22 Oct 2026 07:07:02
Carrick The clueless

Yesterday Carrick said
"Whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run, and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you ain't going to win." He linked the poor performance directly to insufficient effort in that area. 
A couple of weeks ago he downplayed the significance of the raw numbers, saying things along the lines of:
• "You read the data in so many different ways."
• "Football is not just about running for the sake of running It is about running smartly, pressing as a unit, and managing the game when you have the ball."
• "I don't think necessarily just more running is an answer. It does not bring performance."
Carrick is clueless.
22 Oct 2026 07:58:54
Not saying I don't agree in general but I don't think those two quotes prove it, if anything they're saying the same thing.
22 Oct 2026 08:06:02
Key
Inconsistent at best.
22 Oct 2026 08:34:00
As useless as Carrick is, I don't think there's really a contradiction. Carrick's earlier comments were about people over relying on raw running statistics, whereas his more recent comments were about players not putting in the basic work required to compete. Saying "running more doesn't automatically bring performance" is not the same as saying "running doesn't matter." Both statements can easily be true at the same time.
Also, the odd "" in the post suggests this was copied from an AI summary, so I'd be cautious about treating the quotes as complete. Without the full interviews or questions, it's difficult to conclude that he's said anything inconsistent.
22 Oct 2026 09:33:32
It also helps if the players actually try.
Every one of those players should be looking in the mirror this morning. No effort, no fight and no bottle.
We had 11 cowards on that pitch last night.