Michael Carrick admits Middlesbrough have to improve from set-pieces

Boro crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Preston in Carrick’s first game as head coach, with the result meaning they are only out of the relegation places on goals scored.

Both of Preston’s goals came from set-pieces, with Emil Riis lashing home in the first half after the Boro defence failed to deal with a free-kick into the area and Jordan Storey heading home in stoppage time after an unmarked Liam Lindsay was able to nod another free-kick back across the face of goals.

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Dealing with set-pieces has been an issue all season, and while Carrick did not want to dwell too much on his side’s failings prior to his arrival, he accepts his players cannot afford to keep conceding goals from set-piece situations.

“What’s gone on before has gone on before really,” said the Boro boss. “It would be wrong of me to talk too much about, but obviously conceding two goals from set-pieces today hurts.

“We scored from one, so I guess it was maybe heading to be one-against-one and we probably would have taken that. But with the second one, we could see what was happening from the side.

“At that point, it’s happening that quick and you’re that far away, you can’t do anything about it. We kind of knew what they were trying to do, but we couldn’t do anything about it.

“That’s football – big moments and big times in games. We’ve got to flip them our way for sure, and sometimes it’s that mentality thing of really believing in what you’re doing. We’ll get there.”

Carrick felt there were positives from his side’s performance at Deepdale, particularly after he made some half-time tweaks in an attempt to secure more control of the game.

Ultimately, the defeat means Boro have still claimed just four wins all season, and while Carrick accepts results have to improve, he is not about to downbeat after just one game.

“Whatever the result, there’s always positives and negatives to take from any game,” he said. “As the game went on, I was happier with the way we were playing. We went ahead, but in some ways, that maybe changed the dynamics, with the players feeling, mentally, they had something to hold onto.

“They (Preston) played well in the first half, and caused some problems. We changed a few things at half-time, and I was happy with the second half. I wasn’t happy totally, but I was happier with the way we improved, seeing the boys play with a bit more belief and confidence. It was good to see.

“I said it at the start of the week, it’s going to be small steps, but I fancied us to go on and win the game. I certainly thought we’d score in the second half with the way we were building. So, obviously, to lose the game like that stings a bit.

“But at the same time, it’s one game, we’ve got understand. I always said it was never going to be a fairytale from the start. We still can’t settle for it though, we need to be better.”