Carrick says he “doesn’t know” how the feeling and mood inside the dressing room “can’t be positive” heading into Saturday’s game against Norwich, stressing that Boro still know a top six finish is in their own hands.
If Boro beat the Canaries on Saturday they’ll head for Coventry on the final day knowing a win will take them into the play-offs.
And Carrick insists that is what is on his mind rather than the missed opportunity of Monday’s game at Sheffield Wednesday, when Boro failed to take advantage of both Coventry and Bristol City slipping up.
“We have two games to play, it’s in our own hands. We’ve played all season to get to this point, it’s an unbelievable chance for us,” said Carrick.
“I understand. I’m frustrated and disappointed. But it doesn’t change where we’re at.
“I don’t think we can totally forget it [the Sheffield Wednesday display]. We’ve got to take things from it and be better from it. But Saturday is a whole different and new ball game.
“The feeling going into Saturday and through the week has to be positive. I don’t know how it can’t be positive. To be in this situation at this stage of the season, it’s a great chance for us.”
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Boro led at Sheffield Wednesday but, not for the first time in recent weeks, were second best after the break as a Sheffield Wednesday side woefully out of form fought back to win at home for the first time since New Year’s Day.
Given what was at stake, it was put to Carrick that the second half no show must have been difficult to stomach.
He said: “Football is football, things can happen, we can play well, we might not play well. At this stage of the season it [the table] is not decided yet.
“It will be over the next week or two but I’m not getting down about things. We have a hell of an opportunity in front of us so I don’t know why we’d look elsewhere and beat ourselves up too much.
“The players will be fine. We all feel today, but there’s two games to get into the play-offs. It’s a great chance.”
