Mick McCarthy says the way the Blues came back after conceding an equaliser to Burnley was the most pleasing aspect of last week’s 2-1 victory over the Clarets. The Blues boss will be looking to continue what he feels has been “a fantastic start” when his side take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.
McCarthy was delighted with the three points against Burnley: "I enjoyed the win, let’s start with that, that was really pleasing.
"What was even more pleasing was that having held the lead and having held it for so long and then losing it with 10 minutes to go, I think there was a collective sigh and a thought of ‘Here we go, we’ll just get beaten’. So, it was nice to buck that trend, that’s for sure.”
Overall, the 53-year-old is very pleased with the way his time at Portman Road has begun: "It’s a fantastic start, it’s better than I or anybody else could have hoped for. Who would have thought we’d have six from nine after two away games and one at home?
"I’m pleased with the way the players have gone about the job. Even more so having been pegged back to one-all with 10 minutes to go. I’ve been pleased with them.”
McCarthy warns that Leicester will prove stiff opposition: "They’re a really good team, well-balanced, well-drilled under Nigel Pearson. I think they’ve got really good Championship players in all areas of the pitch.
"I’ve been impressed with them, having watched them against Nottingham Forest and having watched the game again with the coaches on Thursday. They’re a very good team.”
He says he knows his Foxes counterpart well: "Nigel was one of my peers when I was playing. We used to play against each other and he’s a good guy.”
Pearson narrowly missed out on becoming Town boss in 2006 when he was overlooked in favour of ex-Blues skipper Jim Magilton. The Leicester manager has since admitted he was disappointed not to land the Town hotseat, which doesn’t surprise the current incumbent: "I’m sure at the time he would have done.”
The trip to the King Power Stadium means a swift reunion with Leicester midfielder Richie Wellens, whose loan spell at Town ended after the Burnley game.
McCarthy will speak to Pearson about bringing the 32-year-old back to Portman Road with Wellens himself having said he’d have no qualms about returning to the club.
The Blues boss is pleased to hear that the former Manchester United trainee enjoyed his spell working for him in Suffolk: "Of course, it’s always nice to hear that.”