x

Hendo: Squad Out to Win at Wolves for Gaffer - Ipswich Town News

The Ipswich players are united in wanting to mark manager Mick McCarthy’s return to former club Wolves with a win.

On-loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson summed up the dressing room mood when he said: "Obviously the gaffer has been there and we want to put in a great performance for him, as well as for our fans and ourselves.

"He was hard done by there and while I’m sure he’s not bitter about it we’d love to put in a really good performance. I know I’ll be doing my best to keep a clean sheet.”

Henderson has been ever-present during McCarthy’s 11 games in charge since he succeeded Paul Jewell and is no doubt about the new manager’s impact at Portman Road.

He added: "I can’t comment on Paul Jewell because I wasn’t here long enough but I can tell you Mick’s brought confidence and belief — everything that was needed.

"You only have to look at his record, which speaks for itself. I’m sure it’s up there with the top performances of the season. He and TC [Terry Connor] have both been excellent.”

Wolves go into their clash with Town on the back of a 3-0 Boxing Day defeat by Peterborough, a result that caused plenty of unrest among the home crowd.

Henderson said: "That can be a good or a bad thing. But we just need to concentrate on what we do. All we’re concerned about is to keep putting points on the board.

"The win at Charlton on Boxing Day was probably the scrappiest game I’ve played in. Obviously they threw everything at us in the second half but we managed to weather the storm and go on to claim a vital victory.

"A few weeks ago we might have gone one or two down in the first half but instead we went in with a two-goal lead and a clean sheet at half-time and managed to hang on, which was the main thing.

"There has been a change in attitude and mentality, everything really. We’ve changed the way we think and the way we play. We’re smarter, we’re defending a lot better and I like to feel I’m performing better now.

"Everyone is performing better, that’s the difference now. I managed to make a decent early save and I didn’t really have a lot to do. I wasn’t at my most convincing with crosses on the Saturday [in the 1-1 home draw with Bristol City] so I was keen to do better and help out the lads in front of me.

"It’s actually one of my strong points and it’s what I base my game around. I think they would have scored if I didn’t come, so even if I didn’t get there I felt I had to come. It’s not something I’m concerned about. It’s something I thrive on and I’ll be catching them on Saturday.”

What to read next:

Townsend: We Need to Get That Winning Feeling Back
Town full-back Conor Townsend believes it is important to get into the habit of winning again following the Blues’ 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Charlton Athletic.
U18s Beaten at Bury
Town's U18s were well-beaten 3-0 by Bury Town at Ram Meadow on Tuesday evening as the non-league side reclaimed the Martin Swallow Memorial Trophy, with two of their three goals coming via former Blues academy players.
Clarke Suffers Injury Blow, Wrexham Target Broadhead Rested
Town full-back Harry Clarke missed today’s friendly against Charlton at Colchester having picked up a leg injury in training, while a number of other players were rested, including Wrexham target Nathan Broadhead.
Town and Boro Agree Hackney Fee
Town and Middlesbrough have agreed a fee for midfielder Hayden Hackney, TWTD understands.
Ipswich Town 2-1 Charlton Athletic - Match Report
Jack Clarke and Ali Al-Hamadi were on target as the Blues beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 in their penultimate friendly of the summer at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium. Town were on top throughout with all the goals coming in the second half, while Ashley Young made his first appearance for the club as a sub alongside Omari Hutchinson, back after his England U21s heroics over the summer.
Ipswich Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic - Half-Time
Town’s friendly against Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium remains 0-0 at the break with the Blues having had first-half chances to go in front.
Wrexham Make £7m Approach For Broadhead
Newly promoted Wrexham are reported to have made a £7 million approach for Blues forward Nathan Broadhead.
Young and Hutchinson on Bench Against Charlton
Ashley Young and Omari Hutchinson are on the bench for the Blues for this evening’s friendly against Charlton at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium (KO 7.30pm).
Six More Games Including Norwich Derby on Sky
Six more Town games have been picked for live Sky Sports coverage, including the derby at home to Norwich City, which has moved to Sunday 5th October with a midday kick-off.
Vote TWTD! - Football Content Awards Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the Football Content Awards 2025, giving you the chance to pay tribute to TWTD and other Town media you enjoy.