McCarthy: Make the Most of Your Chance
Friday, 4th Jan 2013 06:00

Mick McCarthy is urging Michael Chopra, Elliott Hewitt, Scott Loach and the other fringe players who will come into the side for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Aston Villa to make the most of their chance. The Blues boss is forced to make a number of changes due to the unavailability of loanees, while he will also look to rest players who have been involved throughout the Christmas period.

McCarthy said: “It’s a good opportunity for Michael with DJ going back. DJ’s been our top scorer, he’s been our best striker scoring all the goals, so if anyone wonders why he’s not playing, just look at that record.

“We’ll see whether he’s ready, willing and able to go and make up for us losing DJ.

“We know he can score, we know he can play, he’s got a good track record, he’s got to come in firing and do the business.”

The Town manager has confirmed that Elliott Hewitt will make his first start for the Blues at right-back, while Scott Loach will be in goal. The likes of Luke Hyam and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas could also come into the starting line-up.

McCarthy says he was going to play former Watford keeper Loach even if Stephen Henderson had been available: “Loachy’s a great kid. Whether I had got permission to play Stephen Henderson or not I was going to play him in the cup because he needs a game.

“I need to see him, I haven’t seen him in a competitive game and he’s been great in training. He’s lovely fella, he’s been a pleasure to have around.

“But I’m not really interested in him being a pleasure to have around, I want him to be good and play well. He gets his opportunity on Saturday.”

The Blues boss says those coming into the side need to seize their chance: “All players can do is get in the team. Whatever opportunity, if they go on as a sub, go on and make a difference.

“Don’t go on and scratch your backside and do nothing because you’ve got a face on like a slapped backside, go on and make a difference.

“Go on and save the game, go on and win the game, go on and be a good defender. Go and have an impact.

“If you get a chance in the FA Cup, there is your opportunity because if you don’t take it, we don’t win and don’t get a good performance, then the hook comes and you’re out of the team again.”

McCarthy says his current lack of options illustrates the small size of his squad: “I knew it was and if you take Hendo out and Bradley Orr out, Elliott Hewitt is cert, we’ve lost Danny Higginbotham and I’ve only got two centre-halves, so I’ve brought Patrick Kisnorbo in.

“I was really delighted with the prospect that I might be able to play Tyrone Mings, but I find out that he’s cup-tied, not even for Chippenham but last August playing for Yate. Wow! Last August, I was on holiday then!

“In our midfield we’ve lost Andy Drury, we’ve lost DJ up front. It has decimated the squad somewhat.”

He says it won’t be an ideal situation for some of them to come into, but that he expects them to give their best: “I’ve just said to them, they get one opportunity to make a good first impression. They train and all that, but when they get to play, that’s their opportunity.

“I sometimes feel for them because you know if you go into a game if you’ve got nine of the established ones and you’re the new kid on the block you can go in and you’re playing with nine who are doing well.

“If you’re going in with five who are going to make their first start in a few weeks, are not battle-hardened, have not been playing games, it’s tough.

“But you can put your shift in and still make an impression and how you go about your job, that’s what’s important to me.”

Photo: Action Images

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Sindre94 added 06:21 - Jan 4 Should be an open game this, and its time Chops wake up! Also I hope that cressy proves to lambert s*um why he wanted him. COYB
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Kesgraveblue57 added 09:25 - Jan 4 I hope the Town put up a good show at Villa the interesting player will be Scott Loach its a one off chance for him now that's pressure!! good luck to him.
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brian_a_mul added 10:01 - Jan 4 Best of luck lads, Villa could also make a few changes. Should be an interesting game. Our youngsters up against theirs. Cant wait to see Hewitt getting a start! 1-0 to the Blues!
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karls_dad added 10:01 - Jan 4 Could well be Chops last game in a town shirt something is telling me! he has been a very expensive luxury and now his its time to shine but doubt he will!
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muccletonjoe added 10:12 - Jan 4 I don't think chopra will get away with too many more no shows . It remains to be seen how long mcCarthy gives him. Hewitt could be a big plus for us and I hope the lad has a good game. Add in hyam and loach and we are getting somewhere close to a team we can progress and go forward with.
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ericclacton added 10:39 - Jan 4 It sounds like MM saying If you dont show me you want to play your out.
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IamSpartacus added 10:53 - Jan 4

“I've just said to them, they get one opportunity to make a good first impression. They train and all that, but when they get to play, that's their opportunity.''

Excellent.. a manager that obviously values training, but doesn't think it the be all and end all of the selection process.

I personally don't rate Chopra- people say he is a natural goalscorer but his career record indicate a couple of lucky seasons.... and little else. That said, I'd love him to prove me wrong.

Great that Hewitt, Loach and perhaps JET and Hyam might get starts. I'd love Loach to grab a longer term starting place.

bigolconnor added 11:04 - Jan 4 Just the kind of team I've been wanting to see for a long time. Loach Hewitt, Chambers,Smith,Cresswell Martin, Hyam,N'daw,JET Chopra,Murphy Pretty much all blues (if we signed Murphy and N'Daw)
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Michael11 added 11:16 - Jan 4 All the pressure is on Villa tomorrow, regardless of people playing for places. Hope we just go for it rather than settle for a 4-0 defeat! COYB
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