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

surgery added 18:31 - Oct 17 What he's saying basically is that he'll always play his best eleven. His opinion of course and he's obviously mad, but let's say he is right. If this IS the best eleven, why are the rest of the to€€ers who aren't good enough still on the payroll?
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Sixto6 added 18:49 - Oct 17 "Is Chambers the best right back in the league, no ! " He's not even the best right back in the club Mick !!
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NoelTheDub added 19:00 - Oct 17 So Barca Burton FC come to PR tuesday night a very good team with quality players and a plan on how to attack poor old Chambo all bloody night and as we give the bloody ball away so often to the opposition by hoofing it up to a lone striker witch is your only plan Mick and as you for some reason dont see this is why we have to defend with our defencive 6 and our wingers one of whom you recreated into a winger who spend more time in our half because of your victorian style.It dosent matter who is fit or coming back soon you have 6 or 7 guys that you have brainwashed even into talking utter bull to the fans this week this is doing no good to our club but more so to the young lads chomping at the bit to get a chance..

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Seasider added 19:13 - Oct 17 There are many on here saying stay away;but the majority of season ticket holders who have renewed wont for this season. A couple of our long standing season ticket holders have given their seats up,and one is coming tomorrow as another is on holiday;but Mr McCarthy has given him no cause to doubt his decision. I have already voiced my disgust at Josh' treatment by the Dino;but note that Chambo is different class.A well used phrase by our manager this,I seem to recall that Tabby came into this category once.Where is he now ?I wonder if Mick was in charge of Man Utd(fat chance)whether he would have dropped Wayne?Think not;but even he must realise that players have to be dropped eventually;Think Rooney and Chambers are of a similar age ie 31;but the Grandad at PR is Dougie,who at 35 is still going strong by Micks standards,which I suggest are not high enough to make Ipswich compete for the top six this year. This Autumn we should have as usual the Supporters,and the Clubs AGM's in which there are normally Q&A's with the Manager,and in the case of the Shareholders meeting also the Board(excluding Mr Evans). These are normally cosy affairs with very little dissention.I suggest that if things remain as they are then season ticket holders at the Supporters AGM and shareholders at the Clubs meeting should make the effort to turn up,and voice their concerns. I would warn you however that most of the regular attendees are normally very docile,and our arrogant,gritty Yorkshire Manager does not like questions that are hostile in any way.I am not bothered by this and I hope several others who attend wont be either;so that we get a livelier debate than the normal self gratification. If

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d0nk added 19:23 - Oct 17 I don't even know where to start so I wont. Says it all really. Why not play him up front, may aswell!IDIOT!!!!!!
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brittaniaman added 19:37 - Oct 17 Why does Stubborn McCarthy keep making statements like this !!! He leaves himself so open for criticism from the Fans??? Perhaps that is what he thrives on in a Sadistic way ???? Anyway it looks like the same team for Tuesday as they got a 0-0 draw on Sat. from a p... poor Blackburn side !!! If it had been a 0-0 draw with Newcastle then you could say Well Done !!! McCarthy has got a long way to go to heal the wounds he has left on the Fans !!!!

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tractorkent added 20:03 - Oct 17 I can just see Mick getting aroused after clean sheet after cleen sheet. What had happened to my beloved club?.
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surgery added 20:19 - Oct 17 Thank fcuk the "proper bloke" gets everyone motivated. Imagine how boring we'ed be otherwise
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warktheline added 21:37 - Oct 17 They call him 'skip'!!! 😳😂......my patience went a long time ago, now any respect for McCarthy I had left, has utterly disappeared! We are rapidly again turning into the laughingstock of the Championship! Where will it all end? Short term, another uninspiring bore draw tomorrow night? Or will 'lowly Burton' currently above us in the table, score again on their travels, and take all 3 points back home? Long term....I really dare not think that far over the horizon! Cardiff,Villa and Derby, all presently beneath us in Championship, have acted immediately to remedy their current plight, all three will very soon be sitting well and truly above us....are we about to go full circle with McCarthy? Last throw of the dice McCarthy, 'entertain us,if you dare'!

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bluesince76 added 21:59 - Oct 17 I wouid rather we lose against burton to get rid of this idiot,hes slowly killing the club as we are unwatchable.PLEASE bring back burley as he would have us playing proper football again.
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Plums added 22:11 - Oct 17 Pack your bags Josh, it's clear you're not getting a game here - no matter how well you play. You need to work on your proper blokeness.
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Carberry added 23:39 - Oct 17 He's taken his eye off the ball to play games with us fans. He knows what he's doing every time he opens his mouth about players and tactics, he's having a go at us and that is a very dangerous game because he's wasting energy and time on his own arrogance. Pride before a fall, Mick.
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prebbs007 added 00:53 - Oct 18 Sorry oldegold my mistake, fat finger on wrong arrow.
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