McCarthy Pleased With Performance Despite Defeat
Saturday, 19th Dec 2015 18:22 Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with his team’s performance despite being disappointed to lose 1-0 to Derby County in a “close-fought game” at Portman Road. Tom Ince’s 40th minute goal - which video evidence suggests was offside - was the difference between the teams.
“It was a pretty good game, a close-fought game, there wasn’t a lot in it except we’ve [conceded],” McCarthy said.
“It’s always a good goal when you score it, but it’s a bad goal from our point of view, we’re in possession.
“I think it took a deflection [off Jonas Knudsen] in the end and went past Gerks, that’s the bit of good fortune.
“I’ve looked at it and I think it is offside, but I’m not complaining about that. I’ll complain about that in my report to the referee and his assessors.
“If it is, that’s their good bit of luck and good luck to them because we’ll get one somewhere along the line as well.
“I thought we played well, I’m delighted with the performance, really pleased, just disappointed with the end result.”
He added: “I think they’ve got the best away defence in the league, they’re a good team.
"I’m not going to criticise my players. There were times when we might have had a better pass, a better cross, a bit more composure, a different choice, but when we stop teams doing it I tend to take the credit for that, and my team takes the credit.
“So perhaps you have to give them a bit of credit for that. They’re a good side. If anybody finishes above them and Middlesbrough I’ll be very, very surprised.”
The Blues again found themselves falling short against one of the division’s top teams - they have beaten only Burnley of those in the top five - and McCarthy says they’ve some more tough games to come with visits to Brighton and Burnley following the Boxing Day match against APR.
“We’ve got another two coming up,” he said. “Maybe three because QPR are resurgent I think with Jimmy Floyd and the players they’ve put back in.
“But I’m not going to go home and be holding myself in judgment or have any recriminations about how I set up the team or how we played because I think it was a good performance against a good side.
“So I’ve no complaints with my team’s performance, I’ve got a complaint with the goal we conceded because we had the ball and it shouldn’t end up in the net as easily as that. Just tiny little detail.
“And if it had ended up 0-0 I would have walked off and thought ‘That’s a good point against a good side’.”
The Blues boss had no complaints about the incident which saw Rams midfielder Jacob Butterfield booked for wrestling Cole Skuse having fouled the Town man.
“That’s part of the game,” McCarthy said. “Me the shrinking violet start whinging about people being competitive?
“I don’t think there was anything in that game, even Tom Ince kicking Ryan Fraser in the face.
“Christophe Berra did it as well and it was a booking. I said to the fourth official that he didn’t mean to kick it in the face, he went to kick the ball and it was an accident and it was the same with Ince.
“And all that wrestling, it was no trouble to me at all, none whatsoever. If you’re not competitive you’ll get shafted every week. They’re a competitive team, we are. No complaints.”
The Town manager felt that overall both central defensive pairings had the better of the strikers they were up against.
“Except for one occasion,” he said ruefully. “I thought they were great, I think their two lads are very good, both Richard Keogh and Jason Shackell.
“I signed Shackell years ago and he’s become a very, very good defender, he’s one of the best in the league, I think, as is Keogh, I think they’re very good.”
McCarthy was pleased to be able to introduce Ryan Fraser from the bench in the second half, the Scotland U21 international having been out since early October.
“I hear people bleating when they’ve got one player missing and it changes their team and I’m not bleating, but we’ve had Ryan missing who’s missing who has scored four goals and started.
“We’ve also had Bish missing all season, Kevin Bru for a big part, David McGoldrick’s been missing. I think anybody’s going to miss them.
“So to have three of them back with Luke Varney signing, it’s tough for them going on but those minutes in their legs will help them further on.”
McCarthy said Jonny Parr missed out on a place on the bench having picked up a niggle:“He’s got a tight calf.”
Derby manager Paul Clement felt his team were given a far from comfortable afternoon: “It was such a hard-fought game, maybe the hardest game physically we’ve been involved in this season. It’s a massive three points for us.”
He was pleased with the way his players stood up to the physical challenge presented by the Blues.
“We’ve done it before but that’s no guarantee you’re going to do it again,” he added. “We spoke about it before in our analysis of Ipswich, what to expect.
“To expect it from the first minute to the last minute, that chances would be few and far between.
“The best opportunities would come from counters and they did. There were very few chances overall for both teams. But we had to really stand up to a aerial onslaught.
“Our centre-backs were outstanding and the team one to 11 and the guys that went on and finished the game as well, it was a proper men’s performance today.”
Photo: Action Images
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ITFCRealist added 21:45 - Dec 19
A smaller club then us, and you are happy to lose Mick?
Go now please, and save us the embarrassment |  | |
Facefacts added 21:54 - Dec 19
I just saw the highlights on TV and the goal was down to Tommy Smith again. He is always found wanting in the big games. E.g Boro away last season. We were very unfortunate today with the positioning of the officials for the key events for the Butterfield / Skuse altercation. Skuse dealt with the situation superbly and that was a red card for Butterfield. As for the Ince dangerous play that was a red card and a penalty. I know what Mick is saying but he has a Championship view of things. We need to be more ruthless. Also if we had a crowd who really got to the referee for those incidents I mentioned (think St James' Park) we would actually get what we deserved from games against the top teams. Refs are influenced by the crowd. Finally RIP Jimmy Hill: when I was watching the team home and away way back he was for a short time the presenter of 606 and the best, bar none. Miss him. A great football man. |  | |
BrettenhamBlue added 22:03 - Dec 19
ArnieM : do you mean Mick?
iTFC Realist: don't believe sacking Mick is a good move. He's doing the best he can given his limited resources.
Only thing that realy upset me is Mick's stubbornness. Why oh why is Coke still on the bench? That really is a huge mistake.
face facts: agree with you about the crowd situation. |  | |
NSL added 22:06 - Dec 19
Today it looked like we replaced a £10m left back with a £300k one. Oh | | |
NSL added 22:08 - Dec 19
Actually the goal was a breakaway from pitman failing to hold the ball up properly and getting robbed. The rest was down to quality and a a bit of luck. I thought smith and Berra were decent today. | | |
bohslegend added 22:27 - Dec 19
Bluefeast first to land following a defeat.
Surprise surprise. |  | |
tractorshark added 22:49 - Dec 19
These people who round off negative comments with 'that's why I don't go any longer'.
Are you the same people who snapped up the playoff semi-final tickets in May?
I presume if we stay in sixth, you'll be back then.
In 35 years of following Ipswich, I've seen my fair share of disappointment but it hasn't diminished my support for the team or made me want to stop going - even though I live 100 miles away.
I'm more than happy if the moaners stay away, it's one of the reasons I prefer away games.
But don't come crawling out of the woodwork, giving it large about loyalty when we reach the playoffs or start enjoying a semblance of success.
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flyingdutchman added 02:38 - Dec 20
You can't make s silk purse out of a sows arse |  | |
flyingdutchman added 02:40 - Dec 20
Team of cheap charlies play anywhere | | |
hector_clifford added 06:19 - Dec 20
Perhaps it is worth having Dozzell on the bench, particularly for home games, instead of somebody like Coke. He would offer something different if needed and that bit of an unknown factor to the opposition, especially if we are behind, or if we are winning by a couple for a few minutes experience. You need game changers on the bench. | | |
sidtheswan added 07:12 - Dec 20
Didn't think it was a good game at all never seen such a poor game and neither team was good enough to go up on this performance . Thought Derby started the better team and we finished the better once Fraser came on . However in between the referee was very poor and never took control of the came and made same strange decisions and looked out of his depth . To play well and win the game you need to play well create chances get the crowd going and to score you need shots on target . Fraser needs to start on Boxing Day . | | |
hogster1970 added 07:51 - Dec 20
well i said all along esp after mk and fulham that we need to start fraser or bru if we stand any chance of getting anything from this game, and yes i went to both.
how ever esp on the fraser front i can see why MM didnt start him as he has been out for a while and prob only has 45mins in him, but think bru would have been a better choice then douglas yesturday as he can add the extra bite in midfield we defo need.
but sears again was awsome, pity he was waisted on the wing i do think he would have made a more impression with his running from upfront like many have said.
i think when we play these better teams we need to start breaking quick when we are under pressure as thats how we can level there big defenders and use sears pace and foot skills, but still hey ho.
bring on QPR, and i hope fraser will start as he will scare there right back sh@tless.
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oldegold added 07:58 - Dec 20
The effort was put in today and we started brightly but then seemed to lapse into the usual hoof it anywhere or keep the ball in the air style. You can hardly expect flowing free style football from MM as that would be expecting too much and woe betide, going out to win 3-0...right off the bat. If only we could play an attacking style then it really would open up our play but MM has to stick to his rigid dogma of defensive mania of caution first.
Berra didn't have one of his best games and looked a bit sluggish and whilst I don't want to jump on his back as he seems to have become the crowds' fall guy and don't like to pour vitriol on our players, Knudsen is definitely struggling at this level.
We got what we deserved today - probably a draw was the best result - but Derby showed what could be achieved with an attack minded way. Looking at the league table doesn't lie this morning... |  | |
delias_cheesy_flaps added 08:07 - Dec 20
Now the pre-match and post-defeat alcohol has worn off I will offer a comment on yesterdays"display".
A really tedious game although I didn't expect much more as Derby have one of the best defences, Town are slow in possession and lack quality but I guess as we seem to be the only team who actually take note of FFP then I don't really expect too much.
We are still punching above our weight and flatter to deceive with our position in the league.
I'm glad I had a few beers to help me through the game yesterday!
Merry Christmas! |  | |
RYITFC added 08:34 - Dec 20
Mick's done a great job here & i have a lot of respect for the man. However i do find some of his post match analysis rather odd. It was a very average home performance with some terrible defending for the goal. I know they're a good side but we never really threatened their goal with the exception of Sears flash accross goal in the 2nd half. I also felt they could have moved up another couple of gears if they needed too.
So i don't see how you can praise that performance, it wasn't our worst but it certainly wasn't pleasing! |  | |
PMK added 08:55 - Dec 20
Mourinho is available. I say we break the bank and bring him in. | | |
jert16 added 09:35 - Dec 20
Unlucky boys.. no shame in losing to derby. As a die hard itfc fan all I ask for is 100% commitment for the shirt and I can't fault that. In mick we trust. COYB |  | |
Europablue added 10:21 - Dec 20
If we got Mourinho I might stop following town for a while, or just do so on mute. His style of play isn't exactly scintillating and he's a complete moaner. For anyone saying they don't want to get into the premier league in case we get embarrassed, the embarrassment would wear off, but the money in the bank would do a lot of good. I heard some hack journalist saying Burnley are operating on a shoe-string budget, but I'm sure MM would bite their hand off for the parachute payment. No complaints about the league position, but by all accounts the style of play could do with improvements. Bru and Fraser being back to full fitness will add a bit of flair which has undoubtedly been missing of late. In summary not bad for the first half of the season. | | |
essex57 added 10:27 - Dec 20
Sound comments smithy,gippeswyk,stowtractorboy. | | |
BlueInBerks added 12:10 - Dec 20
If we were offered 6th at Christmas at the beginning of the season, would we have taken it - of course we would. MM is master at understatement and he knows that with Bru, Fraser, Bish, McD, (Varney) returning the secondhalf of the season we will be stronger still. |  | |
tractorboykent added 12:36 - Dec 20
Having been there yesterday and since the watched the highlights on telly too I have to say that much of what came through on the phones last night and some comments on here have confused me. Seems to me that the difference between the teams was a) in a game of v few chances they took one and we didn't, and b) they niggled, dived, whinged and time wasted; we didn't. There wasn't much more in it despite their £ spend v ours. Accusations that we lacked aggression are bizarre (when was a MM tem ever seriously guilty of that?) We just didn't deal with their approach as well as we could have. I do agree though that Knudsen must make way for Parr and that we're likely not going to make the play offs until we start to actually trouble the top teams. Personally, I'd rather be positive about it and say that we have the opportunity to start in just 8 days time @ The Amex. | | |
vanmunt added 13:45 - Dec 20
Can't say I really agree.. Route one hoofball as plan a and b easily negated by Derby yesterday by a great performance from their centre back Keogh. Fraser did add a lift with his running but we never looked like scoring. Same ole' against the better teams. |  | |
Dwillams57 added 16:02 - Dec 20
We are not good enough to beat the top teams I am afraid. Can't see us picking up many points in the next few games. Hope I am wrong but think top 6 is beyond us this year. Investment is needed | | |
Bluetone added 16:57 - Dec 20
If we are satisfied with a manager who will keep us safely in the championship then we definitely have the right man in McCarthy.
If we want a manager who might get us into the Premiership perhaps we have the manager who might do it.
If we want a manager who will get us into the Premiership and keep us there then we have the wrong manager and possibly the wrong owner.
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