Clean sheets build confidence
BUT THERE’S STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, SAYS CARRICK
MICHAEL Carrick admits the recent tweak in formation has improved Middlesbrough’s defensive solidity after keeping three consecutive clean sheets – but he warns there is still much improvement to do on that front.
Boro have had problems at both ends of the pitch at times this season, though their vulnerability at the back has been a particular concern given how expansive their preferred style is. With many managers noting the opportunities Boro give away on the transition over the course of the season, only Norwich City and Preston North End in the top half of the Championship have conceded more than Carrick’s side this term.
But suffering a slump in form in 2024, Carrick looked for a remedy and found it initially in the victory over Norwich City by switching to a three-man defence with wing-backs. A win in that one was followed up by two more against QPR and Birmingham, with clean sheets coming in both of those games.
Carrick stuck with the same system from the start last time out against Blackburn Rovers but switched back to his fluid 4-2-3-1 after Marcus Forss’ early injury. Though they kept a third consecutive clean sheet in the game, they were unable to find a goal at the other end as they had to settle for a tenth point from the last 12 available.
Assessing the recent improvements in defence, Carrick said: “I wouldn’t say it was a particular focus. It’s a massive element to the game. It’s not just about how many goals you can score. But we haven’t exaggerated that over the last four games in comparison to what we have in the rest of the season.
“I think we’ve just found a bit of a formula, developed a better understanding and it’s all come together.
We need to keep getting better at that. Clean sheets definitely help. It’s something to build on and something we haven’t had enough of.
“We’ve found ways to win in different ways. We’ve tweaked the system a little bit and then tweaked it again last time out against Blackburn after Marcus went off but looked just as solid after the change than we had in the previous games. So there is a lot to build on with that.
“There is a lot of room for improvement at both ends, but the clean sheets give us the confidence and something to build on. If you can keep a clean sheet then you only need only goal to win a game, and we’ll take that.”