Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town - Town and Boro both keen to stay positive

Positivity is the answer, according to the men in charge of both teams.

The Terriers’ 3-2 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers – a team who looked down and out at the bottom of the table and were trailing 2-0 with half-time approaching – has dragged them deeper into the relegation battle, an uncomfortable five points above the bottom three having played more matches than three of the four teams directly below them.

It is a situation that demands mental toughness according to their coach Carlos Corberan.

“Every manager is going to try to solve the situation with the idea of football he has,” he said.

“We come into this game in our worst form since I arrived but we need to keep believing in what makes us different and what makes us positive.

“I trust a lot in our players. There are a lot of things we need to improve but I don’t think at the moment it’s so much a tactical issue as an emotional one.

“To have a strong mind is part of the solution. I always want my team to have a strong mind and have a lot of personality and character.

“We’re going to face different types of moments and you need strong characters in these situations.

“We need to trust in the things we can do and the things that make us strong on the pitch.

“We talk a lot to the players about the character they need and the emotional side of the game. It’s important to try and compensate for the impact of the results on the (performance) level of the players.”

Corberan’s demeanour as he began his Zoom press conference was not that of a man feeling the pressure. This is his first season as a head coach in English football but not, as he pointed out, the first time he has done the job.

“You expect to have moments like this one,” he stressed. “I knew it could be part of the journey we’d have. You enjoy (it) a lot when you’re winning but you expect moments like this.

“I am calm. I want the fans to be proud of the team and we need to face our circumstances the best way we can. We are going to be realistic and when you get through this kind of adversity it does make you stronger.

“I continue as in our previous game, I continue analysing our opponents and trying to improve our strengths.”

Huddersfield would gladly swap their woes for Boro’s, six points outside the play-offs.

“I don’t think we’ve got to try and worry about Huddersfield or anyone else, we’ve just got to try and have a go and give ourselves an opportunity,” said their manager, former Terriers boss Neil Warnock, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 yesterday afternoon. “I’ll be encouraging the lads to try and play with a bit of freedom.

“It’s not the same situation as last season (when Boro were successfully fighting relegation), we’ve got an opportunity there.

“My old club Cardiff have shown what a few good results can do. Mick (McCarthy)’s come in (as manager) and it’s not rocket science.

“He’s got a good squad of players there and he’s not trying to change anything. It doesn’t surprise me.

“We’ve got to play to our strengths whatever the team is, whoever’s missing and work on that and be positive.”

Like Corberan, Warnock was also in a positive mood in his pre-match press conference.

“Losing a game of football doesn’t improve as you get older, especially games you should win,” he admitted.

“I do get frustrated. You feel sorry for yourself when your best players are missing but you’ve just got to get on with it.

“Life’s flying past at the moment and I want to let the fans enjoy the games. The fans enjoy winning as well.”

With Harry Toffolo facing the second game of a three-match suspension, Corberan hopes to be able to include left-back Jaden Brown in his plans after injury, but central defender Richard Stearman will again only be fit enough for the bench, having only been considered able to get through “10 to 15 minutes” on Saturday, when he was not actually called upon.

Warnock says he will not take any risks with Dael Fry and Marcus Tavernier, who are close to returns after their recent injuries.

Yannick Bolasie is back in training and all three could probably play at a push, according to the manager, but things are not at desperation point for either team just yet, as he and Corberan were both keen to stress.

A win, though, would be a huge help if their team can get it.

Last six games: Middlesbrough LLDLLW; Huddersfield Town LDDLLL

Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire)

Last time: Middlesbrough 1 Huddersfield Town 0, December 26, 2019, Championship.

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