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Middlesbrough's faith in head coach Michael Carrick never wavered despite a poor start to the Championship season, says head of football Kieran Scott.

Having led Boro to the play-offs last term, Carrick had to wait eight league games for a first win of this campaign.

Since then, they have won nine of the past 11 matches in all competitions.

"It would have been hugely poor form from us to react, call it a day and start again after five games," Scott told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Tees.

"That was never in our thoughts, Michael and his staff have all bought into the idea of developing players.

"We're all part of the plan and we're all going to live it together."

Carrick's remarkable turnaround last season after replacing Chris Wilder prompted a unlikely promotion bid for the Teessiders.

His approach brought the best out of players such as Chuba Akpom, who had a career-best campaign before joining Ajax this summer.

The recruitment of talented prospects such as Sammy Silvera and Rav van den Berg, plus arrivals including Emmanuel Latte Lath and Lukas Engel is starting to bear fruit for the former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder.

Boro are now 10th in the Championship and two points outside the play-offs.

"It might sound a bit crazy from me, but we all felt like things were moving in the right direction," Scott added.

"Me and Michael spoke a lot, we were both calm. We've all seen how calm he is and that passes onto the players and staff.

"Make no mistake he's not had a career like he has and come into management if he's not got that little 'bit' when he needs it. Just by nature he's a calm, intelligent, methodical guy - he wants to find a solution rather than shouting and moaning.

"There's been a massive upturn and the credit has to go to him."