Play-off defiance from Hull City boss Liam Rosenior and Middlesbrough FC rival Michael Carrick - but optimism for the future is the wider story

Listening to Liam Rosenior and Michael Carrick after an entertaining 2-2 draw - which showcased elements to admire about both teams, but also their Achilles heel - you would never have guessed it. Both were steadfastly defiant.

Asked whether play-off participation was still possible, they were on the same hymnsheet. ‘One hundred per cent’ was the phrase they used.

Whether they believe it deep down, who knows.

While it’s mathematically possible and given the second-tier’s legendary predilection for drama at almost every turn - check out the top-two race and relegation fight for further evidence - it’s not entirely wishful thinking.

In that regard, what sort of message would a manager be giving to players if they publicly conceded the fight after eight months of blood, sweat and tears?

The best case scenario is the admittedly unlikely event of one of these clubs nicking into the play-offs. The second-best is finishing the season well and ruffling a few feathers - Hull and Boro still have to face Ipswich and the Teessiders must also play Leeds - and laying down a marker for 2024-25.

Whatever transpires, both clubs should have a fair bit to look forward to.

Context should also arrive in that fact that in their previous three league meetings in East Yorkshire, they were jousting at the wrong end of the Championship table and looking over their shoulders as opposed to upwards.

Both Hull and Boro seem to be moving in an upward trajectory again with bright young managers whose stars are in the ascendant.

Their footballing traits of both these sides are eye-catching, if not without flaws. They are two clubs with attractive brochures, for sure.

Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of respect between both managers.

On whether he expects Boro to be firmly in the promotion stakes next season, should both miss out, Rosenior said: "They'll be up there, for sure if Michael is there. Michael is an outstanding manager.

"It's having a process, a way and a board that support you and (then) know you're on the right track.”

Those comments are sure to have been remarkably similar if Carrick was asked the same question about Hull.

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As for the imperfections, Hull’s lack of game management in the second half of a match which they had under control was the galling facet for Rosenior, whose side’s inability to get over the line at home - they are winless since February 3 – is the story.

When they play at full tempo, Hull look irresistible as they showed for much of the first half. They have attacking players who would grace the very best sides in the division.

It’s when the intensity of a game drops off and stops flowing and other teams ask a few questions that Hull can get found out a bit and clock off.

Like on Wednesday, when Boro eked their way back into the game and equalised after trailing for around half an hour.

Rosenior said: "It’s what could end up costing us something that is so attainable with this group. That’s the painful thing for everyone involved with the club.

"We can see the potential is there, but potential is nothing and we have to turn it into results.

"If we consistently play at this level for the next five games, we’ll come really close. Teams are going to drop points.

"It’s going to swing around again and we have to make sure it swings in our favour and it (Wednesday) is the last lesson we learn this season.

"We need to take it to the wire. We have to be perfect, not just by winning five games, but managing moments."

Hull, with a game in hand on Norwich, trail the Canaries by six points. They have five matches to go and the Norfolk outfit have four.

Boro’s degree of difficulty is harder. They are also six points behind Norwich, with no game in hand. Two teams just above them in Preston and Coventry also have a game extra.Fighting talk also arrived from Carrick and he was also uncharacteristically forthright when questioned about Boro being punished for playing out from the back just before half-time ahead of Hull’s second goal, a gift for Jean-Michael Seri after an awful pass out from keeper Seny Dieng.

Boro’s risk-and-reward approach won’t change, he countered. Next, they head to Portman Road in a game with big implications for Leeds.

Carrick, whose side are unbeaten in eight games, said: "Anything can happen. There’s no way we have given up on anything yet."