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Michael Carrick’s most-used Middlesbrough players, and what that might tell us about summer plans
Middlesbrough have plans to strengthen their playing squad this summer, with head coach Michael Carrick previously discussing the need to evolve in football.
But he was also keen to express his belief and gratitude in his players as the season drew to a disappointing close, insisting that he happy and proud to put his name to that team, when it was suggested the upcoming transfer window would be an opportunity to put his own stamp on the team.
That vote of confidence was genuine, but it won’t stop the club looking to make improvements to help them try to realise their ambition in getting back to the Premier League. And with that in mind, might the number of minutes played by each player under Carrick offer hints as to what the summer plans could be in terms of areas to strengthen and players who might leave?
In order, here are the players who played the most minutes for Boro last season from Carrick’s first game in charge at Preston North End, including the FA Cup defeat at Brighton and the two play-off semi-final games against Coventry City.
A helpful yardstick for the rest of the list because Steffen’s 2,970 minutes are every minute of the 33 games that Carrick has had in charge of Boro. It proves how important he was, and how key it is he is adequately replaced this summer, be that internally or externally.
(Image: Paul Thompson/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)A couple of late substitutions aside, the only game Akpom missed was the late league game against Luton when he was rested as play-offs were already confirmed. The star man, keeping him this summer, amid Premier League interest, would be huge.
(Image: Nigel Roddis/News Images)The Wolves loanee missed one game through injury and otherwise started every other game, highlighting his importance to Carrick. It would be a real bonus to get him back, but if not a replacement must be sought.
(Image: Richard Lee/REX/Shutterstock)Overcoming a difficult start to life at the club, Lenihan became Carrick’s most relied-upon defender and his leader at the back. It says it all that he wore the armband whenever Jonny Howson missed out.
(Image: Nigel Roddis/News Images)Despite competition from Dijskteel, Smith established himself as Carrick’s first-choice right-back and played whenever he was available. Rewarded with a new two-year contract.
(Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)It’s to Hackney’s credit that, despite his young age, he played so much under Carrick. And even as the season wore on and the stakes grew higher, there was never any sign of the pressure getting to the midfielder. A bright future ahead.
Despite turning 35 just not long after the season’s end, Howson remained such an important player for Boro and earned a 12-month contract extension. His absence during the play-offs was certainly felt and highlights why surely the club will hope to find a long-term replacement for him this summer.
(Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images)After a tough start to the season, McGree changed roles under Carrick in what initially felt like a bit of a stop-gap given the squad wasn’t blessed with natural wingers due to previous boss Chris Wilder not using them. But McGree excelled so much in the free-roaming forward role that it became his position effectively.
(Image: Leila Coker/REX/Shutterstock)Initially considered off the standard of the first-team when first arriving from Brentford, the Finnish international made an immediate positive impression on Carrick from the bench at Preston. He became an important player thereafter, excelling particularly since moved out wide and impressively finishing the season with ten goals.
(Image: Craig Thomas/News Images)It says everything about his impact that, despite only joining in January he still racked up over 1,000 minutes for Boro. Such a brilliant signing, albeit sadly only on loan, his introduction absolutely transformed Boro’s attack. He will have to be replaced this summer if another loan move isn’t an option.
(Image: Paul Thompson/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)McNair didn’t play a competitive minute of football under Carrick until January 2, but that he went on to play more minutes than Fry is very interesting. Granted Fry had some injury troubles in the second half of the season, but there were plenty of games where the Boro boss had both in his squad available but went with the Northern Irishman to start.
(Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)As noted above, Fry’s injury troubles in the new year didn’t help his amount of minutes overall under Carrick after he started every game under Carrick up to the Sunderland defeat in which he was sent off in. After that, he started just three of the 12 games he was in the squad for.
(Image: Steve Flynn/News Images)It turned into a really tough campaign for last season’s breakout star as he alluded to problems off the pitch as well as on it, where his confidence clearly took a big hit. Reports suggest he’s keen to stay at Boro and remains a part of Carrick’s plans for next season though. A big summer lies ahead and if he can rediscover his form of last season, the Boro head coach will know he has a game-changer in his ranks.
(Image: Nigel Roddis/News Images)It’s been an interesting period for the much-loved Crooks under Carrick. Rarely a starter, Crooks was used as a backup striker throughout Carrick’s time at the club, and popped up with a few big goals as well. With 12 months remaining on his contract and being a player you can imagine wouldn’t be hard to find interest for, it will be interesting to see what Boro decide on Crooks’ future this summer.
(Image: Ben Early/News Images)Injuries limited Ramsey to just 11 appearances unfortunately, which is a real shame because the forward showed so much promise in the minutes he did play, netting five goals and adding one assist. If Villa offered Boro the chance to have him back for the year, they’d surely take them up on it.
(Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)The form of Howson and Hackney meant that Mowatt didn’t get much chance to shine. But he proved himself a worthy squad player when needed in the final months of the season, with an excellent display in the first leg of the play-offs. His exit leaves a gap in Boro’s midfield that does need filling this summer.
(Image: James Heaton/News Images)The January arrival has had to be patient for much the same reasons as noted above with Mowatt. But Barlaser would have still hoped to have played more and that speaks of the fact that, while there were some flashes of quality, he wasn’t able to make quite the same immediate impression as Archer and Ramsey. Signed with the long-term in mind though, it’s an important summer ahead to establish himself and get up to speed.
(Image: Nigel Roddis/News Images)Limited to so few minutes due to the excellent form of Ryan Giles, Marc Bola must surely face an uncertain future at the club. With Hayden Coulson, who would appear a better-suited backup option at left-back in Carrick’s way of playing, it must also be considered that Bola has just 12 months remaining on his contract.
(Image: James Heaton/News Images)Very similar to Bola in that he found himself less favoured than his main competition in Tommy Smith and now has just 12 months remaining on his contract. He played well when given the opportunity late on, but also showed his vulnerabilities at Rotherham in a below-par display that ended with a red card. If Carrick sticks with Smith as his first-choice next season, Dijskteel is a solid deputy if he’s happy to stay as such, but if Carrick decides to upgrade in that position it could signal the end of Dijksteel’s time on Teesside.
(Image: Getty Images)Muniz played 71 minutes of Carrick’s first game in charge but didn’t start another game and only made one 12-minute cameo after Archer’s arrival. Despite their best attempts, they couldn’t help find him an alternative move in January.
(Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)Struggled to make an impact under any of the three managers to lead Boro last season and was sent on loan to Hibernian in January. He hasn’t set the world alight in Scotland, but will now hope to return in the summer and get a solid pre-season campaign in while catching Carrick’s eye.
(Image: James Heaton/News Images)The first sign that Carrick was keen to look towards Boro’s academy came at Blackpool when young Willis was given his debut. Sadly injury halted his momentum, but he might get a chance again in pre-season.
(Image: Craig Thomas/News Images)Though he only got on the pitch for three minutes, Finch became a regular first-team squad member towards the end of the season as he really caught Carrick’s eye. He potentially has a big summer ahead.
(Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)With Steffen playing every minute, Roberts had to make do with being on the bench each game. Steffen’s departure leaves a hole in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether Roberts has the required ability to step up as new number one. With a super attitude though, he’s a great second choice.
(Image: James Heaton/News Images)A frustrating back injury means that the defender was unable to make a single appearance under Carrick. Initially reported as a nerve issue, that wouldn’t have usually caused such a significant amount of time out. But Carrick spoke of complications and the defender clearly struggled to get back to fitness. That wasn’t for the want of trying, however, with the defender still around at Rockliffe a fortnight after the end of the season, training alone when all of his team-mates had gone off on their holidays.
(Image: James Heaton/News Images)
