McCarthy Delighted With Result and Performance But Also Relieved
Tuesday, 4th Apr 2017 23:06 Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with the result and the performance as the Blues beat Wigan 3-0 at Portman Road but also admitted he was a little relieved with keeper Bartosz Bialkowski having been forced to make a number of important saves at 2-0.
“I feel delighted about the result, the performance and probably a bit relieved about the fact that we got three points and that all the other results seemed to go for us,” McCarthy said.
“I thought it was a really good performance, I think the two front lads epitomised what we’re about today. They got after them and got the goals, got the rewards for it, Freddie Sears and David McGoldrick.
“And yet at the start of the second half we looked like we were conspiring to give a goal away, which infuriated me, to be honest.”
McCarthy felt Bialkowski oughtn’t to have needed to make his saves: “He shouldn’t have had to but you give them stupid freekicks and allow them to put the ball in the box with big players and good deliveries it’s always a threat.
“And some of the freekicks we gave away were just bonkers. But anyway we’ve got a fabulous keeper who made sure it didn’t go to 2-1 and I think we deserved to win 3-0, to be honest.”
McCarthy was pleased to see both McGoldrick, who had gone 15 matches without a goal before netting the opener, and Sears, who has also had a less than prolific season before scoring the second and third, find the net.
“They were a bit like double decker buses,” he reflected. “It was great for the pair of them because I thought they were terrific, really epitomised a really good performance.”
The Town boss was pleased with Myles Kenlock, who created the first goal, for some aspects of his game but was less impressed with others, most notably an incident soon after the restart when he fouled Jamie Hanson in a dangerous position by the corner flag.
“He’s a good footballer, Myles, he really is,” he said. “And yet I was going to kill him for giving a freekick just after half-time and they put the ball in the box.
“I’ve got punters behind me telling me to leave him alone - ‘Leave him alone!’. Strange, isn’t it? If it ends up our net it would be ‘Mick McCarthy, your football is shite’. No, no, no, no, no, you see your job out. We’re 2-0 up, you don’t do that.
So yes, there are real aspects of that game I’m delighted with and there are others I’m furious with because but for Bart it could have gone to 2-1 and then who knows? But thankfully it didn’t.
“But Kenlock, I think he had a good game today, I was delighted with him. But he’s not getting off scot free for that, let me tell you.”
The Blues are now nine points from the bottom three with six left to play but Town boss says Town still have work to do.
“Suddenly we could go to Fulham and they turn us over and then we go to Burton and then we’ve got Newcastle coming and who knows what the other results will be.
“We have to make sure we do it right, that’s my point with Myles and a few of them. Chambo, Tommy, Jordan Spence, I think they gave freekicks away. It’s seeing it out, not letting teams off the hook, being ruthless.
“And it looks like we have been, everybody will look at the scoreline and think that, but we all know that but for the brilliant Bartosz it could have gone to 2-1.
“Overall it’s a really good performance and a good night for us, I’m not knocking that. But I’m not coming in here crowing, there were things we could have done better as well.”
He added: “I don’t think for one minute that that’s it over and done with. It would be a helluva thing to give it away now and I don’t think it will the case, and hopefully that will give us some confidence going to Fulham because they’re a good side.”
But he says the result does reduce the pressure somewhat: “Yes, and it’s not only the third bottom team, of course, there are other teams below us on points, they’ve all got to get above 49 points.
“It’s made it difficult for them and hopefully it’ll give us a bit of confidence the way we played.”
The Portman Road atmosphere was far less fractious than it had been during Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Birmingham.
“Win games and they will come and they will cheer and they’ll be happy, that’s all it is,” McCarthy added.
“Free pies, free pints, f***ing half price, cushions on the seats, happy clappy, it’s all bollocks.
“You win games and people like you, and that’s all what it is. I don’t know, maybe I’ve gone a bit too far, even winning games might not turn a few of them around, but I’ve always found when you win games it’s a really good recipe for a happy place and a good place.
“When you’re winning games it’s a piece of cake, the job. It’s when you’re not, I think that’s how you’re judged, when you’re not winning games, and how you judge yourself probably because it’s tough, let me tell you.
“So, when you’re winning and you’re top of the league, you’ve got a big fag on and it’s great. I know the pressure’s still on because you want to win and you want to be promoted and whatever else, but generally people are thinking nice thoughts about you.”
McCarthy says centre-half Steven Taylor may be out for the season with the injury he suffered just before the break: “His hamstring, I think. That might be him. The last time was three or four weeks.
“And I was delighted with him as well, I thought he started really well, he’s a great personality, with his experience.
“Jonas Knudsen has done his shoulder so he couldn’t play and I could have put Tommy Smith there but I wanted Tayls because of his experience and his voice and his organisation, he’s great. So it’s sad he’s done his hammy again.”
Wigan interim manager Graham Barrow felt his team deserved what they got for the mistakes which led to all three Town goals.
“We gave them three goals so it is a fair scoreline, and but for Matt Gilks it probably could have been more,” he admitted.
“In between that we created a few chances ourselves but I’m not even going to pretend that anything was OK today.
“I don’t know whether it’s a hangover from having played Villa and Newcastle and having played ever so well and not got anything, whether it’s too much for the players, we’ll find out on Saturday.”
He added: “It was suicidal stuff we played, kamikaze football we’ve played really. We always pride ourselves on trying to play but that was ridiculous.
“When I saw the teamsheet I knew what Mick was going to do, I tried to prepare the team for that because they played a different shape to Saturday, but it was going to be a battle first to win the right to play.
“We earned the right to play but just made stupid mistakes. I feel personally let down by them and I’ve told them.”
Photo: TWTD
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bigolconnor added 07:24 - Apr 5
Sirs Ferguson and Robson were attackers |  | |
therein61 added 08:06 - Apr 5
If he had a post match conference without blaming the fans or swearing it would only 3 words long "I am great" |  | |
grumpyoldman added 08:14 - Apr 5
He is right if we win the next six games fans will be happier than if we play not to lose and draw them, that is logical. A supporter of any team would feel the same another case of stating the obvious. Even six wins will not change my mind MM out! |  | |
TR11BLU added 08:17 - Apr 5
To$$er
Just cannot stop the drivel, even had to mention Gerken when quizzed about Barts MotM performance last night....unbelievable.
Dino out | | |
NoelTheDub added 08:19 - Apr 5
Crowds will not come flowing back to PR just because you were forced to play a rare attacking lineup.Please leave them two awful midfielders out for good and let us so frustrated fan try enjoy the last few games. | | |
TimmyH added 08:26 - Apr 5
McCARTHY OUT - if he's here in August then it will no doubt be a season too far, he'll still be playing the same old boys even though they're past their best (that's if Skuse ever had a best). |  | |
Bildestoned added 08:51 - Apr 5
That was my first visit for some time (I'd found a tenner down the sofa) so....
Great to see three goals, but is it churlish to note they all came from defensive faux pas?
Wigan were dreadful.
The 70 year old season ticket holder next to me got me to take his pulse at two goals up.
I can't see us holding on to our keeper this summer. He IS 'different class'.
That WAS a capable line-up. I'm perplexed as to his love of otherwise cautious formations.
It was clear from the players' demeanour that there is a great spirit in the team and that in itself is at least a building block for next season. |  | |
rugbytomc added 10:05 - Apr 5
As soon as i saw Skuse was injured and being replaced by Tooms i was confident and stuck a load of bets on and they came off! I can understand loyalty and it's not that Skuse does anything wrong in particular, nor Douglas, but Mick seems to have difficulty recognising and rewarding players when they come in and perform better. I think he picked the strongest and best available team last night - but he coached that team so he must be doing something right! He just needs a bit of media training and maybe a stronger number 2 who will challenge his selections. | | |
Razor added 10:15 - Apr 5
I think last nights lineup was similar to the one at Villa---wjhere we last won, is that just a coincidence?
Thank heaven we have the divisions best goalkeeper or it could have been so different.
Wigan poor and all our goals from defensive errors so dont get too cocky Mick!! | | |
wherescounago added 10:16 - Apr 5
I just can't believe our "Manager" is openly telling the press that he is going to have a go at Kenlock for giving that free kick away. The boy had a really good game, made the first goal and for my money was the best player we had last night. He's young, he'll make mistakes and yes giving that free kick away was a mistake but I haven't seen MM complaining all season about the likes of Dougie and Skuse who have been woeful. If you feel Myles needs a telling off for making the foul do it in private, don't tell the world!! At 20 he needs his confidence building up not knocking down in public. Agree Bart was outstanding again and thought Ward did well but lets not get carried away, Wigan will go down, they are a poor side with no confidence. We need to take the three point which we deserved and work on improving in the last few games. Maybe if we can get another three at Fulham and be certain of safety ASAP, we might see Dozz and some of the youngsters given a chance. | | |
hogster1970 added 10:18 - Apr 5
I grabs my goat why he slates myles the way he does. The guy is a breath of fresh air and a cressy in the making. When his proper blokes make mistakes or lackluster performances he doesn't mention that except they are a different class. They are different class all right but not the way he means. Players will make mistakes but as long as they lern and keep them to a minimum then great. We need these guys to come through because if he carries on they will leave and just leave us with the dross left. |  | |
wherescounago added 10:41 - Apr 5
Has Mick McCarthy done any courses in "Man Management"(sure there a modern day PC term for it) and "Press Relations?" If he has maybe it's time to book him on Refresher training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | |
RRanger added 11:06 - Apr 5
I would suggest that one of MM's skills is Man Management. Maybe he should have kept his criticism of Kenlocks2 defensive mistakes ' in house' so to speak but his manager pointing out his mistakes is the only way a young and obviously talented player is going to improve. He praised Myles' general performance and talent in his press conference and maybe knowing Kinloch much better than we do he knows that a little bit of public criticism is the best way Mk will learn. | | |
braveblue added 11:15 - Apr 5
Saw him screaming at Kenlock. At one stage he grabbed his arm. But the shocking distribution of Chambers never gets a mention, nor Berra. | | |
Lightningboy added 11:25 - Apr 5
You just don't get it do you Mick?
You think that playing cr@p football week in week out is fine so long as we're "winning"....?!
Well it's not for me...This club used to have it's standards set much higher than that - winning and being (moderately) successful with a touch of class on the pitch and off it.
Please just go....to a Rotherham...or a Scunthorpe...or a Wigan...somewhere that suits your style because your style does not and never has suited Ipswich Town FC. |  | |
Lightningboy added 11:37 - Apr 5
And as regards to having a go at Myles Kenlock - seem to remember McCarthy bringing down Grant Ward after grabbing a hat-trick in the first game of the season - because he was still on the pitch celebrating with the fans rather than in the dressing room with his team mates.
Such a negative manager. | | |
essextractorboy93 added 11:39 - Apr 5
We needed that win! Very positive evening all round, lots of contenders for man of the match. Great to see the strikers getting the goals, McGoldrick is so classy on the ball and a lovely finish by Sears for his first. Players will gain a lot of confidence from that. COYB! |  | |
Michael11 added 12:15 - Apr 5
No Skuse or Douglas - score 3 goals. Look what happens when you don't try and avoid defeat and actually play for a win. I'd love to see the stats of results we've had without Skuse. |  | |
martin587 added 12:31 - Apr 5
Let's not get too carried here.Yes,it was a welcome win and a change to get three points instead of one,BUT Wigan were second from bottom and it was a game we should have won.
Hopefully we can now escape relegation but it does not mean things are now all roses in the garden.
There still needs to be a big rethink on the structure of the club and the direction it intends to take for the future whether it be the owner,manager,or both.
There is a massive amount of work to be done to put things right so let's hope we can move forward with confidence knowing there will be big changes imminent.🤔🤔 |  | |
Keaneish added 13:39 - Apr 5
Herein lies the delusion...
“Win games and they will come and they will cheer and they'll be happy, that's all it is,”
Not when you tell fans you don't give a "flying one" what they think or to "F**k O**". That ship sailed long ago. |  | |
happybeingblue added 17:25 - Apr 5
we are all relieved because looking at the remaining fixtures before the final game i can only see us picking up points at Rotherham but that should be enough.
BART should be player of the year and would be just reward for how he has handled himself since being dropped to everyones amazement apart from our mick who thought Gerks was better, MIND STILL BOGGLES OVER THAT DECISION.
|  | |
Seasider added 13:55 - Apr 6
After a good win,from a line up partly forced on him, would have thought he would have been happy?
Still majoring on the defence.This time not for goals conceded,as there weren't any;so its free kicks.
EADT made Myles mom which is ok by me,although no bad performances.
However he has to single out Kenlock for public criticism.This is the youngest player on the pitch,and the only one from Yufs.I am sure bawling at him from touchline and after match criticism,is not good man management.HAVE NEVER HEARD HIM CRITICISE CHAMBERS<SKUSE<DOUGLAS<BERRA OR KNUDSEN.Can only remember him doing this to JET.
Then has to have a dig at crowd,swear and big up Gerks.
What a prat! | | |
Pilgrimblue added 14:44 - Apr 6
Such good posts and a final one from Seasider that wraps it up. It's clear that his fav's can do no wrong as MM never slags them off despite mistakes and pitiful performances over the season.
Now that we're safe you'd have thought this is his chance to continue with same team plus some yuffs. Somehow I doubt it as the old fool won't change! |  | |
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