x

McCarthy: Important to Excite Fans - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy says it’s important for his side to put on a show for fans at this afternoon’s final friendly of pre-season against Belgian second tier side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (KO 3pm). The season proper gets under way next Saturday when McCarthy’s hometown club Barnsley, where he started his playing career, visit Portman Road.

"It’s important that the people who come and see us are excited by it,” the Blues boss said. "I heard all the fans [at Thursday’s open day] saying they’re excited the season’s coming, as we are.

"But we need to entertain them, to enthuse them, to get them back and wanting to come through the door to watch us.

"It’s important from that point of view and it would be nice to go into the Barnsley game on the back of a win.”

McCarthy, who has been keen to get his side to play a more possession-based game during pre-season, the Blues having been criticised for their style of play last term, admits he knows little of today’s opponents.

"Absolutely nothing,” he said. "Not being disrespectful to them, but I don’t. I don’t watch the Belgian top league too often, to be quite honest, [let alone the second division].

"I don’t but I will respect them just like everybody else. It’s up to us to play how we want to play and to get at them.”

Brussels-based Royale Union finished sixth in their division last year and are a club with a strong history behind them. They have won 11 Belgian league titles, however, the last of those was in 1935.

Les Unionistes were involved in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup during the 1960s but in recent years have played their football in the second and on occasion the third tier.

Striker Brett Pitman (toe) and midfielder Luke Hyam (knee) are not expected to be involved this afternoon but are thought likely to be fit for the Barnsley game. Dean Gerken has missed the last two friendlies with a hamstring problem and wasn't involved in Thursday's open training session at Portman Road.

Midfielder Giles Coke was training with fitness coach Andy Liddell at the open day but is unlikely to be ready to be involved today having undergone knee surgery at the end of last season.

Trialist left winger Roland Lamah could again be given a chance to impress having played in the 0-0 draw at Charlton on Tuesday.

As at The Valley, McCarthy will look to give many of his starting XI - a side which probably won’t be too far from the team which lines up against the Tykes next week - the full 90 minutes.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £1 for under-16s.

What to read next:

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.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.