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McCarthy: Players Won't Need Reminding About Royals Hammering Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2016 06:00
Town boss Mick McCarthy says his players won’t need reminding that tonight’s opponents Reading dished out their biggest thrashing in three years when the teams met at the Madejski Stadium earlier in the season. The Blues, who were soundly beaten 5-1 by the Royals on that Friday evening in September, will be looking to avenge that defeat, climb back into the top six and stretch their remarkable run of Tuesday night home victories to 16.
“It’s not one of those where I’ll have to go around reminding people, in fact that might be counterproductive,” McCarthy said.
“I’ve got a great bunch of lads who are motivated every week, that go out and give their all.
“I don’t think me mentioning it would make any difference. But I might do anyway, just in case!
“But I always tend to look at it as if I was one of them and I’d been there and lost by that margin, and I’d be well up for it.”
McCarthy was back at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday to see the Royals - who are 15th in the Championship, 10 points behind eight-placed Town - beat Walsall 4-0 in the FA Cup.
“It was a good win,” he added. “I thought they played well. I don’t think Walsall really caused them too many problems.
“Reading are a really strong team. I think they’ve punched below their weight. When we lost to them there 5-1 - although if you see the stats from the game we had 12 shots, they had six but five of them went in - I thought they’d be in the top six pushing for the top two.
“But whatever happened, they changed manager, Brian McDermott’s come back in and he’s a really safe pair of hands and knows everybody at the club, and he’s had a really good career there prior to this time.
“I looked at their players on Saturday and they have got as good a squad, I think, as anybody in the league.
“They’d a few players missing. They’ve got Yann Kermorgant and Matej Vydra up front, Danny Williams playing in the middle, Garath McCleary, who’s injured, Stephen Quinn came back.
“They’ve got Michael Hector, who they sold to Chelsea for £5 million and brought him back on loan. They’re just a really competent team, so it’ll be a tough game.”
McCarthy says the Blues will be under no more pressure to get a result having had 10 days off following the 3-0 defeat at Birmingham.
“It’s on all the time, isn’t it?” he continued. “That doesn’t change. As soon as the game comes around there’s enough pressure on to get results and then there’s always something that can add a little bit of spice and a bit more.
“I would imagine that most of them that played at the weekend will play on Tuesday, Kermorgant may come back [into the squad] because he was cup-tied.
“Quinn played, he’d been missing for a while, Paul McShane had been missing, he came on and had a little cameo near the end. They’ve got a big squad, they’ve got plenty of fresh legs.”
McCarthy will be forced into two changes with keeper Dean Gerken having suffered a shoulder injury, which will keep him out for at least a month, while Jonathan Douglas is suspended for three games following his red card for a high challenge at St Andrew’s.
“Dougie’s been great and I think he was so unlucky at Birmingham,” the Town boss continued. “I do think it looked worse than it was. I’ve looked at it a number of times, he didn’t leave the floor and have two feet up as the suggestion was.
“But I did speak to my contact amongst the referees just to check. I didn’t think it was worth an appeal because the referee has to make a clear and obvious error and I can’t say that because you could see the reaction of everybody when he tackled.
“There are worse tackles that people don’t get sent off for, but it wasn’t worth an appeal, and the last thing I would want is to have a game added on for a frivolous appeal, so he’s missing his games and it’s a chance for somebody else. Let’s hope we don’t miss him.”
Douglas’s obvious replacement is Luke Hyam, who has impressed his manager since returning from a brief loan spell at Rotherham where he went to get games under his belt after almost 11 months out with a knee injury.
“He’s come back flying, I’ve been delighted with Luke, I thought when he went on in the second half at Birmimgham he and Skusey were terrific, especially with 10 men.”
While Bartosz Bialkowski will start in goal in Gerken’s absence, Jonathan Henly will be on the Town senior bench for the first time.
McCarthy has been pleased with the Scotland U21 international’s progress in the Blues’ U21s since he joined in August.
“He’s been doing OK,” the Town manager said. “Whenever he plays, he’s solid enough.
“He’s got helluva standard that’s been set by our two first-choice goalkeepers and neither of them [Henly and Michael Crowe, who is currently on loan at Braintree] are at the level of Bart and Gerks, but we’re talking about somebody to sit on the bench and come on in an emergency.
“And if that’s the case, they can do it. And do you know what, if they have to play we’ll soon find out.”
McCarthy seems certain to stick with rest of the side which played well in defeat at Birmingham with the usual back four of skipper Luke Chambers at right-back, Jonas Knudsen at left-back and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the defence. Piotr Malarczyk is back after his one-match ban and will be on the bench,
Cole Skuse will be alongside Hyam in the deeper midfield role with Kevin Bru ahead of them. Daryl Murphy is again set to be the lone central striker with Ryan Fraser on the left and Freddie Sears on the right.
Reading are set to be without midfielders McCleary and Aaron Tshibola due to hamstring problems, but skipper McShane returned at the weekend after a calf injury.
New signing Deniss Rakels is unavailable as he is yet to receive international clearance but striker Kermorgant and former Walsall midfielder George Evans are back having been cup-tied at the weekend.
If Town win and seventh-placed Sheffield Wednesday fail to beat Burnley, who are third, at Hillsborough this evening, the Blues will climb to sixth ahead of Birmingham, who drew 0-0 at Bristol City on Saturday.
Town have just about had the better of the Royals historically, winning 23 times (22 in the league), drawing nine (nine) and losing 22 (22).
However, the Royals have won eight of the last nine games between the clubs with the Blues’ only victory in that time at Portman Road in January 2014 when they claimed a 2-0 win. Town have also won just three of their last nine home matches against Reading and have lost three of the last four.
Despite the record of having won their last 15 Tuesday games at Portman Road, the Blues have only won five of their 14 Championship home matches this season, drawing six and losing three.
In September at the Madejski Stadium, Orlando Sa’s hat-trick saw Reading to that 5-1 victory over the Blues, their heaviest defeat for nearly three years.
Sa put the home side ahead in the seventh minute, Freddie Sears equalised soon afterwards before the Portuguese frontman made it 2-1 at the break.
In the second half Nick Blackman made it 3-1 and Sa completed his hat-trick before Oliver Norwood lashed in a late fifth.
The teams last met at Portman Road in February last year when Jamie Mackie’s 14th minute goal was the difference between the sides as Reading defeated the Blues 1-0.
The Scotland international was given time to shoot from 25 yards and his effort just crept inside the post, while the Blues never really looked like getting back on terms.
Jay Tabb joined Town in the summer of 2013 having been released by the Royals at the end of the previous season following a loan spell at Portman Road.
He had been at the Madejski Stadium for four and a half years, during which time he helped them to the 2011/12 Championship-winning squad.
Town keeper Jonathan Henly, who joined Town after a trial in August, came through the Reading youth ranks before being released in the summer without making a senior appearance.
Blues full-back Kevin Foley spent time training with Reading towards the end of last year before joining Town.
Tonight’s referee is Tim Robinson from West Sussex, who has shown 99 yellow cards and four red in 26 games so far this season. This evening's match will be only his 15th at Championship level.
Robinson’s only competitive Town game was the 2-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough in December in which he booked Christophe Berra and two of the visitors.
"Prior to that he took charge of the pre-season friendly at Crawley in the summer of 2013 in which he awarded the Blues a penalty, which was converted by David McGoldrick in a 2-1 victory.
I really do hope we can get back to playing football rather than hoofball and beat them 2-0. 3 points on the board right now will give fans something to cheer about after a miserable Jan transfer circuit. We seem to have lost a load of players and gained nought. Coke, Marco Holster or Ulrich Le Pen? I am still undecided about which is our worst ever player. I hope he proves us all wrong tonight and comes on for 30 minutes and completes a couple of passes rather than his usual one touch to the opposition or alternatively getting caught in possession or out of position. He seems so nervous on the ball for one that looks so fit. Saying that he played a good few minutes against Man Utd so he can actually run and track back. Just hope Sears is in form down the wing and Murphy manages to be his usual battling self.
Let's hope we start by playing with the ball on the floor(for sears and fraser)because we certainly played a lot better against Birmingham in the second half and we only had 10 men.
Okay, I will most likely get a lot of minus comments for this, but I really think if we don't get promoted this season, which I highly highly doubt we will, there needs to be a change in management.
Yes, I accept Mick and TC have really done wonders for us, taking a squad that cost £10'000 all the way to the playoffs and sadly losing to our bitter rivals, but that is surely an incentive of us wanting to bring in reinforcements and go that one better this season, surely? A few players came in and have done really well, but we are incredibly lucky to have them, such as Fraser and Pitman. Our 'hoof-ball' tactics are not working and it is quite evident looking at results. Look at Portsmouth! A league TWO team making us look like the league two team and themselves - with all due credit - looking like the Championship team.
Where is the money from the Mings sale, the Wickham Sale, even Jon Walters casting my mind back? Reaching the playoffs last season and having televised games will have increased our budget, but where is this money going? Straight into ME's pocket! I accept we're not the richest club and you look at teams up the top like Middlesbrough splashing more cash than a lot of top flight clubs, but we NEED to spend some money to get in the players that will make our squad challenge realistically for the playoffs. Don't get me wrong, Mick has done a great job but I do believe we need another manager to take us that bit further, who isn't half as stubborn as Mick and gets the players playing attractive, attacking football. Really does get me angry not bringing in a single bit of class this transfer window and letting a lot of players go! Henshall never got a chance, Stewart.. These players obviously had something, coming through the ranks at Manchester City and Man United, respectively. Bradley Dack from Gillingham, why didn't we go for him? A goal scoring midfielder, with a wand of a right peg.
Us, as fans, deserve so much better than this. In the championship, we are the longest serving club in the division for consecutive seasons! Especially, paying the likes of £40 a ticket which is obscene to watch absolute dross! Lower the ticket prices, get the stadium 25'000 + every game and bring in some quality soon please!
I would personally love for Karl Robinson from MK given the job personally at the end of the season. Attractive football, won't take nonsense, young and a very exciting manager!
Tonight's game is a simply must win game nothing else will do, also bear in mind Reading were playing Saturday, if we lose please spare us the excuses McCarthy
Finidi George was maybe not the worst player, but perhaps the biggest let down and disappointment??
On a more positive note I'm going for John Wark as the most influential for the club... Brilliant player all over the park, and just the sort of player we are missing.
But I'm not old enough (nor young enough!) to know if I'm right that he's the best ever
iaintaylor - I think you really need to get things in perspective. We are a medium sized Club who at our best will only attract 20000 plus gates unless we reach the play offs when the glory hunters come out. It is pointless calling for the head of MM as he has signed a long term contract and will be here for the duration. As for Karl Robinson as a replacement - have you seen how MK Dons defend ? Moving on have you seen Henshall play ? The guy is just not good enough and I am surprised we kept him as long as we did. As for Cameron Stewart he could not hold down a regular place at Doncaster let alone be good enough for the Championship. Was once a decent player but has sadly lost it. As for the money scenario take a look at the accounts and see how much we are in debt. Evans may be rich but he already bank rolls the Club and we still lose money. I respect that you have your opinion but be very careful what you wish for - things could be a lot lot worse just take a look at Bolton.
Norwich were only a 'medium' sized club a few seasons back - they were relegated to league 1 and then springboarded to the Premiership. What they have spent in this January transfer window is without doubt in my mind ambition that they want to stay there and collect their £100M for next season. The gulf between the 2 clubs is growing and we're basically remaining stagnant.
StowTractorBoy - at last some realism! All this talk of signings - what stars and going to want to sign for us and how will we pay a fee, already being so much in debt?
Ah, the game where it all went so wrong. We were actually playing some nice attacking football up until that result at Reading. That day we actually set up too attacking away from home and got hammered! since that game Mick put the shackles back on and reverted to the hoof ball style of last season which is a real shame.
Had enough will still turn up but not sure why! No investment during window - thought we might at least see a creative/attacking midfielder come in given Didz and Teddy situation. All Around us have beefed up their squad for the final push. MM and ME clearly happy to just thread water.
oh dear, i can see more weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth , hope im way out ,but i think it will be another bad night somehow .I think the team will see ''ghosts'' from last encounter,get all defensive and we will blow it .
atty - everyone keeps saying thought we would we this and that but give us some names from the pool of players out there that were available and would have made us better?
it's called having a little bit of ambition. Every club is 'in debt' and when you look at those tables, we're one of the clubs that would actually be classed at 'financially stable'. You really didn't understand my point either. I was saying how well Mick has done, but don't tell me you like watching one big hoof up top for Murph to bring down.. Us as fans, as a whole, deserve so much better than what we're paying to see!
Also, mentioning MK's defence, they're conceded 6 more goals than us? With the players and money as Robinson's disposal, I think we has done very well.
If we win tonight I wonder how many of you miserable cretins will log on to congratulate the team on a win. I somehow doubt half as much as if we lose or draw.
Guentchev-hope Coke doesn't get on at all,let alone 30 mins.
Martelshamitfc-Mark Fish is definitely the worst player for me in over 50 years;recall he only managed one first half for us and was subbed at half time.
running out-Aim high then higher,not sure if you are referring to the balls position in the air or clubs position in league!!!
StowTractorBoy& Kirbmeister the debt you bang on about,was bought by Mr Evans at less than quoted on balance sheet,and is owed by the Club to the owner of the club.He will only get his money back if he shows a bit of ambition like the other clubs near the top of Championship.
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