Carrick pleased to see Boro over 'sticky run'

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick described his side's first win in four games as a "good step" in the right direction after beating Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at the Riverside.

"When you have a sticky run, it's all about getting the win," he told BBC Radio Tees. "The fact that we kept a clean sheet too was great.

"There's loads of football to be played this season. We hadn't felt any pressure. Why do we need to be 'glass half-empty' all the time?

"It was an important win for us. We played some really good football. They were two fantastic goals - both of them, for different sort of reasons.

"We had to defend a little deeper in the second half but we did it well. And we controlled it, against a really good team with good players.

"First half we were very good with the ball. We controlled it for large bits, played some really good football and caused some problems playing through them, getting around the box.

"There was a natural feeling maybe of the boys being desperate for a win and clean sheet. But I'm really pleased with a win, it's a good step for us.

"Hayden Hackney's goal was probably a little bit too far out. It's something where you think 'maybe not!' Ben Doak's was terrific, probably a little bit more predictable in terms of the distance, But the way he came inside, I fancied him to shoot and take it on.

"We definitely encourage the boys to express themselves. There's a part of their decision making and taking shots that percentage-wise gives you a better chance without just shooting from everywhere. It's getting that balance right."