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Middlesbrough: Steve Gibson ‘willing to back’ Michael Carrick in January

Middlesbrough: Steve Gibson 'willing to back' Michael Carrick in January - Championship News

Middlesbrough owner and chairman Steve Gibson is ‘willing to back’ Michael Carrick in January, according to journalist Craig Johns.

The Lowdown: Mid-season training programme

The Championship side secured a huge 2-1 victory over Norwich City almost a fortnight ago which now sees them just four points outside the playoffs during the World Cup break.

The Wearside outfit have returned to Rockliffe as they begin a three-week training programme with a friendly against Hibernian scheduled for Saturday, though that hasn’t stopped the hierarchy from turning their attention to preparations for the upcoming winter transfer market.

The Latest: Johns’ comments

During a Q&A for TeessideLive, Johns was asked whether Middlesbrough are planning on strengthening their squad in the New Year, to which he replied:

“There have been one or two whispers that Steve Gibson will be willing to back Michael Carrick in January, which, to be fair, he does with every manager as much as he possibly can anyway.

“Carrick arrived having done plenty of homework around the squad he was inheriting and while opinions might change as certain players change his mind now he’s actually in, either positively or negatively, ultimately, a person of Carrick’s standards and drive would have wanted assurances on such backing before agreeing to join.

“January is always a difficult transfer window and the club’s strategy won’t and shouldn’t change in terms of being sustainable and seeking particular kinds of players to help move the club forward.

“In planning for January there will be an eye on the summer too, because inevitably more players always become available in the summer windows, with January seen as more of a topping-up window.

“As is often the case everywhere, I’d suspect there will be more loans in January, but we saw last year that, if the right deal is there as it was with Riley McGree, the club are prepared to make their move.”

The Verdict: Much-needed break

Middlesbrough are in a great position at this moment in time having gone four games unbeaten, but there’s no doubt that this break has come at the right time.

The players will be given the perfect opportunity to reset both mentally and physically, whilst the board can be working on any potential contract renewals or new signings behind-the-scenes.

Boro’s first game back will be at home vs Luton, and Carrick will be hoping that his boys can pick up three points to further reduce the deficit in the race for the top six.

Will Middlesbrough get promoted this season?

Yes

Yes

No

No
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