'Michael is a standout gentleman in the game ...

FRANK Lampard backed Michael Carrick to bounce back from the final-day disappointment of missing out on the play-offs, insisting he is both a gentleman and a good coach.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Lampard led his Coventry City side to a convincing 2-0 victory over Boro on Saturday at the CBS Arena.

It meant the Sky Blues pipped Boro to a place in the Championship play-offs this season, with Boro’s frustrating campaign coming to a rather meek but inevitable conclusion.

It's been a disappointing season for Boro, particularly in the context of their heavy investment in the squad with the aim of challenging for promotion in what was perceived to be a weaker field this term.

While the top two proved far and away better than the rest of the field, Boro had more than enough opportunities presented to them to at least finish in the top six.

But in finishing tenth on their second-lowest Championship points total in the last decade, Boro ultimately went backwards rather than forwards.

As that increases the pressure on Carrick and leaves questions over his future as head coach, Lampard made a context point as he backed his former West Ham and England team-mate to put things right.