MICHAEL Carrick says the stats back-up what his eyes are telling him about Middlesbrough, with the head coach "convinced" results will soon improve for his side.

Boro head for Blackburn Rovers on Saturday bottom of the Championship and still looking for their first win of the season, but Carrick says he's seen "a lot of good things" from his team and isn't concerned about results.

Despite signing off for the international break with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to QPR, Carrick says the mood in the camp remains positive and he's stressing to his players that they need to keep believing in what they're doing.

Although Boro are currently propping up the Championship, their Expected Goals per 90 minutes is the seventh best in the division and only three teams have lower Expected Goals Against per 90 minutes. Only seven teams are averaging more shots per game and eight teams more shots on target. And at the other end of the pitch, only four teams are facing more shots per game.

The stats - and certain aspects of Boro's play - encourage Carrick, but he knows the positive signs that he says he's seeing need to be turned into results.

"There's a lot of good things in our game," said the Boro boss.

"Our eyes tell us that and the stats back it up. It's fine margins and results are results.

"But over the period of time we have to believe what we're doing is the right thing.

"It's part of our job to manage the group, the mood and psychology to a point and keep the confidence and belief there when it's right to be there.

"There's no point in saying everything is fine when it's not fine. There's a balance. But largely there's been a lot of good things and the boys are trying to do the right things and getting some success. Not always the success that we feel we've deserved, but enough in there for encouragement for me and the staff and the group and players.

"They're in a good place and looking forward to whats coming up."

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Asked whether this is the hardest spell of his short career in the dugout so far, Carrick said: "Not particularly. We go about it in the same way. Of course we're here to win games which in some ways changes the mood but really I'm convinced and believe in the players that much, if we keep doing the things we're doing we'll be OK.

"I've quite enjoyed the last couple of weeks, working with the players, seeing the improvements and looking forward to what's coming up.

"Honestly, we're calm. We're looking forward to the next game irrespective of what's gone on. The boys are in a good place, training well, they're positive.

"It's just carry on how we're going, keep pushing, improving, working hard and believing.

"Of course, there's no hiding from it, we need results, course we do, but I believe we'll get that if we keep doing the right thing. Largely the performances have deserved a hell of a lot more."