Carrick: You have to ride the emotion

With two in-form sides going head to head, it promises to be an interesting battle in the 20:15 GMT kick-off, and our head coach discussed the clash in detail with journalists in his pre-match press conference.

In addition to touching upon team news and the threat posed by the hosts, Carrick talked about needing to feel the emotion of our recent victories, because it would be boring not to, and accepting the challenge that lies ahead in the capital.

He also explained the flexibility within our attacking positions, as we look for a fifth win in succession.

Here is what he had to say, in full...

Has the improvement in the defensive record been down to what you've been doing behind the scenes? Because two clean sheets here when clean sheets have been really hard to come by, especially at home. That must be really pleasing for you, and what have you been doing behind the scenes to shore things up?

“Yeah, it's pleasing, for sure. I think it's a lot, it's not easier, but it's a lot… it's easier to win games without having to score so many goals every week, for sure, you know? We do seem to be a team that can cause a lot of problems and create opportunities and score goals, so it's definitely getting the balance right. There's still things to improve on, it's definitely something we’ve focused on, of trying to be better as a team, collectively, when we don't have the ball. But three or four weeks, we're not going to fix everything and, all of a sudden, look perfect. So, it's understanding that a little bit, but yeah, I think the boys have responded really well to what we've asked them and the clean sheet, as much as everything today [Saturday], the clean sheet was important for us."

Hi, Michael. What sort of challenge does a team like West Ham pose for you? Obviously, they're fighting relegation towards the bottom of the table. Is it a different challenge to approach?

“I think you've got to go into the game understanding the situation of both teams. We've tried to paint our picture to the players in every game we've played so far, and it'll be the same come Tuesday night. The type of game, the feel of the game, what kind of skills we're going to have to try and draw on, you know, different games throw up different things. And yeah, for sure, you know, teams towards the bottom of the league are really fighting for things. Well, so are we, and we’ve got a lot to fight for, so it's, you know, you like to think that balances out in some ways, and it's who can come out on top at the end of it. But sure, we're totally aware of what we're going into on Tuesday night and how difficult it will be.”

What do you make of West Ham under Nuno [Espirito Santo]?

 “Yeah, well, there's a bit of change, I think injuries, as well, is difficult. I think they're very good on transition, very dangerous. They've got some really good attacking players. So, you know, we've looked at them already and kind of have an idea with that, as they will have done for us, you know? But yeah, they're a threat, they're a threat, and when they get a head of steam at home, they're a dangerous team, so definitely got to be ready to cope with all that.”

Michael, you've said in virtually every press conference that you won't get carried away, you won't allow people to get carried away. When you took over at Middlesbrough, you won a lot of matches. There were a couple of defeats, but you won a lot of matches. Is there anything from that period that you can learn about this period, and keeping focused and maintaining your sights on the next game, and not getting carried away? Because it's an easy thing to say…

“No, it’s a really easy thing to say. And, listen, part of it, you've got to enjoy the buzz of winning, right? You have to. That's what we're in it for, so you’ve got to manage the highs of it, and you got to enjoy it, initially, the feeling of winning a game, you know? You can't kind of just be flatlined at all times. But certainly, going into the next game, you've got to then regroup and prepare again for what's next. But you definitely take the confidence and the feeling from the games that you've had, knowing you can go into the next game with a little bit more feel-good factor about it. But I guess the big challenge is knowing what's got you there, and all the hard work and the preparation, and then what it takes to win a game of football at this level. It’s tough, so never assume that the next one's just going to be alright. But you've still got to allow yourself to feel the little bits of waves of emotion with it, because yeah, it's all a bit little bit boring and pointless if you didn't, really, to be honest. Winning games is what we're all striving for, you know? The boys have been good with that, though, they've managed it really well, and kind of had the high of the win, come back into training, and focused on the next one, and we've got to keep that going."

You won't do what your old manager used to do, give the players a b********g, even when they've won a game, or anything like that?

“There's a time and a place for everything, Simon.”

Hi, Michael. Bruno said on TV, after the game, that you remember what he said to you last time you were manager, that you were going to be a great manager, and he still believes it. Can you remember what he said to you the last time you were in charge about that, and how does it make you feel to hear someone talk about you like that?

“Yeah, no, I've known Bruno for quite some time, you know, really pretty well, and seeing him the odd time when I've left the club and bumped into him at times. So, I’ve got a really good relationship with him, you know. I understand how much he’s a really intelligent footballer. He's bright, he cares a lot for this club, so in terms of that side of it, we all want the same thing, you know. It's obviously nice when players that you respect, as I do with Bruno, a lot, say good things about you, but ultimately, it's about the team, you know, and getting the best out of the team, and actually, that's all working together, so, time will tell, you know? It's not about judging how good or successful [we are] at this moment of time because nothing's really happened yet, you know, we’ve hopefully got a lot more to do between now and the end of the season and see what happens after that.”

Michael, can I just ask you team-news wise, will Mason [Mount] be in contention to be back and also with Matthijs [de Ligt] could he be fit after the FA Cup break?

“Mason will be probably not for Tuesday, probably after, but definitely going into the Everton game, he’ll be back. Matta, we'll see how he develops over the, you know… the Everton game feels like a long time away at the moment, so we'll see how he develops, but he's positive, he's moving in the right direction, but Mason's a little bit closer than him.

Absolute tangent, and I apologise in advance for asking this, but there is a young lad who is waiting to get a haircut, and it's been a while. Just wondered how aware you are of him and you know will that go into your team-talk ahead of West Ham?

“I can say I'm aware of it, yeah. My kids have made me aware of it, if anything, but it certainly won't go into the team-talk, from a professional level, but I can understand what's going on with it. It does make me smile, but it won't have an impact, ultimately in the end.”

You mentioned about Bruno Fernandes getting his goal on the left-hand side, earlier in the first half, there was a moment you indicated to Amad that you wanted him to switch to the right. I just want to know a little bit more about how you let your front players interpret their roles. There seems to be a great deal of creative freedom...

"Yeah, within reason, as long as we carry out the roles properly. I mean it's not a total free-for-all, where you can kind of go and decide, it's a little bit of where you end up. Bruno is that type where he understands the different roles and plays them particularly well. And Bryan has done very similar. So has Matheus, as well, playing sometimes through the middle and sometimes off the left. So it does give us the variety, I think. They're all suited to different kinds of roles. Amad is probably more of naturally being wide and so that's a little bit more predictable, if you like. The flexibility certainly helps us, as long as we look after the positions when we don't have the ball."