This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Since Michael Carrick’s arrival, Middlesbrough’s season has turned around completely for the better.

Carrick was brought in to replace the sacked Chris Wilder, and since his arrival in October, Boro have gone from being relegation contenders to promotion contenders in a matter of months.

Boro have won 10 of the 15 games Carrick has been in charge of, and that has seen them climb as high as third place in the Championship.

Carrick has not only got Middlesbrough as a team playing well, but he has unlocked certain players' development and improved them even more.

As Middlesbrough continue to march on in the Championship, here at FLW, we asked some of our writers on why they think Michael Carrick has got Middlesbrough playing so well.

Declan Harte

Boro’s change in formation has made them a more aggressive team that has given them a more proactive approach to attack, which has suited the players better.

Chuba Akpom’s new role behind the striker has also brought the best out of the 27-year-old, who currently leads the way in the goal scoring charts in the division.

Bringing through the likes of Hayden Hackney has also highlighted Carrick’s positive approach to youth development.

The former midfielder is also doing a great job managing the squad off the pitch, with a great camaraderie becoming apparent under his leadership, which will only strengthen the team’s on pitch ability.

The club’s January business was also quite smart, identifying weaker areas of the team and agreeing shrewd deals to find improvements.

Brett Worthington

The first thing Michael Carrick has done at Middlesbrough is made them believe again.

When he arrived at the Riverside, he took over a team that appeared depleted and lacked confidence in their abilities. The former Manchester United coach changed that and has gotten the team to buy into what he wants.

He has changed them from being a passive team to one that is aggressive and on the front foot in most games they play.

He has adapted players and the formation; for example, he has put Chuba Akpom in a role that he is less familiar with, but the forward has bought into it and taken it in his stride.

Carrick has brought confidence to every single Middlesbrough player, whether they are regular starters or players that make an impact off the bench. While his leadership abilities are obvious, the club's fortunes have changed dramatically.

The Boro boss has also been smart in the transfer window, adding players where the team was weak and making them a more well-rounded side heading into the second half of the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Reeves

Carrick has done an outstanding job at Middlesbrough.

I believe the biggest factor behind his success is his tactical ability. He switched to a back four immediately following his arrival, while he has also changed the positions of the likes of Chuba Akpom, Marcus Forss and Riley McGree to good effect.

The most notable switch is that of Akpom, who he has deployed in a number 10 position and the 27-year-old is now the Championship's top scorer with 16 goals.

Carrick clearly has the respect of the dressing room after spending much of his playing career at the highest level, while he presents himself as a calm and focused individual when speaking to the media, taking one game at a time, and refusing to get too high or too low.

He has also proven himself to be shrewd in the market with the additions of Cameron Archer, Dan Barlaser and Aaron Ramsey, while his credentials working with young players are evident with the continued development of Hayden Hackney under his guidance.

But it is his tactical prowess and the winning mentality he has implemented that I would say are the main reasons for his success so far.