Michael Carrick feels his Middlesbrough side are peaking at the ideal time after their 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday took them to within six points of the Championship’s play-off places.
The Teessiders’ season looked to effectively be over when they dropped to 14th after last month’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke, but they have embarked on a six-game unbeaten run that has reignited their promotion hopes.
They have closed to within six points of sixth-placed Norwich thanks to a comfortable victory over the Owls, which was achieved through a Michael Ihiekwe own goal and a deflected second-half strike from Isaiah Jones.
Carrick said: “There comes a point towards the end of the season where we are where we are, and you understand that and grasp it. You can then try to use that as a motivation.
“Five or six games ago, it was a case of getting back to basics and being solid and hard to beat. It was about trying to win games again, and we’ve done that.
“Southampton (a 1-1 draw on Good Friday) was a move in the right direction in terms of the football we want to play, and then today we’ve added to that again.
“I thought we looked a lot like the team we want to look like today, and I was pleased with that.
“Of course, we’ve got to keep trying to win games and see where that takes us, but the end of the season is getting closer now and while there’ll be swings week to week, I think you’ve got to embrace that at this stage.”
Carrick was especially pleased with his side’s defensive display despite the absence of a host of senior players that resulted in Jonny Howson having to play centre-back for the second game in a row.
Boro have conceded just one goal in their last five matches, with their improved defensive performances having played a major role in their unbeaten run.
Carrick said: “I think we’ve defended well as a team and pressed well. Different scenarios, different little tweaks of personnel, but I keep talking about the wavelengths and connections.
“Jonny has just shown his experience and his class. He’s stepped in and understood it straight away.
“I know he’s played there a few times, but I think he’s quite enjoyed that bit of a fresh challenge. You could see that, and I thought he was terrific again.”
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl pulled no punches as he bemoaned his side’s lacklustre showing as they slipped to 23rd in the table with just six more games to play.
“The supporters are high level, Premier League level, but from us, there was nothing,” Rohl said.
“I have showed my players one clip immediately after the game, and that clip showed everything that was wrong. If you lose the ball, then you have to work. If you play forward, then you have to push out. If the opponent moves right, you have to move right, but we were not moving right.
“We can speak about the shape, the players, everything, but it was simply not good enough. It was a big, big disappointment.
“If you are not doing the basics right, that is really disappointing.
“If you do not have the right attitude, it will be hard, and if the attitude is not right, it will be hard to take anything over the next six games.”
Semedo concerned about Wolves contract talksWolves defender Nelson Semedo is unsure about his future at Molineux.Semedo is off contract at the end of next month and talks over a new deal are yet to result in an agreement.The Express & Star says the fullback is unsure of his future and in the event no deal is struck, he has recorded a farewell message for fans.Wolves are keen for Semedo, 31, to...
Salah lays out Liverpool ambitions after collecting FWA awardLiverpool ace Mohamed Salah says he's as ambitious as ever after winning the Premier League title this season.Salah penned a new deal to 2027 last month, with the Egypt international also collecting the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award last night."It means a lot to win this award," said Salah, who also was voted by ...
SHOCKER: Man Utd choose to put up for sale EVERY player as finances hit desperate stateManchester United will consider offers for ALL senior players after a disastrous campaign.Missing out on European football has left a huge hole in their finances and the board has decided the solution needs to be a great sell-off of talent.The Mirror says United will listen to offers for every player - including...
Liverpool boss Slot details thoughts on Alexander-Arnold exit; responds to Deco's Diaz claimsLiverpool boss Arne Slot admits he's yet to decide if Trent Alexander-Arnold will play on Sunday against Crystal Palace.The match will mark a final game in a Reds shirt for the England fullback, who was jeered by home fans against Arsenal a fortnight ago after announcing he would be leaving at the end of t...
The list of high-profile players whose contracts expire in 2025 is pretty impressive and there are some big names whose futures are not yet resolved.Some are working on deals to find a new club behind the scenes, while others have agreed their next move before they have even finished playing for their current team.Here's a rundown of the most coveted players who are still available for nothing thi...
Guardiola delighted for Man City kids after PL2 triumphManchester City manager Pep Guardiola was delighted for their youngsters after they won the Premier League 2 final against Southampton on Thursday.City were winners of the regular season and also won the play-off final against Southampton.Guardiola reacted to the triumph, stating: "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the ...
Slot urges Liverpool fans to give Trent "reception he deserves"Liverpool boss Arne Slot hopes he can convince fans not to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold on Sunday.The final season clash with Crystal Palace will also mark Alexander-Arnold's last appearance in a Liverpool shirt. The fullback was jeered by fans at their last home match against Arsenal after announcing his departure this summer.Slot told ...
REVEALED: Postecoglou and Spurs players to earn massive UEL win bonusesTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou will receive a massive bonus after winning the Europa League title on Wednesday.Victory in the Bilbao final against Manchester United marked a first European title for Spurs since 1984.And with the win, Spurs manager Postecoglou will receive a huge 32m bonus from chairman Daniel Levy.Tottenham's ...
Semenyo: Bournemouth eager to finish the season as winnersBournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo says they want to finish the season with a winning flourish.While only a very slim chance of European qualification exists, Semenyo insists they can be overall proud of their season.He told the Daily Echo: “There was always a slight possibility, and we had an open mind."We knew that we had to come ...
La Liga giants interested in shock move for Jamie VardyJamie Vardy is reportedly being eyed by La Liga giants Valencia after he confirmed he will be leaving Leicester City at the end of the season.Vardy, 38, will leave Leicester once his contract with the club expires at the end of the season as arguably their greatest ever player.The striker has been a key figure for everything good that has happ...
- 1 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 2 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 3 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 4 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 5 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 6 Tottenham vs Manchester United Prediction 22 May 2025
- 7 Eberechi Eze is at it again as he helps Crystal Palace to victory against Wolves
- 8 Liverpool considering transfer swoop
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE