Chambo: We're Only Going to Improve
Monday, 18th May 2015 06:00 Skipper Luke Chambers insisted that Town will only get better under manager Mick McCarthy after Saturday’s play-off semi-final defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
The 10-man Blues were beaten 3-1 on the day and 4-2 on aggregate to miss out on a place in next Monday’s final against Middlesbrough at Wembley.
“Under the manager we have we are only going to improve, he is experienced in this division and knows how to set teams up,” Chambers said.
“You have seen how he has galvanised this team, the whole town, everyone is together. The fans are coming back, they believe in the team and backed by the owner I’m sure the manager will make this team even stronger.”
Regarding next Monday's match, he added: “The final is wide open. None of the previous results will matter. I wish them all the best in the final but all I’m looking at is us getting there or going up automatically next season.”
Reflecting on Saturday’s game, the 29-year-old felt the match turned on the penalty incident which saw central defender Christophe Berra red-carded for handling Nathan Redmond’s goal-bound shot.
“The penalty and red card have changed the game,” he continued. “No one gave us a chance to get where we are at the beginning of the season but we did.
“Halfway through the season we were top two, we will look to at least make the play-offs next season and hopefully go one better. It has been an absolute pleasure to play with every one of those players in that dressing room.
“This is my sixth play-off and I have still to make the final. I thought this year was going to be different and felt we could win the game. Up until the penalty that never changed.
“I would say they got the rub of the green but they didn’t really because it was a penalty. We should not have given the ball away earlier in the passage of play to allow players of their quality do what they did.”
The Blues captain backed Scotland international Berra, despite his dismissal: “Christophe has been an absolute rock for us all season.
“It wasn’t his fault, it was an instinct. In hindsight you say let it in but who knows what any of us what do in that situation. We will never blame Christophe for this because he has been brilliant for us all season.”
He admits failing to reach the final is going to be hard to take but believes the Blues, who finished sixth this season, three positions better than last year, will continue to make progress.
“It is going to be a long week for us now,” he said. “We will only get stronger after this. I have said to the lads before we need to make the most of these opportunities, learn from them and grow.
“It doesn’t feel it right now but we should be proud of what we have done. Teams will not want to play us at Portman Road next season now."
Meanwhile, winger Stephen Hunt has expressed his frustration at the end of the campaign in his Irish Sunday Independent column, while he and several other Blues players commented on the play-off defeat and the end of the season on Twitter.
Photo: Action Images
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Superblue95 added 11:39 - May 18
Bring in a right back a goal scoring/creating midfielder a left winger and another striker and we may just go one better next season, as long as we keep the core of the current squad together |  | |
jas0999 added 12:12 - May 18
We will improve only if we keep the current squad together and add some quality and goals to the midfield. We possibly need another option up front. We need to ensure the squad is big enough to cope with injuries. We don't want another situation where we are unable to name a full quota of subs, or have no recognised strikers on the bench. The better teams have goals in midfield though and that's our weakness. |  | |
TimmyH added 12:54 - May 18
Hope we do improve but I think that's a bit premature of Chambers to say so...still feel we need a creative/attacking force in midfield and some quality out wide but I'm not sure if this is genuinely in Mick's ethic to get us out of this league.
A lot of teams of recent years that have been promoted by and large do play a more expansive attacking style of football (maybe Hull the season before last played to keep clean sheets) so I do feel the style of Football Mick encourages does have it's toll on players fitness levels as the season progresses. No doubt the team spirit will be there again next season and the effort too but is it enough? |  | |
PortmanTerrorist added 13:13 - May 18
Can't believe am not more devastated. Moreover, cannot wait for pre-season. Anyone for Barnet away again this year ?
Lots of talk about the first team squad, but will be very interested in some of the fringe players in pre season.
Hewitt at RB, RWB or even RM ?
Cameron Stewart at anywere
Selective young Irish talent (e.g. Dylan Connolly) making their mark
and maybe 1 or 2 of Benyu, McQueen, Marriott and Henshall
And dare we dream of a season long loan of Williams......surely he would be fit by the end of the summer ?! | | |
unknown100 added 13:29 - May 18
Great season on a shoe string budget, unbelievable grit, determination and fitness, without a real playing style and some weak links, we have managed 6th, we could walk that league with a few smart signings, not saying we need millions but enough money for some fees would be nice. Think if we want to get promoted we need to get rid of the dead weight though and people might say no they've worked really hard but keeping them around will not get us promoted... Tabb, Anderson, the hunts, Chaplow, sad for varney could have been a real asset, sort the wingers and the right back and will walk it, team doesn't need much just that creative flair, 2 good wide me, chambers as centre back and a new right back | | |
Beattiesballbag added 15:12 - May 18
stephen hunt
✔
@stephenhunt1010
Proud of team mates today and fans deserve better,one thing we have is fight,
Thats true!....... we were first to nearly every ball in the first half.....but then what did we do with it? There was one moment in the first half when the ball landed at Skuse's feet with acres of space in front of him & for a split second I thought we were on for a quick break forward........ then he turned round & laid the ball back....again.
I'm sorry but having a midfield player who is reluctant to pass the ball forward is as big a luxury as a midfield player who doesn't tackle.
Not to mention playing a system that allows the opposition to put two defenders on Murphy............where are the goals going to come from?
We certainly know how to battle because the poor players have to!
I haven't checked but I would suspect that since Christmas playing to stop the opposition we've averaged less points per game than the last half of the season when Mick arrived.
How we were playing before Christmas is the only way we could go up & if that means the odd slip up then give the players a break & let them put their energy in attack rather than defence.
I don't care how hard a player works but if your team is built around a player whose main contribution to going forward is to pass the ball back to the fullback your going to struggle to score goals.
So to all you see no evil speak no evil fans I know it's hard to face up to reality but please don't hold your breath for promotion as some thing needs to change. |  | |
dirtydingusmagee added 15:28 - May 18
So we never made the Prem,Budgies are not there yet .I will be cheering for the smoggies .I'll always be proud to be a Town supporter,Narritch supporters can say what they like. i could still look em in the eyes whilst P'ing on their shoes . COYB |  | |
armchaircritic59 added 17:05 - May 18
If the Irish lad Mcdonnell is half as good as the reports coming out of Portman Road hinted earlier this season, then we might not need another creative midfielder, now that he is clear to play (at last!) Assuming he's still here that is! | | |
coolcat added 22:42 - May 18
Lucky 7 for Chambers. Great Captain and underestimated as a player. I think Town has turned a corner this year, despite defeat on Saturday and has got what it takes to do even better next season. |  | |
coolcat added 22:42 - May 18
Lucky 7 for Chambers. Great Captain and underestimated as a player. I think Town has turned a corner this year, despite defeat on Saturday and has got what it takes to do even better next season. | | |
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