A WEEK has not passed in the early stages of the season without Michael Carrick stressing the point that the league table means nothing at this time of year.

And Middlesbrough's head coach believes Coventry prove his point.

Prior to their crucial come from behind victory against Luton last week, Mark Robins' side had won just two games and were languishing in the relegation zone.

And yet, having studied today's visitors, Carrick said: "I have to say I think they're a really good team.

"They have really good players, dangerous players in dangerous areas. They're well organised and it's another classic example of not taking the league table in any serious value at this stage.

"They showed last week they're a really good team and we know what they're capable of. We've played them enough over the last couple of years to know that and they have some really good players. We'll have to be ready for them."

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As if anyone associated with Boro could forget those recent games against Coventry that Carrick alludes to there. Since taking charge of Boro a little over two years ago, Carrick has come up against Robins on five occasions - and he's still yet to win. Indeed, the last three games - the play-off second leg and the two league fixtures last season - have ended in Boro defeat.

So Carrick and Boro must surely feel like they owe Coventry one.

“I try and kind of forget about the past really," insists Boro's boss.

"We’ve changed so much as a team. The squads of both teams have changed so much. It’s about here and now really and how we’re playing and dealing with games, I think we’re in a better place at the moment.

"That doesn’t mean we’ve got a better chance of winning. We’ve got to be good against a good team. But the here and now and what is next is what matters, not what’s gone on before."

What's next for Boro has to be turning positive performances into better results. Last week's display against Norwich City was the best of the season but it was rather fitting, given the story of the campaign so far, that Boro somehow found a way not to win.

A week has almost passed since the frustrating draw at Carrow Road but Carrick's thoughts haven't changed - while frustrated, he was hugely encouraged by so much of what he saw. But he admits Boro need to get over the line in games.

“100% it has to be the next step," he says.

"I think the type of games we’ve played in, and the way we’ve played in them games, gives us a lot more encouragement.

"I said before, I feel we’re better now than at any other stage since I’ve been here. That kind of shows, I think, in the level of performances.

"I see us playing the stronger teams nearer the top of the league and controlling the game. We’ve played in those type of games previously and sometimes even won those games, but the way we’ve won hasn’t been as much in control or in a proactive way.

"It’s maybe been a bit more of a bonus because of the way we’ve had to approach it at the time for whatever reason at that time. "We haven’t maybe played as a favourite or as a team that kind of belongs. Whereas now, I think the way we’re playing in these games there’s a lot more belief and a lot more confidence and quality within our game.

"When we go to Norwich and play Sheffield United in our last two and look like the better team, for me, that gives us a lot of confidence. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we feel that, in the long-term, if we keep doing that, we’ll give ourselves a good chance."