For Norwich City defender Ben Gibson, games against his boyhood club Middlesbrough are always "strange".

In an ideal world for Gibson, this current Championship campaign would end with the Canaries topping the pile and Boro joining them in the automatic promotion places.

Before a ball was kicked this season, Gibson fully expected his former club to be up in the promotion mix. Obviously the opening months didn't go to plan for Boro but under Michael Carrick things are looking up and watching from afar Gibson has been impressed with the impact the new head coach, alongside Jonathan Woodgate, has made.

For all the Teessider has been delighted to see the club he still supports improve in recent weeks - with Boro now unbeaten in three - Gibson obviously puts Norwich's needs first as he prepares for this afternoon's meeting at Carrow Road.

"It is really strange coming up against Middlesbrough, I always have mixed emotions," he tells The Northern Echo.

"I have a job to do, I hope we win the game. We have our own ambitions. We've turned a corner and want to be fighting for the top positions in the league.

"But of course it's strange. I grew up a Middlesbrough fan, that never changes, I'll always be a Middlesbrough fan. I'm from the area, I grew up supporting the club, when I'm not playing for Norwich or supporting Norwich I still support Middlesbrough of course.

"In an ideal world we'd win the league and Boro would finish second."

Gibson, like Boro, endured a frustrating start to the season. A calf tear in the summer meant he was playing catch-up and with the Canaries bursting out of the blocks, the defender had to be patient as he looked to win back a place in the team. That patience was rewarded and he's now a regular once more, helping Dean Smith's side turn the corner. With just one defeat in their last five, Norwich are up to fourth ahead of the visit of Boro and just four points shy of the automatic promotion places.

He says: "I had to be patient at the start of the season. The lads went on a really good run, they went unbeaten in nine so obviously the manager didn't want to change the team, which is understandable.

"I want to be a manager one day and if you've won eight out of nine and a player knocks on your door and asks why he's not playing, the answer is easy. I've had to be patient and now thankfully I'm back in the team.

"I want to make sure I impress. I feel like we've turned the corner. We have really good players at this level. As long as we get the basics right, we have the players to hurt any team but this will be another big test because since Michael Carrick has taken over Middlesbrough have looked really good.

"It was a tough start to the season for Middlesbrough. I had them down as being right up there. I'm not sure why it didn't work with Chris Wilder but obviously the club made a change and are starting to see the benefits.

"Obviously Jonathan (Woodgate) is there who knows the club and staff. Whatever they're doing, it looks like it's getting a reaction."

Woodgate is someone Gibson knows well and the defender says the decision to bring the former manager back as first team coach was a shrewd one.

"First of all you can't question that wealth of experience," he says.

"He played for the biggest club in the world. We know how good he was as a player, how well he read the game, he never looked flustered. He can teach that.

"His personality is great. He's hilarious but is serious when he needs to be, he's an all-round top guy and the lads will respond to that.

"Dael (Fry) might be one who does need an arm around the shoulder, for example. Woody will tell him how it is but will also give him that. He'll be able to work on him like he did with me. When we were players together, he wasn't playing much under Karanka at the time, but he'd put together video clips for me. Clips of players like Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos and examples of front foot defending because that's how he thought I could become a better defender. He used to say you're great at this and that but I think you can improve on the front foot more.

"He'd show me clips. Then after my games we'd start analysing. That's what he was like as a player so you can imagine what he's like as a coach. It's a top appointment for Michael Carrick and the club."

Fry already looks to be benefiting from Carrick's appointment and the return of Woodgate, the centre-half excelling in recent games after a difficult start to the season when he lost his place in the side.

Gibson says: "Dael is not a young lad any more, he's a man of experience. He's had a good career. Will he want to kick on and be a Premier League player? Of course. Will he want to do it with Middlesbrough? Undoubtedly.

"There are always peaks and troughs along the way. That happens. The important thing is you do the basics and the cream always rises to the top. Dael is a top player and will be a top player for Michael Carrick."

Another one of Gibson's former teammates - and Norwich legend - Jonny Howson will make his 600th professional appearance today on his return to Carrow Road.

Gibson said: "It's testament to his professionalism. The game is getting quicker, games are coming thick and fast, it's so much more athletic than what it was 10 years ago. To do what he's doing is unbelievable from a physical standpoint.

"I dare say he's getting better. He's a really good lad, so unassuming, never too high or too low. I was in the dressing room with him for a year and a bit and he's great to have around, he's one of football's good guys. It's a fantastic achievement and watching him play I'm sure there's many more appearances still to come."

Gibson has done his homework on Boro, which has meant studying in-form striker Chuba Akpom, but priority number one for the defender and his teammates is focusing on themselves.

"First of all you have to play your own game, I have to give the best account of myself," he said.

"I do my due diligence. Chuba has been on fire. He's on a good run of form, it'll be a good challenge for us.

"We want to win the game, play well at home and keep building. It's up to me and the other boys to keep him quiet."