Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
McCarthy: Stay in Touch
Monday, 5th May 2014 06:00

Manager Mick McCarthy is yet to offer loan midfielder Paul Green a contract for next season but has urged him to stay in touch over the summer. The 31-year-old, whose deal with parent club Leeds is up at the end of June, has impressed the Blues boss since moving to Portman Road in February.

Ireland international Green netted his second goal for Town to win Saturday’s final day game against Sheffield Wednesday and McCarthy says he’s given him something to think about.

“I thought Greeny was outstanding today,” the Town manager said after Saturday’s match. “I thought he was far and away the best player on the park in the first half.

“I’ve just spoken to him and said to keep in touch. We’re not going to sign him now, that’s not going to be the case, but he’s certainly given me a lot of food for thought in how he played and how he goes about his business. I think he’s great, I really like him.”

McCarthy has said he’ll also weigh-up whether to offer terms to fellow loanee Frazer Richardson, who is out of contract at Middlesbrough, and Stephen Hunt, whose short-term deal is up, later in the summer.

The Town boss agreed that his team has shown exceptional spirit this season but has sometimes lacked quality at key moments.

“I certainly wouldn’t disagree with that,” he said. “In the league you have to stick with it and we weren’t playing well today.


“I went in today at half-time and said that I’d take the rap, the gaffer changed it to 3-4-3 or whatever number, so I’ll take that bit, but you’ve still got to be able to pass it to each other whatever shape you’re playing.

“But they always stick with it and when you’re not playing well, you can grind a result out. And we’ve had to defend as well today, Gerks has made saves, so they’re a really spirited bunch of lads.”

He added: “I think we’ve given it a right good belt but we just weren’t good enough, and for whatever reason that frustrates me, that annoys me.

“But I’m not frustrated and annoyed with the players because they’ve given absolutely everything. They’ve worked harder than every team every single week. Never once did they leave anything on the pitch.

“I’m immensely proud of them and actually proud of what they’ve done this season. Slightly annoyed and frustrated as I said, but I don’t think anybody can complain really from what we started with and where anybody thought we were going to finish.”

Looking forward to next season, McCarthy says the core will be made up of the current squad with a few additions: “The nucleus of that team is still there.”

Following Saturday’s game McCarthy joined his squad on the traditional lap of honour and believes most fans will have felt that the players were worth their appreciation, the Blues having achieved their best finish for six years.

“I’d like to think so,” he said. “I think everybody I’ve spoken to, maybe the ones who don’t think it’s deserved don’t speak to me, and I’m sure there are some of them, but that doesn't bother me.

“I think the majority would say they’ve appreciated the effort from the players. And we always appreciate the support, certainly the away support has been magnificent.”

Elsewhere, departing skipper Carlos Edwards and Millwall confirmed their Championship survival with a 1-0 home win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Last week Lions manager Ian Holloway paid tribute to the 35-year-old, who is set to leave the Blues when his contract is up this summer, for adding stability to his defence in their successful battle to avoid the drop.

“Carlos Edwards was [brought in] just as a winger and I put him to right-back and he's settled us down,” he said.

“Young Ryan Fredericks will be a brilliant player in the future but at the moment that experienced old head has calmed things down little bit.”

The Trinidad and Tobago international has been a big hit with fans at the Den and has said he would be interested in signing for Millwall on a permanent basis. Edwards joined Londoners at the end of March and the Lions were unbeaten in his eight starts in which he scored one goal.

Elliott Hewitt was left out of Gillingham’s final League One game of the season, which ended in a 1-1 home draw with Shrewsbury. The Gills finished safely in 17th.

The 19-year-old right-back made 20 appearances for the Kent side across two spells at the Priestfield Stadium.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



rambohambo added 06:17 - May 5
We should sign him are midfield actuelly looked half decent with green and woody in the middle just really need some decent wingers with pace !
0

hairbear added 07:22 - May 5
Totally agree regarding green. Head & shoulders above Wordsworth on sat. Strong in the tackle & offered far more than woody going forward.
0

superkevinwilson added 07:47 - May 5
I would sign him, his our second top scorer in midfield and had only been here half a season. Even if his just a squad player. Now lets see if abujablue comments on this as well.
0

MitchtheITFCman added 07:59 - May 5
I wouldn't mind signing green as back up but we definitely need some creativity in the middle of the field and we need pace down the wings. Hunt doesn't offer us pace or creativity, his work rate is brilliant but work rate doesn't usually create chances. I think Hewitt has potential to be a right winger: everybody said he was a little shaky defensively so why not have him right wing? He is fast, strong, powerful and can cross so why not? I also think Cressy is a winger; he can deliver a ball and that reflects with the amount of assist he has got this season. As for Richardson, I think he is good enough cover, but if he can't even get a game over a out of position centre back then I would say no. Why not Luke ayling for Yeovil? I think that was mentioned on here a while ago. I'm not sure about this one but I think Chris Solly is out of contract with Charlton so he might be worth a look?
1

MitchtheITFCman added 08:02 - May 5
Also Chris Eagles is leaving Bolton, he might be worth a shot.
5

50yearsablue added 08:04 - May 5
I thought he was our best player at Burnley and the best outfielder Saturday, especially in the first half. Needs to play centre mid though but I suspect Hyam and Skuse are nailed on for those. Would be a good squad player and has the energy MM likes
2

rfretwell added 08:10 - May 5
Dont know why Leeds are not offering Green a new contract but he is just the sort of combative central midfielder we need, very experienced, a good organiser on the pitch, plays clever balls to the forwards and has an eye for a goal too which is maybe surprising a few on here. He is turning out to be a Micky Stockwell type from our Championship winning days. Mick is biding his time to see what other midfielders become available, maybe from the Prem on loan, but Green would def improve our midfield next season imo.
1

SouperJim added 08:37 - May 5
Similar to my point on the other story, let's not forget how much Jay Tabb improved our midfield while he was on loan. This season he's had a contract and Reading away aside, he's been utter pony. I don't think it's a deliberate act, just human nature, but players at the tail end of their career often struggle for form other than when they are in the shop window. Let's hope we don't get our fingers burnt again.
9

martleshamitfc added 08:47 - May 5
MitchtheITFCman - Chris Eagles turned us down to come here on loan so i doubt it.
1

KiwiTractor added 09:12 - May 5
Agree with SouperJim, how often do players look great when playing for a contract but then form drops dramatically once the pay cheque is coming in....
3

Michael11 added 09:20 - May 5
I'd probably take him if his wages were low and used more as a back up option. I wouldn't want to sign Richardson simply because I think Elliott Hewitt's already better than him. We definitely need to invest in some attacking, creative options all over our midfield. The fact that Green was our highest scoring central midfielder with two goals is just awful.
3

jas0999 added 09:27 - May 5
Thought he was disappointing to start with but finished the season strongly. However, for me he is too similar to our other central midfielders and despite the last two home games is not exactly known for his goals. Would personally prefer us to sign a more pacey creative midfield player.

We have to add pace and goals to our midfield if we are going to press on next season.
3

thebeat added 09:34 - May 5
Not for me. We already have two yard dog type midfielders in Skuse and Hyam. You dont need a 3rd. We need to bring two quick decent wingers and two creative midfielders in.
We've built a platform,next season we should be moving up a gear and playing more expansive football.
Mick will only be able to sign a certain amount of players and there will be better available than Green.
Id be looking at Chris Eagles and Burke from Birmingham to start with.
I wouldnt be signing Richardson or Green and i would let Tabb,Anderson,Hunt and Nouble go.They simply arent good enough if we want to push on.
8

LiamCP123 added 10:06 - May 5
Sign him. VS Wednesday he was magnificent, tackles well, rarely loses possession, great headers, good through passes, would love him.
2

oldelsworthyfan added 10:11 - May 5
MM will want to see who he CAN get before making an offer to Green (or Richardson, for that matter).

I agree with thebeat, he should let go Tabb, Anderson, Hunt and Nouble. Hopefully next season Wordy will get as much playing time that Nouble has had, because he has the ability to turn into a real star for us.

I still think we conceded far too many goals this season because, for me the back line has had four good players in it, but there has not been the proper understanding between them and Chambers is not a RB!
6

Mark added 10:13 - May 5
Green was very good in the last two matches at Portman Road, but no so impressive before that. He was playing to prove himself for a contract, but would the 31-year-old be so effective over a whole season as a first choice midfielder?

Our finances are very limited and we must spend wisely if we want promotion next season. I see Green as a decent enough squad player, but as to whether he is the man to really push us on I am not so sure. Let's see who else McCarthy can find and what the scouting network can unearth. I'd rather us sign players in their early 20s than early 30s.
2

TimmyH added 10:54 - May 5
Perhaps Green IS the answer in midfield rather than Skuse, be very surprised if me doesn't offer him at least a 1 year contract in the summer.
1

bring_back_Wickham added 11:38 - May 5
Gerken
Hewitt Berra Smith Mings
Anderson Wordsworth Hyam Cresswell
Mcgoldrick Murphy

Why is everyone culling Anderson when he has 5 goals this season?
1

NoCanariesAllowed added 12:00 - May 5
I would've said no. But then he's been scoring, which makes it harder to say no given that goals are a commodity our midfield's found hard to come by. Then again, it's not like he's been smacking in loads - we could probably find someone better overall.

BTW, have to say - that photo gives rather different connotations to that headline.

Aaron: "I've had an offer from Liverpool."
Paul & Cole: "You what?"

Mick: "Well... Stay in touch, Aaron!"
1

masetheace added 12:50 - May 5
Go for Green - much more progressive than our normal central two who go sideway too often for me . One of those with Green and two new pacy wide men would suit me
2

billlm added 14:11 - May 5
id take green immense for derby always liked him, when he first came here was lack of match fitness started the season under warnock, thought he played very well last 2 matches seems to me hes the sort of player who wants to play not just the contract, was a skuse man but well of the boil wasn't a hyam man but like the kid he should just be our defensive midfielder mm shouldn't try to make him in to an attacking midfielder, I think hyam still has a big job to do just sit along the back four cleaning up, id go green and hyam
2

MattinLondon added 16:03 - May 5
'Keep in touch' sounds like a brush-off but I doubt if MM would play those kind of games. Going by his comments MM probably has other options but will sign Green if those targets aren't signed.
0

MitchtheITFCman added 17:30 - May 5
Gerken
Berra Smith Chambers
Hewitt Hyam Skuse Mings
Eagles. McGoldrick. Cresswell
-3

Guthrum added 19:45 - May 5
Don't know why people keep on about goal-scoring midfielders. Surely that's what strikers are for? The midfield is there to stop the opposition coming through and to feed the ball forward to the front-men.
0

gazzmac4 added 09:43 - May 6
Isnt Lloyd Dyer out of contract in the summer, having already expressed a wish to move on? Just throwing that out there. That would be a great signing i reckon.
1


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024