x

McCarthy: I'd Take Fifth After 46 Games - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’d happily take the Blues’ current position of fifth in the table come the end of the season.

Asked if he was pleased to see his side in fifth having played 10 games, he said: "I’d take it after 46! I would have taken it [after 10 games] but I I’d take it after 46.

"I suppose someone will be listening and will say ‘I can’t believe he’s saying that, we want to win it, we want to be second’. Of course we do and that’s what we’re trying to do, but if we ended up in fifth and we’re in the play-offs, that would be a remarkable achievement. It would be something to look forward to.

"We’ll just keep plugging away. I know it’s cliched, but that’s what we do. We’re just trying to win the next game.”

The Blues boss looks certain to be amongst the nominees for the September Manager of the Month award when they are announced later in the week having picked up 13 points from the available 15.

If he wins it he'll become the first Town boss to carry off the gong since Joe Royle in November 2004.

McCarthy, who while with Sunderland was coincidentally amongst the nominees to lose out to Royle, has picked up the award three times with his previous clubs, once with Wearsiders and twice with Wolves, most recently in November 2008.

The Town boss says he has no complaints about the outcome at Hillsborough on Tuesday: "But for nicking a win at Sheffield Wednesday it would have been a perfect month, but I can’t honestly say we would deserved to win it. I think a draw was a fair result."

Having seen the likes of Norwich and Wolves lose at home this week, McCarthy says he’s all too aware that the Championship can throw up some unpredictable results.

"And it will because that’s what the league is,” he added. "There’s not a great deal between us from top to bottom.

"I saw Rotherham had a great result beating Blackburn at their place, and that’s no surprise because I thought they played well here.

"If you remember last year when Doncaster and Yeovil and Barnsley were all really struggling against the tide and relegation was threatening them, but they all kept picking up results. Millwall went up to Derby and beat them. It’s just how the league is.”

What to read next:

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.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.