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McCarthy: Norwich and Brentford Goals Show How We're Trying to Play - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy says the goals scored following long spells of possession against Norwich and Brentford are illustrative of the way he wants his side to play and how the squad train.

Jonas Knudsen’s header at Carrow Road ended a 27-pass move involving every member of the team, while Emyr Huws’s opener against the Bees also followed a lengthy spell of Blues’ possession.

"It pleases me [when we score from those passages of play],” McCarthy said. "That is how we train all the time, that is how we try to do it.

"It’s not as easy when there’s a team trying to stop you and it’s in front of everybody else, but that is how we try to play.

"And I just think the shape of the team has helped us, having three in the middle of the park, and having two up the pitch has certainly helped us.

"Four-four-two wasn’t working so it’s given us the ability to keep hold of the ball, certainly the players that have played. I think Emyr’s helped that, Toums when he has played has helped that.

"And I think Wardy has come in and been just outstanding. It does please me and it pleases me that the fans enjoy it and see it. I don’t want them to come here and watch turgid, horrible football.”

He admits that some of the criticism which has come his way from fans has been warranted at times this season.

"They were right to be critical because we weren’t playing well and we were losing. I’ve no problem with that,” he continued.

"But that’s not because of what we’re attempting to do or not attempting to do as the case may be.”

He added: "I get it all the time about ‘the pragmatic Mick McCarthy’, which is a bit of bollocks actually because when we won the league with Sunderland and Wolves we had loads of goals and loads of great performances.

"I’m not as pragmatic as you might think in terms of my coaching and my style, but when it comes down to winning or playing well, there’s no comparison for me at all. You just win games.

"And I’ve never heard anybody complain when you win games, never ever. No fans, nor nobody, no chairmen. If you just win games it’s great.”

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