Middlesbrough are looking more like a side ready to play in the Premier League as they continue to grow under Manchester United legend Michael Carrick, who led the team to two victories and clean sheets in the Championship this week to be crowned The Deck’s Team of The Week.
Carrick has reached 100 games in management after taking charge of three matches as caretaker manager of The Red Devils in 2021 and his team are the latest Team of The Week winner, following Norwich City who picked up a big win over Watford before their draw with Leeds United.
Middlesbrough Continue to Impressive Defensively and Move Within a Point of Play-offs
Boro conceded 62 goals in the 2023/24 campaign and that was ultimately their undoing as they missed out on a place in the top six but they look better equipped this time around, having conceded just five goals in their opening eight fixtures. They also have the third-best expected goals-against tally, led by the impressive Matt Clarke.
The former Portsmouth defender was absent through injury as Middlesbrough beat Stoke City 2-0 and West Brom 1-0 to move up to seventh place. The team were unaffected, however, as they displayed their strength in depth at the back. Luke Ayling, a summer arrival from Leeds United, deputized in central defence against Stoke City and Rav van den Berg returned to the starting line-up to impress in the win over the Baggies.
Carrick likes his side to play on the front foot and they rank third for the most possession per game and are in the same position for expected goals. Still, they have the worst differential in that attacking metric in the Championship and will need to become more clinical in front of goal if they are to continue to climb the table.
Finn Azaz and Emmanuel Latte Lath have been culpable, scoring just one goal between them despite an xG of over five. The Ivory Coast international scored 16 goals in the Championship in 2023/24 and will need to improve his attacking output but with his side continuing to create chances, it is looking to be a productive season for Middlesbrough.
Upcoming Fixtures and Future Prospects
As alluded to above, Middlesbrough continue to progress under Carrick and have finished in 4th and 8th place under the 43-year-old. They reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup last season but can focus on the league after losing heavily to Stoke City in that competition at the end of August.
They travel to Watford next, who sit just a point and a place behind Boro heading into the weekend. This is in the final round of fixtures before the international break and if the previous meetings are anything to go by it should be a productive outing for Middlesbrough as Carrick’s team won both meetings last season, scoring six goals.
Vicarage Road was treated to a five-goal thriller in September 2023 with Riley McGree scoring a brace for the visitors. Watford are one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the Championship and this match should be one for the neutrals but with the Hornets inconsistent and off the back of a heavy defeat to Preston North End, the away fans should be expecting to pick up a result.
Middlesbrough have two home games to look forward to after the international break against Bristol City and Sheffield United. They have picked up eight points from four matches at the Riverside Stadium and will be looking to put a run together to close the gap on the top of the table.
The next step in this team’s development is to gain promotion to the Premier League and outside of the likes of Sheffield United and Burnley, Middlesbrough are in the mix based on their performances in the opening two months.