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Middlesbrough fans have been left bemused by comments made by Michael Carrick in his pre-Norwich City press conference.
Middlesbrough host Norwich City in a 3pm Championship kick-off on Saturday and really need to win.
After another disappointing showing against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, Boro blew a great chance to move into the top six when a number of teams around them dropped points.
Despite another missed opportunity, the Teessiders could still move ahead of Coventry City with a win this weekend.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  Bristol CityBristol City | 44 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 57 | 49 | 8 | 67 |
| 6 |  CoventryCoventry | 44 | 19 | 9 | 16 | 62 | 57 | 5 | 66 |
| 7 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 44 | 18 | 9 | 17 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 63 |
| 8 |  MillwallMillwall | 44 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 45 | 46 | -1 | 63 |
| 9 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 44 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 50 | 46 | 4 | 62 |
Middlesbrough are predicted to beat Norwich by one Championship pundit, though the mood around the club heading into the game isn’t great.
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Middlesbrough fans baffled by Michael Carrick play-off comments
Middlesbrough fans have given up on promotion already, and it’s easy to see why, given recent results and comments made by Michael Carrick this week.
Speaking to the media ahead of Norwich, Carrick was asked if missing out on the play-offs means 2024/25 has been a failure for Boro.
He responded: “I don’t think it’s unsuccessful, it’s what the league is,” and Middlesbrough fans have since taken to social media to respond to the comments.
One fan wrote: “Nah, he’s lost the plot!”
A second replied: “Just be honest, we’d respect you a lot more for being honest. Saying yeah it is failure! We’ve dropped points against teams we should be beating. It’s cost us this season.”
“That has to be one of the worst responses from a manager I have read. Nigel Pearson’s comment on an Ostrich spring to mind here. Mr Carrick’s head is in the sand. Playing the press and fans to believe it’s all part of the plan. We have underachieved,” another responded.
A fourth Middlesbrough fan added: “It’s all about progression for me and it appears that we are regressing. That’s not success in my book.”
While another claimed: “Given what publicly the club said was our target at the start of the season, I’d say missing out is failure.”
Another stated: “We are witnessing our manager completely losing the plot in real time.”
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Where Middlesbrough were predicted to finish in 2024/25
It’s easy to see why Middlesbrough fans aren’t best pleased with Carrick’s recent comments.
2023/24 was supposed to be a rebuilding year after losing a number of key players in the summer of 2023.
This season, however, the North East outfit were expected to be making a proper push for promotion.
Opta’s supercomputer even had the Teessiders finishing second in the table before a ball had been kicked in August.