MICHAEL Carrick is close to knowing his Middlesbrough starting XI for Saturday’s Championship opener against Millwall, admitting the team he picked against Auxerre gave a strong indication of his plans.
That’s not to say the XI for the visit of the Lions this weekend will be identical to the team that started in the final friendly of the summer – with Carrick pointing out that players can still change his mind in training sessions this week – but he admits his thinking is now “pretty obvious” as Boro prepare for the big kick-off.
Boro are continuing their efforts to try and strengthen the squad this week, but Carrick’s focus is on the players currently at his disposal and although things can change in the final days building up to the opening weekend, the head coach is close to having a starting XI in mind.
He said: “Of course we have a good idea I think. It’s pretty obvious as we go through pre-season and you get a bit closer.
“We’re not now going to scrap the team and pick a whole different team for next week, that’s pretty obvious.
“I’m not saying that is the team by any stretch but it will be close to what we’ve always done and how we play and the style of play. It’s up to us to get the right balance.”
That doesn’t mean that players who didn’t start against Auxerre are out of contention to be in from the off against Millwall. Sammy Silvera made an impact from the bench, while Martin Payero, Isaiah Jones and Rav van den Berg were also introduced.
The head coach will continue to closely assess his players and options in every training session this week.
He said:Â “In every game and every training session there is a chance to impress and change the thinking.
“That’s part of being a professional footballer – working hard to try and get into the team, or trying to stay in the team. Obviously you’re judged on your performance and what you do out there – can you take your chance? Play to your strengths, that’s the constant challenge, not just today but all the time.”
One of the big selection calls for Carrick is whether to start Hayden Coulson at left-back or to go with Riley McGree after experimenting with the Australia international in that position in the second half against Auxerre.
Asked whether Coulson – the only senior recognised left-back on the club’s books as things stand – is in pole position to start, Carrick said: “I don’t think anyone is in pole position as such. We’ve got a good squad and we’ve got good options, so all positions are up for grabs.
“It’s about how the boys perform in training this week because we want to go into the game positive. So that’s always a decision that me and my staff have got to make, and hopefully we make the right one.”
