MICHAEL CARRICK has defended Middlesbrough’s style of play, even if he admits that his side’s difficulties in the final third need to be addressed.

Despite only scoring ten times in the opening ten matches this season, Boro are only four points shy of the play-off zone.

Similarly, though, despite controlling games for long periods, Carrick's side have only won four of those games so only have a four-point cushion to Plymouth down in 19th.

There were barely any fans left in the Riverside on Saturday to hear the final whistle blow on Bristol City’s 2-0 win.

Those who remained delivered a few boos, just as more did at the end of the first half after Anis Mehmeti and Yu Kirikawa’s goals had put the Robins in the box-seat.

Carrick said: “We are in this together. It is all of us. We have to find ways to do something about it.

“The first half we were good, second half we weren’t as good after they scored their goals. That is something we have to look at.

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“You’re talking principles, principles are the style of play, how you play the game and ultimately how you create chances.

“If that was going so wrong then maybe I would look to play a different way, tweaking things. But I don’t think anyone can sit here and say the football, the general part of things needs looking at.

“I think it is pretty obvious. It is the end product and I am confident the boys will get that. We have to back them and believe in it.”

Middlesbrough’s defeat to Bristol City followed the reversal at Watford before the international break. Prior to that, Carrick had overseen victories over Stoke City and West Brom.

It has been a bit of a topsy-turvy season so far for Middlesbrough, even though they play some lovely football and, like on Saturday against Bristol City, tend to have controlled the ball for the majority of the 90 minutes.

Carrick said: “I don’t know why you wouldn’t (stick with it, if you were fans). Why wouldn’t you?

“People will have opinions. That’s what they are there for. But for me there is a lot more going into it. Like I say, two games ago we beat West Brom, we had beaten Stoke, we were very good against Watford, dominant for 70 minutes...

“Everyone at that stage were saying what a fantastic team we are. One game later it hasn’t gone to plan, it doesn’t mean everything is wrong.”

It was an emotional day for Bristol City’s acting head coach Chris Hogg, brought up on Teesside and went to school in Yarm.

He celebrated with the fans and the players after sealing three points in the absence of close friend, and City manager, Liam Manning, who was given an extended period away from the club at the beginning of the week following the loss of his baby son, Theo.  

Hogg said: “He is one of my closest friends, everything will be led by Liam. He has probably watched it. Even though I advised him not to.

“He will be proud of the players. It has been heart-warming. It shows you the power of football and community. The support Liam and his family are getting …  I can’t thank people from the bottom of my heart.”