Hull boss Liam Rosenior and Middlesbrough counterpart Michael Carrick are both adamant a top-six finish in the Championship remains within reach despite denting each otherβs hopes. (More Football News)
βAn entertaining 2-2 draw between the sides at the MKM Stadium on Wednesday left them both six points adrift of the play-off spots, with Middlesbrough in ninth, one place ahead of Hull.
π But with Hull having five matches of the campaign to play and sixth-placed Norwich and Boro both having four, Rosenior was refusing to draw a line through his sideβs season.
κ¦βWe need to take it to the wire and we have an opportunity to take it to the last day,β Rosenior said. βAs we know anything can happen on the last day. Norwich have got tough games, weβve got tough games.β
πRosenior, though, rued Hullβs inability to take three points despite outplaying for Middlesbrough for large spells after falling behind to Emmanuel Latte Lathβs sixth goal in his last eight matches.
π Hull got on top and were well worth a leveller through Jaden Philogeneβs cross-cum-shot while Seny Dieng then played Lewis OβBrien into trouble, which allowed Jean Michael Seri to steal in and put the Tigers deservedly ahead before half-time.
πWhile Hull had opportunities to extend their lead, Boro had the final say as a swift break was finished by Finn Azaz, whose 71st-minute strike deflected off Alfie Jones before nestling in the net.
ꦦRosenior added: βItβs the same story, Iβm really proud of 99.9 per cent of the stuff we do but we just donβt take advantage and then we shoot ourselves in the foot.
π΄βItβs what could end up β Iβm not saying has done β costing us something that is so attainable with this group. Thatβs the painful thing at the moment for the lads and everyone involved in the club.
πΉβWe can see the potential is there but potential is nothing, you have to turn it into results. If we consistently play at that level for the next five games, weβll come really close.
βWe have to be perfect. I donβt mean by winning five games, I mean by managing moments. We have an outstanding football κ¦Ίteam at this level but we consistently havenβt taken advantage of the moments.β
Despite Middlesbroughπͺ walking away with just one point, Carrick was incredulous when asked if he and his side are still optimistic of finishing sixth or higher.
πHe said: βYouβre kidding, arenβt you? Of course we are. One hundred per cent. Itβs pretty obvious weβve got to win the next game. Nothingβs changed from before this game.
π₯βNorwich took a point (in a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday), us and Hull have taken a point. There are games to play.
πβAnything can happen in this league so thereβs no way weβre giving up on anything just yet.β