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McCarthy Glad to Avoid Final Day Stress
Saturday, 4th May 2013 11:30

Manager Mick McCarthy says that with Town’s Championship status having been confirmed via last week’s 3-1 home victory over Birmingham, he hasn’t checked out the league table for the first time in some while.

“I’ve not considered that for seven days!” he said. “I know myself from last week how bonkers it is, 57 points and we were still looking over our shoulder. There is that real sense of relief.

“On Sunday morning I was looking at the league again and my mate was with me and I said ‘What the hell am I doing looking at this?’. I’ve been studying this for I don’t know how many weeks and it doesn’t bother me one bit now because we’re out of it.

“But all the others will be, even those on 57 or 56 points that it seems ridiculous that they could go down. They’ll be sweating. It’s a tough old day.”

While delighted that he won’t be involved in the final day stress, having had plenty of experience of such occasions in the past, and not having paid close attention to the last week’s developments, McCarthy has his thoughts on who might join Bristol City in dropping into League One by mid-afternoon.

“About four weeks ago when I think we had four games to play I did sit down and try to put all the results together in this bonkers league and I might be right in the end. The results are all to cock but the end result might be the same.

“I hope Barnsley get out of it. For most of the time I’ve just wanted Ipswich to stay up and wasn’t really bothered.

“Now I’m looking at it hoping that Barnsley stay up as they’re my team, I played 270-odd league games there.

“They’re at Huddersfield and there’s no love lost there, Mark Robins is the old manager. Was he sacked or did he go? Was he pushed or did he fall? I’ve no idea.

“Peterborough, we’d come off and I’d just used to say ‘Who have Peterborough beaten this week?’ or ‘Who are they going to beat tomorrow?’ because they’ve been remarkable.

“I like Darren, I think he’s been great, he’s continued to play his football and he’s got a real good way about him as well. I have a lot of time for him.”

Regarding his old club Wolves, who need to win at Brighton, hope results elsewhere go their way and a five-goal swing from Peterborough in order to stay up, McCarthy believes their opponents’ situation could come into it: “Aren’t Brighton playing in the play-offs on Tuesday? They can’t finish anything other than fourth.

“I don’t know what team they’ll play. I’m sure everybody associated with Wolves will be hoping they’ll play a weakened team. There’s that dilemma; do I play a weakened team and keep my strongest team for Tuesday?

“If you do that and you get beaten then suddenly you’ve weakened your hand going into the play-offs.

“Peterborough and Crystal Palace both need points. Palace who are wanting to go up but it’s Peterborough who are the form team.

“There are some really good games. Don’t ask me to try and guess it. But I might tell you afterwards because I’ve got my piece of paper in my bag saying which teams I think will go down!”


Photo: Action Images



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itfc1981 added 11:43 - May 4
Mystic Mick!
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irishtim added 12:00 - May 4
At least we don't have to worry.
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wokingblue added 14:26 - May 4
Mickswich!
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Morgan added 17:03 - May 4
Listening to talksport in the garden at halftime couldn't help think thank god we weren't still on the mix at the bottom, it was crazy. Never saw Leicester getting back in the playoffs either. Wouldn't mind having something to play for at the top end next season, think we have a squad who could push for playoffs. A couple of additions over the summer we should be able to mix it if we can keep mick and the consistency he has brought in.
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