Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick is adamant that his side are still firmly in the race for the play-offs following Wednesday night’s draw away at Hull City.
Having suffered a significant blip in form in February which ended in a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City at the beginning of March, Boro have since gone on an eight-game unbeaten run, putting themselves back in contention for a top-six finish.
“Maybe” – Carrick Opens Up On Middlesbrough Promotion Chances
However, a 2-2 draw away at the MKM Stadium last night has further hindered the Teesside club’s chances of replicating last season’s success of booking their place in the play-off semi-finals in May after a stuttering start to the campaign.
Top goalscorer Emmanuel Latte Lath opened the scoring for Middlesbrough inside the first five minutes of the game but the hosts responded just before the half-hour mark through Jaden Philogene. Unfortunately, for Carrick’s side, they fell behind just four minutes before the interval as Jean Michael Seri put Hull ahead.
Nevertheless, with the clock ticking closer towards the end, January signing Finn Azaz dinked Ryan Allsop from a few yards out to cap off a smooth counterattack, equalising for the visitors, which is where the scoring stopped as both teams shared the spoils.
This is clutch from @Boro topped off by Finn Azaz ⚡️
Those away limbs too 🫡 pic.twitter.com/730ltjQHJv
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) April 10, 2024
Despite pushing for a winner, Middlesbrough had to accept a point in the end, a result which leaves Carrick’s men six points off Norwich City in the final play-off place. Furthermore, Boro still have to play title-chasers Ipswich Town and Leeds United over the next fortnight.
Speaking after the game, when asked if his side were still in the play-off race, the former Manchester United midfielder gave a bullish response [quotes via Teesside Live]:
“You’re kidding aren’t you? Of course, we are. 100%. We’ve got to win our games, nothing has really changed from last night in terms of Norwich occupying that place. They took a point, we took a point. There are games to play and anything can happen in this league,” the 42-year-old said.
“There is no way we’re giving up on anything yet. It doesn’t matter who we play, we have to just embrace it. When you’re playing football to achieve something, that’s not pressure, it’s what we live for. We can’t see that as a negative,” Carrick continued.
“Of course we understand, we’re playing against teams really fighting for something a little bit above us, but we have our own things to go for and look forward to and be positive about. After the type of season we’ve been through, to be in it at this stage is exciting.”
Writer’s View
Carrick may be trying to rally his troops ahead of the last four matches of the season. However, with fixtures against Ipswich and Leeds coming up – two of the top three – this impressive unbeaten streak by Middlesbrough may just have come a few matches too late.
While Boro may not earn promotion this season, the side are still in a much steadier place going forward under Carrick. If the board manages to keep hold of their most talented players and their head coach beyond the summer, then getting promoted next season is a real possibility.
