McCarthy: I Didn't Enjoy That
Monday, 29th Apr 2013 06:00

Manager Mick McCarthy says he didn’t particularly enjoy the lap of appreciation which followed Saturday’s Championship place-confirming 3-1 home victory over Birmingham. The Town boss would have much preferred a lap of honour having seen the Blues into the play-offs.

“I don’t enjoy that, going round applauding them for their support because we’ve been scrapping against relegation,” he admitted.

“I’m not really happy going round applauding our crowd because we’ve stayed up, feeling relieved. I prefer going round thinking we’re in the play-off zone."

That’s not to say he didn’t appreciate the support of fans throughout his six months at the club: “It was a lap of appreciation from us to them for their support.

“Chambo said at the end of season dinner the other night that despite having played 13 games and having seven points, they were never booed off once.

“I’ve been to some places where you’d have been hauled off and booted off if they’d been in the position they were in.

“I think it’s nice that we show our appreciation, the fans certainly want to support the team, you don’t get the feeling ever that they’re anti the team or the players.

“It is a win, where we are now from where we were is a win. But I’d prefer it to be a play-off spot or something, I’m not happy staving off relegation with 60 points.”

It was pointed out to McCarthy that the Blues — who would be fifth in a league table beginning on November 1st when he took over - might have made the play-offs if the season had longer to run, but he felt it has gone on quite long enough: “If the season were a bit longer I might have a f****** heart attack!”

The Blues boss was pleased to hear fans chanting his assistant Terry Connor’s name during the lap of appreciation: “It was me that encouraged it for him. He’s terrific. We’re a really good partnership, work well together, we did at Wolves.

“Some people in a bizarre way seemed to think he was disloyal by taking the job at Wolves when I left, but I encouraged him to take it.

“The 13 games he had, I said to him ‘If you’ve got a master plan that you haven’t told me about I’d be a bit upset with you!’.

“With two of us we won games, we were good together. If you’d have isolated me and sacked him it might have made a difference as well. Certainly sacking me and isolating him in the job made a difference.

“But far from being disloyal I encouraged him to take it, I wanted him to succeed at it. And I always knew that if it didn’t work out that when I got a job he would be the first call I’d be making. And I’m glad I did. It was never in doubt.”

Photo: Action Images

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DiamondGezzer added 06:57 - Apr 29 We're also grateful you made the call. A belated congratulations for confirming Town's championship status, applause well deserved.
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WeirdFishes added 07:08 - Apr 29 Our very own Brian Clough and Peter Taylor!
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gazzmac4 added 07:10 - Apr 29

It's comments like this that make me like MM. I for one an chuffed with how we have finished. The fact that he isn't bodes really well for next season in my opinion!

Also some are a little concerned about him jumping ship if a chance comes along but I think we should be ok. Again, when he speaks I really think he's caught the Town bug. He has mentioned that he wants another crack at the prem, but it sounds more and more like he's like it to be with us!

Much to be optimistic about I think. Hopefully we can push on next year and go places. COYB'S!

PYBlue added 07:26 - Apr 29 We are just happy Mick after five years of dire Rubbish football.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:52 - Apr 29 Surely pleased with his bonus for keeping us ? none the less a stirling job, well done! Now we can all enjoy the summer and look forward to a season of challenging near the top, surely no more false dawns for us, which has been the case since ME took over. I wish us all a happy close season. COYB
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Kikapu added 07:55 - Apr 29 gazzmac4 Hasn't he done a great job, but I'm afraid you're being unrealistic. If an offer comes in that satisfies both Mick and Ipswich then the deal will be done. That's life, I'm afraid. Let's hope no offer comes this way.
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shefkuqi32 added 07:58 - Apr 29 How we are now 11th and only JUST confirmed our league status with one game left is astonishing. The league has been crazy this year. Confident about 2014 now though, a good manager is what you need in this league and we got the best for the job.
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BillBlue added 08:11 - Apr 29

I have always had a sneaky liking for Mick McCarthy, well ever since he was Manager of Ireland and sent Kean home from the World Cup, that is and when I have seen him he has always made me laugh but I never dreamt of him being our manager and when he was appointed I wasn't sure. But now Mick, thanks for everything and I hope you drop your roots here as you did in Wolverhampton, we are more deserving than them anyway. I have just read a report from the opposition camp and it will make you feel good to read it, you will find it here: http://www.tiredandweary.co.uk/2013/04/28/blues-run-over-by-a-load-of-tractors/? - enjoy!

TimmyH added 08:13 - Apr 29 and yet again Mick is brutally honest...
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Gilesy added 08:14 - Apr 29

I don't know about our own Clough and Taylor, but how about a new Robson and Ferguson? I've not felt so optimistic about the club since the days of Burley in the late 90s.

To think, just a few months ago, we were being told new signings were difficult because of Ipswich's location. Can't imagine that had anything to do with it at all, otherwise why would anyone ever sign for Burnley or Wigan?

As for McCarthy leaving, I'm not worried, as there aren't many jobs in football right now which are "better" than this one. Look at lots of the Premier League teams...Fulham, Wesst Brom, Wigan, Norwich, Southampton, etc....they're no bigger than us if you take a long-term view. And I'm not sure which Premier League team would want McCarthy anyway, as his Premier League record isn't brilliant to date. Any team outside the Premier League bigger than us? I don't think so.

Karlosfandangal added 08:50 - Apr 29 MM to leave town Not for a few years yet as MIck has a few quid in the bank so money will not be a factor. When he loses the backing from ME and there is no challenge left then he will leave. Or unless Man U or Barcelona come in for him if Wolves had not panicked think he would still be there
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Wickets added 09:14 - Apr 29

First can we get something out of the last game at Burnley please. Then a big thank you and well done to our management team. Nice to see a problem on the pitch and in next few games IE Carlos at right back, no midfielders getting into box, front two not bothering to close down defenders ect getting sorted and spoken about long may it continue into next season then we might have a chance of doing something after a long wait. Well done lads.

itsonlyme added 09:19 - Apr 29

A heartfelt thanks to Mick & Terry and as I have been saying for quite a while, also massive thanks to Marcus Evans for appointing the duo. Has any league in world football been so bonkers as the Championship this season. Sitting on 57 points with 2 games to go and we were not mathematically safe. How bonkers is that! Next season is also going to be very difficult with probably 12 - 14 teams expecting to be promoted or at least in the top 6. We have a great chance and with the right signings and departures, have every chance of going up!

algarvefan added 09:24 - Apr 29 I hope ME now back MM in the summer and allows a few new faces, I'll be more than happy if we make the play offs next season and please can we do it without the 'loan arranger' we could do with a settled squad. Brilliant job MM & TC.............and the players of course :-)
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Guthrum added 09:29 - Apr 29

@Kikapu - In over 19 years of being a Manager, before he came to Ipswich, McCarthy has had just four jobs. The average length of tenure is 4 years 9.5 months. The shortest was the three years he spent at Sunderland.

In that time he's only departed of his own accord twice. Once from Millwall (after nearly four years) to go and manage his country. The other time he stepped down as the second-longest-serving Republic of Ireland Manager, after Jack Charlton (and the only one apart from Charlton and Trappattoni to achieve any notable success).

McCarthy doesn't strike me as the flighty sort, seems to be a man who wants to achieve things with every team he's managed (two promotions to the Prem, three other sets of play-offs, a World Cup campaign). He's only 54, there's plenty of time for him to succeed with Ipswich and afterwards take the Ireland job again if he wants it.

@Karlosfandangal - agreed.

oldelsworthyfan added 09:40 - Apr 29

I doubt that even Sir Alex F could have achieved the turnaround that MM has done for us! At times the football had to be dour because it was all about results and our team had to scrap and it wasn't always pretty, but SaSturday against Birmingham was a pleasure all afternoon. Great goal from Carlos to send us on our way.

I'm sure MM will be able to get the players he wants now that they have seen what MM can do for them. We're not looking for shoppers, but guys who are prepared to work.

Bluetone added 09:41 - Apr 29 Previously we had a flawed jewel now we have two real diamonds
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RaymondovicBlue added 10:12 - Apr 29 We didn't enjoy it either Mick ... But then again we did ... What might have been will have to wait for next year but please join us in celebrating the massive achievement in avoiding what so nearly was!! You deserve more than a bit of applause Mr M and Mr C Now show us what you can do in a full year or three!
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TurinBlue added 10:28 - Apr 29

Sorry that Mick didn't enjoy his lap of appreciation - he should have done as he achieved something that a lot of us thought couldn't happen. We were as close to being dead and buried as it gets when he took over and the playoffs were just a dream for the most wildly over optimistic.
To get to 60 points is an excellent result from the starting point.
Of course this has raised expectations for next season but that's normal for every club in the land.
I echo what many have already said. If we can keep it all together and get in 2 or 3 key players we could have much more to celebrate next year. But it's all IF and we all know what can happen.
I'm just thankful we aren't Wolves.

Kikapu added 10:41 - Apr 29 Good observation Guthrum, and I'm sure ME will offer him a suitable financial inducement to achieve promotion. However, you couldn't blame him if he was offered a chance to working at a higher level. After all he is 54 and at the height of his powers. I really hope he stays for he has been a breath of fresh air since he arrived here.
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Marcus added 10:58 - Apr 29 Was he waving his knickers on the lap of appreciation?
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Garv added 11:12 - Apr 29 Chambo must have some trouble hearing.
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Garv added 11:12 - Apr 29 Chambo must have some trouble hearing.
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BuckieBlue added 11:40 - Apr 29

Good to see TC getting recognition as well.
Along with stat about us being 5th in form table since MM/TC took over equally important is Town being 2nd in form table over last 11 games i.e when the crunch was on for every team in the division (who all could have gone up or down at that stage) we knuckled down under the pressure and did the business.
Bodes well for next year when hopefully the pressure will come at the right end of the table!