Mick McCarthy says the search for more midfield goals was behind the switch which saw Ryan Tunnicliffe move to central midfield in place of Luke Hyam during last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City.

So far, the only goals from midfield this season are Paul Anderson’s two — although the one which went against his name against Millwall probably should have been an own goal — and Jay Tabb’s strike on the opening day at his old club Reading, all while playing in wide rather than central roles.

McCarthy is well aware that Tunnicliffe, Hyam and Cole Skuse are all still to open their accounts for the season.

“I just mixed it up and I wanted to see Tunners on the inside and I wanted to get goals from the middle of the park, from midfield areas,” he said.

“That’s something that we’ve got to try and improve on. I thought Tunners did well playing in there. That’s his position and I don’t think that anybody should just feel that their position is absolutely nailed on.”

McCarthy wants his midfielders to bring hard graft and a creative spark to his side: “I want them to do both. They all work hard, there’s not one of them that doesn’t do that because if they don’t they don’t play in the team, unless they score me 25 goals, then I might put up with them.

“But that’s not likely to happen, so in the meantime they’re all going to have to run around and work hard.

“It was just to change it around and I don’t think it had any detrimental effect. I looked at his stats and Tunners ran more than anybody in the game and actually had the biggest passing percentage. His performance was OK.

“I’m just looking to get goals, somebody’s going to have to provide me with them or they might find themselves out of the team.”

He believes Hyam - who is a doubt for today's game at Charlton with a stiff back - is capable of playing a more attacking role despite being pigeon-holed as an out and out defensive midfield player under Roy Keane and Paul Jewell: "I think other people had labelled him [as a holding midfielder]. We asked him to get further forward and try and be a bit more offensive, and he has.

“I tried something different, I’m not going to sit here and give you a reason and explain it because I just changed it.”

The addition of Aston Villa youngster is also aimed at increasing Town’s threat from midfield, McCarthy feeling that the 18-year-old is a different type of player to those currently at his disposal: “I like Ando, but Ando tucks in. Carlos is good, he does great defensive work, as does Hunty and Tabby.

“He’s just a young one who might just spark something off for us, that’s what I’m looking for. Who knows? We’ll wait and see. Let’s hope he does.”

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 06:10 - Nov 30 I have never been impressed with our midfield this season , no matter who has played , our biggest problem area for sure.
0

stevelincsexile added 06:53 - Nov 30 It has taken MM some time to see something that most of us have been saying for some time. I think he is right about Hyam because I have seen him score gaols for the under 18's and under 21's.
0

FrimleyBlue added 09:35 - Nov 30 Bollocks Mcarthy. " unless they scored 25 goals I wouldn't care " You let go of Jet. The only midfielder who's capable of scoring that amount of goals
0

whosroundisitanyway added 09:58 - Nov 30 Micksgoing1 You totally missed the point of Micks quote. Jet was a lazy player & his goal return was poor. Midfield players that dont rack up the goals need to put a real shift in, you cant afford "Luxury Players" in the championship. Your'e the one talking bollocks.
0

KiwiTractor added 10:51 - Nov 30 Jet 25 goals a season?? Hahaha. Could do worse than give Wordsworth a run.
0

warktheline added 11:13 - Nov 30 Look where Bristol city are in league 1,jet only played for himself,and that was when he felt like it.
0

Jimmy86 added 11:20 - Nov 30 Its amazing the amount of people who are jumping on the " we shouldnt have swapoed JET for anderson" debate. Yes JET is banging the goals in for bristol, but it has to be noted in a league below!!! He was the most bone idle, lazy and inconsistant player to ever pull on a town shirt and thought he could just turn up and walk the championship!! Well he now in league 1 so that really turned out well for him. Mick the reason anderson tucks in is coz thats the job YOU'VE asked him to do. And im afraid Hyam will never be an offensive minded player and is purely a defensice holding midfielder as he often proves

0

TimmyH added 11:51 - Nov 30 1xTabb 1xAnderson 1xTaylor - diabolical return from our midfield, I bet our defense has scored more which says everything about our creative play.
0

dford7 added 12:28 - Nov 30 He is spot on about Hyam. Even when he gets to edge of the box in space, he looks terrified of shooting. Good solid player but he needs to believe in himself when attacking.
0

Seasider added 12:39 - Nov 30 Two quotes from Mick above " Don't think anybody should feel their position is nailed on"Does this include Anderson and Berra ,Mick? "Unless they run around and work hard". Kiwi Tractor-that probably rules out Woody and explains why we have an uncreative midfield
0

theblueginger added 14:16 - Nov 30 I wouldn't say CM is our problem area...Skuse especially has been one of our better players this season. The goal return is a concern however. I would give Woody a try.
0

Walk_the_Wark added 14:37 - Nov 30 McCarthy post match- 'Let's see the running around stats Tel'… 'Ah- so-and-so wasn't running around enough- drop him for the next match'
0

blueboy1981 added 16:41 - Nov 30 ...... for some reason Hyam seems to freak out when he see's the 18 yard line - at this point 'the ball must go sideways, or backwards'.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls