Head coach of Middlesbrough Michael Carrick was full of joy as his team brought to an end a run of five games without a win following a 3-1 win over Stoke City yesterday in the English Championship, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
The win moves Carrick’s team to within four points of the promotion play off spots , and also brought temporary respite to the coach who has been heavily scrutinized and also questioned about his abilities due to the slump.
His situation is not too different from Nigeria international forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined the team in January on loan from Spanish LaLiga side Sevilla. He was dropped to the bench after failing to make the most of the last two games he played.
Iheanacho looked assured in possession but off the pace after a torrid time in Sevilla, where he barely played and had to run back to England after six months. He joined the team in the summer on a free transfer from Leicester City.
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Carrick who took the bold decision to bench the 29 year old was however excited by his conduct from the bench, and spoke about it saying it gives him hope that the team will be alright.
The Boro head coach said: “Kel didn’t play tonight and he’s on loan. He’s played in the games that have proven difficult when we haven’t won. He’s done well but we changed it tonight.
“He celebrated the most of anyone when that first goal went in. He was bouncing off the bench and celebrating like anything. When I turned around and saw that, I thought, we’re going to be all right.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
