"Deserves more faith" - Pundit issues plea to Middlesbrough fanbase over Michael Carrick decision | OneFootball

George Elek has supported Steve Gibson's decision to retain Michael Carrick.

Michael Carrick came under increased scrutiny on the weekend as his Middlesbrough side fell to a fourth successive defeat with a 1-0 loss at home to Watford, but Boro fans have been asked by pundit George Elek to stick by their manager.

Many had thought that Boro were a certified spot in the top six, but since December they have plummeted with just three wins in 14 matches.

This relegation-esque form has led to some of the Riverside faithful to call for Carrick's dismissal, but Steve Gibson and the club's hierarchy have chosen to back the head coach, according to TeessideLive.

With the Championship play-off race still wide open and several teams competing for a spot, a few victories could see them back in contention and ease the pressure on the 43-year-old.

However, if they continue to fall off, it could be the end of the road and despite glimpses of brilliance, it has to be said that Carrick hasn't quite capitalised on the quality of his squad.

Pundit backs Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick retention

Not The Top 20 podcast pundit George Elek has backed the decision of the Boro hierarchy and believes that we've seen enough from Carrick to suggest he is a capable manager at Championship level.

"I think it is probably right (on Gibson's decision)," said Elek.

"I have been back and forth on this in my mind, and there is no denying that, fairly consistently, over the course of two-and-a-half years, Michael Carrick has shown glimpses of what a manager he can be.

"That Boro side when he first came in, and he had Akpom scoring all those goals at number ten as they made their way from a relegation scrap to the promotion race.

That Boro side in October, November this season, where they were electric and you had Finn Azaz stepping up, Latte Lath and Conway rotating, and the midfield two of Hackney and Morris, it really felt like they were trending in the right direction.

"It wasn't that long ago we were talking about him being a viable option for a Premier League job, and then things spiralled. It is important to remind yourself that these things are reciprocal. You can't sit and write articles about managers needing time and then say after two-and-a-half years of someone's first ever job, with a few bad performances, 'Yes, he has to go now, I'm afraid.'

"I am relieved to see a club stand by their young manager. I think we do judge these guys too quickly."

Michael Carrick can learn from this difficult period at Middlesbrough

Carrick still has time to turn this difficult period around, and Elek believes the head coach will be taking lessons on what he can do better in this time of trouble.

Elek added: "Michael Carrick should be learning a lot from this period of disruption and poor performances compared to when things are going well.

"There are mitigating factors as well. Losing Latte Lath in January, albeit they had time to prepare, wasn't ideal. In Iheanacho, they have bought a player who doesn't look fit; his quality is clearly there, but I don't think taking out a bang-in-form Latte Lath and parachuting in Iheanacho necessarily solves things.

"There is also just this demeanour with Carrick as a footballer and as a man - it is basically horizontal.

"Nothing throws him; he never gets overly animated, but he is softly spoken and relaxed and doesn't get high when things are good and doesn't get low when things are bad. This can reflect in Boro's performances. When things are bad, they seem to lack that urgency and desire to drag themselves up again."

Speaking about recruitment and players getting burnt out, Elek believes that it perhaps isn't a shock that given where most of Boro's signings have come from this season that there has been a natural element in tiredness and fatigue

"There is an element where key players, such as Ben Doak, who started the season incredibly well, are probably knackered and have never played men's football at this consistent level before," Elek said.

"Looking at recruitment and where players have been brought in from, maybe it isn't a surprise to see the output of some of those drop.

"For Boro fans who feel like they should be challenging at the top of the table - and they were not that long ago - I can understand why there would be frustration. But I wouldn't pin it all on Carrick, who has shown enough promise in his young career to suggest he deserves more faith."