With a laser focus, Carrick has one goal in mind today

MICHAEL Carrick promised he would bounce back quickly from the disappointment of Norwich City last weekend to fire his players up for a massive final game of the season.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

He looked a beaten man in the Riverside press room as he made that vow in the immediate aftermath of another disappointing missed opportunity from his Middlesbrough side in the race for the play offs. True to his word though, the Boro boss was upbeat and on the front foot as he sat down before the cameras for what he hopes won't be the final time this season.

With a smile and a genuine sense of fire in his belly, Carrick said: "It's one game, with everything at stake. It's all on the line, with everything to play for. We're fully focused and motivated, everything you'd expect at this time, when we've worked all season to have an opportunity towards the end.

“We've had all sorts of different feelings, ups and downs over recent weeks, but this is where we are. It’s a massive game, with the way it’s fallen and the situation.

“We're all massively looking forward to the game. As a group, as players and supporters travelling down there, we're all excited and looking forward to the game.

“We understand what we're up against, who they are and what the situation is for everybody. But for ourselves, that energy, connection and togetherness, we've got to bounce off each other and feed off each other.”