A Bump In The Road
"The one thing we lacked was that composure in front of goal."
Matty Nixon and Neil Maddison discuss Middlesbrough's 1-0 defeat by Leeds United at the Riverside Stadium and give their views on the best role for on-loan forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
The episode also includes a post-match interview with Boro boss Michael Carrick.
Listen to the full episode and more on the Red Alert podcast.
Image source, Rex FeaturesMiddlesbrough have to play both Millwall and Coventry away in their last five games
Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick insists it is still all to play for in the last five games despite his side's narrow loss to Leeds United.
The home defeat was only a second in eight games - a run which has pushed Boro firmly back into the play-off picture.
They remain sixth but victory for Coventry City at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday will see the Sky Blues reassume the final play-off spot.
But the performance in pushing Leeds so close offers Carrick encouragement ahead of the run-in, which includes tricky away games at play-off dark horses Millwall and Coventry on the final day.
"A lot of our play and the creating of opportunities was really, really good," he said.
"But it's that final action which is the difference. They found it and we didn't quite find it.
"But everyone is really disappointed we didn't take anything out of the game after how we played and particularly after the start we had.
"We were the team pushing and pushing and pushing, especially in the second half, but we couldn't quite take the chances and that's football.
"We're disappointed because it's the result, but that shows where we are as a team. But it can't derail us and it doesn't change the season in many ways because the season is alive."
Image source, PA MediaMiddlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to BBC Radio Tees ahead of Tuesday's vital Championship clash with Leeds United (20:00 BST).
Here are the main takeaways from his press conference:
The club are "still looking" at the injury Neto Borges suffered in the 2-0 win at Blackburn on Friday. "It looked like a really bad twist," Carrick said. "Unfortunate really, Neto's been fantastic for us. We will see how he is and how he can recover but it was a blow to lose him."
Centre-back Dael Fry has returned to training following a calf injury and is "back involved".
On Leeds' run of one win from six games (D4 L1): "It's similar to ourselves in many ways. It's a difficult league. You can have results and it doesn't necessarily mean there's an awful lot wrong. It's fine margins."
He added: "We're fully expecting their best version, we know what they're capable of. We will expect that and be ready for that. There's a lot at stake for both teams".
Carrick believes the fixture has "all the ingredients to be a good game of football". "The supporters will be up for it and all round, it makes for a really good night," he said.
"The game is based on emotion and the passion of winning and you've got to use that," he added. "That's the beauty of it. That's why we all love the game because it drives you mad at times but it's the feeling of trying to get hold of something and achieving something."
Adam Cottier
BBC Radio Five Live reporter
Image source, Rex FeaturesMichael Carrick has been in charge of Middlesbrough since October 2022
Middlesbrough will face more difficult assignments in the run-in than the one that transpired at Ewood Park on Friday night, but their return to form in recent weeks has been stark. Such momentum could give them edge in the play-off race.
When I last saw Middlesbrough, reporting for BBC Radio 5 Live in the middle of February, I witnessed a team short of guile, with vulnerability in defence and no control in midfield.
That was their 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United amid a five-match losing run.
Against a toothless and beleaguered Blackburn side, this time, they exposed the vulnerabilities of their opponents with a ruthless start, scoring two goals inside the first eight minutes.
They looked more streetwise, more confident and managed the game expertly.
There appears to be strong unity, too, between players, fans and a manager in Michael Carrick, who must take great credit for guiding his team back to form, two and a half years into a job he clearly loves doing.
Tommy Conway's exquisite touch and finish in the opening 80 seconds of the game was the highlight - he's steadily stepping into the boots vacated by Emmanuel Latte-Lath as an instinctive and reliable goalscorer.
A play-off place is in Boro's grasp, as they look to end their eight-year wait for another go in the Premier League, so long as they maintain such good mentality and strength.
Image source, Getty ImagesMiddlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says his side will not be distracted by the ongoing issues between the Blackburn Rovers supporters and their owners as they head to Ewood Park on Friday evening (20:00 BST).
Rovers fan groups have asked senior club officials to steer clear of Blackburn's remaining games this season amid discontent over the club's management.
Carrick acknowledges the tense atmosphere surrounding their opponents could affect the game but believes the side just need to have "tunnel vision" to find success.
"It's not really for us to get caught up in or almost think about too much.
"When you go away from home, most of the time it's about managing the atmosphere and trying to get up in the game or take control of the game.
"It's more about us and preparing for the game, training right, improving on last week and the game is going to take care of itself."
Boro will still be hampered with injuries, with much-needed defenders not ready to make the trip.
Dael Fry and George Edmundson are "getting there" but won't be ready for Friday, while Luke Ayling "isn't totally written off" but could be out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
Listen to the full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds
