Carrick Issues “Unpredictable” Verdict As He Draws On West Ham Experience For Boro Playoff Battle

Carrick Issues “Unpredictable” Verdict As He Draws On West Ham Experience For Boro Playoff Battle

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick says he is preparing his squad for the “unpredictable” nature of the Championship playoffs.

The Manchester United legend has past experience of the end-of-the-season battle for promotion when he was a young player at West Ham and, although his team ended up losing in the final, he will draw on what he learned to help his players:

“Yeah, I’ve experienced the play-offs once before when I was a player at West Ham. We lost in the playoff final and I know it was a long time ago, but I feel I know what the playoffs bring. There is enough experience in the group as well, so it is what it is. There is no point making it any bigger or smaller than what it is.”

“It can be unpredictable at times, but we’ve got to be ready for that. And we should look forward to that because we’re playing well, we’ve got a good group. Hopefully we can get as many fit as we possibly can going into it and look forward to what’s ahead.”

As Carrick points out, the playoffs can be a bit of a rollercoaster but it is usually the teams who carry form into the semi-finals that usually do well.

Unfortunately, Boro lost to Luton last time out, with Carrick choosing to rest the likes of Chuba Akpom and Hayden Hackney, so the Teessiders will be keen to ensure that they finish the regular season on a high.

Middlesbrough take on Rotherham United on Monday before they face Coventry City in their final match at the Riverside Stadium a week later.