Michael Carrick's defensive admission - and concern about how to put things right
MICHAEL CARRICK has admitted he will be hard-pressed to find an immediate solution on the practice ground to Middlesbrough’s defensive shortcomings.
The Boro manager said he would struggle to find the time in training over the busy festive period to address issues which came to the fore in an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Plymouth.
He spoke out after Boro had to come from behind three times in the second-half at Home Park against rock-bottom Plymouth and ultimately had substitute Emmanuel Latte Lath to thank for a point when he volleyed in a late equaliser.
“There are always things to learn from a game whether you win, lose or draw,” Carrick said. “It’s certainly nothing to do with any individuals or even just a slight on the defenders.
“It’s collectively as a team we have to be better and we must quickly work to put that right.”
He continued: “It’s an ongoing, game-to-game thing throughout the season that we’re working on. Sometimes it’s down to individual moments, sometimes collective and sometimes it's the whole team.
“We’ll certainly look at it but there’s only a certain amount you can actually put on to the training pitch with the timing of the games. But that’s normal and something we deal with every week so it’ll be no different.”
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Boro sit sixth in the Championship but can maintain momentum when Sheffield Wednesday visit the Riverside on Boxing Day with promotion rivals Burnley to follow on Sunday.
“It’s going top be a busy time of year in terms of families but from a football point of view it’s business as usual,” Carrick added. “It's pretty normal – it’s what we do and it is what it is. Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday.
“Historically, it feels as though a lot can be decided at this time of year pretty quickly but from a professional point of view it just feels normal.”
While Carrick was heading off to the airport, Argyle boss Wayne Rooney tipped Boro to challenge for an automatic promotion spot.
“We know Middlesbrough are a good side and they’ve been on a decent run lately so we expected a very difficult game which we got,” Rooney said. “And I’m sure they’ll be there or thereabouts for the play-off places or even one of the automatic promotion spots which will be up for grabs so I’m sure that’s their target.
“For us, coming away with a point is not the worst thing in the world but I felt we did enough to get all three points.
“Michael’s a good friend of mine and you always want to win so you get the bragging rights among friends. It’s frustrating we didn’t hold on to win but it’s encouraging that we came up against a very strong team with some very good players and earned a point.”
