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McCarthy: Fortunate to Get a Point - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted that the Blues may have been fortunate to claim a point from their 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, despite having been two goals in front. The Blues manager called on fans to get behind his side following an angry exchange with supporters behind the dug-out at the final whistle.

"Maybe we were fortunate to come away with a point in the end,” McCarthy said. "Huddersfield have played well.

"They changed their system to stop us and we were 2-0 up when they were playing the 3-5-2.

"They went 4-4-2 and it changed the momentum of the game, although the penalty’s the thing that has changed the momentum of the game.

"They were just starting to play well, we were trying to get the subs on to counteract their shape. And they got a penalty and then it swung completely in their favour.”

The Town boss had no complaints regarding the penalty decision awarded against skipper Luke Chambers for a foul on Grant Holt: "It was a penalty. Grant Holt was bumping and barging all afternoon, which is the way that he plays, fair play to him, he’s been a good player, he still is.

"I think the two of them had hold of each other in the box but when the defender’s facing his own goal and he’s still got hold of him, then he’s going to give a penalty for it.”

He added: "I’ve been there. I think Luke was playing against a good player who has taken advantage of grabbing hold and then he’s got spun around and he’s made sure he’s still got hold of him. It happens when you’re playing against good players.”

Regarding his confrontation with some fans behind the dug-out after the final whistle was greeted by boos, McCarthy said: "It’s the way it is at the end of the game when you’ve lost a two-goal lead. It was just something that was said to me that irked me. It doesn’t matter, it was frustrating at the end of the game.”

He says he can understand supporters’ frustrations after the Blues failed to hold onto a lead for the fourth successive game and with his side now winless in five.

"I can,” he said. "But it’s the same squad of players that everybody was lauding for costing nothing and getting us in the top six and everybody enjoys that when it’s going really well. And when it’s going really well things drop for you.

"When it’s changed a little bit, which is has for us, why? Have we all suddenly become bad players, bad managers, bad coaches? No.

"We’re having a little bit of a tough period and I think that’s when everybody has to get behind us and not against us and think suddenly everything’s wrong. Because it’s not.

"I try and keep myself on that even keel when it’s just starting to go a little bit the other way how are you going to change it?

"I’ll tell you how you’ll change it, it’s by supporting people, making sure they keep doing the right things.

"As much as I was angry in the dressing room afterwards, I’ll come in Monday, I’ll watch the game and I’ll be back at what I should be.”

He says Huddersfield employing a 3-5-2 formation came as a surprise but wasn’t too much of a problem: "A little bit but that didn’t bother me because if they had been playing 3-5-2 I would have played 4-3-3 exactly the same.

"So that didn’t bother me at all, that didn’t cause any upset. They came here last year with Mark Robins playing 3-5-2 and we played 4-3-3 and they had to change almost immediately to stop us because they were rampaging forward and we left three up against them and it was a problem.

"I thought they handled it better today. I was a bit surprised but I don’t believe anybody or anything about players, injuries or teamsheets until I go in the referees’ room at 2 o’clock. I believe nobody, I believe nothing anybody tells me.”

Terriers manager Chris Powell was delighted with his team’s display, even when they were behind: "I’m very pleased with the performance, I was even at 1-0 at half-time.

"At 2-0, obviously you think it might not be your day, but we passed the ball really well and fashioned some really good chances in the first half.

"We needed to hit the target, Gerken made a good save from Nahki Wells but then we conceded from a set play.

"We worked on it and spoke about the strengths of Ipswich and we know that’s a big strength of theirs.

"At half-time I said to the players that I knew we could get something from the game if we were on the front foot. But then they scored the second goal.

"But what was pleasing was the character of the players, they know they can push forward and can get results, whether it’s one point or three.

"The good thing today was that there was an impact from two subs [Harry Bunn and Sean Scannell] as well, so I’m really pleased.

"And we managed to get Grant Holt through the 90, knowing his history with Norwich and Ipswich.”

Regarding the penalty decision, he added: "The referee gave it, it’s a pen. I’m glad he gave it and we scored. Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don’t.

"I think it was a pen, but I haven’t seen it again. It got us back into a game I think we deserved something from.”

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