x

McCarthy: We Deserved Something From the Game - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy felt his side did enough to take something from their 1-0 defeat at Reading, but failed to take their chances or make the most of dangerous positions.

"I thought our performance was good, especially the second half,” McCarthy said. "I don’t think we did enough with the ball in the first half.

"I think we did enough to get something out of the game, but they had Johnny on the spot, who has scored and we didn’t.

"We didn’t score, fairly simple. We got ourselves in good positions as well but didn’t manage to work the keeper, which is disappointing. We didn’t score that’s the upshot of it, unfortunately.”

The Town boss wasn’t too harsh on striker David McGoldrick for his error which led to Reading midfielder Jake Taylor’s winning goal.

"He’s a fabulous striker, we should have come out in a line, we didn’t.” he said. "He was the one that was seeing the overload at the far side and he’s just got done with the run.

"Well, he didn’t get done by the run because he got the ball. I think he’s trying to head it to Gerks. If he was a defender he would probably have just put his foot through it and boot it out for a corner kick.

"I’m not blaming him because he does his defensive work. I’ll forgive Didzy that because he’s terrific.”

The 26-year-old was making his first start following his lengthy absence with a knee injury and McCarthy believes he was inevitably not quite at his sharpest.

"Overall, he worked very hard as he always does," he added. "I think he’s had some good bits. I think he might have got away from one or two of their defenders when he’s in his pomp and not still coming back.

"He’s been out for six months, hasn’t had much football. He did well, but maybe that sharpness isn’t there. Fine margins, but we knew that and he’s getting there.”

McCarthy was pleased with winger Paul Anderson, who replaced Elliott Hewitt at half-time, having missed Town’s first two matches with a hamstring injury: "He would have started from the start of the season because he’s been excellent in pre-season, and I think he took his form into the second half because I thought he played well.”

The Blues manager also had praise for Reading defender Shaun Cummings for diverting Tyrone Mings’s goal bound header onto the bar in injury time.

"It was great defending, wasn’t it?” he said. "Fabulous defending. There’s nothing Tyrone can do except go up and head it. It was a great header.

"Their defender had moved from the near post to the far post and has stopped it going in. Otherwise we’ve got a point.”

Reading boss Nigel Adkins was delighted to win what he felt was a hard-fought match: "It’s a pleasing game, a tough, tough Championship fixture.

"Today, we’ve come up on the right end of a scoreline. As we all know, it could so easily have gone to them, Shaun Cummings has headed one onto the bar at the end.”

What to read next:

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.
Youngster Mazionis Set For Cheltenham Loan
U21s central defender Jacob Mazionis is set to join League Two Cheltenham Town on loan.
U21s Face Skuse's Bury Town
Town’s U21s face Cole Skuse’s Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Face Charlton at Colchester
Town continue their pre-season friendly programme when they host fellow Championship side Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium this evening (KO 7.30pm).
U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.