Michael Carrick defends Middlesbrough tactics in Chelsea defeat

MICHAEL CARRICK has defended his decision to continue urging his players to play out from the back during last night’s 6-1 Carabao Cup thrashing at Chelsea.

Boro’s players were the architects of their own downfall during the first half at Stamford Bridge as a series of errors led to Chelsea claiming a four-goal lead at the interval.

A number of Boro’s mistakes were the result of defenders playing the ball into their midfielders despite Chelsea creating a large amount of pressure as they pressed high up the field.

Hayden Hackney ceded possession in the build-up to Chelsea’s third as he was unable to receive a pass from centre-half Matt Clarke, with Dan Barlaser losing the ball deep in his own half as Cole Palmer rolled home the Blues’ fourth goal shortly before the break.

With his side struggling to retain possession in their own half, Carrick could have instructed his players to look to go long in an attempt to bypass Chelsea’s press.

However, given his avowed determination to adopt and develop a possession-based playing style, the Boro boss feels it would have sent out the wrong message if he had betrayed his principles just because he was coming up against Premier League opposition.

Carrick said: “There is a balance, of course. Mistakes have happened and I’ll take full responsibility for that. But I want the boys to play a certain way, and that’s on me.

“Generally, we do that really well. There were moments in this game where we did it really well as well. But ultimately, of course, some goals came from mistakes.”

While Boro’s defeat was their heaviest under Carrick’s leadership, the head coach is confident his young players will nevertheless benefit from the experience in the long run.

He said: “We’ll be better for it. There are a lot of young players in that group. Feeling that intensity, showing real personality to keep showing and keep taking the ball, showing the belief and character to keep doing it, it’s not easy that.

“I’ve seen plenty of players run the other way when the heat is on. But the boys stuck at it and will definitely be better for going through that.”