Michael Carrick had mixed emotions after his first home game in charge of Middlesbrough, delighted with the display but frustrated his side ultimately had to settle for a point against Bristol City.
In his first match in the Riverside dugout after successive away games, Carrick was thrilled with what was a dominant dislay, Boro enjoying 71% of possession and having 23 shots on goal.
The only disappointment for Carrick was the fact his side didn't turn that dominance into the victory he felt Boro deserved.
The hosts were on the front foot from the off against the Robins but found themselves behind early on when Andreas Weimann struck on the counter attack.
Boro created a string of chances with Riley McGree and Chuba Akpom going close and Marcus Forss hitting the post. The pressure finally paid off early in the second half when in-form Akpom struck his third goal in three games.
Boro pushed for a winner but couldn't force a second goal.
Carrick said: “We wanted to win the game, we did enough to win the game performance wise, so there are two sides to it.
“I can't really ask much more of the lads. I think they've done ever so well, limited a dangerous team to not a lot and controlled large spells with penetration and looking dangerous at the same time.
“If you take the balance of the performance, it was very good. Points are what make the difference, I'm not swerving that. But at this stage, three games in, we can definitely look forward and be positive with what we've done so far."
Carrick was introduced to the home fans before the game and received a fantastic reception.
He said: “The fans were great today throughout the game. Hopefully, they see what we're trying to do in terms of being a team, working hard and representing what they are about. They stuck with us.
"We went 1-0 down but kept playing and they were positive with us. It’s just as shame we couldn't give them that extra little boost at the end.”
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