What we learned at Middlesbrough over the course of last week after four points were gained from a possible six
Large future decisions – Over the past seven days, Michael Carrick has been questioned about the futures of many players. The season is nearing its end, and the international break is quickly approaching. As one might anticipate, he took a very laid-back posture and gave very little away on the futures of Luke Ayling, Paddy McNair, Sam Greenwood, and Jonny Howson.
The players will have a well-earned break for much of this week before returning at the back end to prepare for the trip to Southampton, which comes on Good Friday, meaning 48 hours less than some breaks due to the need to travel to the South Coast the day before. While the international break offers a little break to potentially put extra time in the diary for planning for next season, actual discussions with players may be limited due to time restrictions.
After Howson’s impressive form following his injury return last week—which persisted into this week as Boro defeated Birmingham City and then drew with Blackburn Rovers—this feature was used to discuss Howson’s contract merit. Although Paddy McNair’s future appears less secure than Howson’s—a Boro exit this summer looks considerably more likely—he has also had a remarkable few weeks.
Regarding the loan players Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood, who both have the potential to join Boro from Leeds United this summer, each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of keeping them around for the duration of the season. Greenwood’s loan deal included a £1.5 million buyout option, while Ayling was available for free.
As the likelihood of Boro becoming a Championship team next season grows, we are approaching the point where preparations for the upcoming campaign will definitely pick up speed. With eight crucial games remaining, it’s unlikely that the players themselves need to be aware of the squad preparation, but Carrick, his coaching staff, Kieran Scott, Steve Gibson, and Neil Bausor most certainly will be.
Hopefully, Carrick’s assessment of Finn Azaz is correct. After the heartbreaking loss against his old team, Plymouth Argyle, Azaz has been forced to make do with brief appearances from the bench as Carrick has been playing a more stable lineup of late. Carrick was blunt in his admiration for the January signing, saying he was ‘convinced’ there was so much more to come from the offensive midfielder, despite the fact that this week he received his first call-up to the Ireland group.
But considering Marcus Forss’s early injury, Azaz was allowed more playing time versus Blackburn on Saturday, so it’s safe to say he tried to trick once more. Even while his brief tenure at Boro has included a few highlights, it’s safe to argue that we haven’t yet witnessed the caliber of play he has demonstrated over the last 18 months at Argyle.
Of course, there have been enough of examples in the recent past to remind us not to write players out too soon. Upon joining the club, several players found it difficult to adjust to the free-flowing, fluid attacking strategy, which is somewhat unusual and intentional. Relationships with teammates are crucial, and since he seems a little awkward among them right now, it suggests that his new teammates don’t quite have the same level of trust and understanding as he does. That is definitely something that has potential, so perhaps it will happen.
Goodbye Chris Mosley – Longtime head physio Chris Moseley shocked everyone by announcing that the Blackburn match would be his 1,012th and final for the team. Moseley has accepted an exciting new position and is leaving to become the head of medical for the New York Red Bulls.
Chris has worked with Boro for more than 20 years, leading the physio department when he was promoted by Tony Mowbray. He was a member of the Boro backroom crew that contributed to the club’s victories in the Carling Cup, UEFA Cup run, Premier League years, and Aitor Karanka’s promotion during his stellar tenure. He might be able to claim the title of longest-serving member of the EFL backroom team, however it’s difficult to confirm.
He’s had a busy end to his Teesside career, and although he probably would have preferred a quiet final season at the Riverside, he was needed on Saturday as well, having to tend to Forss during the Blackburn draw before having to relay to the bench that the Finn’s afternoon was drawing to an early close.
After the match, Carrick made the following statement: “Mose has provided amazing service for a very long time. Now that I’ve been working with him for almost eighteen months, his support has been great for me. However, given the club’s history and his current level of success, it’s evident that the answer is far longer.
“On behalf of me and the club, we wish him all the very best. A new chapter and new adventure for him and his family, so hopefully it goes well for him.” We here at the Gazette/Teesside Live wish Chris and his family all the best too.
Building from solid foundations – After keeping a first clean sheet since Christmas last week at QPR, Boro have built on that this week with another two against Birmingham and Blackburn. But, with struggles in attack in both of those games, the clean sheets were only good enough for four points.
Positive week for
Seny Dieng and the Boro defense picked up where they left off against QPR the week before, keeping two more clean sheets to extend their winning streak to three. Luke Ayling kept up his excellent play and added another assist to his total, doing everything in his power to earn a contract at the end of the current campaign. Many others will surely be keeping an eye on what he’s doing at Boro and decide he’s worth a shot this summer, even if Boro decides not to take him up.
In a way, Riley McGree would have also been happy to score his first league goal since September. His celebrations, true to his style, were somewhat disparaging of his previous side. And lastly, Finn Azaz is undoubtedly excited as he departs to join the Ireland team for the first time this week ahead of two friendlies, even though he hasn’t been able to make the impression he’d hoped to at Boro thus far.
