Stick with us and fight for the play-offs, says Carrick

MICHAEL Carrick has pleaded with Middlesbrough supporters to stick with them, as he insisted his side will continue to fight for a play-off spot until the very end.

Boro have been far too inconsistent since November and remain only six points off the topsix with a game in hand because other sides have not punished them, as opposed to anything Boro have done.

Their latest defeat to Bristol City on Saturday again highlighted the clear problems that have for too long seen them on the outside looking in.

The Riverside threatened to turn at the weekend as Boro fell two goals behind within 90 seconds, with huge boos ringing out around the ground as Dan Barlaser gave the ball away from the kick-off after the second goal. They were booed off again at halftime.

After a spirited second half that saw them create enough but once again lack that killer touch to earn a way back into the game, the boos at full-time weren’t as strong.

With 16 games to go this season, Boro are still in the Championship play-off race, but few Boro fans are feeling optimistic about their chances right now.

Asked what his message to those supporters would be, Carrick said: “We’re not giving up. There is loads to play for. We certainly won’t be letting anything drift away. We all feel a need to improve and we know results definitely need to improve.

“But I still see a lot of good in the way that we play, there are just certain things we feel we need to do to take the next step and turn that into better results. There’s no chance we’ll be giving up.

“I don’t know what the league table looks like right now as I sit here, to be completely honest. But whether you’re three points or nine points at this stage, anything can happen. With so long to go, anything can happen. We’re not judging that just yet.

“I’m disappointed don’t get me wrong. The boys are hurting and are disappointed too. We’re not taking it lightly by any stretch, but we’re certainly not disheartened.”

While Boro remain just about still in the race for the play-offs after their latest defeat, the week ahead could be very telling. Boro face two tough away games at ninth-placed Preston North End and then table-toppers Leicester City. Lose both and it’s hard to see a route back for them this season.