Middlesbrough is undertaking an end-of-season evaluation to evaluate future direction and Michael Carrick’s future.
Middlesbrough chiefs have stated that they will take their time this summer to do a thorough analysis of the season and the direction required to move forward constructively, rather than making any snap decisions.
The discussions to assess where Boro went wrong this season, and, more importantly, what has to change to guarantee they’re better situated next season, will ultimately decide whether Michael Carrick stays in charge. As things are, it appears that the club prefers him to stay, but he will eventually need to be on board with whatever plans the hierarchy has in mind to change in the future.
With nothing off the table and open and honest discussions expected, it was made clear that the review was not about finding a scapegoat for the season’s failures in missing the play-offs, but rather about finding solutions. With that in mind, we look at five key issues that are likely to dominate the review.
Style of play/Plan B
Carrick’s play style is really effective when it works. Boro concluded the season as the Championship’s fourth highest scorers, and they appeared to be gaining up steam in the first half of the season after overcoming a slow start.
However, one of the most serious criticisms levelled at Carrick is that there were few changes in his style throughout the season, even after January, when changes in the attacking line-up meant Boro lost the majority of their pace and never looked as convincing in playing the way he wanted.
While Carrick has been quick to emphasise his belief in the players carrying out that style of play, the evidence on the pitch suggested otherwise, and his lack of a backup plan for when it didn’t work was irritating. Many opposing managers stated that they anticipated how Boro would set up and then devised efficient strategies to shut them down. In-game modifications were also beneficial against Boro’s sluggish reaction time.
This is likely to be brought up when the club’s key men meet to discuss plans for the coming season. Will Carrick be willing to be more tactically flexible, or will he remain sure that this is the correct approach?
Recruitment
As is always the case, recruitment will undoubtedly play a significant role in the evaluation of past season and preparing for the future. It is known that preparations are already in place for the areas they want to boost this summer, as well as top prospects for those jobs.
Signing the correct players is always critical for a club like Boro, which does not have the financial resources to compete with teams that receive parachute payments. It is expected that the style and attributes of the players they target, as well as the club’s recruitment method, will be a major element in the planning.
Coaching team
Boro lost Aaron Danks to Bayern Munich last summer, and Carrick replaced him with his brother Graeme. Graeme was poached from Newcastle United and has vast expertise, notably in coaching young players, having worked for the FA and in the Magpies’ academy.
However, it appears that Danks, whose fame is growing in Germany, has been a significant mistake. Though Woodgate, like Graeme, has extensive senior football coaching experience, Grant Leadbitter’s is confined to his time working under Carrick over the last two and a half years.
While there is no need to be concerned about what the four coaches are individually delivering, there are some questions about if there will be a need for some new, and possibly more experienced ideas this summer. Carrick has previously denied the claim that he needs more ‘grey hair’ on his coaching staff, but it’s difficult not to believe such a seasoned mind may aid with in-game judgements in particular.
Use of the Academy
Boro has long been proud of their academy, and since Carrick arrived, he has sought to give as many young players as possible opportunity, if not necessarily in the form of genuine playing time. With a difficult balance to strike between making appearances and the club’s lofty goals, opportunities have primarily come in the form of training and travelling with the squad.
While this gives young players a taste of life with the first team, they eventually struggle to advance. And this becomes troublesome for younger players if they do not see a road forward and begin to consider leaving for other opportunities. To Boro’s dismay, they’ve lost a handful of decent youth stars to bigger teams in recent years before they turn 17 and can legally contract them.
They’ve given first-team opportunities to midfielders Fin Cartwright and the Palmer twins before they turn 17, and bigger clubs are thought to be swarming. If Boro wants to keep more of its greatest young players at the club and out of the hands of the big boys, they may need to start providing more opportunities and demonstrating that a pathway exists.
The Injury Record
Boro could do with finding a means to improve their injury record, which has been above average despite the game’s overall upward trend over the last two seasons. It’s been especially noticeable this season, as key players such as Rav van den Berg, Darragh Lenihan, Riley McGree, and Ben Doak have missed significant portions of the campaign.
Last summer, the club conducted a thorough investigation of the injuries and made changes to the medical staff at Rockliffe, but the problem has yet to be resolved. Boro sources have stated that there are no issues about Carrick’s training techniques, but whatever the reason, Boro could really use a solution.
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