Manager Mick McCarthy says beating Norwich City in today’s East Anglian derby won’t just see the Blues claim local pride but would be a significant psychological boost for his players (Sky Sports 1/HD1 noon, KO 12.15pm).

Having beaten Fulham 2-1 on the opening day, McCarthy says defeating another recently relegated former Premier League side would give his squad a big lift.

“The psychological boost we would get is from winning the game and beating a good team because they are a good team,” he said.

“What our lads want to do is they want to be in the top six. Whether that’s possible, I don’t know.

“That would be the psychological boost, beating a Norwich team who have just come out of the Premier League, who have just had two good victories, that’s the boost that you get. I know it’ll be a little bit more because it’s a local derby.”

McCarthy dismissed suggestions of his players wanting revenge for the 5-1 and 4-1 hammerings when the teams most recently met three seasons ago.

None of the 18 which featured in the last game at Portman Road are still at Town while Tommy Smith is the only player at the club who played in the match at Carrow Road.

“Nothing to do with us, that!” McCarthy added. “I hope people aren’t getting revenge for my games at Wolves when I’ve been left for two years, or Sunderland: ‘Mick McCarthy lost here, we’ve got to get revenge on his behalf!’. It’s a different game.”

Luke Hyam was with the Blues back in 2010/11 but watched from the stands, while the only current Town player other than Smith to have been involved in an East Anglian derby in any capacity is Bartosz Bialkowski, who was on the bench in the 3-2 win at Portman Road in 2009 during his earlier loan spell.

For Norwich, John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Andrew Surman and Wes Hoolahan have all featured in previous games between the clubs.

McCarthy says there are lots of elements which come into play in a derby: “You might get a little bit of luck, but you’ve got to compete because generally they are a little bit more competitive.

“How that transpires I don’t really know because we all give 100 per cent every week, certainly we do, and then you get another game which can get a little bit more heated.

“It’s also about being calm, actually. It’s being able to have the ball when people are expecting things of you, demanding that you win. Having a calm head and the coolness to play.

“And then when chances come along, which inevitably they will for both teams, it’s about who manages to take them.”

Photo: Action Images

SouperJim added 07:39 - Aug 23 I love Mick, but I'm not sure he understands quite how massive this game is. Town need to put in another performance like Fulham today, or Mick will learn very quickly that this game means everything to the fans.
5

Suffolk_n_Good added 07:53 - Aug 23 Agree souperjim, not sure MM has quite grasped the importance of this game, he seems to be playing it down, but then maybe that's just him trying to take the heat/focus off the players, I don't know, but one thing is for sure, if we lose without putting in a performance, with our depleted squad, fingers will inevitably start pointing.... Huge game, COYBs
3

Jimmy86 added 08:09 - Aug 23 This game is about as huge as Grant Holt's waistline!!! Just hope the players and mick are well aware of how much this means to us as fans. Show pride, passion and commitment in the shirt first and foremost but keep your head. COYB!!! happy derby day
2

kesgrave_bluey added 08:34 - Aug 23 Beating Norwich Would Be Psychological Boost and Losing Would Have The Opposite Effect.
4

ArnieM added 09:04 - Aug 23 GET INTER EM AND FOOK EM UP
0

Mark added 09:20 - Aug 23 At least we are a tough side to play against these days, especially at Portman Road, so shouldn't be a walk over like the Keane sides. The team last team was: Lee-Barrett, McAuley, Delaney, Carson, O'Dea, Leadbitter, Edwards, Norris, Bullard, Wickham, Scotland.
0

cornishblu added 09:36 - Aug 23 ...this game isn't big ....it's HUGE....nice cooked breakfast now on our way COYB
1

itfc1981 added 10:19 - Aug 23 Come on Town!
1

Tractamatt added 10:33 - Aug 23 Micks more than aware of how big this game is, I'm sure his apparent down playing of the huge nature of this game could be 1, to help with any nerves in the squad and 2, mind games with Norwhich. Really hope we go for the throat from the of.COYS
1

bluemagic74 added 10:48 - Aug 23 What can I say apart from COYB up the town....
0

Bergholtblue added 17:42 - Aug 23 Winning would have been a psychological boost, so Mick what does a disappointing defeat mean? What are you going to do to change our fortunes?
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls