‘A different challenge’ – Michael Carrick assesses Millwall as the Lions head to Middlesbrough

Michael Carrick has said his Middlesbrough side will “respect” Millwall heading into tomorrow’s clash at the Riverside.

The two sides head into the fixture on the same number of points, with Middlesbrough’s goal difference separating the pair.

Millwall – sixth in the Championship – picked up a 3-0 win against Rotherham last time out in the league. But Gary Rowett’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup third last weekend.

Carrick’s Boro side, fifth in the table, lost 5-1 to Premier League outfit Brighton in the cup but have won their last three Championship outings.

“It’s a different challenge, but every game is different, even if you were to play the same team twice in a week. It’s never the same game.

“Millwall are a very good team and very tough to play against. 

“They get a lot of numbers in attacking areas with a lot of energy and a lot of quality. They ask questions of you defensively and put you under a lot of pressure. 

“They changed formation midway through the season and have since had a really good run of form. 

“They’re proving hard to play against. But we know what we’re coming up against, and we respect them and look forward to it.

“What they do, they do it well. You can see that they have got a clear way of playing.”