'Bitterly disappointed' Carrick sets Middlesbrough players a challenge after Sunderland loss

A bitterly disappointed Michael Carrick challenged his Middlesbrough players to start finding a way as they lost the Wear-Tees derby 1-0 against Sunderland.

Insisting his side are a good side despite dropping yet more points, it was very much a familiar story for Boro as Chris Rigg's first-half goal condemned them to defeat. Carrick's side enjoyed plenty of the ball at the Stadium of Light as opposite number Regis Le Bris sprung a tactical surprise. As has too often been the case, Boro struggled to make their possession and territory count.

In a frustratingly below-par afternoon, Boro managed only one shot on target in the Sunderland derby defeat, but they had many positive openings they could have made far better use of.

READ MORE: Michael Carrick left angered by 'big' referee decision as Middlesbrough lose to Sunderland

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Reacting after, Carrick said: “We’re bitterly disappointed to come here and lose. Whatever way we lose is bitterly disappointing. We understand what the game is and we can’t cloud over that or hide that. It’s a defeat and we’ve got to take that and face it head-on.

"But there is an element of looking at the bigger picture. I thought we came here and controlled it for large spells and did a lot of good things. We need to find a way of breaking teams down. We’re finding teams are defending really deep against us, even when they don’t against other teams.

"They’re happy to do that against us, and we’ve got to find a way of breaking teams down when they do that. The celebrations today, it felt like it wasn’t just a normal game. We’ve got to get used to that, take it as a compliment and use that. We’ve got good players and we are a good team. We have to react to it.”

Offering more analysis on the game, the Boro boss insisted he felt his side were the better side, but it was those missed opportunities - and what he felt should have been a red card - were the deciding factor.

He said: “I thought it was pretty close and, if anything, we probably edged it in terms of being the better team and having more play around their box. But it was pretty close. The goal is the goal, it’s fell to them kindly, but other than that we limited them to very few moments.

"They have individual quality, especially in wide areas. But we have a couple of instances of big chances, especially in the first half - the first big one with Tommy and then the red card incident for the challenge on Manu, two big moments.

"Then, the longer it goes, is what we’re finding against a lot of team, especially if they get a lead on us, they defend very deep with a lot of numbers. We’ve got to face that challenge and find ways to break teams down."

Asked about Conway's early missed chance - a header he crashed against the bar - the Boro boss continued: "Those moments are important in the game. It’s nothing against Tommy because I thought he played well in general and gets in there to get the chances.

"I’m sure if we doing the right things, keep creating the opportunities and being the better team in pretty much every game we’ve played so far, I’m sure we will start to get the rewards."