Michael Carrick insists Middlesbrough are not overly concerned about their start to the season ahead of visiting Blackburn Rovers.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's opponents are yet to win a league games and sit bottom of the Championship. That's despite pre-season expectations that they would challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

Carrick believes performances have deserved more points and is stressing that to his player. Ahead of their trip to Ewood Park, he's adamant the dressing room remains upbeat.

"It's part of our job to manage the group, the mood and psychology to a point and keep the confidence and belief there when it's right to be there," he told The Northern Echo. "There's no point in saying everything is fine when it's not fine. 

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"There's a balance. But largely there's been a lot of good things and the boys are trying to do the right things and getting some success. 

"Not always the success that we feel we've deserved, but enough in there for encouragement for me and the staff and the group and players. They're in a good place and looking forward to whats coming up."

He added: "We go about it in the same way. Of course we're here to win games which in some ways changes the mood but really I'm convinced and believe in the players that much, if we keep doing the things we're doing we'll be OK.

"It's part of developing the team and individuals. Training is part of it and off the field is part of it in terms of meetings and how we want to play. Sometimes that takes time, sometimes it comes straight away. It doesn't hinder my belief or what we're capable of.

"I've said that enough. Of course, there's no hiding from it we need results, course we do, but I believe we'll get that if we keep doing the right thing. Largely the performances have deserved a hell of a lot more."