Michael Carrick says it is “ridiculous” to throw Middlesbrough out of the automatic promotion chase at this point in the season.
Sixth-placed Boro are 10 points behind the top two and 13 behind leaders Sheffield United, but Carrick believes it is too early to rule out the possibility of automatic promotion.
He concedes, however, that Boro need to improve in certain areas following their 3-3 draw at Plymouth, when they were let down by their defence. Boro have shown their quality this season, beating leaders Sheffield United and drawing with third-place Burnley, but they’ve also dropped points in games they should have won, leaving them behind in the promotion race as they prepare to host Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside tomorrow.
“The season is far from over, and there is still so much to play for. “We must persevere.
There are things to work on, but we need to keep racking up points and see where we end up.
“Tomorrow’s game will mark the halfway point of the Championship season, which Carrick describes as “alright” for Boro thus far.
“There are loads and loads of positives,” he told me.
“There are encouraging and good signals in our play and the achievements we have achieved. There are always things we desire to improve at.
“We believe we could have done better in some scenarios and gotten more out of certain games. That’s how things are. “But thus far, I’d say.
I am pleased with the lads and how everyone in the group has participated at various points, which we believe is an important component for us.
Maintaining that freshness and vitality throughout the team will be critical as the season progresses.
Boro have improved significantly in the second half of the last two seasons, and Carrick believes this will continue. He said, “Belief is crucial.
We really believe in our abilities. It is ultimately up to us. Just because we have done strongly in the last several seasons, it does not guarantee it will happen again. But we are certain that we are in a strong position to proceed with that.
“I’m constantly optimistic about what’s around the bend and what is achievable. It’s easy to discuss and say, but every team will be in the same situation and saying the same thing.
“But we definitely believe that, and we know we can improve, as well as what we are capable of. It is about doing that over time and getting enough outcomes. That is the key to predicting how the season will end.”
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