Middlesbrough FC v West Bromwich Albion: Michael Carrick gives Ben Doak update
The Teessiders are outside the Championship play-off places on goal difference but have an opportunity to do something about it on Tuesday when the team one goal better off, Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion, are at the Riverside.
Boro are not showing play-off form, winning just two of their last 10 matches, but Carrick sees positives.
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Hide Ad"We need to change the cycle of being in really strong positions in games and not finishing the job off," he said.


"It's more doing what we're doing well for longer and seeing games out than anything else.
"You've got to react to different things in different ways. It's something we've spoken about. The good thing is we've been in many good positions in games recently.
"We can get down, we can get angry and there's times you've got to do that because it kicks onto the next part.
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Hide Ad"But we've got to see what's ahead of us, see it as a real opportunity and be excited by it and really go for it, bring in the emotion and the energy and create a really positive environment.


"We're certainly relying on the supporters for that, (but) it's up to us to bring that level of performance."
The game is Mowbray's first after returning to the Hawthorns for a second spell as manager. His former Boro assistant Mark Venus and midfielder James Morrison are on his coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Carrick has reassured supporters Boro will not be caught out if Liverpool choose to recall Ben Doak from his loan amidst talk of moves for a potential replacement. “There is a cut-off point," revealed Carrick. "It’s not to the end of the window with Ben, it’s not something that will run until then."
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Hide AdBoro are reportedly in talks with Plymouth Argyle over a bid for Morgan Whitaker, who can play in Doak's right-wing role or alongside him as a centre-forward.
Lazio showed an interest in Whittaker midway through his 20-goal 2023-24, but he has only scored four since. Boro are thought to be closer to a loan for Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers.
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