Carrick won't class play-off miss as Boro failure

Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough have been in a top six spot after 12 of 44 matchdays this season

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick admits it would be hard to class missing out on the play-offs as a failure from his side.

Boro sit seventh in the Championship with two matches remaining, three points outside the top six.

But they know that two victories would guarantee their spot, given that their last fixture is against Coventry City, the team in sixth and over whom they have a superior difference.

"We've shown we can be one of the better teams in the league and that gives expectation," said Carrick.

"Then at other times you don't have that consistency. That is you something you've got to live with.

"I don't think it's unsuccessful. It's what the league is."

Boro finished fourth in Carrick's first season two years ago, only to lose to Coventry in the play-off semi-finals.

Last year, they were eighth and four points adrift. Now they are one of six sides still competing for the last two play-off places.

The Boro boss is preferring to focus on three seasons of consistent work in a notoriously competitive division.

"History shows that over the last 15 years, it's difficult to get in the play-offs," he said. "We've done it three times.

"That is the challenge we face. It's tough to be there. We were close; we've been stable and consistent.

"Over the last two years, one was in, one we just missed and now we're still in with a big chance of getting in there."

Middlesbrough have lost three of their last four, including at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.

But defeats on the same day for Coventry and Bristol City meant no ground was lost and it's that reprieve which is fuelling belief ahead of Saturday's home game with Norwich City, who have Jack Wilshere in temporary charge.

"After the disappointment of losing but realising that it's still in our hands, that disappointment turns to motivation and excitement for what's possible," said Carrick.

"The boys have shown a real energy and positivity. Now there's something to look forward to, a clean slate.

"With what's ahead of us, it gives us that buzz, it's where we want to be."