Middlesbrough Head Coach Michael Carrick has given his thoughts on whether League Cup opponents Leeds are under pressure after an opening day draw. Carrick also outlined his relief at getting a first win on the board so early in the season against Swansea. Daniel Wales reports.
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00:00It's been a positive summer for Middlesbrough. A new contract for head coach Michael Carrick
00:08made clear that the club see him as the spearhead to their project in the coming years. Championship
00:13promotion is the aim, something they missed out on last season due to a poor start. The
00:19Day 1 win against Swansea was certainly a step in the right direction.
00:24Yes, it's great that we did. There's been a good feeling around the boys in the last
00:36few days and I think there's such a lot to that first game of the season. So, to get
00:43that first one, yes, great. We can kind of move on now and get into what the season is
00:49really and make games that matter a quick succession and we can move on and that first
00:55game of the season, which is a big thing really, turns into another game and we can move on.
01:02Promotion may be the aim, but last season's run to the League Cup semi-final has left
01:06supporters on Teesside wanting more. A first round encounter with Leeds couldn't be much
01:11tougher, but after the Whites' opening day draw to Portsmouth, is there pressure on Daniel
01:16Farker's side already?
01:23I don't know, to be honest. I think they've got, well, I can't tell you. I think they've
01:28got a fantastic squad, a great group of players, individually, collectively. They proved that
01:33last season, how far they went and how close they came to get to the Premier League. It's
01:40just what game is coming this season. Nothing's won or lost just yet.
01:47For Leeds, getting out of the Championship is the number one priority. Attention for
01:51them may already be on their next league match at West Brom, according to reporter Lee Sobert.
01:59Obviously you want to stay in the Cups and you want to have a cuppa and every fan wants
02:02that, but obviously, talking about it briefly, let's be honest about it, promotion is the
02:06main thing this season, like a million times over, no doubt about that. So, you know, this
02:10might come out after the event itself, but the main thing with that game basically is
02:13just getting through it and coming through it unscathed.
02:16But even for the most league-focused Leeds United fan, Cup memories of the past have
02:21not yet disappeared, and a win against Borough on Wednesday would not only calm the early
02:26season nerves, but whet the appetite for another Cup run. Ellen Road could do with a new set
02:32of Cup memories, provided it doesn't derail the league campaign with distractions or long-term
02:38injuries.
02:43The main thing with the Borough one is just coming through it unscathed, really, and if
02:46they get through, great. But, I mean, it's a hard game, obviously, so it's difficult
02:49to know how that one will go.
02:51It's all set to be a feisty encounter in Yorkshire on Wednesday. Leeds need to create a jubilant
02:56atmosphere, but will Borough spoil the party?