Michael Carrick has hinted that he will not be surprising his players with his tactical approach to Middlesbrough’s must-win game against Coventry City, telling them to thrive on the pressure of the big game and seize their opportunity.
Boro travels to CBS Arena on the penultimate day of the regular season, knowing they must win to have a shot of making the playoffs. If they want to finish in the top six of the final Championship table, they will still need at least two further results to go their way.
With so much at stake, the game has an understandable vibe of a big contest. Picked as the primary Sky Sports game, even Carrick couldn’t deny its significance, admitting it was perhaps one of the most important games of his time as Boro’s head coach. With that in mind, the Boro players are under pressure.
With so many grievances stemming from their inconsistency this season, as well as a history of faltering under duress, there is a natural lack of optimism among Boro fans. But their head coach knows a thing or two about playing in big games, and he intends to assist guide them to the correct mindset for the game. Regarding the tactical approach,
In a boisterous press conference ahead of the game, Carrick stated, “We need to cleanse our heads a little. When I say clear our minds, I mean that there are some things we know work for us and that we are good at, and we must strive to get the most out of ourselves. We understand what we can do and how we can play. So there’s that side of things.
“But in terms of outcomes and emotions, it’s quite apparent, and we’ll be as upbeat as possible going into one game. It’s exciting. What can be accomplished is the item that is dangling in front of us, which we must attempt to grasp. All of this means that regulating our emotions and the game as much as possible will be critical in such a one-time event.
“That is the ultimate balance when it comes to these kinds of games. If you want to do something and get someplace, you’ll have to work hard and make the most of your opportunities. You must adapt and adjust in order to successfully navigate the game.
“Emotion and feeling are natural, and they should accompany it because they have meaning. It’s how you deal with it. Falling back on what you know and trust, as well as what you know others will do, is absolutely beneficial. However, there will undoubtedly be occasions throughout the game when we will need to be adaptable.”
He went on to say, “A lot of it comes down to belief and the ability to deal with the emotions of the day. There will be a lot of it. It is possible that the game will go in a variety of ways. There is undoubtedly a tactical component and things we want to try. We know what we’re good at, and we want to try to put those skills into action to give ourselves the greatest chance possible.
“But it’s also about how you handle and deal with the emotional aspects of life. It’s about maintaining emotional control in the present. That is the beauty of it. It’s about the emotions, the atmosphere in the stadium, the stress, and the worry. That is elite sport, and that is where you want to be.
“Some people seize the chance before them and thrive on it, getting a buzz from it and looking forward to it. Others view it differently and are horrified by it. That is natural. All I can say is that we are quite excited to go down there. I’m sure the supporters will go down optimistic about what we can do when we’re at our best.
“The players have demonstrated their abilities in a variety of situations, and we are aware of the chance that lies ahead. That’s why we’re in the game, and why you support the team you do, because you like the highs. The downs are part of it, but you like the ups. There’s always the next opportunity that you need to be prepared for, and hopefully this is it for us.
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