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  1. Carrick pleased to see Boro over 'sticky run'published at 23:28 21 January

    Boro boss Michael Carrick had a big hug for the returning Tony MowbrayImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Boro boss Michael Carrick had a big hug for the returning Tony Mowbray

    Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick described his side's first win in four games as a "good step" in the right direction after beating Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at the Riverside.

    "When you have a sticky run, it's all about getting the win," he told BBC Radio Tees. "The fact that we kept a clean sheet too was great.

    "There's loads of football to be played this season. We hadn't felt any pressure. Why do we need to be 'glass half-empty' all the time?

    "It was an important win for us. We played some really good football. They were two fantastic goals - both of them, for different sort of reasons.

    "We had to defend a little deeper in the second half but we did it well. And we controlled it, against a really good team with good players.

    "First half we were very good with the ball. We controlled it for large bits, played some really good football and caused some problems playing through them, getting around the box.

    "There was a natural feeling maybe of the boys being desperate for a win and clean sheet. But I'm really pleased with a win, it's a good step for us.

    "Hayden Hackney's goal was probably a little bit too far out. It's something where you think 'maybe not!' Ben Doak's was terrific, probably a little bit more predictable in terms of the distance, But the way he came inside, I fancied him to shoot and take it on.

    "We definitely encourage the boys to express themselves. There's a part of their decision making and taking shots that percentage-wise gives you a better chance without just shooting from everywhere. It's getting that balance right."

  2. Pick of the stats: Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albionpublished at 11:26 21 January

    Side-by-side of Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion club badges

    Middlesbrough host West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday as they try to move above the visitors in the Championship table (19:45 GMT).

    Only the one goal difference separates the sides, with the West Midlands club currently in sixth spot.

    Neither club have won either of the past two league games, though a draw would be enough to take both into the play-off places if things do not go well for Blackburn Rovers and Watford elsewhere.

    • Middlesbrough have won each of their past two league games against West Brom 1-0, and will be looking to win three in succession against the Baggies for the first time since April 2005.

    • West Brom have won one of their past six away league games against Middlesbrough (W1 D2 L3), and could lose on successive such visits for the first time since a run of six losses between February 1991 and April 2005.

    • Middlesbrough are unbeaten in each of their past five home league games (W2 D3), though they have drawn each of their past three league matches at the Riverside Stadium.

    • West Brom have won one of their past 11 away league games (W1 D7 L3).

    • Middlesbrough's Ben Doak has been involved in six goals in his past seven league games at the Riverside Stadium (1 goal, 5 assists).

  3. 'It's great to see Tony Mowbray back' - Carrickpublished at 15:35 20 January

    Michael Carrick and Tony Mowbray shaking handsImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Michael Carrick and Tony Mowbray have met before while in charge of Middlesbrough and Sunderland respectively

    New West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray will have good knowledge of opponents Middlesbrough when they meet on Tuesday, according to head coach Michael Carrick.

    Former Middlesbrough defender and manager Mowbray took over at the Baggies last week after recovering from bowel cancer.

    "It's obviously been a challenging time for Tony and his family - he came to the ground and watched us so he's got a good idea of what we do, but it's been great to know he's been back," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

    "He was going to come and watch us train at some point but he never got around to doing that, and now he's got a fantastic job and it's a new chapter for him and health-wise it's all positive, so it'll be nice to see him again."

    Carrick said it could be "a number of weeks" before injured duo Riley McGree and Anfernee Dijksteel return, while on-loan midfielder Ben Doak and forward Emmanuel Latte Lath will be available despite rumours surrounding their futures.