Michael Carrick’s verdict on Middlesbrough’s Bristol City defeat
ANNOYED Michael Carrick acknowledges that following Middlesbrough’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Bristol City at home, things must change.
This season, Boro have been penalised on multiple occasions due to their inability to convert possession and opportunities into goals.
Anis Mehmeti and Yu Hirakawa’s goals in the first half condemned Carrick’s team, who sit ninth in the Championship after a lacklustre start to the season, to their second consecutive defeat. The Boro supporters vented their anger at halftime and again at full time.
After Hayden Hackney lost possession of the ball and Japanese winger Hirakawa curled in a magnificent finish at the end of the first half, Mehmeti struck home in the 27th minute.
“We can’t be that on top and that creative and have nothing to show for it, never mind be 2-0 down at half-time.
“It is something we have to improve and goals change games. We should have been two or three up before those goals.
“We are all in this together, it is all of us. We have to find ways to do something about it. I thought first half we were good. Second half we weren’t as good and that is something we have to look at.
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t stick with it? One game ago we beat West Brom, we beat Stoke, and we were as good as we could be against Watford for 70 minutes.
“Everyone would have been feeling fantastic and one game later it hasn’t gone to plan.”
Bristol City assistant head coach Chris Hogg thinks his players did Liam Manning proud at the Riverside.
Head coach Manning is currently on extended leave following the death of his baby son Theo, with Hogg stepping up.
Both teams wore black armbands at Boro and there was a minute’s applause as a mark of respect for the Manning family.
The travelling supporters celebrated the victory together with the coaching staff and the players after the final whistle, with the team holding a banner on the pitch with the message ‘Fly High Theo’.
Hogg, who grew up not too far from the Riverside and went to school in nearby Yarm, said: “It has been an emotional week.
“You can see the reaction at the end between the players and supporters, this has united the city and the wider support.
It’s been quite touching. It demonstrates the strength of community and football. I am so grateful to everyone for their assistance in helping Liam and his family.
It took me a moment to gather my thoughts. Liam gets along well with each and every player. There are caring, decent folks working there.
They knuckled down as best they could, but it has been difficult. Today, they made every effort to give. I’m so happy for them.
The bond that develops between athletes and supporters is something I will always remember.
“I wish I had enjoyed the ball a little bit more.” However, they defended the blocks and the box with such incredible spirit.
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