Manager Michael Carrick has outlined a clear aim for Middlesbrough ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season getting underway.
Middlesbrough are gearing up for another season in the Championship under Michael Carrick.
The former Manchester United midfielder has guided Boro to fourth and eighth-place finishes in the division during the previous two campaigns and will be looking to go one better in 2024/25.
The Teessiders’ 2023/24 season got off to a rough start, with the North East outfit failing to win their first five league matches.
But Middlesbrough’s fixture list for the upcoming season has now been released, with the Reds handed a rather favourable start.
Boro kick off the 2024/25 season at home to Swansea City before facing two of the three newly-promoted sides in Derby County and Portsmouth.
Middlesbrough have a number of other key Championship fixtures throughout the season, including a Tees-Wear derby with Sunderland on September 21st.
Michael Carrick wants to turn Middlesbrough’s form at the Riverside Stadium around
Ahead of the new season getting underway, Carrick has expressed his eagerness for Middlesbrough to improve their form at the Riverside.
In previous years, Boro have been much better at home, with their away form proving an issue in the race for Premier League promotion.
In 2023/24, though, the North East outfit struggled for consistency on home soil.
Middlesbrough won just 10 of their 23 home league matches in the previous campaign, drawing four and losing nine of the remaining four.
The Reds did start to string together some decent results at the Riverside towards the end of 2023/24 when they lost just one of their last 12, and Carrick is looking to build on that in 2024/25, as per the Northern Echo.
He said: “When we’re at home and playing well and it’s a full house and the energy and noise and connection is there, it’s a special place to play.
“We didn’t have great home form last year but we had some good days and good nights so we want to build on that.”
Middlesbrough have perfect chance to improve Riverside form
Following the release of the 2024/25 Championship fixtures, Middlesbrough have the perfect chance to improve their home form early in the season.
Boro begin the campaign on Saturday, August 10th, at home to a Swansea City side who finished 14th in the division last term.
Carrick and co. then welcome newly-promoted Portsmouth to the North East on Saturday, August 24th, for a tie they should be winning.
After Portsmouth, Boro will play host to Cardiff City, Preston North End, and Stoke City.
Said trio all finished below Middlesbrough in the Championship last time out and present the club with a great chance to rack up five wins from five on home soil to kickstart their promotion charge.