Former Leyton Orient midfielder Jobi McAnuff has urged Middlesbrough to stick by Michael Carrick for the time being.
The 43-year-old is under growing pressure at the Riverside Stadium after a run of five consecutive defeats. The latest came at the hands of Bristol City on Friday night when the Robins recovered from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory.
Losses against the likes of Watford, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Preston North End has seen Boro tumble down the table ahead of their trip to Stoke City tomorrow night. They will enter the pitch at the bet365 Stadium in 13th, their lowest position of the season, and seven points off the play-off places.
This has seen speculation mount that Carrick is on borrowed time, despite committing his future to the Teesside club last summer until 2027.
“Give Him Time”
Another defeat tomorrow night will see the pressure on Carrick step up a notch, although EFL pundit McAnuff believes the Middlesbrough hierarchy shouldn’t make any rash decisions. Speaking on the BBC’s Football Daily 72+: The EFL Podcast, he said:
“I don’t think there will be any value in getting rid of Michael Carrick. They have had a couple of tough games of late, against Sheffield United and Sunderland. In the Sunderland game they were fantastic for 30 minutes and should have put the game to bed.
“But under Michael Carrick there has always been an inconsistency – not just from game to game – but actually in the 90 minutes itself. And it’s been a really poor run, losing to Preston and Portsmouth away, and Watford.
“If you want to get in the play-offs these are games you have to win. There’s no two ways about that so I understand the pressure and the speculation but you have to give him time. I thought they would have a really good season this time out. They had a positive end to last season after a difficult start.
“I think if they don’t finish in the play offs it will be a really disappointing season, but he has to be given the opportunity to get them in the play-offs – and potentially get them promoted that way.”
Writer’s View
The Championship is a division which can change in the blink of an eye, which is exactly what Middlesbrough are experiencing right now. Having spent the majority of the season in and around the play-off places, they now find themselves in a precarious position and failure to win tomorrow night will see them fail to take advantage of their game in hand. However, a victory could see them move as high as 10th and back to within four points of the top six. It is arguably Boro’s biggest game of the season so far.
