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 admitted he would difficult to find time in training over the hectic holiday season to address flaws that surfaced in an entertaining 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, with substitute Emmanuel Latte Lath securing a point with a late volley.
“It’s collectively as a team we have to be better and we must quickly work to put that right.”
He went on to say, “It’s something we’re working on all season, game by game. Sometimes it comes down to individual moments, sometimes it’s a team effort.
“We’ll absolutely look at it, but there’s only so much you can actually put on the training pitch given the time of the games. But that is usual, and we deal with it every week, so it will be no different.”
Boro are sixth in the Championship, but they can sustain their momentum when Sheffield Wednesday visit the Riverside on Boxing Day, followed by promotion contenders Burnley 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,” says Carrick. “It’s really normal; it’s what we do and 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 leaving for the airport, Argyle manager Wayne Rooney predicted Boro would fight for an automatic promotion position.
“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 informed the crowd. “And I’m sure they’ll be there or thereabouts for the play-offs, or even one of the automatic promotion spots that will be available, so I’m sure that’s their goal.
“Coming away with a point is not the worst thing in the world, but I believe we did enough to earn all three points.
“Michael is a good friend of mine, and you always want to win so that you can brag to your friends. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t hang on to victory, but it’s positive that we faced a very strong team with some very excellent players and got a point.”
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