Michael Carrick refused to panic after Middlesbrough fell to a 2-0 defeat at Hull City on the opening day of the Championship season, insisting that one result will not define the direction of his side's campaign. Speaking to reporters after the final whistle at the MKM Stadium, the Boro head coach was measured and composed, urging both supporters and players to keep perspective.
"One game doesn't change anything," Carrick said. "We know what we're building here and a single result — especially on the first day — doesn't alter that. I thought there were good things in our play and there were things we need to tighten up. That's the reality of football. We address it, move on, and come back stronger next week."
Hull were clinical on the day, taking their chances through first-half goals that put Middlesbrough on the back foot for long stretches of the second period. Carrick acknowledged his side struggled to create enough in the final third, but stopped short of placing blame on individuals, instead stressing the collective nature of what went wrong.
Middlesbrough will be looking to respond when they return to the Riverside next weekend. Carrick's track record at the club has earned him considerable goodwill — having guided Boro to the play-off semi-finals last season — and the belief in the dressing room remains strong. "The character in this group is not in doubt," he added. "We'll bounce back. That's the kind of team we are."
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