MICHAEL CARRICK was delighted to see Emmanuel Latte Lath break clear to score in Middlesbrough’s 2-0 win at Bradford City last night – because it proved that the Ivorian’s team-mates are learning how to play to his strengths.

Latte Lath broke the deadlock in the 21st minute at Valley Parade as he raced on to Hayden Hackney’s through ball and fired a low strike past Bantams goalkeeper Harry Lewis.

It was the striker’s second goal in a Boro shirt, and came after he had been recalled to the starting line-up in place of Josh Coburn.

Latte Lath has missed a number of chances since joining Boro from Italian side Atalanta, but Carrick is delighted to be seeing signs of a productive link-up with those around him beginning to form.

The Boro boss said: “Manu is a real handful. He’ll be the first to say that he’s expected to score more goals, that’s fine, but his movement has been really good and he’ll keep getting chances.

“He’ll score goals that way, and he’ll create chances for himself as well because he’s a real handful for opposition defences. I thought his movement and his general play tonight caused them a lot of problems.

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“We found him as well, which is important. We understood his movement, and I’ve talked about the importance of the players being on the same wavelength.

“We’re building connections, and I think we’re learning what he likes, and what the other players like, and playing to each other’s strengths. That’s really important, and it’s starting to come. I can see that clicking, and that’s good.”

Carrick was also delighted to see another of Boro’s summer signings, Morgan Rogers, also on the scoresheet at Valley Parade.

Like Latte Lath, Rogers has not had the easiest of starts to his Boro career since moving from Manchester City in the summer, but the youngster produced a composed finish to convert Riley McGree’s low cross at the start of the second half.

Carrick said: “Goals are always important. I thought Morgan’s goal was a carbon copy of the Bolton game actually, with Riley’s pass. I can’t really take any credit for that because we’ve not really worked on it in training.

“It was good link-up play between the two of them, and I’m delighted for Morgan. He’s worked hard. He’s been in the team, he’s been out of the team a bit, and we’ll look after him and help him get better.

“He’s a real talent, and he’s a good character as well. I’m delighted for him. Everyone needs a bit of success, and a bit of a boost, and he definitely got that tonight.”