x

Carrick: Mixed Feelings - Ipswich Town News

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick had mixed feelings following his side’s 1-1 draw with the Blues at Portman Road.

The result all but ended the ninth-placed Teessiders’ hopes of making the play-offs with Norwich City in sixth eight points ahead of them with three to play.

"It’s a tough place to come and you can see they’re a really good team, confidence is high and they’re in a really good place,” Carrick reflected.

"Their record here is really good, so it was always going to be challenging to come here, which makes it probably a decent point in isolation,

"But, for us, we came here to win and we wanted to win, so it’s a bit of mixed feelings really overall. It could have been three points with the chances we had.

"I thought the boys did ever so well and put in a hell of an effort. On a normal day, we might see that as a good result, but there’s no hiding from what we need at this stage. We were close and possibly should have won it.”

Carrick, a close friend of Blues boss Kieran McKenna from their spells at Tottenham as players and on the staff at Manchester United together, added: "I thought we handled the occasion pretty well, got ourselves in front with a good goal and grew into the game. In the second half we were defensively better and had chances on the break.

"We’ve often come away to the teams at the top and done well. But there’s no hiding from the fact that there is a bit of disappointment that we haven’t won the game."

What to read next:

U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.