Middlesbrough Manager Faces Criticism After Loss

Middlesbrough faced a 3-1 defeat against Leeds United at Elland Road, leaving them 10 points behind Leeds in the Championship standings. Head coach Michael Carrick acknowledged Leeds' quality, noting they have many players with Premier League experience, but expressed disappointment that his team did not capitalize on their strong second-half performance after leveling the game. Despite the defeat, Carrick remains optimistic about Middlesbrough's direction and potential, emphasizing the need to learn from the loss and focus on upcoming matches. Midfielder Hayden Hackney echoed Carrick's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of calm despite the growing gap to the top teams. The team aims to regain momentum in their next match against Millwall, stressing the significance of converting chances into goals. Fans, however, were critical of Carrick's assessment of the match, with many believing Boro deserved to lose more heavily than the final score indicated.