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McCarthy: More Than One Way to Skin a Cat Friday, 3rd Apr 2015 06:00
Town boss Mick McCarthy has dismissed criticism of his side's style of football, believing that there is “more than one way to skin a cat”.
Some opposition managers and fans have claimed Town are direct or play long ball football during the season, while today’s opponents Bournemouth have been widely praised for their fluent passing football.
“Generally the ones we’ve beaten!” McCarthy said when quizzed about the criticism of his team.
“I think Bournemouth deserve the plaudits for the way they’ve played and they are an excellent team. They are the best team in the league.
“But there is more than one way to skin a cat and I think it should be appreciated and respected whatever way you do it.
“If you’re getting beaten week in, week out that’s when it’s wrong. I’m not really bothered, I don’t get too fussed by it.”
He added: “There are all sorts of ways of playing football. We had that recently with Sam Allardyce and Louis Van Gaal, talking about who played the long ball game.
“I think if you hit a long pass it’s one of the most beautiful things in the game, hitting a long pass to somebody.
“As I said, it’s usually the managers that we’ve beaten who usually bleat about it. We went to Watford and we had more of the ball than they did and had a really good performance and there was no suggestion of us playing the long ball game.”
He believe teams need to vary their approach: “I think if you’re a one-trick pony, no matter what that trick is, you’ll get found out eventually.
“So you have to have a variation in your game and I think the best teams have. And we’re one of the best teams in the league.”
Photo: Action Images
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I actually want to see long ball tonight. If we try intricate stuff we will play into their hands. Bournemouth are one of those teams who don't like it up 'em. That's why there's so much blubbing when it happens to them.
Totally agree with pragmaticblue (well-chosen name!) in this case.
I think the physical and direct football is just what MM knows best, so why would he change 20 years of management to change it? Like mick said, it does look awful when you're losing and it's no coincidence that the biggest criticisms came during our early season and post-Christmas dips.
However, I also hope we play smash and grab tonight, and teach them whining diving idiots a lesson. I really liked them before I read Harry's article! But it appears they really need to be brought down to earth a bit
I totally agree with Mick on this and feel that the criticism (much from our own supporters) about our style of play has been very harsh this season. I have watched all but two away games this season and have enjoyed the way that we have differed the approach according to who we are playing against, that to me is a credit to the management team and the players. There has been some excellent football played at times yet at others we have been far more direct, however I don't see supporters of any club not celebrating a goal because their centre half hoofed if 60 yards to their top goal scorer before he wellied it past the keeper..... As long as we score goals and pick up points I really don't give much of a sh1t !
Agree with trulyblue, fans are surely noticing we change tactics and approach per game, because Mick is a clever tactician.
However, long pass most beautiful in the game? Maybe a Gerrard pass he is thinking of. Because a tikki takka sublime pass and move is the mist beautiful thing, as displayed by our youth team, and thats why it has 1.4 million views on youtube, comfortably the most successful ITFC goal view count.
