Riverside – now, their head coach wants them to head into the summer on a winning note.
“Ideally, we hope we can finish well and take that into next season,” said Carrick. “I’ve spoken a lot about the ups and downs we’ve had through the season, so to be six points or so off the play-offs isn’t bad.
“It’s not enough and we wanted more. But at the same point, it shows we’ve actually come a long way with this group, with the amount of changes that we made with players coming in last summer and doing well. There’s a lot to build on for sure and take into next season.”
