Portsmouth, like Derby County, are just starting their return to the Championship after being promoted from League One last season. However, Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick anticipates that Portsmouth will approach today’s game at the Riverside quite differently from how Derby did last weekend.

Derby County’s manager, Paul Warne, admitted he deviated from his usual tactics to frustrate Carrick’s team last week, resulting in a victory despite Derby managing only three shots on goal compared to Boro’s 20.

Carrick understands that such defensive strategies are something Boro will need to get used to this season as a top promotion contender. However, Portsmouth’s approach might not be as defensive.

Portsmouth’s first season back in the Championship after 12 years shows that they are not likely to adopt a defensive stance. Their initial games reflect an attacking intent: they played a thrilling 3-3 draw with Leeds and were held to a 0-0 draw by Luton despite having 15 shots on goal, even though Luton’s goalkeeper was sent off early.

Carrick acknowledged Portsmouth’s strong start and their attacking style, stating that their performance against Leeds and Luton was impressive. He praised their approach to the league and expects a challenging match.

Carrick has moved on from the disappointment of last week’s game against Derby, recognizing that Boro needs to find ways to secure results even when faced with defensive setups. He noted the positives from their performance and emphasized the importance of adapting to different tactical challenges throughout the season.

He remains confident in his squad’s ability to adjust and win games, whether opponents choose to press aggressively or sit back. Carrick is optimistic that his team will improve over time and adapt effectively to various challenges.