McCarthy Delighted With Dougie
Thursday, 26th Nov 2015 06:00

Town boss Mick McCarthy is delighted that Jonathan Douglas has got his name on the scoresheet in recent games with too few goals having come from midfield in recent seasons.

The Blues' engine room contributed only 12 goals during 2014/15 but with Ryan Fraser on four, Douglas on two and Kevin Bru, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jay Tabb all on one, this year’s midfield should surpass that total before this campaign has hit its halfway mark.

Douglas, who joined the Blues on a free transfer from Brentford in the summer, scored his first Town goal in the 5-2 win at Rotherham before the international break and opened his Portman Road account during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves.

“I think he’s great, Dougie,” McCarthy said. “He gets about the pitch, he does his shift and he has got a goal in him. I knew that when I signed him. I think he’s playing very well for us.”

Speaking at the weekend, Douglas, 34, revealed that McCarthy has encouraged him to get forward more regularly of late with the balance of the Town team having changed in recent games.

“To be fair we had two wingers [Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles] on the pitch so we had two sitters," the Town boss added.

“Now we’ve got Kevin Bru playing a bit narrower we’ve got three midfield players and Freddie Sears with a bit more of a licence to roam, and he’s been great.

“Freddie’s relishing that role and he’s had more chances than anybody in games, I think. The fact that he’s not playing up front hasn’t meant he’s not getting chances.

“Freddie’s been brilliant, he’s been great. But Dougie’s got a bit more licence to get forward because Skusey’s sitting.”

Photo: Action Images

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Lathers added 14:48 - Nov 26 Fair point Seasider, I just think we should blood the likes of Andre Dozzell now, seeing as this season is pretty much over in terms of promotion. May as well get the likes of Hyam, Bishop, Dozzell and Crowe involved.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 15:02 - Nov 26 "But I don't have 6 fingers or shag a sibling / relative". Not from Norfolk then?
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MattinLondon added 15:02 - Nov 26

When all of the players are fully fit I would play a midfield three of Bru, Bishop and Hyam. That midfield three will work hard as well as create.

Skuse good qualities come at the expense of the team and I think we will be more balanced without him.

Bishop seems to be taking an age to get fully fit - maybe MM is being ultra cautious - or maybe he is using Bishop's injury as an excuse for not making a decision and having to drop either Douglas or Skuse.

vanmunt added 15:29 - Nov 26 Bishop seems to be taking an age to get fully fit - maybe MM is being ultra cautious - or maybe he is using Bishop's injury as an excuse for not making a decision and having to drop either Douglas or Skuse This..
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vanmunt added 15:29 - Nov 26 by that Mattinlondon, I mean I agree wholeheartedly.
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TimmyH added 17:05 - Nov 26

Douglas has been better the last couple of games but even if his form does dip again I can't see Mick dropping him for any length of time if any and can only see him as a regular in the first 11, and personally don't see this argument about Mick playing him out of position regarding his previously poor performances. Mick has by and large played a lot of the current starting 11 out of position (maybe bar Skuse) so the argument is what?...that players not performing is down to MM playing them out of position which happens regularly, so either the player is at fault or Mick is.

blueboy1981 added 17:30 - Nov 26 Douglas has proved he knows where the Goal is - release his shackles, let him go forward instead of sitting deep, sideways and backwards passing NOT encouraged, and he will score his fair share of Goals. Yet another player who needs to be played to his strengths.
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blueboy1981 added 17:35 - Nov 26 Phil - the kind of script used by ArnieM / repeated by T62OldBoy - should not be tolerated, and duly removed. Let's keep the standard of the forum decent, and respectful. And I am certainly no prude - but certain standards should be upheld in my opinion.
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ArnieM added 17:41 - Nov 26 Try tell the umpteen other posters on this forum that persist in similar vein then
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blueboy1981 added 17:49 - Nov 26 ....... if there are what you claim ..... they should be removed too. Simple. Otherwise where will it end..... ??
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Keaneish added 18:02 - Nov 26

Agree Surco. Missed your response first time around.

I found some old Bristol City forum conversation about Skuse and when the chips were down he was nowhere to be found when they were relegated. A real 50:50 divide over him. I can't name a single game he's played for is where he's completely dominated and bossed the midfield. Everyone on Saturday at the game (not on TV), watch him off the ball as well as on it and let me know what you think.

essex57 added 18:14 - Nov 26 ArniM I would of thought with your education and all those letters after your name your name you could put up a more eloquent reply.
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