Following Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw with promotion rivals Burnley on Friday night, Michael Carrick’s troops face up against another rival gunning for promotion in Daniel Farke’s Leeds United. After a slow start to the season, Middlesbrough now find themselves in the thick of things when it comes to the promotion and play off race. We had the pleasure of catching up with former Middlesbrough defender Gary Pallister to discuss all things Boro.
In this article:
- Carrick’s Boro play the best football in the Championship
- Doak is the Championship’s most dangerous player
Carrick’s Boro play the best football in the Championship
If reports are to be believed, a host of Premier League clubs are said to be eyeing Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick. Carrick is currently in his third season at the club and having steered Boro to the play offs during his first season at the club, he’s seeking to build another promotion push for the side this season. Former Boro defender Pallister has been nothing but impressed with the football he’s seen from Carrick’s outfit this season arguing they play the best football in the division.
“I think under Michael I’ve seen some of the best football I’ve seen a Middlesbrough team play. I know it’s the Championship and would be harder to replicate in the Prem, but in his first few months when they got to the playoffs I thought the football was amazing.
“The football player was the kind of football you would happily pay to go and watch. It’s attractive and they have freedom.
“I think in his second year I don’t think the club got business done quick enough. They lost Chuba Akpom and the guys on loan from Villa like Morgan Rogers and Cameron Archer. The second season wasn’t so clever. This season they’re playing the best football in the Championship.”
After a slow start to the season, Boro now find themselves fifth and in the play off positions as things stand. Tonight, they take on Daniel Farke’s Leeds side, where a win could take them within four points away from second placed Leeds which is a testament to the work Carrick has done on Teeside when you compare the budgets of Boro to sides such as Burnley, Leeds and Sheffield United.
As well as being linked with the potential vacancies at West Ham and Tottenham, there was even talk of Carrick being in the hunt for the United job prior to the hiring of Ruben Amorim. All of which doesn’t come as a surprise to Pallister.
“Somehow they’re finding ways to lose games because they’ve already lost six but again the football is attractive and you can see there’s an expression in the team which is the way Michael played his football. Cool, calm and collected. Very assured. I think the fans are enjoying it.
“They were throwing away points which put themselves up against it to begin with but they’re back in the play offs and could get themselves in and amongst the top two with a good run of form.
“Michael is great. I’ve seen him linked with West Ham and Tottenham. His style of football is great and he’s got a connection with those clubs. He’s a very calm, intelligent character. There was talk of him having a sniff at the United job. It doesn’t surprise me.”
Doak is the Championship’s most dangerous player
Part of the upturn in form for Middlesbrough this season has been the fine performances of Scottish international Ben Doak, who is enjoying a fine start to his loan at the Riverside, scoring once and assisting another five in 14 Championship appearances. Doak is on loan at Boro until the end of the season and has already made a name for himself in the division as one of the most potent attackers. Boro fans have shared some concerns that Liverpool may choose to recall the winger during the January window. Pallister is a huge fan of the young winger and argues he’s the most threatening player in the Championship.
“I like everything about him. He’s tenacious, he can drive inside and out with the ball. He asks questions of the defenders. He’s not afraid! He’ll get whacked and get back up and he’s got a bit of devilment in him. He’s a real threat.
“Liverpool can call him back in the new year which has me a little concerned because he’s making a real difference to Middlesbrough. He’s probably the most threatening player in the division at the moment.”
