Iheanacho has struggled for form since joining Boro on loan from Spanish side Sevilla in January, with his time on Teesside hitting a new low in last night’s 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United.
The striker, whose only goal in a Boro shirt came in last month’s win over Oxford United, spurned a couple of decent opportunities with some wayward finishing, with one particularly poor effort that sailed high into the South Stand in the first half summing up his night.
A number of audible groans could be heard as he failed to find the target in the second half, and an ironic cheer went up when he was taken off in the 65th minute to be replaced by Morgan Whittaker.
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Carrick is confident Iheanacho is strong enough and experienced enough to deal with any criticism that comes his way.
But with Boro’s play-off fate set to be determined in the next five games, the head coach has told the club’s supporters this is not the time to be turning against one of their own players.
“In terms of individuals like that, then whatever the individual, the support really matters,” said Carrick. “He’s trying to do all the right things, just as all the players are.
“It’s just one of those things. Sometimes you have good games, sometimes you have not so good games. That doesn’t mean you’re not trying.
“Support is the important thing for every player. He (Iheanacho) has ups and downs like every other player.
“He’s a good player, he’s a top player with good experience. We’ve got to support every player, simple as that.”
Last night’s defeat saw Boro slip down a position to sixth in the table, and they will drop out of the play-off places if seventh-placed Coventry City win their game in hand against Portsmouth this evening.
