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McCarthy: Get Enough Points to Stay Up and Then Have a Sort Out in this League
Saturday, 1st Apr 2017 18:42

Town boss Mick McCarthy said all he's concerned with is getting enough points to secure the Blues' Championship status and then "have a sort out " while in this division after the 1-1 home draw with Birmingham played in front of a frustrated and ill-tempered Portman Road crowd.

“It was a point won, I can’t say anything else,” McCarthy admitted. “Bizarrely enough we’re six points clear of the drop zone rather than five.

“I thought the first half was just a Championship scrap, I thought we probably shaded it. The second half, I thought we started all right and lost all the momentum through giving a shite goal away, and it was for us to give away.

“Bart kept us in it then with a save and the only saving grace was that the lads [kept going].

“We weren’t playing well, they were always going to gain the momentum, it was horrible atmosphere and we got away with a wonder strike or lucky cross and we got a point. That’s my summary of the game.”

McCarthy, who dismissed suggestions the Birmingham goal was offside, agreed with his Birmingham counterpart Gianfranco Zola that it was a “no-lose game”, the pair having left the field at the end arm in arm.

“I said ‘This’ll make a good picture, two beleaguered managers together. Come on, smile for the cameras’,” he added.

Reflecting on the home crowd which began a series of chants aimed at him, owner Marcus Evans and MD Ian Milne after the Blues went behind, he said: “I just think we’ve still got to get enough points and stay in the league.

“It doesn’t help but we were the masters of our own downfall there by giving the goal away. We did and it was always going to turn if that happened.


“I don’t have any complaints with it, let them crack on. On the list of hatred I’m not sure who’s top, Marcus, me, Dougie, I think Ian Milne got a bit today as well, didn’t he? Threw him in the mix.”

McCarthy admitted there is little in the way of a feelgood factor at the club at present: “Not at all, get enough points, stay in the league and then we can have a sort out within this league, that’s what’s the important thing, nothing else, not for me at the moment.

“I’m not bothered about how people think about me, I just don’t want to be involved in a relegation.”

The Town boss’s starting line-up included Jonathan Douglas for the first time since the FA Cup defeat at Lincoln in January. Why did he bring back the 35-year-old?

“Because the way we played with the diamond, I knew he’d got legs,” he explained. “Plus Emyr Huws wasn’t fit, Jonny Williams was poorly, Kevin Bru had been away and just got back on Thursday.

“It kind of limited my options somewhat a little bit, but that’s being detrimental to him and I’m not trying to be because I knew he would stay with the runners with David Davis and them running from midfield.

“And I know I can trust him and I actually thought he played well, despite all the shite he got, which I think is a disgrace. He was the one that kept going and filled in for Skusey.

“I’ve no problems with Dougie, I think he’s an example to any young professional. He’s kept himself right and played 90 minutes. I know some of the others who, if they hadn’t played for so long, I’d take them off at 60 minutes, 70 minutes as they’d have been bollocksed. I take my hat off to him, I thought he was great.”

Regarding Skuse, who came off in the first half having suffered a blow to the head, he added: “Concussion, that makes him a doubt for Tuesday.”

The Blues boss says Emyr Huws, who has had a hamstring problem, could return for the visit of Wigan but that Tom Lawrence won’t be involved, having only just got back in training following a groin injury.

“Emyr trained but he’d had one day’s training after being off for three weeks,” McCarthy continued. “He’ll train fully this weekend and then he’ll be in contention for Tuesday.

“Tom Lawrence won’t be, Jonny Williams will be if he’s well, but other than that we’ll see.”

Given the poisonous atmosphere, will be be looking to create a siege mentality within the camp? “That’s always the case but I don’t want it to be that. I want it to be a good atmosphere, but it’s us that’s got to create that atmosphere.

“But I’d hate to think that there were people when the goal went in it was almost like a relief to them because they’ll see the back of me. Almost like a reason to give out. And as I say, it doesn’t help.

“But it’s us, if we play well on Tuesday night and we’re 2-0 up, we’ll have a great atmosphere. If we 1-0 down and playing shite it’ll be a shite atmosphere like it was today. But that’s because of us, not because of the fans.”

Birmingham boss Zola didn’t see Town equalising once his team had gone in front: “In the first half they probably did slightly more than us.

“But in the second half I think in terms of creating chances, I think we were ahead because we scored and we had two very, very good chances to score, and we also had one at the end.

“So maybe on points I would give maybe a little bit more from us. In the second half I didn’t really see them scoring because we were controlling them quite well, we were solid at the back, so it was a surprise [when they scored].

“But this is football. To be fair, they fought until the end and gave everything and they’ve been given a prize for that.”

Regarding Ward's goal, he added: “Watching it back I think probably Tomasz Kuszczak was a little bit too much on the first post. If he was a little bit more in the middle as he should have been he should have saved that.

“But, what can I say, last week he was outstanding for us. It’s part of the game and I can’t say more about that. In general I thought we didn’t look like we were going to concede any goals.”


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



prebsa added 18:46 - Apr 1
Think micks comments are a disgrace. He picks the teams and tactics and is to blame along with Milne and Evans.

Enough is enough get them all out. We want our Ipswich back!
42

Hipsterectomy added 18:47 - Apr 1
It won't be a sh1te atmosphere if we are losing.: it will be as we appear hopelessly in a relegation battle with an arrogant manager, elusive owner with no clue and a MD telling us we can't competere financially with southend United.
28

bostonusablue added 18:47 - Apr 1
I hate everything about our club right now. The manager. The owner. The MD. We are broken from the top down and in serious trouble of falling into the abyss.
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bostonusablue added 18:48 - Apr 1
I hate everything about our club right now. The manager. The owner. The MD. We are broken from the top down and in serious trouble of falling into the abyss.
4

martin587 added 18:48 - Apr 1
Fed up with your excuses MM.Just go now.!
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StringerBell added 18:49 - Apr 1
You spout absolute nonsense McCarthy. Get lost you fool.
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Daleyitfc added 18:49 - Apr 1
Here's hoping that the 'sort out' leaves you on the 'out' side of the 'sort', McCarthy.
As for people that are a disgrace : you only need to look in the mirror ; especially if The Marcus Evans Group puppets are alongside you.
23

yungblue added 18:52 - Apr 1
Calling Marcus Evans a c**t and a w***er will solve no problem. Any normal minded human isn't going to think, they think I'm a c**t, I'm going to give them millions in investment in return. Use your brain and voice your opinion but constructive criticism is much better, 'Evans sort it out' and 'mick McCarthy, get out of our club'. That's a lot more beneficial
9

Carberry added 18:55 - Apr 1
This bunker mentality is so disrespectful to the fans. McC just doesn' care in fact he revels in it. And will someone in the Club with some idea of how to be professional stop this clown using language that is a disgrace to his position. Unfortunately there is nobody who will and Evans doesn't care. Everything we have stood for is gone, we are a a shambles of a club.
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blue75 added 18:57 - Apr 1
Blah blah get out of our club you f*****g moron!!! Can anyone defend that crap dished out today? I think Skuse and Douglas in midfield sums up our manager!!!!
16

mattelliot added 19:00 - Apr 1
Dougie played because we had limited options in midfield.. said Mick.... Dougie played 90 minutes because he is in shape (unlike others who haven't supposedly kept in shape)... said Mick. One contradicts the other....


9

jas0999 added 19:00 - Apr 1
I don't think the atmosphere will improve even if we are 2-0 up against Wigan. Most fans will expect to win against a team all but down. It's unlikely we will be relegated. I suspect the only way the atmosphere will improve is when Mick goes and Evans has a change of strategy. The price rises were the final straw for many - after watching some utter dross for eighteen months. The prices are not reflective of the product on offer and the current managers negative attitude and disregard for the fans is driving folk away. Dark and sad times.
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Pip50 added 19:02 - Apr 1
Using repulsive language and personal insults is pretty brainless. Marcus Evans runs a marketing business the simple message is to don't show up to watch. When there is 5k in the ground the Manger MD owner will get the message!
27

pragmatic added 19:05 - Apr 1
Evans outlets name the new owner then!!! Prix
-4

vanmunt added 19:09 - Apr 1
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

I would like to report every word said in the above article, I find it offensive he swears, I find it libellous to call it football and it is completely inappropriate that he is still here.
28

TimmyH added 19:11 - Apr 1
We'll have a 'sort out' once we've secured Championship status...what the fcuk does that mean Mick!?!...the main thing which should 'be sorted' is the termination of your contract in May.
The 2 managers going off after the game arm in arm - well fancy that!, no harm done with a point each they must be thinking (as I thought before the game probably arranged) - taking the supporters for right mugs!
20

Mark added 19:13 - Apr 1
"But it's us, if we play well on Tuesday night and we're 2-0 up, we'll have a great atmosphere."

I struggle to see how Ipswich can go in front in a match, let alone being 2-0 up. We line up defensively every time, and always invite poor sides to attack us. We've been fortunate enough to play a string of sides on poor runs themselves: Wolves, Barnsley, Birmingham...couldn't beat any of them. Not only that we seem incapable of passing the ball properly or mounting attacks - our midfield is virtually non-existent.

While I didn't like all the chants today especially so early in the match, I was nonetheless pleased in a way that finally the fans let their feelings be known. The worst thing is to fade away quietly, as many will do, so I like to see some protests. Marcus Evans, you heard the strength of feeling today so perhaps you would like to issue a statement to the fans yourself on Monday?
12

midastouch added 19:17 - Apr 1
This guy has got thicker skin than a T-Rex! When Jewell lost the plot he did the honourable thing and walked. Why can't McCarthy do likewise? He doesn't need a huge pay off, he's minted already. I thought Mick was an honourable man, his emotional speech at Norman Rimmington would certainly indicate so. But his actions as our manager this season (such as his stubborn refusal to admit he's totally lost his way) is forcing many of us to seriously question how much honour he has in terms of managing our club. Do the decent thing Mick and resign please! Paul Jewell did so and as such he was remembered far more fondly by the fans than if he had of clung on till the bitter end. Please have the good sense to do likewise and save any small measure of good will you have from the fans.
14

ArnieM added 19:18 - Apr 1
We'll probably lose against Wigan. The players are so low on confidence now and clearly hate playing at home - no surprise there.

Town fans who book are own players are pathetic It's McCarthy's decision to play the players he does. It's McCarthy's decision to adopt the tactics we see. NOT individual players. To lay the blame at one player - this season it's Douglas, is utterly disgraceful. Call yourselves "fans"? You should be ashamed.
-1

midastouch added 19:18 - Apr 1
I meant Mick's emotional speech at Norman Rimmington's funeral.
1

Umros added 19:18 - Apr 1
Another dire spectacle, a 6 and 9 year old who just love going to football with dad........they have alas missed the good times even by the 2000/2001 standards, not even the glory years......we still go to the shop, we saw a really nice jacket in the sale but unfortunately looking at the back it had Marcus Evans on it.........not today son sorry!!!! £10 season tickets going up 5x if we bother. Dispair.
4

superblues9 added 19:20 - Apr 1
Pip50 is right when everyone keeps turning up and thousands but season tickets it's helping them stay boycott the games don't buy a season ticket and don't give them your hard earned cash only way sadly as everyone knows he runs this club as a business he doesn't spend money as he wants it in the bank keep your money in your bank and don't show up
11

cat added 19:25 - Apr 1
"TWO STOPS SHORT OF BARKING" can only describe my thought patten for attending today's game!!!
MM's football (if thats what you call it) is dire!! No urgency, no ideas and players who are just not up to the job. The tempo of the game could only be described as "pedestrian like" with no cutting edge. This game was there for the taking, as Brum were pretty woeful and offered very little. Thankfully it took a rather HUGE slice of fortune to get us back in the game with what can only be labelled a "FREAK GOAL"
I'm at the point now that if I had to chose between 1/ stay in the championship with the INEPT DINO in charge or 2/ relegation with a new forward thinking manager with a love of the beautiful game in, then the latter would now win hands down.
One surprising and almost concerning aspect of today's game was the awful LOOKS I received when applauding the Anti MM/ME chants, although I was up in the GODS on them comfy leather seats! (Which is really more for the prawn sandwich lovers😂) there are still plenty of MM/ME sympathiser left. Anyone contemplating a ST for next year seriously needs a reality check!!'
16

Taricco_Fan added 19:30 - Apr 1
Don't turn up to games. Swathes of empty blue seats looks horrible and will send the only message Mr Evans knows.

As for McCarthy: sort yourself out first.
17

Bluetone added 19:44 - Apr 1
No integrity no pride just a grossly mistaken view of your own ability or is this just your way of ruining our club because we deplore you, your tactics, your stubbornness and your hugely inflated ego.
17


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