Town boss Mick McCarthy says Cole Skuse is one of the best signings he has made in his four years at Portman Road. On Saturday, the 30-year-old, who joined the Blues on a free transfer in the summer of 2013, faces his hometown club Bristol City at Ashton Gate for the first time since he left them.

“He’s been one of my best signings ever in terms of consistency, reliability, playing every week, how he is in the dressing room and in the the training ground, low maintenance - he comes in and he does his job,” McCarthy said.

“He helps other people and he’s damned good at what he does. He’s been one of my best signings.”

He added: “He had a spell here when I don’t think he was appreciated by other people as much he was by his peers and his coaches and manager because he really goes about his job very, very diligently and does it.

“I know he’s not one of the [tricky, sexy ones], although he was far more positive last week, he had one in the net, he had one that was saved and one that ended up at Tom Lawrence’s feet, a shot that we scored from. He’s trying to do that within his game. He’s been terrific and all-round he’s just a top guy and a top pro.”

Does he feel Skuse is more able to get into positions where he might add to his one competitive goal for the Blues in 145 games when playing alongside Jonathan Douglas rather than Teddy Bishop, who had started the previous three games?

“I get that, that [the fans] all want the nice, tricky, sexy ones in there but Skusey probably has to more work than he should have to do when he’s got those in there.

“Yes, they do all the going forward and it’s great but they’ve got to get back in and do their jobs and be solid and I think with Dougie alongside him, playing against three [against QPR last week] they handled it really well. Let’s hope they handle it well this week.”

Did he take extra satisfaction from winning last week’s game having named an XI which wasn’t universally popular among fans.

“Well, four years ago when they gave me the job I think they thought I could do it,” he continued. “I came and proved I could and continue to prove I can.

“Do I get things wrong? It turns out to be wrong if somebody makes a mistake, but in the main I make more good decisions than bad.

“And last week they were good decisions, the right decisions because I needed a team of blokes in it that I knew what I was going to get out of them. I didn’t want to be putting players in and saying, ‘Do this…’ and hope that goes OK.

“I knew what I was going to get out of Reg, I knew what I was going to get out of Dougie, and Chambo has been different class. I knew it wouldn’t appeal to everybody, but I’m not bothered, and we won the game.”

He says he was pleased with Douglas’s display: “I was delighted with him, I’ve never been anything other than that with Dougie. Dougie’s had to sit out. I said to him that I just wanted Bish in the team, it was nothing he had done wrong.

“It’s not easy to take for a player, but it’s easier when I’m just telling him the truth, I’m not giving him any waffle, telling him that I think this has been happening or he hadn’t been doing this well enough.

“That wasn’t the case. I wanted Bish in the team and Bish had to suck it and see last week when I told him I wanted Dougie back in because of the things he gives me on a day when I need it.”

He added: “Some weeks you just want to pick a team because that is the team I want to pick. And if you’re not in it, unlucky.

“I’m not going to give you any other reason,’Oh, by the way, you didn’t track back’ or ‘You didn’t mark properly’, because I’ve heard all that before and it doesn’t wash with people, it doesn’t wash with players because they know how they’ve played. But if my choice is purely and simply what I want to pick, I’m the manager, I can do it.”

Freddie Sears was also among those unfortunate to be left out against QPR, particularly having scored two goals in October to end his 38-game barren run.

“He had, and people remind me of that and yet I didn’t leave him out. He’s played 40 games and scored two goals,” McCarthy said.

“My loyalty isn’t going to be questioned surely, in terms of keeping players in the team and being loyal to them.

“I wanted a more physical presence, which Reg gives me, and he did. I think the keeper saw him coming and he came flying at him and he made a mistake accordingly.

“It’s always tough when you’ve got somebody as good as Freddie’s been and how selflessly he works for the team, but sometimes it just requires a change. It’s great when it works, it comes back and bites me on the bum when it doesn’t.”

Photo: TWTD

cammeray added 06:39 - Dec 2 "I knew it wouldn't appeal to everybody, but I'm not bothered" And there you have it.
6

Penguinblue added 06:46 - Dec 2 Average to good, no better than that. Appears to have become complacent being a favourite shoe in each week. Required more to part compensate for the inadequacies of other favorites, most notably Chambers, rather than for any positive forward football. A career at Bristol City does bare out McCarthy's usual nonsense with his different class favorites, nor does one solitary goal. McCarthy OUT

10

dugoutdave added 07:35 - Dec 2 “My loyalty isn't going to be questioned surely, in terms of keeping players in the team and being loyal to them. Explain the Bart situation then after his father passed away
6

TR11BLU added 08:05 - Dec 2 Yes hes great, you are right again, best manager in the world, blah, blah ,blah Do one Dino
3

muccletonjoe added 08:17 - Dec 2 Bishop hardly took his chance with both hands when he was in the team. But the side he picked last week has shown in the past it is not capable of consistency we will have to see wheather tomorrow is any different.
-1

Dissboyitfc added 08:25 - Dec 2 He is a proper bloke is skusey, i will pick my mates and im not bothered what any one thinks. And still refers to chambo as different class, i would agree if he means in a rubbish sort of way,
11

Brownie added 08:45 - Dec 2 Skuse is not the problem - 7/10 player every week playing role every club needs. No right back & playing another worker(Douglas) is a problem as is not playing the best player in the squad(Williams) from the start. 1-1 is my prediction for Saturday with a middle table finish & no cup run. This is meant to be a positive time of year! COYB!
3

Michael11 added 09:23 - Dec 2 “I knew what I was going to get out of Reg, I knew what I was going to get out of Dougie, and Chambo has been different class. I knew it wouldn't appeal to everybody, but I'm not bothered, and we won the game.” Mick McCarthy's biased opinions summed up in one paragraph. It's a Sunday league to him. As long as he gets together with all his pals on a Saturday he's happy. If you ever notice, the longer he stays in a job somewhere, he always becomes a worse manager. He's better when he first joins with no biased opinion of anyone. Time to go.

7

MattinLondon added 09:58 - Dec 2 Skuse is an average Championship player in an average Championship team playing below-average Championship football
8

OsborneOneNil added 10:00 - Dec 2 Chambo has been different class. It's impossible to take him seriously when he says that.
7

Surco72 added 10:33 - Dec 2 I don't want Skuse to be a "tricky , sexy player " I want him to be a dominating central defensive midfielder who really turns up when the going is tough to take the game by the scruff of the neck not just a very average player who doesn't protect the back four enough leaves massive holes in the middle of the pitch by not marking properly and then breaking up some play because he is the spare man and offers no goal threa t whatsoeveR RRR r . AA A

5

Surco72 added 10:35 - Dec 2 Also if he is so good MM why do we need to play 2 defensive midfielders and cannot nurture a young talent like Bishop in the team who will have bad games
4

oldelsworthyfan added 10:51 - Dec 2 ..........which doesn't say much for the rest of them! However, Skuse is not the problem (including problems which have been repeatedly voiced in these postings), the number one being a left footed player playing out of position at right back.
1

TimmyH added 11:21 - Dec 2 Says a lot about your permanent signings then Mick...Cole does the basics ok but his passing, creativity and goal scoring is poor in my book and not a likes to tout about.
2

TimmyH added 11:24 - Dec 2 'Premiership player that Mick' Bloody keyboard
0

Carberry added 11:44 - Dec 2 TWTD, “I know he's not one of the [tricky, sexy ones]....'' Why did you put the parentheses in here? Did he not actually use those words?
0

MattinLondon added 11:52 - Dec 2 How come someone who can see a pass and also run with the ball is always labeled as sexy by MM? Run and pass just seems quite standard things to be able to do for people who are meant to be professional footballers.
9

Carberry added 12:05 - Dec 2 He's got qualities that anyone would want from their employer, loyalty, honesty and straight talking but it is when his ability is questioned that he becomes belligerent and spiteful. We are all getting tired of hearing this justification for mediocracy.
3

Cotton_eyed_joe added 12:07 - Dec 2 Sounds like Mick has started on the Christmas Sherry a little bit too early this year
0

Cotton_eyed_joe added 12:07 - Dec 2 Sounds like Mick has started on the Christmas Sherry a little bit too early this year
0

Lightningboy added 12:18 - Dec 2 Sorry Mick - but one of your biggest downfalls as a manager (and why you've only ever been moderately successful) is your sheer northern stubborn-ness when it comes to below average favourite players like Cole Skuse. I was underwhelmed when you made him your first signing (i'd never heard of him & I doubt anyone outside Bristol City & ITFC still haven't)..the guy is the the most average midfielder i've ever seen hold down a first team place in my 30+ years as a town fan. People say that those who criticize him don't understand the job he does for the team...err what job?...passing it 10 yards backwards & sideways at every opportunity (I could do that)..ball watching when players are running past him to score ala the 2 Forest goals the other week...not exactly the most dynamic in front of goal either is he? The sooner both of you leave our club the better.

6

Gcon added 12:29 - Dec 2 moan, moan, moan. Very dull on here these days.
-5

carlisleaway added 12:29 - Dec 2 Just about sums up ITFC if Skuse is one of Micks best signings in 4 years
7

thebeat added 14:03 - Dec 2 Another middle finger from Mick to the fans banging on about the useless slug Douglas. Bore off Mick you stubborn out of your depth bellend
1

Daleyitfc added 14:59 - Dec 2 Skuse is truly awful, though not the worst in the squad, unfortunately. I'd like to know what former Leeds Utd reserve striker Terry Connor brings to the party : I imagine it is similar to what we saw from Phil Neal and Lawrie McMenemy in the infamous Graham Taylor documentary : MM : Ee by gum that Chambo is different class .. TC : That's right boss MM : And Skusey TC : That's right boss MM : I don't see any need to play any attacking players at all TC : That's right boss MM : In fact I'm dispensing with the midfield as well next game TC : That's right boss MM : And sending them all out naked sitting on broom-sticks TC : Brilliant : that's right boss - great idea MM : and you can join them TC : Fab - love to boss.

2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls