ULTIMATELY, it was results that cost Michael Carrick his job as Middlesbrough head coach. But any assessment of the problems that became increasingly apparent during Carrick’s Teesside reign would also have to focus on the failings in the Boro boss’ preferred style of play.
Carrick’s Boro was predictable. They were sluggish. They took a dozen passes when one could have been more effective. They valued possession for its own sake, even if holding on to the ball resulted in nothing. They lacked the dynamism required to influence the outcome of a game.
Words might be simple to come up with. However, compare Carrick’s tactics to the method Rob Edwards hopes to follow as Boro head coach. If Edwards’ instructions are followed, the Teessiders might be a very different proposition next season.
“I want to ask players to do what they’re good at and what they’re comfortable doing,” stated the new Boro manager when questioned about his managerial outlook after his hiring was revealed yesterday. “That’s not to say we won’t stretch and test them; of course we will.
“But I want my teams to be bold and take the initiative. I want us to play bravely. I want control – preferably complete control, but as far away from our goal as feasible. Action. That is what I desire.
Edwards also wants something that is synonymous with Teesside: Steel. Another quality that was lacking in Carrick’s Boro team for much of last season.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t a very talented player,” he recalled. “So, I needed to have a lot of steel. I didn’t have much substance, regrettably. As a result, steel plays an important role in my interests.
“Our team, you must have that. I don’t want to limit it to just this area. That is something that everyone wants to see from their football players and teammates.
“I don’t believe I ask anything unusual or unreasonable. Play with passion, heart, fight, and spirit. You can go a long way with just that, especially if you are structured and have a strong plan.
“I don’t know a fanbase that wouldn’t want to see someone play with passion and emotion, work hard, and win duels. Blocking crosses, racing forward, bringing crosses and bodies into the box. Tackling, action, and passionate play. Of course, you must maintain control of your emotions while also playing tactically.”
Edwards’ Luton side showed plenty of heart and passion when they were promoted to the Premier League against the odds three seasons ago, but the 42-year-old insists it is incorrect to describe his Hatters team as a purely direct outfit that outmuscled their opponents while benefiting from the hostile atmosphere created at Kenilworth Road.
In the Premier League, Luton changed their strategy, becoming more of a counter-attacking team that was not hesitant to hold on to the ball when the opportunity presented itself.
“I’m at Middlesbrough now and I don’t to reflect too much about Luton, but I think everyone will have an opinion on Luton and the team we were,” Edwards told the crowd. “What I would say is that we were one team that was promoted and then a completely different team in the Premier League.”
“For example, Ross [Barkley] and Sambi [Lokongo] provided us with excellent midfield play. We had 60% possession versus Manchester United and 22 shots. We were all okay.
“I believe that when we were promoted at Luton, we were a very effective team that made good use of the individuals’ strengths. However, we evolved and transformed via recruitment and adaptation to the Premier League’s challenges.
“We believed we were an entertaining squad to watch, even if we didn’t win every week. We were scoring a lot of goals and playing against some big clubs, despite the fact that we were quite little.
“I’m proud of how we’ve grown and adapted to the Premier League. Things had to alter after being relegated, which was difficult. But I want my team to play with excitement and emotion.”
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