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McCarthy: First Thing I've Ever Stolen From Barnsley
Saturday, 11th Mar 2017 18:19

Boss Mick McCarthy admitted the Blues “burgled a point” as Tom Lawrence’s last-gasp injury time goal saw Town grab a 1-1 draw at Barnsley, his hometown club where he started his playing career.

“It’s the first thing I’ve stolen from here,” he admitted. “I was here a long time and I never took a paper clip, a pen, a piece of paper or anything else, but we’ve burgled a point today.

“But that’s part of the game, the game goes for as long as the referee adds time on. And we were poor today, they were much better, so much better once they got the goal.

“We could have scored from the corner and we conceded, which was nonsense, that was poor on our part.

“And the momentum was with them and Bart’s made a great save [from Adam Hammill] but the game does last until the referee blows his whistle.

“I thought Adam Hammill was outstanding for them today but they’ll be beating him up because he’s let Tom Lawrence run at the far post. It happens.

“Brett Pitman’s come on, he’s been out of the team and he made a difference with a quality ball. Did we deserve it? Did we hell. But I’m going to take it.”

Given the context of results elsewhere, McCarthy agreed that it was an important point with the gap to the bottom three now only seven points.

“Absolutely,” he said. “It’s a good point and I think it’s a good point coming here and getting a point. However we’ve done it, it’s nice to be going away with a point.’

The result extends Town’s unbeaten run to eight matches, albeit with only one of those games having been a win.

“I much prefer draws to defeats,” McCarthy continued. “I’ve never said for one minute that we’re home and hosed and we’re safe, that’s been quite the opposite. But if we stay unbeaten we’ll be all right.”

The Blues boss had praise for Pitman, who was making his first appearance since the 3-0 defeat to Derby on the final day of January, his 29th birthday.

“He’s been out of the team, he’s not been happy about it, he’s other people go on, he’s not had a sub spot,” the Blues manager added.


“When you get the chance to go on you’ve got to make a difference. There are so many that don’t and yet he’s had 10 minutes and he’s made a great difference with a terrific ball. I’m pleased for him, I’ve just said that in front of everybody else.”

McCarthy also felt his other two subs Grant Ward and Freddie Sears made an impact: “It is a squad game, they’re there to make a difference being on the bench, add a bit of energy to it. I was pleased with the subs today.”

Barnsley goalscorer Marley Watkins was the subject of a Town offer last summer and reportedly interested the Blues once more in January and the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle man again impressed the Blues boss, as did most of his team-mates.

“Yes, and so did their two centre-halves and Yiadom and the left-back I thought was good,” he added.

“And I thought the two midfield players were good and I thought the two strikers were different class. I thought they all impressed me today. A very, very impressive performance.”

Regarding his own goalscorer Lawrence, who had had one of his quieter games up until his goal, he added: “You can’t play well every week, but he’s scored the equaliser. Good luck to him.”

McCarthy said beforehand it would be a day tinged with sadness with his mentor and Barnsley legend Norman Rimmington having died at the end of last year, aged 93.

“It’s 42 years since I came here as a 16-year-old and he’s been in constant in that for all that time up until now,” he reflected.

“It was strange walking in and not going to the laundry and not getting a big hug off him and seeing him.

“As much as he loves Barnsley, I bet he’s delighted for me today if he’s looking down on us.”

"Would he have been giving him stick after the match? “I’m sure everyone in Barnsley would. I think my popularity is enough that at the end of it they’ll be bitterly disappointed but they’ll not be too unhappy that I’ve nicked a point if it means a lot to us.”

Asked whether he has an affinity with his hometown and whether he gets less stick at Oakwell than elsewhere in the country, he added: “I get more stick at Ipswich than I do anywhere else at the moment!

“Have I got an affinity with it? I don’t know if you can hear me but I haven’t lost my accent in the 30-something years that I’ve been moved out of the town.

“People might not recognise me but they hear me speak and they know exactly who it is.”

McCarthy has a lot of time for Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom, who is also from Barnsley: “I’ve said before, he’s arguably the manager of the year for me, certainly in this league.

“It’s generally the one who wins the league, although it wasn’t last year, Chris Hughton won it and Dychey didn’t.

“I’ve thought if you win the league you should get the manager of the league but maybe I’m swaying this time.

“Somebody who has done as well as Paul and sold all the players he has done and is still maintaining the level of performance he’s getting, I think that’s remarkable.

“They better hold onto to him because they’ll be queuing up for his services, if that’s what he does.”

Barnsley boss Heckingbottom felt his team should have had the game wrapped up before Lawrence's goal.

“You get what you deserve and we didn’t kill them off, as simple as that," he said.

Ipswich showed what they’re all about and why they haven’t been beaten for so long - because they’re resolute, they keep going to the very end, which I think we do.

“Our disappointment from today is that we haven’t put the game to bed earlier.”

He added: “In terms of what we wanted from a performance we delivered it. Ipswich are very difficult to play against, they’re so organised and give nothing away no matter who they’re playing.

“We had to deal with what they threw at us. They've got a good threat up top, hard-working lads behind the ball who try and deliver, wing-backs who try and get forward.

“But they’re physical as well and they don’t give anything away. Sometimes it’s a bit like a war of attrition and they just try to grind you for that mistake. I didn’t think we gave them hardly anything today but we got punished when we did.

“But I think we should have been out of sight at that point and the last three minutes of injury time should have been easier for us.”


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yungblue added 18:22 - Mar 11
Only 1 win in 12 now, 7 points above the relegation zone. 9 games to go, we know as well as anyone when you've been down towards the bottom for the whole season you always find that extra bit towards to end of the season to get out of trouble. Really fear for us. McCarthy should of left last season. Has to go this season. Nobody wants him here anymore, 2 years of bore. Time is up for MM.
31

Mark added 18:23 - Mar 11
With Huws back I was hugely disappointed to see Mccarthy still start with 8 defensive players and only 3 attacking players. Barnsley like Wolves were on a poor run and we should have taken the game to them.

There are 2 things at stake: staying up and selling season tickets. McCarthy doesn't seem interested in the latter. Surely the club is deeply concerned?
35

surgery added 18:24 - Mar 11
You've certainly stolen from us, a proper team and your WAGES
30

itfchorry added 18:24 - Mar 11
When will this nightmare end ?

McCarthy Out
33

blueboy1981 added 18:25 - Mar 11
You're welcome to go back permanently - we'll swap you for Heckingbottom anytime.

At least we would see some attacking football, and our squad would certainly stand a far better chance of achieving it's true potential.

For all his love of Barnsley - not sure their supporters would relish the above suggestion though.
25

Raymond added 18:29 - Mar 11
Wow, can't believe it - Brett Pitman was 28 years old yesterday.
3

pragmatic added 18:30 - Mar 11
Valuable point as said before don't care how we get them to ensure safety as I will renew my season ticket regardless, why some posters will question, because I support the club irrespective of manager/players / etc!
-8

walberblue added 18:30 - Mar 11
How come no-one else is playing 8-2-0? He's a tactical genius.

BTW Can someone tell him we haven't just got a 93min winner, it was just another dire lucky draw. So less of the patting yourself on the back and go and have a look at the Championship table. Was the plan to end up in the bottom six??

What do you have to get sacked around here, Terry??
20

jas0999 added 18:33 - Mar 11
The current situation defies any sort if logic or sense. A manager who bores and is so negative it's driving fans away in their droves. Season ticket holders who can't be bothered to go to games. An unambitious and frankly dismal owner who spends more time spinning a yarn whilst charging premium prices for an inferior product. Little investment in the playing squad. Better players sold. Reliance on loans, frees or £10 K fees.

What has happened to this once proud club, rich in tradition? Where will it all end? How is McCarthy still in a job after winning just two games out of fifteen in 2017? Dreadful.
32

TimmyH added 18:34 - Mar 11
I know one thing you've stolen from me Mick and that is the excitement of Saturday afternoons ...you're probably at the pinnacle of the all time dullest managers of Ipswich Town Football Club, yes even surpassing John Duncan, at least he had a higher win% than you!
30

surgery added 18:35 - Mar 11
Walberblue.....imagine where Barca, Real, Bayern, etc. would be today if only they'd cottoned to this game plan
6

Churchman75 added 18:36 - Mar 11
Mr Evans, for the love of god please sack this dinosaur before its to late.
Football is very much an entertainment business. !!!!
I get more entertainment watching my dog butt scooch across my living room carpet!
23

Bluetone added 18:37 - Mar 11
Pragmatic consider this
Please will those who keep proclaiming "we are true and loyal supporters and we will support the team through thick and thin" realise they are NOT acting in our club's best interests but merely aiding and abetting Evans and McCarthy in its destruction. The sooner we are shot of McCarthy the sooner work on re-building the club and its prior proud reputation.
24

itsonlyme added 18:39 - Mar 11
How many managers would survive with only one win in twelve? Not many!z
21

Westy added 18:41 - Mar 11
If you don't play to win you won't win. Who said 52 points guarantees safety? We have some very difficult games to come and only seven pounds off relegation. Both Wolves and Bristol City won today. I won't rest until we are mathematically safe.
13

itsonlyme added 18:44 - Mar 11
Pragmatic - I agree totally I support ITFC and would never consider a boycott. I want MM out but I dont think boycotting the games will make a bit of difference. Voices in Union.... Well that is something differently!
-5

pragmatic added 18:48 - Mar 11
Bluetone whilst like everyone else is entitled to their opinion, you obviously don't know the real meaning of "support"!!
-20

martin587 added 18:48 - Mar 11
Boring football,boring tactics.Another bore draw.Just how boring can it get.The people who are happy with a draw obviously don't go to the games.Perhaps they should come with me to every away game and I could educate them.
Time for changes now.If Norwich can do it,so can we. Be brave Mr.Evans.what is the point in wanting for the season to end.!!
16

Bluetone added 18:55 - Mar 11
@Pragmatic having supported and followed town since 1947 I think once again you are at best misguided at worst rather stupid..
23

Cakeman added 18:57 - Mar 11
Is our owner still asleep in the Directors seats at Portman Road going back to a game of several months ago?
If you were the owner you would surely want a little more than watching your club slowly die!
18

Radlett_blue added 18:57 - Mar 11
Sounds like you want to sign the whole Barnsley team, Mick. Go on, I'm sure we can probably afford them. And what does that say about your managerial capabilities?
10

Chondzoresk added 19:00 - Mar 11
Ye gods, can it get any worse, Takes a loan player yet again to come up with the goods. I just really can't believe, understand or comprehend how Evans as an owner lets this go. If I had performed this badly at work for several years, I would have been in Diss Job Centre long ago. Mr Evans, if you are reading this, on behalf of myself and all the other decent Town fans, please, please lose this awful, dull, destructive manager.
21

Granthamblue62 added 19:11 - Mar 11
Lose next weekend and we're in a full-on relegation scrap. Its that simple. The unholy trinity of the crook/dinosaur/puppet are dragging our once great club into obscurity. Radical changes are required. Very dark times.
16

Kirtonspanner added 19:26 - Mar 11
Evans is a parasite and is sucking away my blue blood!
5

poldark added 19:31 - Mar 11
While ITFC have supporters who blindly follow as our friend pragmatic we will never go anywhere they must enjoy being bored every week .
I also have supported the club for 8 decades and will not renew my season ticket while moronic mick is here .
I think if you keep putting money into Evans pocket he will just sit back and fleece you as he has no interest in ITFC
17


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