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Delighted McCarthy Looking Forward to "Unbelievable" Play-Off
Saturday, 2nd May 2015 15:42

Delighted Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he's looking forward to the Blues’ “unbelievable” play-off semi-final against local rivals Norwich City, Town having been confirmed in sixth in the Championship despite losing 3-2 at Blackburn in their final league game this afternoon.

The Town manager felt his team deserved to make it, despite today’s loss: “Relieved, but delighted as well. We’ve kind of had to remind ourselves in the dressing room that we’re in the play-offs, and deservedly so. We’ve got 78 points and we’ve deserved it over the season.”

The Town boss says the play-offs hold no fear for him: “Nothing my terrifies me, I have to be honest.

"It’s inspirational, the thought of going into them, when I don’t think anybody gave us a chance at the start of the season.

“I think everybody’s seen what we’re made of. We weren’t great today but we still kept going and could have got back in it. I’d liked to have done it on our own merits but the play-offs are something to relish and look forward to.”

As for the games against Norwich themselves, starting with a home tie next Saturday (KO 12.15pm), he added: “That’s an unbelievable tie. I’m looking forward to it, there’s nothing else that I can do.

“I imagine that as they’ve beaten us twice there’ll be some thinking it’ll be an easy turnover but I guess anybody who knows anything about it will know that won’t be the case.”

Does he view the Blues as underdogs? “I actually don’t think there is an underdog in a two-legged tie.

“All right, they’ve finished third and we’ve finished sixth, but there aren’t too many points between us over the season. I’m not going to portray myself as the underdog.”

He continued: “I kept saying it’s about what you end up with on May 2nd during the league, it’s now what you end up on on May 25th.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be at Wembley, but we’ve a helluva tie, they’re a good side, they’re a very good side, Norwich.”

McCarthy says he was aware of developments elsewhere at points during the afternoon: “At half-time I knew and with about 75 minutes I was told that Derby were 2-0 down.


“I still wanted to get back in it, I wanted us to do it and get a point and nobody could have said anything untoward about us.

“But they can’t anyway because the season’s finished and the points are there and it’s done.

“If you’ve followed me all season I’ve said that it’s what you end up with on May 2nd and that somebody’s going to get a slap on the last day with goal difference, and it turned out it was Derby and not us. How happy does that make me feel? It’s great.”

The Blues boss says he’s aware what the game will mean to supporters: “I’ll be getting everything I’ve had this week, the drain on your emotions when people keep coming up and telling you ‘You’ll be all right, we’ll do this, we’ll do that’.

“All people do is pour their pain and negativity and emotions on to other people. And if I could stand and say ‘Listen, we’re going to win, it’s going to be a piece of cake’, they’d love that, but I can’t.

“‘What are you going to do?’. We’ll do what we normally do. I’ve had every scenario given to me ahead of today and, do you know what, the one that’s happened was one nobody would have picked.”

He admits that he hasn’t the greatest play-off record having played six and won only once, the 2002 World Cup games against Iran when Ireland boss.

“It’s not been great my play-off past, I have to be honest, although I did get to a World Cup finals via a play-offs,” he recalled.

“But that doesn’t count for anything. It’s different, it’s a new game, a new season, a new prize that’s at stake. And I’m looking forward to it.

“I tried to keep them calm this week, maybe I’ll make them anxious all next week because we didn’t play particularly well when I thought we were calm. Maybe we need to get them excited.”

However today had gone he says he would have been proud of his players: “I’ve said that to them in the dressing room, had we not qualified, I’d have had to go in and say ‘Listen lads, I’m immensely proud of what you’ve done and given me this season and what we’ve achieved’.

“It was nicer to be able to do that with us in the play-offs, of course, but I would still have said it because they’ve been fabulous.

“They give everything, you’ve seen today that they don’t leave anything on the pitch. We didn’t play well but we were still going at it hammer and tongs trying to get that point even when we knew the result at Derby.”

As for the match itself, he dismissed suggestions that the result was a bit harsh as his team, and striker Freddie Sears in particular, had been unlucky in front of goal.

“It’s not bad luck, it’s bad technique really,” he added. “Dario Gradi taught me that on my coaching badge. All the lads kept saying ‘Unlucky, unlucky’ and he marched on and said ‘It’s not unlucky, it’s bad technique’.

“It stuck with that, and it is. It’s bad finishing, and that from a guy who has been brilliant.

“He felt really bad today, Freddie, but I said ‘Save it for the play-off, pal. You can’t score every game, save it for next week and the week after’.

“He’s been brilliant. Goalscorers just don’t do it every week. I said ‘Isn’t it lovely that you’ve missed chances and we’re still end up in the play-offs?’. You feel a damned sight better about that than if we’d have missed out and he’d have been ruing all his missed chances.

“Now he’s got two great games to look forward to and he can score again. And I’m sure he will.”

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer was pleased to see his side, who ended the season in ninth, extend their recent solid run of form.

“It’s a good way to round off the season, we’re seven unbeaten,” he said. “We wanted to stay unbeaten throughout the summer because it lasts with you a long time, your last game.

“I think it’s frustrating that you’ve seen the performance that we’ve produced against a team that’s in the play-offs and we’re not there ourselves.

“We’ve got to work very hard this summer and come back looking to build on the two years of stability and progression that we’ve made.”

Bowyer paid tribute to one-time England international David Dunn, 35, who was making his final appearance for Rovers.

“He was outstanding,” he added. “I’m delighted that we’ve won the game for him. I think it’s a fabulous send-off for him.

“Today you saw some absolutely fantastic bits of skill on the pitch that only he can do. One pass in particular out to Adam Henley was top, top drawer. He’s going to be sadly missed here.”


Photo: Action Images



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blueherts added 15:51 - May 2
Spot on - Amazing start then they started getting space behind and pumping crosses in - we have looked abit suss to those in recent months - good thing is Norwich dont play that way !!
Sears and Murph been excellent and yes we were abit rushed in front of goal - Sears and Hunt
Thought when Mings got behind down the line in second half he put in some decent balls
Listen all I care about is we are in it
All gravy now !! Anyone can beat anyone - and thankfully Reading are that team today !!! Gotta love Benty missing ( or to be fair good save by keeper)
Lets just enjoy it now !
12

Pendejo added 16:12 - May 2
A win please Mick, by ANY means necessary even Allardyce Bolton stylee v Naaridge.

They beautiful expansive football at Wembley - you can do it!
4

Michael11 added 16:15 - May 2
I'm on my way home, still trying to catch my breath. What an atmosphere and an occassion to be a part of. We were so poor defensively but we looked like scoring every time we came forward so still positives to take. Teddy Bishop deserves special mention as he was absolutely immense today! Bru has to start ahead of Tabb for me and play 4-3-3. If we play this defensive style against Norwich we'll get hammered again. We really owe Norwich for the last 4 games we've played against them, I just pray we can do it!
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rinkydinkpanther added 16:28 - May 2
That point at home to Wigan really was important, just as McCarthy suggested it could be.
8

BlueSwede added 16:28 - May 2
Really really really ecstatic here on the other side of the Northsea. Doesn't matter how we got into the playoffs, the important thing is that we are there.

I wonder what all those who thought we showed no ambition when we went for Sears and Derby went for Lingaard, Bent and Ince think now. Pretty sure Sears cost us less to buy than that trio cost Derby to take on loan...

Now the season starts a new, everyone from the same startingline. As for Norwich, I am pretty sure they don't fancy meeting us. They have everything to lose and we have everything to win in that semifinal.
9

afrodids added 16:29 - May 2
On another day sears could have had a hat-trick. let's hope he saves it for the play offs. I agree Michael I think we need to attack I don't go for this protecting a lead . why does it always take being behind for us to get on the front foot!!we should score then go for the throat and kill teams off!
14

TimmyH added 16:31 - May 2
Yep great play-off to come, we have to start with a positive starting 11 and by that I mean not Parr or Tabb (unlikely Mick will do that) in midfield. We have to give Norwich something to think about, the team is undoubtedly better with the inclusion of Bru/Bishop as a passing side. Varney out wide or even up top would give their defense problems with Sears/Murphy.
10

roytheboy added 16:56 - May 2
Thank you Mick.
9

essex57 added 17:04 - May 2
Blueherts seem to remember plenty of negative comments about MM and ME when we didnt deal in the transfer window Bent didnt do Derby any good in the end Well done MM TC youve done a fantastic job with good team spirit lets knock the budgies off their perch and onto Wembley
6

muccletonjoe added 17:10 - May 2
Think we need variety and bru playing against norwich. On today's Performance I would not give us much of a chance, but with football, nothing is a foregone conclusion. We need to play better all round though
7

blueherts added 17:22 - May 2
Essex - yep funny how it turns out - I also remember that idiot Chairman at Derby Vicars taking to twitter after they beat us having a dig - I wonder how he feels now !
Totally agree re comments about Parr and Tabb - Bru Skuse and Varney in the middle
Just remember the Sears chance up at Carrot Road - we will get chances but just need to take them !
It is a fantastic effort and I really and strangely think we may do em !
Just got to track their midfielders !
Lets raise afew glasses tonight to all the squad , management and then one for Reading FC
14

Warkys_Tash added 17:25 - May 2
Yesss!!


Superb lads, well done to all. MM & TC deserve massive credit. On another day we could have won that game with the chances we had - but who cares?! Bring on those Budgies, they won't fancy it deep down.

10

Warkys_Tash added 17:28 - May 2
P.S: Where is all the bitching & whining about not signing Bent, Ince & Lingaard now?

A massive financial gamble that never paid off for Derby, Brenner said after the pen mis that Benty is still an Ipswich lad, classic comment!
10

therein61 added 17:28 - May 2
Still on my way back from Blackburn waiting for a delayed connection I have time to reflect on what is to come(today is gone and we have achieved a play off spot great!!) the omens are good on our last venture into the play offs we finally beat our then nemesis Bolton then beat Barnsley(red shirt) at Wembley, well that lot up the road have been pain this season so it's time to put them away and I really fancy us over 2 legs then it's off to Wembley and whoever we meet play in red!!!!!! so he we go boys up and at em!!!! come on you blues.
4

Godzilla added 17:30 - May 2
You are the man Mick, you are the man. I remember the slap comment well.
6

algarvefan added 17:54 - May 2
All the way from Portugal, congratulations to the lads.....it's anyone's now.......Norwich for me are favourite's so knock them out and we can go all the way.

Brilliant season, much better than expected....once more into the breach dear team !!!
6

bluesince84 added 19:02 - May 2
A brilliant day. Yes we lost our way to victory but all the same we done it. I just hope Tyrone ups his thus far terrible form and we DO NO START HUNT. He was truly awful today, cant moan as he is generally brilliant but christ knows what happened today. If we defend like that again next week i fear a tronking but you never know in football. Shame McGoldrick has gone back to Forrest, could have done with his guile.
-2

jas0999 added 19:08 - May 2
Well done Mick. Two and a half seasons. First half season he worked wonders to keep us up. Second season saw us press on and now we have made the play offs. Good going.
8

TractorBeezer added 19:46 - May 2
Well done lads. Even though we lost this game it's a great achievement to make the play-offs. There are opportunities for improvement that we are quite capable of. Most notably defending like we were earlier in the season, more midfield presence and Freddie to get his shooting boots on again. That's why I am optimistic about taking on the Scum.
Come on boys...you can do it!
4

KiwiBlue2 added 23:55 - May 2
Well last night was a real roller-coaster here watching a feed of the game and monitoring the other key results. I agree about playing a more attacking midfield as we need to give the budgies some problems there instead of just trying to soak up pressure from them. Winning the first leg while keeping them scoreless is essential
6

LegendofthePhoenix added 06:46 - May 3
To Mick, Terry and all the team, thank you. The work rate has been superb and the result is that we are in the Playoffs with a great chance to get promotion. Top scorer, new talent that has bloomed, increased attendances, and a team that really gets stuck in, it has been the most exciting season for years.
Now lets win that Playoff semi and wipe the smug smile off the faces of the scum up the road, a win any how is fine with me.
5

battyblue added 07:43 - May 3
Well Mick we made it juuust, now as your an ex defender and we would of thought one of your better managerial areas of coaching can we have the defense sorted for play offs please you have persisted with this goal leaking defense for far to long now put it back how it was when we went 19 odd games undefeated; Cambo center back Parr or Hewitt right back,sorry Tommy the team are or should be bigger than one or two players we will loose the play off without change look at the bigger picture i know you are loyal to your players but us supporters deserve better than this,,and i know you don't give a sh-t what people want or think but you should at least hear what town supporters have to say they pay your wages and Marcus should enclose a clause in your contract that an hour or two should be spent a week reading the comments on TWTD forum,,well done very well done Mick & Terry for our season up to new year thanks for excellent signing of Freddy Sears now lets all sing together at Wembly,,its all down to you now.
1

Tractorog added 10:04 - May 3
In January when Derby spent big and all we did was spend £100k I thought that we would not make it, even more so when our form dipped and Derby's raised. How wrong I was. How right Mick and TC were as young Freddie knocked them in for fun. The reason were on this forum is we are fans not managers and thank goodness we have a good one who doesn't listen to us.
The good news is I think we'll lose against Norwich and I think I've just shown how wrong I can be.
0

brittaniaman added 10:38 - May 3
We do not start this next game with a point MM. so it is all or nothing game at PR. ???
We all know we must take advantage at PR. and go for it !!!!
1

blue_movies added 11:11 - May 3
How many points has Tommy Smith cost us this season. Not only doesn't he look like he know what he should be doing at set pieces. I'm not sure he knows what sport he playing.
0


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