Last season, Michael Carrick surprised and impressed many by guiding Middlesbrough to the play-offs, producing some spectacular form and eye-catching football along the way.
Carrick, who enjoyed a fruitful career playing in the Premier League for teams like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, has so far failed to replicate such form in the 2023/24 EFL Championship season, with Boro sitting in 22nd place and yet to win in their opening four games.
This scout report and tactical analysis will highlight some of the key factors behind their lacklustre start to the season, with the Middlesbrough analysis looking to uncover whether there is an issue regarding Michael Carrick tactics or whether the problem lies elsewhere.
Michael Carrick Results At Middlesbrough
While Carricks side has experienced a poor start to the season, we must remember that we are only four games in, so we shouldnt expect Middlesbrough to undertake drastic changes, such as ditching their tactical set-up or even sacking Carrick – sacking a manager this early in the season would be madness.
The only point they have picked up so far this season came in a 1-1 draw at home to fellow slow starters Huddersfield Town – 11 days prior to that result, Boro beat Huddersfield away in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Their three other league games all ended in defeat, with losses to Millwall (1-0 at home), Coventry (3-0 away), and West Brom (4-2 away – Tommy Smith was sent off 51 minutes into the game).
Middlesbrough Defensive issues in midfield
So far, from four league games, Middlesbrough have shipped nine goals – only Rotherham have conceded more at this stage.
Their defensive record wasnt the best last season either – not for a team fighting for promotion anyway; it seems they have carried that habit into this season, and it is starting to cost them.
Some of their defensive issues arise in midfield, whether a poorly executed press, a passive mid-block, or small details such as marking and reacting to situations quickly.
We start with an example of Boro looking to execute a mid-block, but the positioning and organisation let them down.
You would expect a stronger shape, and perhaps one that is more compact, but at least you would expect opposition players in central areas to be marked and passing lines to be shut off – in this example, Boro did not manage to do so.
West Brom could easi
