Middlesbrough

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says the side's season "is still alive" despite a disappointing 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls had not won in six league games before defeating Boro however with both Coventry City and Bristol City also conceding a defeat, the loss has not left the Teesside club worse off on the table.

"In the end, it hasn't changed a lot of what the next two games are going to bring but certainly today, we could have won the game and everyone else could have won their games and we'd be in the same situation," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

"If we won the game, we'd be in a better situation. I'm not denying that.

"For our mindset, we've got to learn about managing our games better in the thick of it and managing the space on the pitch and being more compact as a team.

"Disappointed with today but the season is still alive."

Middlesbrough are currently in seventh place, three points adrift of Coventry in sixth.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick said that it was worth the wait as his side snatched an injury-time winner against bottom side Plymouth Argyle.

Boro looked set to drop two points further adrift in their quest to make the play-offs until Tommy Conway's 93rd-minute penalty kick.

Conway's 13th goal of the season was only the second time this campaign that the Teessiders have won a league game in injury time.

And it means they remain three points behind sixth-placed Coventry City with three games to go. They include a trip to the Sky Blues in the final game of the season on 3 May.

"The games are going to flip at times and the picture is going to change quite quickly, but I thought we deserved it," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

"We kept going - it's not easy when you have to break teams down all the time. I thought we created enough to score but it's worth the wait. The late ones are the best.

"Great composure from Tommy to take that penalty at the end under the circumstances and it's a big result for us.

"When you get to the end and there's a lot at stake, there are going to be moments and it's whether we can seize them really. Today was for Tommy really."

Three points off the play-offs meets three points off safety. Another Good Friday match-up with a plenty on the line for both Middlesbrough and Plymouth.

Boro know a win will keep them in the top-six debate, for Argyle the battle to save their tumultuous season gets more and more intense.

Here is the tale of the tape ahead of kick-off (15:00 BST).

• Middlesbrough have won two of their past nine league matches against Plymouth Argyle (D5 L2) and are winless in their last three (D2 L1).

• Plymouth Argyle have won on each of their past two league trips to Middlesbrough (1-0 in October 2009 and 2-0 in February 2024); they could win three in a row for the first time.

• Of the 51 teams to play 50+ English Football League games on Good Friday, Middlesbrough have the lowest win percentage (21.6%), winning just 11 of 51 games (D15 L25).

• Plymouth have alternated between victory (3) and defeat (3) in each of their past six league games on Good Friday, losing 2-1 away to Norwich last season.

• Only Sheffield Wednesday (21) have won more points from losing positions in the Championship than Plymouth (18), though just four of those points have come on the road.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough's play-off hopes suffered a setback in the 1-0 loss at Millwall on Saturday.

Former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison told the Red Alert podcast that boss Michael Carrick's inability to adapt their playing style in-game contributed to the defeat.

We asked for your views on whether Carrick is too predictable and if he is costing Boro a shot at promotion. Here's what you said:

Kenny: Carrick obviously lacks tactical savvy. He's clearly a reactive manager rather than proactive. He rarely, if ever, changes formation, making like for like substitutions. I think it would benefit him by getting a tactically astute assistant alongside him, other than the ineffective Woodgate, who clearly isn't up to the job. We are too predictable and slow with our play and opposition teams have very clearly worked us out and also know we have no pace or height up front.

Stu: Carrick is relatively new to management and is still learning. I would rather have a manager of Carrick's type than one who simply does the rounds, as we have had in the past. There is a lot more to come from Carrick and considering the player upheavals he has had to contend with, is one of the best new managers in the game.

Andy N: When we sold Latte Lath, we sold our only goalscorer. We didn't replace him and now we can't score any goals. I'm not sure where the mystery lies....

Luke: Carrick has to create a twinge of flexibility within the team. Usually however well we start, the opposition side is the one that improves at the end of the game. Never us.

Liam: Calm down everyone, we're still a top 30 team in England as we have been for the last 150 years more or less. Carrick is doing a decent job, we have a half-decent team but without Lath and Doak, we have no players who are above decent Championship level. When they were playing we were as good as anyone in the league. Once again Carrick doesn't get to have the same squad for a whole season and therefore has to adapt. Patience, endurance and belief. UTB.

Ian: He always plays the same style of football. Against teams who sit in we have no clue, no plan B. We are drifting along to miss out again. Too much sideways and backwards football for me. If we could shoot straight we could score a lot more. Carrick does not change things in games when it obviously isn't working. At times, the bench is better than what's on the pitch. So frustrating. We can pass teams off a pitch but can't win when we need to. He has brought us along to be a good side but I think he needs to go if we don't get in the play-offs.

Ben: Michael Carrick is one of our best managers in recent times. Financially, we're making profit on players who have developed under Carrick (Rogers, Akpom, Latte Lath), and the fundamentals in our style of play are some of the best in the country. While I appreciate we are an inconsistent side, which has been our downfall this season, there has still been glimpses of the quality we know the squad is capable of. Regardless of the outcome of this season, my confidence in Carrick's project remains the same, and I've got full confidence in him to deliver us the promotion we all desperately want.

Andy: Sadly, the Boro team are exhibiting the sanguine demeanour of its manager out on the pitch. Neil identified and exploited the soft underbelly and went for it. There's not much appetite for the fight amongst the players and their propensity to play conservative slow side-to-side football is costing us dear. Injuries have hobbled us no doubt, but the departure of Latte Lath hurt us badly and then the inexplicable decision to allow Clarke to leave when we were down to the bare bones in the centre-half department is unfathomable. I like Carrick but we actually seem to be going backwards under his management. I'd venture to say we have negligible if not no chance of getting to the play-offs and if we did by some miracle, the scope for embarrassment is definitely there.

Rob: We have to keep hold of MC. We've given him his first job in football and we should stand by him. UTB.

Image source, Getty Images

After a disappointing loss to Millwall saw Middlesbrough unable to jump into the top six, some fans have begun to lose faith that they will see the Teesside club in the play-offs in May - and they've also begun to question the head coach.

Boro were the dominant force in the first half but the Lions took the second half by storm after some tactical adjustments from boss Alex Neil.

When talking after the game, former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison told the Red Alert podcast that he thinks the game was lost in Middlesbrough's inability to adapt their game style to the hosts' changes.

"We all understand the way Michael Carrick wants Boro to play but you've also got to mix that identity up," Maddison said.

"Two games have gone by and the same thing has happened in terms of that first-half quality in the final third and then getting worked out in the second half."

Is boss Carrick too predictable and, if so, is it costing the side a chance at promotion?

Let us know your thoughts here.

"The word damaging will appear a lot in regards to this game because that's a really damaging defeat.

"I've never really trusted this team and I think today is another example of many, throughout the whole season, that indicates that. Just very disappointing."

BBC Radio Tees' Paul Addison is joined by former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison and fan Dana Malt to discuss a loss for Michael Carrick's side against Alex Neil's Millwall - but who's to blame?

Neil's tactical changes turned the tide in the second half, whereas Boro's steadfast game style could not adapt to the chess moves from the home dugout at The Den.

Is the issue mediocre performances from the players or inflexibility from the manager?

Includes post-match reaction from Carrick.

Listen to the full episode and more on the Red Alert podcast.

Millwall and Middlesbrough meet for a vital contest in the race for the Championship play-offs on Saturday afternoon (15:00 BST).

The Lions are three points behind seventh-placed Boro and five points off the top six after three wins from their past four games.

Boro have won five of their previous eight matches (D1 L2) and are two points behind Coventry City in sixth.

• Millwall have lost both of their previous two league games against Middlesbrough, never before losing three in a row against them.

• After their 1-0 win in December, Middlesbrough could complete their fourth league double over Millwall, after 1928-29, 1973-74, and 2014-15.

• Millwall have won both of their past two home league games, as many as their previous 10 beforehand (W2 D3 L5).

• Middlesbrough have won each of their past five league games against sides from London. Boro have never won six in a row against capital clubs across their EFL history.

• Millwall's Alex Neil has only won one of his five previous managerial home games against Middlesbrough in the Championship (D1 L3), although that was his most recent with Preston in December 2020.

"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 Features

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 Media

Middlesbrough 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."

Leeds United will look to end their run of three league draws with a victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday night (20:00 BST).

The 1-1 draw to relegation strugglers Luton Town on the weekend saw the Whites exit the automatic promotion spots, though they remain just two points away from regaining their spot at the top of the league.

However, they will need to secure victory against an in-form Boro if they are to get back into the top two.

The Teesside club is undefeated across their past four league matches (W3 D1) to find themselves in a play-off spot and will need a win to ensure they stay there, with Bristol City, Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion all primed to overtake them if they earn three points of their own.

• Middlesbrough have lost each of their last five Championship games against Leeds United, conceding 3+ goals in four of them.

• Leeds have won both of their last two away league games at Middlesbrough; only once before have they won three in a row against them on the road (2003 to 2012).

• Middlesbrough have won each of their last three home league games, last winning more in a row in March 2023 (run of 7).

• Leeds United have won seven of their last eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D1) since a 0-1 defeat at Millwall in November.

• Leeds' Daniel Farke has won eight of his nine league matches against Middlesbrough (D1), the most he has defeated any club in his English league career.

Adam Cottier
BBC Radio Five Live reporter

Image source, Rex Features

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.

Blackburn Rovers welcome Middlesbrough to Ewood Park for an important clash in the battle for a Championship play-off spot on Friday evening (20:00 BST).

Rovers have slipped to 11th and are five points off the top six following a six-game winless run (D1 L5).

Boro have won four of their previous six matches (D1 L1) to move level on points with West Bromwich Albion in sixth and would climb above Coventry in fifth with victory before the rest of the weekend's action.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost two of their past 19 league games against Middlesbrough (W8 D9) and are unbeaten in their past three (W2 D1).

• Middlesbrough lost their most recent league visit to Blackburn last season but haven't lost consecutive away games at Rovers since December 2006.

• Blackburn have lost each of their past four league games but haven't lost five in a row since February 2021 under Tony Mowbray.

• Middlesbrough have won four of their past six league matches (D1 L1), more than in their previous 15 games combined (W3 D5 L7).

• Middlesbrough are averaging 14.2 shots per Championship game this season (552 in 39 games), their highest average in a campaign since 2014-15 (14.3).

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough 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