MICHAEL CARRICK understands the increased anxiety around Middlesbrough’s current position in the bottom half of the Championship – but insists he has to remain calm in order to help turn things around.

Boro dropped to within six points of the relegation zone when they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City at the weekend, having won just one of their last seven league matches.

A season that was supposed to be building to the climax of a push for the play-offs instead threatens to turn into an unseemly scrap to avoid the drop into League One, with supporters growing increasingly concerned that Carrick and his players are sleepwalking their way into trouble.

The Boro boss insists that is not the case, claiming he is well aware of the increasing danger as the bottom three draws closer. However, with this evening’s home game with Norwich City offering an opportunity to lift some of the mounting pressure, he also maintains it is essential he keeps a level head and avoids any external chatter.

“I think results will take clubs on ups and downs all the time, so it’s not something that I didn’t understand before,” said Carrick. “It hasn’t changed the way I feel about the club or the supporters at all.

“Of course, I understand the supporters’ concern. I’ve been a supporter myself - I still am a supporter. I understand the situation and I understand we need to win games, but it can’t change the way we go about things, and it doesn’t change the way I feel about the players or the club. I just look forward to the next game.

“I’m not saying I know all the answers and that I’m perfect, by any stretch. But I think you’ve got to be who you are naturally. Some people, as characters, are a little more extreme in terms of highs and lows and that’s fine, you are who you are. Me, I find it more natural to be calm and my instinct tells me to be that way.

READ MORE:

“I don’t necessarily try to be that way, it’s just how I am. It helps me make better decisions and think clearer most of the time. You understand that football is full of ups and downs, so you have to manage it throughout the season.”

While Carrick accepts it is important to learn lessons from Boro’s bad patch, he also feels there is nothing to be gained from being too analytical.

The Teessiders have suffered from a chronic injury crisis in the last few months, but with Jonny Howson and Isaiah Jones the latest players to return to training, that is finally easing. They have also failed to take their chances in front of goal, and made a series of uncharacteristic mistakes at the back. Put those two things right, and Carrick is confident they will quickly be back on the right track.

“I think there is a big danger in that (over-thinking things),” he said. “You can overdo the analysis. There is a balance because, of course, you’ve got to address certain things and do something about it. That’s the magic in terms of how far you go with that and whether you get it right.

“But certainly, you can go overboard and get yourselves into a situation where you’re not thinking clearly and lose track of that. That’s the challenge. I fully believe we’re doing the right things, and the players are doing the right things, and we’ll be alright.”

And while confidence has understandably taken a hit in recent weeks, Carrick remains adamant there is more than enough spirit and belief within the squad to ride out the current rough patch.

“In all walks of life, everybody has good days and bad days,” he said. “When it comes to an elite performer, you’re expected to be at your best every single minute of every single game, but it can’t always be that. The very best find enough consistency, though, and I’m sure the boys will find a way.”

Middlesbrough (probable, 4-2-3-1): Dieng; Ayling, van den Berg, McNair, Engel; Howson, O’Brien; Forss, Azaz, McGree; Latte Lath.