Carrick on Middlesbrough’s ‘calculated risk’ against QPR & star who ‘showed class’

Michael Carrick insists Middlesbrough still have a “great chance” of achieving a play-off place after watching a Jonny Howson-inspired display deliver a much-needed win at the Riverside.

Boro moved back to within three points of a play-off spot after beating Queens Park Rangers 2-1.

In-form Coventry’s defeat at Derby County coupled with draws for West Brom and Bristol City at Burnley and Sheffield United, respectively, meant the five point gap to sixth was reduced to three.

Now Carrick wants to see that resurgence continue at Luton Town this Saturday.

He said: “They are still there (the play-off places). We have to keep that opportunity alive, it’s so close and Saturday is another important game.

“We will be saying that until the end of the season. There is probably going to be more twists and turns, we have to keep plugging away, but we have a great chance, and we have to see what happens.”

Middlesbrough secured a two-goal advantage before the hour when Tommy Conway’s 11th minute opener was followed by Anfernee Dijksteel’s fine solo finish.

Even though QPR battled back to score through Steve Cook with ten minutes remaining, Middlesbrough survived a late scare to claim three points.

That scare was when the Hoops goalkeeper Paul Nardi headed into the arms of opposite number Mark Travers deep into stoppage-time and that meant Boro had the three points they desperately wanted.

Carrick said: “I liked the last ten minutes, now we have won it. The way the boys handled it, there wasn’t much drama, I know they had the one in the added time at the end of the added time, but the throw in shouldn’t have been a throw in at that stage.

“Until then we had been pretty stable and with Jonny’s experience, having that around, there, gives you that composure. As a group the boys played their part, had an impact to see the game out.

“It’s understandable that there would have been some nerves around but the lads showed a real steeliness and togetherness. There was a real determination and I have felt that over the last couple of days.”

Howson deserved praise. The 36-year-old midfielder, who had not started a game since December 21 because of a calf injury, put himself forward to play at the heart of the defence because Carrick didn’t have a fit and recognised centre-back.

Carrick said: “Jonny should never have played tonight to be honest. It was a massive, calculated gamble, he hasn’t trained one day for us really and he has been out for so long.

“He’s technically not fit, he’s shown his class. Even for him to be on the pitch it sums him up, in terms of his attitude and he has put himself forward, he was willing to take that risk to do whatever it took. You can’t buy that in players, he is a great example to everyone.

“We all knew the risk. He was totally committed and he wanted to play. To be able to do that at the level he did is not something you can turn on and off, that’s just how he has lived his life, his career. To be able to do that at the age he is at sums him up really. I couldn’t have asked more from him.”

It was only the second time Middlesbrough have won back-to-back home league games this season – and achieved despite that defensive injury crisis.

And alongside Howson, Carrick believes full-back Neto Borges also deserved enormous praise for his display at the heart of the defence.

Carrick, who had to name his 19th different defensive line-up of the season in the league, said: “We finished the game pretty strongly at Swansea and wanted to go with the same team. Neto was arguably our best player in recent games considering he has been playing centre-back, his approach has been top class.

“We are pleased with the result. I thought we could have been more in front especially first half, played good football and if we had more care would have had more chances.

“We defended well as a team, didn’t give them an awful lot as a team. It was important to bounce back and the boys were good. It was a good reaction.”