Manager Mick McCarthy was pleased to keep up his unbeaten home record despite the under par performance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City. The Blues boss, who has led his side to three wins and two draws at Portman Road since taking over as manager at the start of last month, believes Town’s home form will be key to what he still views as a fight to avoid relegation.

McCarthy said: “Let’s stay unbeaten [at home]. We were never going keep winning and they got a goal and had something to hang on to.

“I was pleased with the response and I think we’ve had plenty of chances in the game as well. But home form is going to be vital to us.”

The Town boss is looking for an improvement in the games against Charlton, his old club Wolves and Brighton between now and New Year’s Day: “It’s a hectic old time, so we try and keep them fit and try and get better performances than that.

“I’ve never done anything other than look over my shoulder. The results we’ve had in the last two weeks and those of the others around us have not changed my view on it.

“I was asked whether it was still May 4th [I’m focusing on] and I said that it still is, to be safe and secure.

“We’ve had a good run but then I’ve also seen it with teams where a new manager comes in, they have a good run and everything’s shiny and new. Then, can they maintain that level? We’ll see.”

In terms of Boxing Day’s away game against Charlton (KO 1pm), McCarthy was planning to start his preparations today with the squad training on Christmas Day: “I haven’t looked at them at all, I’ll be doing that on Monday morning.”

Striker Daryl Murphy suffered a knee injury against the Robins before being replaced by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in the second half, but McCarthy was hopeful that the Irishman would be OK for the trip to the Valley.

Photo: Action Images

Barnesy added 08:34 - Dec 24 Wise words Mick we need the home wins
0

oscarwhiting added 08:44 - Dec 24 Big game up next boys lets not lose as we could go into the drop zone
0

townietilidie added 08:52 - Dec 24 Home form really is the key . Although Saturdays performance was disappointing on the whole you have to be happy with the 3 wins & 2 draws so far under Mick . I don't agree when people say MM inherited a poor / bad squad from PJ because I think on paper we look a strong squad . The difference is he inherited a squad rock bottom of confidence and completely out of sorts . MM is slowly building that confidence and getting some organisation back into the team on the pitch . It's going to take time , it was never goin to be a quick fix so let's keep showing our support for Mick and the boys and our love for our great club . IMWT ... COYB !!!

0

BigAlsMate added 10:16 - Dec 24 Let's get real about all this. Mick has improved the way we play no end .... but we are still not quite there yet. I will be happy with survival this season, which was looking highly unlikely under Jewell to be fair, and then use this season as the launch pad for better things next season, with hopefully a real promotion push the season after. That's being realistic. Happy Christmas everyone!

0

DanLyles added 10:17 - Dec 24 On Saturday I thought that our back four really grew into the game after a shaky start. Tommy Smith barely put a foot wrong defensively, although him and Chambers were largely up against Stead, who was ploughing a lone furrow. N'Daw didn't have his best game and Drury only looked lively towards the end, but they were up against a bizarre 3-6-1 formation. Murphy battled well up top in his target man role and DJ had a double chance where he should have scored. Our biggest weakness though in my opinion is in the creative positions. If we want to ever challenge at the other end of the table then we need to recruit midfielders who regularly score and assist. None of our midfielders have scored more than one goal!!! That is truly shocking!!! MM will get an opportunity to bring in his own personnel over January and in the summer. At the risk of sounding like a broken record player, the likes of Matt Ritchie (22 games, 9 goals, 5 assists) at Swindon and Alan Judge at Notts County would definitely add the fire power and creativity we need. Both are also renowned for their work rate and commitment. I would also be tempted to play Paul Taylor, when he returns, on the wing, where his pace, dribbling and finishing would give us far more of a cutting edge.

0

alexsmith111 added 11:04 - Dec 24 Danlyles, I agree about creative midfield. Which unfortunately hasn't been filled since Norris left. Scored a lot, assisted more! Martin is the closest we have now, but not the same
0

suffolkpunch1978 added 11:19 - Dec 24 Saturday was a reality check, bad day at the office, but we did not get beaten. Roll on january when mmc and co can start to build a team that can keep us up.
0

ericclacton added 11:27 - Dec 24 I dont think anybody was under the illusion that MM would take us halfway up the league by winning every game as soon as he arrived, the bloke will do well to keep us in it. He is having to use a poor squad he Inherited from mad Jewell.
0

StowTractorBoy added 13:25 - Dec 24 Great post Dan Lyles. Would def change midfield on Boxing Day and hope Hyam will come in to break up the play which Drury and N'Daw could not do on Saturday although admittedly against a packed midfield. I can understand Micks caution on where we are and where we need to be on May 4th as this league is tough from top to bottom and when you look at the Bristol City squad how on earth are they down at the bottom ? I noticed that Hulse and Fuller were both on the bench Saturday for Charlton so will no doubt be fit and back to face us. We must make sure we come out of the traps quickly as on Saturday we certainly did not and it cost us. See you at Charlton if we can find a parking space.

0

Cheshire_Blue added 13:33 - Dec 24 How much better we would be if we had retained Norris,MaCauley and LEADBITTER. Never given the credit they deserved and not surprisingly decided to move on where their talents are more appreciated.
0

johnwarksshorts added 13:50 - Dec 24 I just don't think these players had the right manager at the time to play for, who knows what they would have been like under MM "s tutorlege.
0

Lombokblue added 14:10 - Dec 24 Chopra is 28 and used to be a 20 goal a season striker. McCarthy is a decent man manager maybe he can get the best out of him.
0

Wickets added 15:18 - Dec 24 Points are points home or away as Mick knows only too well!
0

Seasider added 16:05 - Dec 24 Mick said that in view of Christmas schedule,may make one or two changes over this period;how about giving Moshni a try up front in place of Murphy who has picked up a knock,also Elliott Hewitt and Luke Hyam on Wednesdat please! Happy Christmas to one and all,and thanks to Phil for keeping us so well informed over the year.
0

jas0999 added 16:07 - Dec 24 5 straight home defeats under PJ (and last game Hutchings) - five straight home games without defeat under MM. Excellent by Mick in comparison. Two tough games coming up - hoping for two draws as a minimum. Then the hard work starts - getting rid of PJ's mess and building a team.
0

itfchorry added 16:22 - Dec 24 Yes spot on Jas0999 -Clegg should have left with PJ too. COYB Charlton 0-2 Tractor Boys
0

TimmyH added 17:34 - Dec 24 Yeah don't forget PJ walked Cleggy didn't give him the boot! although we heard this 'the tipping point was finally reached' cobblers from Clegg. I too agree he should have gone as well. Partly agree with MM about we are still in a dog fight and our home form IS important if we are to climb away from it, but have to say if we are still in a dog fight come March/April I for one will be hugely disappointed with the team and would expect more from the management too, the team he has inherited is not that bad on paper and certainly good enough if we had started the season without PJ at the helm to mid-table at least. A point expected Boxing Day at please. Merry Xmas all the people on this forum and COYB!!

0

hollywoodginge added 10:25 - Dec 25 Merry Xmas to all the blue army, posters or otherwise. To Phil and Gav and all at ITFC
0

kuyski added 17:30 - Dec 25 just go ahead ，【IMIT】
0

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls