x

McCarthy Could Use New System Again - Ipswich Town News

Boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll look at using the 4-3-3 system employed in the second half at Blackpool in future games after it led to a turnaround which saw the Blues win 3-2 and claim their first away victory of the season at Bloomfield Road.

The Town manager, who generally prefers to stick with 4-4-2, says he’ll be weighing up his options ahead of Leicester’s visit to Portman Road following the international break.

"Of course I will,” he said. "It’s nice if you’ve got the personnel to do it. Dids [McGoldrick] can drop in and play in midfield, and Tayls. Of course I’ll have a look, we’ve just won a game playing it.”

Town’s top scorer operated as the most advanced of three central midfielders - with Paul Taylor, Daryl Murphy and Frank Nouble forming the front three - and McCarthy feels that that role might suit him more than an out and out striking role on occasion: "He’s such a clever footballer, Dids.

"I think sometimes when you’ve got big ugly fellas like me knocking him from behind and keeping kicking him and kicking him, it’s tough. If he can find his space and play, he’s got a pass in him, he works hard, he’s a good player.”

Half-time subs Taylor and Nouble scored their first goals of the season, while another of McCarthy's strikers, Daryl Murphy, netted the late, late winner, his fifth, giving him plenty to think about with regard to his frontmen during the international break.

The Blues boss said that he gave Nouble a talking-to in training late last week: "He’s repaid it in bundles today because I had a snarl at him [on Friday] because I wasn’t happy with him in training. I did have a proper snarl at him.

"He was great. TC’s spoken to him since, of course, he’s had the trowel out and smoothed it. I told him that’s the way to repay it.

"I don’t take poor performances. On the pitch you can play badly, but you give everything, and it was just one of those days for him. I’m sure he’s feeling better today than he was [on Friday] when he walked off the training ground.”

McCarthy also revealed that defender Christophe Berra was subbed having been suffering from the effects of a sickness bug ahead of and during the game.

The Blues were missing another of their central defenders, Tommy Smith, at Bloomfield Road with the 23-year-old forced to travel to meet up with the New Zealand squad in LA while the game took place in order to keep to a FIFA-imposed deadline.

Smith is set to skipper the All Whites in their World Cup play-off first leg in Mexico on Wednesday with the second game in Wellington seven days later.

With Smith not expected back with the Town squad until the day before the Leicester match, McCarthy already has the centre-half down as a doubt for the Foxes’ visit.

What to read next:

Luongo Completes Millwall Move
Millwall have confirmed the signing of former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo on a one-year deal.
Stanislas Appointed First-Team Coach as Town Add Set-Piece Analyst
The Blues have appointed former AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and West Ham winger Junior Stanislas as a first-team coach.
U19s Beaten in Second Game at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s were beaten 3-2 by Slovan Bratislava in their second and final group game at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Town Continue Pre-Season at Aberdeen
Town face Scottish Premiership Aberdeen at Pittodrie in their second public friendly of the summer this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Women to Start WSL2 Season at Southampton
Ipswich Town Women will open their first ever second-tier season with a WSL2 away game at Southampton on Saturday 6th September (KO 2pm) with Nottingham Forest the first visitors to the JobServe Community Stadium, the Blues’ new home, the following weekend.
Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.