CONCERNED? Not at all. Instead, Michael Carrick is more convinced than ever that Middlesbrough are on the right track.

The head coach is understandably frustrated by his side's underwhelming start to the Championship campaign but isn't worried, for he's certain the issues that have proved costly in the early weeks won't be long-lasting.

And, on the eve of his two-year anniversary as Boro boss, Carrick is more confident than ever that his side and the club in general are heading in the right direction and will end up in the Premier League.

Boro host Sheffield United tonight looking for a much-needed victory after successive defeats, with his opposite number in the dugout, Chris Wilder, the man he replaced at the Riverside two years ago.

Twenty-four months on from his arrival, Carrick "didn't want to throw one-liners about" when asked where Boro can realistically be another two years down the line. But the hope and the aim is clear: the top flight.

Carrick certainly looks to have the squad to be competing for promotion this season but the early weeks of the campaign have proved frustrating, with a lack of cutting edge proving costly.

Worrying? Not for Carrick. In fact, the head coach thinks Boro are playing as well now as they have at any time during his tenure so far.

He said: “Honestly, for me, I know people might think I’m crazy because we haven’t won enough games, but when I judge the whole performance, I honestly believe we’re a playing at a lot higher level all-round - with the ball, without the ball, as a team - than we have done since I’ve been here.

"That gives us the foundations to then take it to the next level. I’m genuinely really happy and encouraged by a lot of those things. We’ve had spells when we’ve been dangerous and taken loads of chances without maybe creating loads, and we’ve had spells where we’ve maybe not defended as well as we have lately.

"I think at the moment, we’re top in terms of chances created and top in terms of shots conceded. That’s a good balance to have and shows there’s a lot of good things happening in the game.

"Ultimately, though, the goals are what decide the game. We know that. But the other side is what gives me the encouragement and belief because I know what the boys are doing, and I know they’re capable of putting that cherry on the top to finish things off."

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“It’s certainly not tactical because if it was tactical we wouldn’t create enough chances," said Carrick.

"That’s not just defending me, that’s the boys and how they’re tactically playing the game.

"It’s not that. It’s that last little bit of converting it. The boys are human and sometimes it doesn’t quite go to plan. But they’re giving themselves a great chance and the quality they have, the attitude they have and their positivity, we’ll be fine.

“I genuinely think we’re close. We’re a very good team at this level. I’m not concerned, I’m not worried. I’m really encouraged about what I’m seeing and what we’re capable of doing.

"Of course, there is no hiding, we need to score more goals as a team. We will do, there are no worries about that."

Carrick has "loved" his time at Boro so far and says "getting excited about what's possible is the biggest thing for me".

Behind the scenes, there's a togetherness that helped Boro pull off a hugely successive transfer window, with chairman Steve Gibson supportive but in no way suffocating.

"He largely leaves me to get on things and definitely doesn’t interfere at all," said Carrick.

"He gives me a lot of support. In a good way, like I said, he doesn’t interfere.

"He trusts me for what I do and I thank him a lot for that support in terms of doing the best to bring players in, looking after players and trying to build a squad. I know that I’m in a lucky position to have that.

"I’m in such a privileged position to be in such a great club with a great group of players and I’m lucky to be here and I’ve loved every minute of it."