MICHAEL Carrick has told of his gratitude to Steve Gibson for the chairman's "unbelievable" support.
And the head coach has again taken full responsibility for Boro's current Championship slump and is desperate to justify the backing of the club's owner.
Carrick's future was uncertain after last week's home defeat to Watford but it emerged in the days that followed that the under-pressure head coach retained the full backing of Gibson.
That, though, was followed by another defeat on Friday night and the Championship results on Saturday saw Boro drop into the bottom half of the Championship, piling more pressure on Carrick ahead of Tuesday's trip to Stoke City.
"The support I’ve had all the way through is incredible," said Carrick.
"I don’t solely rely on it but I feel it and I appreciate it – it's unbelievable.
"But what happens on the pitch is ultimately my responsibility and it’s what we’ve got to do something about – that’s football."
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This is undoubtedly the toughest spell of Carrick's managerial career so far, with Boro having lost their last five games and seven of their last eight in all competitions.
"It’s a tough place to be when you’re losing games," admitted Boro's boss.
"I certainly won’t be feeling sorry for myself at all – in terms of performing and getting results, it’s what I’m used to. And it gives us the ingredients and the motivation to try to improve things.
"It’s all about working hard and sticking together and believing in the football ability of the boys.
"We put ourselves in a good position (on Friday) but we just couldn’t finish it off so we will move on to Stoke on Tuesday and keep doing positive things and keep believing it and we will turn things around.
"The boys have got good character and I can’t fault that side of things at all. That’s in terms of the willingness and the attitude they’ve got to try to improve things and the care they show.
"They’re hugely passionate about it and they want to do their best for each other and for the football club and the supporters.
"Sometimes when you go through a spell things start straining and individuals start thinking in different ways but I can’t see that at all.
"We’re not getting results but it’s nothing to do with the character and personality of the boys. They care a lot."
