Blues boss Mick McCarthy says it wasn’t a hard decision to move skipper Luke Chambers back to right-back at Blackburn on Saturday but that it wasn’t a reflection on youngster Josh Emmanuel’s performances in the previous two games, more the additional qualities he believes his captain brings to his team.

Emmanuel, 19, had played against Brighton and Huddersfield prior to the international break, Chambers having moved into the centre alongside Christophe Berra while Adam Webster and Tommy Smith were both out injured.

With Webster available again after his hamstring problem, was it a tough to opt to leave the academy product on the bench at Ewood Park?

“No, because it was the right thing to do,” said McCarthy, whose defenders have recorded four cleans sheets in the last six games.

“It was hard because he’s played well, but it’s not because I’m not leaving Chambo out. He’s a real leader on the pitch, he’s my captain, the team captain, they all call him 'Skip', they all look up to him.

“Is he the best right-back in the league? No, but I tell you what, he’s different class for us. I don’t think I’m going to achieve anything more [without him in the team]. It's what you're going to attain, are you going to get anything better?

“Does a decision like that - and that’s what I’m paid for - does it create more problems than it solves? And I think it does. So no, it wasn’t a hard decision because he’s been different class, Chambo.”

McCarthy says it’s what his captain gives to the team overall rather than simply a matter of the position he's playing in.

“With players, it’s an emotional game,” McCarthy continued. “People sit in the stands and they have favourite players and they want them to play.

“It’s what they bring to the team, it’s what they bring to the whole team, not just that one position. And that’s with everybody.

“And Chambo brings a whole lot of stuff to the team. And over and above all that, he’s a proper bloke, he gets everybody else motivated, he’s great.”

Meanwhile, the U23s take on Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this evening (KO 7pm).

Photo: Action Images

rickw added 09:48 - Oct 17 I appreciate Chambers is a great leader and captain and passionate and inspiring, but he's also not a right back..... There are merits to having him in the side just as there are for having Emmanuel and Webster playing, a good manager would find a solution to this and I don't think playing the captain in a position where he can be our weak link is the answer!
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Jonnosdreadlocks added 09:53 - Oct 17 “People sit in the stands and they have favourite players and they want them to play" Jeez MM's has 3 faves are they all aint good enough namely Chambers, Skuse and Douglas. Negative, dour, boring football. He refuses to give youngsters a run in the team and when they do like Sears they are out of position or held back for too late on in the game like Bishop coming on for 10 mins. Clean sheets are useful but will not win games scoring goals is vital and MM and his faves and tactics prove week in week out are not working.

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Jonnosdreadlocks added 10:01 - Oct 17 Can see Josh Emmanuel doing a Johnathan Parr and leaving if he's going to be treated like this. MM is shocking.
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TR11BLU added 10:05 - Oct 17 he's my captain, the team captain, they all call him 'Skip' So thats the basis of team selection ... Youre a bigger to$$er than I thought. Go now
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H1960 added 10:08 - Oct 17 @ Vizslanerer my worry is that Evans, Milne and co will let things go on forever, they appear to be ccompletely taken in with all the crap that MM comes out with, they wont wake up till its too late and we are in league one!
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1RWR added 10:15 - Oct 17 The 'back four' isn't the main issue really (although I feel sorry for Josh as he didn't do anything wrong) the real issue is a pedestrian midfield with no thought nor capability of passing forward. Ward-Lawrence & to a point Dozzel should be more involved, there lies the problem they won't because of his trusted 'two' Skuse & Douglas. Would prefer not to see 'name calling' when describing MM, I fancy a change of manager as possibly most on here, but think respect comes before name calling, sorry.

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brian_a_mul added 10:18 - Oct 17 Agree with MM, now lets see a few more Chambo fist pumps!
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Surco72 added 10:23 - Oct 17 As I have said for over 2 years now with the players available to our squad we are crying out for 3 at the back with Chambo , Webster and Berra with defensive wing backs for away games Josh and Knudsen and attacking ones at home , but MM is so outdated he will never try this even in meaning less games at the end of season or pre season friendlies . If he is so rigid to 4 at the back put Josh at right back , Chambo in the centre who has done ok in his natural position and Webster as the ball winner in defensive midfield instead of ExSkuse and have a creative player alongside him Bishop , Williams , Dozzell , Grant - never going to happen under MM though

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carsey added 10:36 - Oct 17 What a total ****er McCarthy is. Says it all and proves everything else he has said about playing those on form and no-one is safe is so much BS
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:39 - Oct 17 its getting so im half expecting Mick and Chambo to appear on Jeremy Kyle show ,taking a DNA test , .............''.yes Mick of course your the daddy ''
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Bluetone added 10:43 - Oct 17 Quote 1RWR "Would prefer not to see 'name calling' when describing MM, Quite agree with you a few names I would never call McCarthy competent, inspiring, forward thinking and open minded to name but a few.
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mickeyjb added 10:50 - Oct 17 At least we know MM is aware of the discord as he seems to be reacting to each topic. Shame it's with the "I will do it my way and you fans can do one" attitude!! He really is from the old skool, I wish he could see that to be a good manager in today's game you need to embrace change. Who realistically would want him after us? People will see an outdated approach h with. Oring football and fans turning their back in droves. You can't love of a few promotions in a weak championship for ever!!

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tractorboybig added 10:52 - Oct 17 Love him or loathe him, MM is the manager and will pick the team he wants. Is there a manager in this world who picks a team from supporters comments? We must get real, while mm is here nothing will change. when he was appointed most of you on here thought he was the messiah. With evans track record his replacement will be a doomed failure. Evans could not sell this club if he wanted to with its debts. So dark days ahead.

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Lightningboy added 10:55 - Oct 17 "Wasn't a hard decision to make"......? Not if you're a bit thick,no.
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hogster1970 added 10:56 - Oct 17 well who remembers these famous words when mick first come here when we was bottom on 7 points. " the reason we are there is because of to many round pegs in square holes and carlos edwards isnt a right back " Mick is falling into the same trap as alot of managers over a period of years, he builds a team he gets his favorites, he plays them even if they have had a poor run of form and then when the fans get on there back they dig in, then the team either sacks the manager or worse they get relegated and then sack them, or even worse and this may happen to us the get relegated and still keep them, then have sell what ever crown jewels we have either bought or produced or the youngsters will leave any how. so MICK if you have an ounce of brain power i would take a long hard look at your team selection and devise a plan because atm it isnt working.if you have been starved of quality players because of injury ect then the fans wont mind a bit as you can only work with what you got. but if you have quality players who can make a difference then for gods sake man come up with a plan and use them. who remebers the arsenal semi final, we had a bare bones team and managed to scrape together a bench because we had injurys and to many loan players who was cup tied and we went out there and battled away and won. we have alot more talant at our disposal now and couldnt even beat a poor balckburn side, even huddersfield wasnt that great. so mick over to you because if we dont beat burton tomorrow then we are in a dog fight and if we cant score goals and quick smart it will be a empty portman road in leaque one this year

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vanmunt added 11:01 - Oct 17 @tractorboybig That is true he is the manager and he is paid to do the job 99.99% of us on this site and every forum cannot do. However, he is putting personal pride before the well being of the team due to his complete arrogance. I think the Bart situation in the end has backfired on us fans, everyone could see the he was the better keeper than Gerkin and Myopic tried to prove he wasn't.. we all see how that turned out. He won't drop Chambers, Skuse, what's his name in midfield and will not play the young players out of pure pigheadedness .. that I am afraid is now detrimental to our club. Even the most blindingly loyal to ole big head can surely see.

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grubbyoik added 11:07 - Oct 17 I thought football ability came head and shoulders above any other quality a player might have.. But if it's soley down to leadership.. Give us a game Mick ..
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tractorboybig added 11:15 - Oct 17 vanmunt I am no mm supporter in fact I was anti his appointment. what I am saying is that no manager changes his team because of the views of the only important people to the club, us supporters,
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grubbyoik added 11:17 - Oct 17 Just be cause he got a couple of teams promoted once upon a time he thinks he can walk on water.. Mick your not the messiah.. Your a very average manager.. But because our owner has made bad managerial decision after bad managerial decision he is now too scared and clueless to find us a manager who can sort this out. Grow a pair Evans and tell Mick his services are no longer required. I'm sure if you had another employee within your business performing so badly and upsetting your customers so much you wouldn't stand for it.

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karls_dad added 11:44 - Oct 17 Well i guess the general feeling is that everyone has just about hd enough, what are we now 17th? i would think that if we can,t beat this Burton lot tomorrow then the brave that have attended should remain in their seats and demand answers, hang they heads in shame management/players etc! We are headed for a relegationbattle if this current barren spell continues, Leon Best? i,m not convinced, Glass legs Mc Goldrick equally so! Reg tries his best but his best days have long gone, Freddie? confidence is on the floor, needs to see a shrink not a physio or coach, Midfield have not got a forward pass in their head! So its back to MM "if we don,t concede we don,t get beaten" theory!? but we don,t win either Mick!! Tomorrow night will be a major evening as to where we are going with our once proud club, sadly its probably into despair!

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sgtlargent added 12:03 - Oct 17 Would love to hear Chambers comments to Emmanuel. Some captain that, "Look lad, I know I'm absolute garbage and you're 10x the player I am in the same position, well played in the last two games and everything, but you know how it is, head up."
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timkatieadamitfc added 12:11 - Oct 17 Unbelieveable jeff, that will teach you to come in and get man of the match. #mccarthy out now.
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jjhbruno added 12:27 - Oct 17 I'm now convinced he just says stuff to stick the proverbial 2 fingers up to anyone who thinks different.
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MathieandMarshall added 12:45 - Oct 17 It isn't anything personal towards Chambers. I think the majority of fans like the bloke and admire his commitment and passion. Its about the best players being in the right positions. Chambo can still be club captain Mick, they can all still call him Skip and he can show as much passion as he likes from the bench! (or CB when covering injuries)
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big_gaz67 added 12:47 - Oct 17 Phil I ask again does TWTD have the oppotunity to challenge these comments. Are is TWTD sitting to close to the club that it has become psycophant?
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