Doak is doing 'alright', says Boro boss Carrick

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Ben Doak has had six assists in eight games for club and country in November
  • Author, Adam Lanigan
  • Role, 大象传媒 Sport England

With typical understatement, Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick says that Ben Doak is doing "alright" as the Liverpool loanee produced another electric display.

Doak set up both of Tommy Conway's goals in Boro's 3-1 win over Hull City, which moved them up to fifth in the Championship.

November has been a spectacular month for the 19-year-old, with five assists for his club and one for Scotland in two fine performances in their Nations League wins over Croatia and Poland.

"He's doing alright, he's doing alright," said Boro boss Carrick.

Doak was a handful for the Tigers all afternoon, because along with the assists, he forced saves from goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and created other chances.

The teenager has emerged as a key player in one of the most electric attacks in the division, with only Norwich City bettering Boro's 32 goals.

And for Carrick, it's a question of letting that talent flourish for the side.

"It's clear for everyone to see the talent that he's got and the threat that he has," he told 大象传媒 Sport.

"He's a different threat to most. He's quite direct and not so much loads of tricks and skills, but he's got that attribute to be low with his centre of gravity, he's direct and gets in that position an awful lot.

"Credit to the boys for supplying him and using him and trying to bring out the best of him. He certainly fits the system really well and it's up to us to keep pushing him and developing him and trying to make him better."