Former Middlesbrough midfielder Ray Parlour believes Michael Carrick has learned lessons from last season.
Boro had a torrid start to the 2023/24 season, losing three of their opening four matches, which heaped pressure on the former Manchester United midfielder. Steve Gibson, the Boro chairman, kept faith with his appointment and saw their fortunes turn around, resulting in a (failed) play-off push.
This season, things look better on Teesside, with a strong start that has seen them win two of their four matches, collecting seven points from a possible 12. That’s sparked belief they could mount a promotion challenge this season, and Parlour believes that is because they gave their manager time last season.
“I agree with giving Michael Carrick time to turn things around at Boro after missing the playoffs last season,” said Parlour, speaking to On The Terraces. “Carrick is a good coach and I don’t see too many others that have his background and credentials in football.”
Despite their good start, Parlour feels they need to keep picking up wins to stay in contention, but given last season’s lessons, Carrick is the right man to oversee that.
“Boro do need to pick up some wins now to get themselves in them mix for a promotion push. But also, the football on the pitch needs to be good as well as if results don’t come now, but the football is good, you can see the results coming.
“With so many games, it’s so important to pick up wins regularly to stay in the mix and now fall away. If you want too much to do after Xmas, then it can be a struggle.
“So I think Carrick can learn from last season and ensure Boro are well in the mix.”
Boro have a week off for the international break, followed by a game against struggling Preston North End. After that, there’s a huge north-east clash with promotion pacesetters Sunderland, which could be a real barometer of Boro’s play-off credentials.
Parlour made his name playing for Arsenal and England around the turn of the century. After leaving North London, he moved to Boro, but had an injury-hit spell there, playing 46 times, before winding down his career with Hull City.
Writer’s View
Boro have made a decent start to the season, and hanging on the Latte Lath was a real statement of intent by Gibson and Carrick. They’re a Premier League club in waiting, but the wait has gone on for a few seasons now – the last time they had back-to-back seasons in the top flight, Parlour was playing for them.
However, in six of the last seven seasons, they’ve finished top ten or higher in the Championship, making the play-offs twice. That’s a team on the cusp of promotion, a side that feels ready to make the step up. Carrick did well to save last season and mount a promotion push, and with a better start this time out, only a fool would bet against a top-six spot.
Top two? That might be a push, but if it is the ambition, then beating Sunderland in a couple of weeks is a must.
Be the first to comment