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McCarthy: We Didn't Test The Keeper Enough
Saturday, 2nd Apr 2016 18:40

Town boss Mick McCarthy was pleased with his team’s overall performance during their 0-0 draw away at Wolves, but felt they didn’t test home keeper Carl Ikeme, who made a fantastic second-half save from a Brett Pitman header, often enough.

“We dominated the game today but it’s that final third, you need to get a goal and we didn’t manage to do that,” he said.

“Carl Ikeme made a great save from Pits but considering the amount of ball we had and the way we played, we didn’t work him enough, that’s the only disappointing aspect of our performance today.”

He added: “We’ve actually been all right in the goalscoring [this season], but we’ve given more away this year than we’ve ever done.

“Thankfully, we’ve had a clean sheet. If you’re not going win it, don’t lose it, that’s my view on it.”

Town’s performance was much better than the display in the 1-0 defeat to Rotherham a fortnight ago, but McCarthy was unhappy with that being viewed as a benchmark of his team's season.

“I really didn’t like the Rotherham performance, it really disappointed me, but what pisses me off is it being mentioned today when it doesn’t reflect my time at Ipswich and it doesn’t reflect our season, that performance,” he continued.

“It was poor, it was a horrible result, a horrible performance, I really apologise to our fans for having to watch that but I don’t think it’s necessary today, I think we’ve played well today and we’ve played well most of the season.

“We’ve had some bad ‘uns, we might have another bad ‘un, but I don’t think it reflects my time at Ipswich and it doesn’t reflect our season, so I don’t want that to be continually mentioned or thrown in my face, it shouldn’t be a benchmark of what we’ve done this season.”

He added: “We played well today, I thought, but we’ve played worse and won games. I know my view, I’d take having a scrap and winning, you know that. But I did appreciate how we played today, I thought the lads were good.”

The Town boss believes that having dropped to five points from the play-offs after today’s result, the Blues now need to win their two next two games against Charlton and Brentford.

“We’ve got two home games and I do feel we’ve got to win them to be in the mix,” he said. “But they’re not going to be easy games, they’re two teams who are scrapping away.


“Certainly Charlton, they’ve found a bit of form. I watched them against Middlesbrough. It gets a bit nervy like it did here, fans want to see better, I understand that, we all do. We’ll need to get points out of the next two games.”

He dismissed suggestions that the recent links with the Aston Villa job have been a distraction.

“Not at all, I view it as a compliment. If I had [received contact from Villa] I wouldn’t tell you. But I haven’t.

“I can’t help it [if there’s speculation] but I can’t help but feel it’s a compliment when clubs of that ilk think I’m doing a good job and I’m a good manager, bearing in mind I’ve got two similar clubs promoted.”

Does he see the job as a poisoned chalice? “I’ve got a job here first, there’s nothing I can do about what they’re saying.

“I wouldn’t even talk about what another job might entail, I’ve got to finish this off, we’ve seven games, we want to get in the play-offs. My focus is trying to get in the play-offs.”

Asked whether his experience could be key in the weeks to come, he said: “I hope so, I think so. The fallout from two weeks ago was unnecessary and I just treated it with the same contempt as I treat it when they’re singing ‘Super Mick’ because it can change so quickly.

“I really appreciate the support that I’ve had here. But we didn’t play well [against Rotherham], I get it, we all want to win. I don’t want to subject our fans to the kind of crap that we dished up against Rotherham.”

The Wolves fans got on their players’ backs during today's game, which McCarthy was down to his team having been better than the home side on the day.

“[They will] when they don’t play well and a team comes and plays better than them,” he said.

“But I might add that Kenny Jackett’s lost Benik Afobe, he’s lost Nouha Dicko, he’s lost Bakary Sako, he’s lost Jordan Graham. He’s lost some really good players, as have we with Ryan Fraser, David McGoldrick’s just coming back, Bish, Murph now.

“But it’s that time of the season and fans want to see better, from two weeks ago want to see better. I understand that, you’ve just got to try and play better and we did from two weeks ago.

“There are huge demands here, I’ve been here. I got promoted with 90-odd points and we didn’t win a game for around 13 and I got the bird for quite a while.

“We went to Palace and won 1-0 and then Sheffield Wednesday and won 1-0 and then it looked like we had walked it as we were eight points clear at the end and it was anything but.

“Fans want to see good football and if they don’t see good football they certainly want to see their team win. I get it, we’re all trying our damnedest to serve that but my point is that in the main that’s what we have done.

“We’ve served up some really good away performances and probably this year it’s our home form which has been disappointing.”

He admits it was a game from which he believed the Blues could claim all three points: “I thought it was a game we could win and we haven’t.

“But we’ve had Luke Chambers throw himself in front of a shot after 90-odd minutes to block one which could have flown in the top corner and that would have been an injustice. We didn’t lose it and it’s a point gained for me.”

Regarding Daryl Murphy’s injury, he said: “I don’t think he’ll be available for the next two games, then we’ll see for the following Saturday. He’s got a little calf strain.”

Better news was the return of David McGoldrick, who came on as a late sub having been out since mid-December: “It’s lovely to see him back. Teddy Bishop travelled with us as well, but he’s only had four days training with us this week.

“We’re always optimistic and get carried away at times, ‘We’ll put him on the bench, we’ll give him 20 minutes’ and then he’s goosed and he can’t play, so I’ve got to be careful with that one.”

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett said: “I felt defensively we did well, the back four looked quite cohesive and competitive and needed to be because otherwise Ipswich, particularly at the start of the game, would have swept us away.

“It was hard to get our passing game going through midfield, which has been a feature when we’ve got it right this season. Two weeks against Burnley we passed the ball very well through midfield.

“We didn’t get any flow, physically they were on top of us closing us down and then we unable to get the ball in behind some very good and very competitive defenders up until the last period where James Henry got on the ball.

“With two quick players up front we had four or five balls that were slid down the side and we looked a threat then going forward in that last period.

“There were two big chances in the second half, a very good save from Ikeme from Pitman’s header and then Doherty’s one-two which was a good quality bit of play where their keeper has saved well with his feet.

“While we’re pleased defensively, we want more. We want to pass the ball and flow it through midfield and ultimately create and score goals which can give us a chance of progressing, which we didn’t have today.”


Photo: Action Images



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bluefeast added 18:42 - Apr 2
YAWN YAWN YAWN YAWN> so boring its outrageous .. Give yourself a slap Mick.
9

carlo88 added 18:48 - Apr 2
Methinks Mick's getting a tad frustrated here.

"I've got to finish this off" is an interesting comment.
8

bluefeast added 18:48 - Apr 2
I want to see a footballing manager ,one with a philosophy of playing attacking football. The top 6 sides all do it ,last season we bucked the trend in being the only kick and rush long ball team in the top 6. We are rotting away via boredom.ITS SO SAD but true.
26

bluefeast added 18:50 - Apr 2
Carlo88 , i agree the end is near and thank god for that. I bet we are left to sweat it out with MM giving the I'm going on my holiday and make my mind up what I'm doing after that.
6

runaround added 18:53 - Apr 2
We didn't do enough in the final third because of your infatuation with matching the way our opponents set up Mick! Do we have a plan of trying to impose OURSELVES on opposition?
2 massive home games, 2 must wins, 2 chances to show we are still capable of catching those above us. However I fully expect we will match up to the MIGHTY Charlton & Brentford, play Sears out of position, Douglas & Skuse in central midfield offering no attacking central hoping to scrape 3 or 4 points from 6. It's not good enough & I have had enough of it. Time to change tactics Mick or pack your bags
14

essexboy added 18:56 - Apr 2
Reading between the lines,it sounds as though he has had enough and will decide at the end of the season what his intentions are,if I'm not mistaken.hmmmm.!
10

Smithy added 18:57 - Apr 2
We didn't test the keeper enough, so keeps our best striker on the bench for 87 minutes, baffling
7

Garv added 19:02 - Apr 2
It's not actually the result against Rotherham that got so many people angry, Mick.
17

Chicago_Blue added 19:03 - Apr 2
If we want their keeper tested more then maybe don't play Skuse and Douglas together. Hardly bringing goals to the side are they. Clown.
13

Mick_Mills_Tache added 19:16 - Apr 2
"I've got to finish this off" - sounds like there's only 7 more games left of dull, dire and negative football, tactics and results left! Hurrah!

Also, if you had have had contact with Villa regarding the role there, I'd have thought you'd owe it to the fans/club to be honest (considering that's how you pride yourself to be) and to say you've had contact.
7

Mick_Mills_Tache added 19:17 - Apr 2
^add on to this, it sounds as if he's pleading for Villa to come and get him.

Get rid of him now and give a younger, hungry, lower league manager a go.
14

Pip50 added 19:20 - Apr 2
I hope desperately he does go if the idiots at Villa believe he is the right man laughably.
Sadly he is the tip of the iceberg. Without some model/plan and maybe investment we have no chance of progression. Villa Newcastle Sunderland top three next year the rest fighting for scraps.
8

phillo added 19:22 - Apr 2
"I treat it (the criticism) with the same contempt as I do when they are singing Super Mick" ......... hmmm ....... so you treat us with contempt eh Mick ........ time up I think mate if that's what you really think.
Anyone fancy setting up the "just giving" page for his train fair to Birmingham ?
14

jas0999 added 19:25 - Apr 2
Unfortunately, when you play perhaps the most defence minded central midfield (in English football) of two from Hyam, Skuse or Douglas, then creating chances for your strikers is simply unlikely. Douglas doesn't deserve a place and I hope he moves on in the Summer. Sadly, Skuse has also been disappointing this season. This club needs to go back to playing creative football. That would probably mean two of those three moving on. Regrettably, arrogant/ ego Mick will deliberately not change and it will prove costly. I wonder if he has taken the club as far as he can? Of course Evans must also be called into question. No investment in the playing squad. No ambition. Is it also time for him to move on? Something needs to change as it's increasingly difficult to justify paying the ridiculously high premium prices charged by Evans. As Mick Mills said, the club lack ambition and need investment. Something shared by most. Marcus Evans it's over to you.
11

bluefeast added 19:25 - Apr 2
Portsmouth coaching staff for me. % year contracts 5 year plan , invest and introduce youth. Build the club from the under 18s up to all play the same way. That way for example an 18 or 19 year old could actually get a game. Whats Dozzel going to do if he was introduced to our current midfield . Control a miss hit skuse pass thats telegraphed from 10 seconds earlier. MM go your not the right philosophy .
13

TimmyH added 19:35 - Apr 2
I wonder what our stats are in relation to shots on target per game over this season is? - I bet it's pretty diabolical - maybe averaging out at maybe 3. We're getting worse at scoring goals and conceeding goals - says it all!
4

Mark added 19:37 - Apr 2
It looked a better line up today, but still the inclusion of Douglas I found bewildering. He has looked really poor over recent weeks, so how he got selected today I do not know.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mick moved on, as he must be frustrated at the lack of funds and feels the fans beginning to turn. Last season raised our expectations results wise, and this season has failed to live up to them as well as seeing the quality of football to watch getting worse and worse.

If Mick were to leave I would be worried though, who would the club bring in and what would a new manager to on a peanuts budget? We'd be at risk of relegation I fear.
-7

ArnieM added 19:38 - Apr 2
"We didnt test the keeper enough"....no shyte Mick! Why's that then, eh?

Season over.
8

Mick_Mills_Tache added 19:40 - Apr 2
100% agree with bluefeast on Pompey coaching staff. Play good, attacking football and he knows how to play and build a team on a budget.
3

braveblue added 19:57 - Apr 2
Can't believe MM thinks the only bad performance was against Rotherham. Just wonder if he truly believes all the rubbish he gives out at these interviews. Becoming very boring. Reason we did not work the keeper enough is the attack minded dynamic central midfield of Skuse and Douglas.
5

bluearmy84 added 20:05 - Apr 2
ok so some of you want to get rid of mick, probably the same ones who were chanting his name at the end of last season as super mick!!! i believe hes the best all round manager weve had in years!! who would you replace him with? that could get results with these players and little investment????
0

paulthebluealien added 20:15 - Apr 2
If I were in Mick's position with the lack of financial backing and the moaning galore I'd probably leave as well.
6

muccletonjoe added 20:19 - Apr 2
It does seem the mcCarthy era is drawing to a close. Who we will get to replace him is anyones guess.
4

MicksZzzTactics added 20:40 - Apr 2
Geeeezuz!!!!

So in honor of our very own Irish football fossil Mick 'The Dinosaur" McCarthy and his for ever hmmmm mindboggling!!! [and often porkies-filled too!] postgame analysing, presenting "Today's 30 seconds English Lesson":

And today's rather simple subject is the concept and actual deep deeper deepest meaning of this here slightly cryptic sentence & wording in English:

"TO BEAT AROUND THE BUSH"

???

First we have explanation 1 from one of the many strictly sober online classic English dictionaries::

= To be deliberately ambiguous or unclear [about what is of real importance].

Or explanation 2 for those who prefer everything in more Urrrrbaaaan-like layman terms :-) (I.E. from The Urban Dictionary):

= To talk about something without mentioning it directly or avoid getting to the core of the subject -- to try to bring up a subject in a roundabout way. Often motivated from a desire not to speak frankly about the subject.
(Etc etc etc but I better leave out the more colorful and expletive Urban definitions!)

So there you have it .... the 30 seconds are up .... so if you didn't knew already :-) ..... well now you but of course especially 'The Dinosaur'!(yep I'm dead certain he reads these hyper insightful TWTD pages) knows it too! lol


4

blueherts added 20:44 - Apr 2
MM is a very 'defensive person' in more ways than one
ME seems to have no ambition to push for a £100m payday
Why else in January would your only real deal be to 'reward a manager for no real year on year progress
MM saved us from relegation improved our position but this season was the real push with a massive reward at the end
The lack of ambition by ME and now a very comfortable MM has lead to a real dip since January
If Mlike many all we really want is a direction a plan of how we will progress
We have some talented young players but MM is happier to play the average older ones
As I have said we have a manager whose first objective is 'Nor to lose a game' as opposed to going for win
It is noticeable when we have needed a win to get in mix we invariably slip up
Remember how we got into the play offs last season
Yes MM has done a steady job but our club needs a bit more than that me thinks and it all starts at the top
A plan a philosophy
Who knows we may sneak in a play off position but I have not seen evidence this season of a great deal of progress
Sears Bishop Clarke Bart Smith and a few of the academy should be basis of a side we build with a couple of the experienced players playing for a manager with a plan
Mowbray and venus ? Who knows ?
5


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