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  1. Carrick pleased to see Boro over 'sticky run'

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

    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."

  5. 'It's great to see Tony Mowbray back' - Carrick

    Michael Carrick and Tony Mowbray shaking handsRex Features

    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.

  9. Carrick urges Boro to reignite promotion push

    Boro boss Michael Carrick watching his side lose to PortsmouthRex Features

    Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has won one of his last six league games

    Michael Carrick insisted his Middlesbrough side need to "change the cycle" after losing 2-1 at relegation-threatened Portsmouth.

    Boro have won just one of their last six league outings and were nudged out of the play off places by West Brom following defeat at Fratton Park.

    Carrick said: "I'm bitterly disappointed with the result and the way we finished the game. We're hurting tonight and we have to change the cycle.

    "We put ourselves in a good position at a tough place to come and dealt with it for 50-odd minutes.

    "The second goal would have been important for us and this is the type of place there is always a moment.

    "We spoke about that at half-time and the first goal we conceded was an awful one for us.

    "It's a position we've been in recently where we've put ourselves in great positions but not got anything from it. We've got to change that pretty quickly."

  13. Latte Lath to feature against Pompey

    Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath battling with Blackburn Rovers defender Danny BatthRex Features

    Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath will make the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday despite being linked to MSL club Atlanta United.

    The US side have submitted a £16m bid for the Ivory Coast international. However, Boro boss Michael Carrick has confirmed that Latte Lath will be involved with Saturday's Championship match (15:00 GMT).

    Boro are also boosted by the return of midfielder Aidan Morris, keeper Seny Dieng and defender Luke Ayling, who are all back in training.

    While forward Tommy Conway won't be back in action, he "won't be out for too long", according to Carrick.

    However, defenders Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith have both suffered setbacks and are now doubts for the remainder of the season.

    You can listen to Carrick's full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

    Listen on BBC Sounds

  16. Boro play waiting game in search for missing spark

    Mark Drury
    BBC Radio Tees commentator

    Middlesbrough expert view graphic
    George Edmundson in action for MiddlesbroughRex Features

    George Edmundson has made 19 Championship starts in the heart of the Boro defence

    With half of January gone many Middlesbrough fans are looking for the club to kick-start a recruitment drive.

    Boro's flat performance in losing at home to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday has added to a sense of drift that has been developing in recent weeks.

    Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last six Championship games, but four of those have been draws. Two came against struggling sides Boro would expect to beat in Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City, while the 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day saw Michael Carrick's side surrender a 3-0 half-time lead.

    Boro want to do business this month and have a decision to make over Emmanuel Latte Lath who is the subject of an offer from MLS side Atlanta United which could total £20 million all told.

    Boro know there is Premier League interest in the striker but how long are they prepared to wait for offers to materialise? For Latte Lath's part, a move to the Premier League would be hard to turn down.

    Isaiah Jones joined fellow Championship side Luton Town last Friday and Liverpool loanee Ben Doak remains on Teesside despite offers for his services from Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace. Boro remain confident Doak is happy and wants to stay but have contingency plans in place.

    Boro's interest in Hull City defender Ryan Giles is part of a drive to reinvigorate the left-hand side of their attack.

    Michael Carrick is a big fan of the full-back who helped himself to 12 assists in Boro's play-off season two years ago. A deal has yet to be done though despite talks having taken place with the Tigers.

    They also want to sign George Edmundson to a permanent deal. The central defender has been a big hit at The Riverside in the first-half of his season-long loan deal.

    He's out of contract at Ipswich in the summer but the Tractor Boys are yet to give the green light to his move.

    In many ways the situation is the same as it was at the start of the month. If Latte Lath leaves, then expect Boro to reinvest that money around the rest of the squad. If he stays, business will be quieter.

    Whichever way things go in the next fortnight, Boro fans need to see some spark return to their play before the huge meeting with derby rivals Sunderland on 3 February.