McCarthy: Experienced Senior Pros Vital
Tuesday, 13th Dec 2016 06:00 Town boss Mick McCarthy is pleased to have Brett Pitman available again after injury and says his senior pros such as the 28-year-old striker, skipper Luke Chambers, Jonathan Douglas and Luke Varney are vital members of the squad as the Blues look to turn their season around.
Pitman came off the bench during Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Cardiff City having played for the U23s on the previous Monday after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered at Leeds at the end of September.
The Jersey-born frontman is likely to be on the bench again at Birmingham tonight with McCarthy feeling he’s not yet ready to start.
“He’s getting closer but he’s had 10 weeks off and he came back and played 90 minutes in the U23s and then came on for 20 minutes on Saturday.
“It’s a big ask that to start from that. If he starts, he probably wouldn’t get through it, it’s not an U23s game. But he’s getting closer, certainly. He’s involved.”
The Town boss says the former AFC Bournemouth and Bristol City man was a significant loss while he was on the sidelines.
“We have missed him,” he admitted. “I thought he was doing exceptionally well when he got injured. We’ve had those problems, Didz did his ankle ligaments and was out for 10 to 12 weeks, the same with Brett.
“It’s great to have them both back. Brett is a winner and he’s a proper whinger on the pitch, he’s a proper grumpy man.
“But I like him for that because it’s generally because he likes to win. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly, that’s for sure.”
McCarthy believes you need players who are like that: “I was one myself, I don’t mind that. It’s not always nice when it’s said and the person who is receiving that information doesn’t always appreciate it.
“But it’s always - even me when I was a player - meant with the best intentions. It’s how it’s said, of course. But he’s a good character to have around the place.
“He certainly doesn’t like like losing and if somebody makes a mistake or somebody’s not doing their job properly he’s quite happy to say it, and it does need to be pointed out.
“It’s all sorted at the whistle and it’s important that players question each other, players challenge each other and it’s not all just coming from the manager and the coach.
“That you’ve got a squad of lads where they can dig each other out, but forget about it afterwards. And, to be fair, that’s the case with us.”
McCarthy has previously said that skipper Luke Chambers is in part in his side at right-back because of what he brings to the team in terms of leadership.
“Chambo’s in because of his huge, vast experience and he’s as good a captain as I’ve ever had,” the Blues manager continued.
“Believe me, if Josh [Emmanuel] was far better than him as a right-back I’d play him, but he’s not, that’s the other reason.
“But he is the real leader of the squad and the more that we could get in the squad, the better. Brett certainly helps that.”
He says it’s crucial to have those types of characters in the side: “It’s vital. I don’t think we played badly on Saturday at all and I [was pleased with] the reaction to going a goal down and getting back in the game.
“As I said afterwards, I think the sending off affected us more than them, strangely enough, because it just disrupted the game and disrupted the flow.
“I think we were on top and we were just as likely to score if they’d had 11 men on the pitch.
“But having Pitman around and having Dougie and Varns, having the experienced ones around, especially the way it is just at the moment, it would be difficult to get back in games if we hadn’t got those players.”
Are the likes of Varney and midfielder Jonathan Douglas, 34 and 35 respectively, up to the rigours of playing three games in eight days? “I’m sure they can. They’re remarkable actually because in the distances covered and high intensity, Dougie’s in the top five every week."
Does much of the former Ireland international’s work go unnoticed by fans? “Yes, when he was coming off on Saturday I think the applause was as much because he was coming off as it was for Bish coming on.
“If the ones who are sat on the bench could do it any better than Dougie, I’d be playing them.”
Regarding Varney, he added: “He is in remarkable shape. Sometimes the temptation is to almost manage them, ‘I wonder, can they do it?’. And they can. Dougie’s a remarkable athlete. Every single week he’s near the top of the distance charts, and Varns is the same.
“It was his snapped achilles that put him out [for a lengthy spell] and then I think he’s just had subsequent injuries because he had such a long time out. But he’s in good shape, he’s trained today, he looks fine.”
He says the more senior players tend to run out victors in the oldies versus young ‘uns training games ahead of matches.
“It’s fits and starts, sometimes the oldies have two or three wins and I think they get a little bit cocky and the young ’uns win a couple,” McCarthy added.
“I think it depends on how the oldies are on a Friday morning because we had a lot of young ‘uns at one stage with the likes of Bish, Dozzer and Wardy. Freddie Sears has moved up to the old team, which is a bit surprising.
“I think it’s just depends a bit on how they approach it. If the oldies approach it properly and they’re all feeling all right and they all do it right [they tend to win].
“But as you get a little older you start thinking, ‘It’s Friday morning, I’m OK, I want to be ready for tomorrow’. But if they approach it properly, it’s generally them that wins.”
Photo: TWTD
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Benters added 06:02 - Dec 13
"proper blokes" |  | |
Jimmy86 added 06:46 - Dec 13
Dougie is not a terrific athlete... His legs have gone and he is shot to pieces. At 34 he shouldn't have been allowed to trigger the extra year on his contract, as he has already turned 35. He is utilised in the holding role as he can't get up and down anymore to be more offensive. In the holding role he doesn't even get close to the opposition either. His challenge on Bamba, looked rather innocuous and certainly not worth the reaction it got, but nonetheless it was late, same as his red against Brum last season, which Mick argued wasn't a red, when of course it was. He can't keep up with play, hence the late tackles. |  | |
Kuqicoo added 07:08 - Dec 13
You've lost me totally now Mick. Those players you mention are pretty average footballers. Nothing more nothing less.
I'm bored of his talk and all the players waffle. |  | |
BrettenhamBlue added 07:35 - Dec 13
Douglas isn't as bad as people make out, but as Jimmy86 has said his legs have gone. He shouldn't start games and should be used as an occasional sub and cup player. He looks so knackered most games with 25 mins to go, and isn't the answer to our creativity problem. He can't keep up with the pace of the championship and when we sprint forwards it's clear he's got nothing left. Actually starting to feel sorry for the guy because MM is asking far too much of him, and when he fails to deliver every game fans get on his back. Hes not our worst midfielder. |  | |
thebeat added 08:03 - Dec 13
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 The man is a total buffoon.........He actually appears to believe what hes saying. Just go Mr Magoo | | |
RoyalAscotBlue added 08:07 - Dec 13
Mick says... Believe me, if Josh [Emmanuel] was far better than Chambers as a right-back I'd play him, but he's not.
I say... Believe me, if Josh was given as much backing from his manager, and a run in the side, he would soon be far far far better than Chambers as a right back. And the team would be much more balanced, concede less goals, and have more attacking options.
We will never know which one of us is right though, unless Chambers breaks his leg.
What we do know for certain though is that Chambers isn't going to get any better. He has had all the backing he could possibly get and a few years to try. |  | |
martin587 added 08:16 - Dec 13
Why do you keep relying on old men,is it just because there glad to be playing. Will JW be in the team tonight,I'd be very surprised if he started. |  | |
iaintaylorx added 08:24 - Dec 13
Looks like Douglas and Skuse again then, plus we're away from home so why would Mick feel the need to go for the win?
MICK OUT! | | |
Surco72 added 08:29 - Dec 13
I know best and will keep picking them till we get a win so I can say I told you so
Youngsters you have no chance of playing unless you become a top bloke and I give you a stupid nickname sorry Josh .
MM it is the experienced pros that have put us in this position lowest scorers in the league try something different |  | |
d0nk added 08:32 - Dec 13
3-0 birmingham. Sorry mick u basically just said your sticking with same team, slowest centre midfield ever, does he have any attacking abition at all?this is way beyond a joke now. | | |
hogster1970 added 08:50 - Dec 13
Mm you have lost the fans with those comments that's for sure . Esp with chambo he is a average rb at best. Yes I know he is a good leader but that only takes you so far and look at the league table it doesn't lie. These old pros have put us in this postion as you keep picking them. Josh has played far better than chambo at rb when he did play for a start he does Atleast stop some crosses coming into the box. Some thing chambo never does. |  | |
hampstead_blue added 09:24 - Dec 13
I'll get my boots.
If it's senior he wants, I'm no worse than Dougie (well I am actually, but I still think I can run a bit). |  | |
BillBlue added 09:49 - Dec 13
Well he has said it all now and he is not going to change, being frank I do not think he is sufficiently intelligent to change nor to see how badly he is getting it wrong and retire as any normal Football Manager would.
That means it is up to all Town supporters to do something drastic to arrest the attention of Evans and I would suggest a mass walkout might be most effective but for that a strong leader will be required and a lot of organisation but surely it is worth thinking about and discussing. |  | |
eMeM added 10:31 - Dec 13
If they are as good as MM says they are, why Premier League clubs don't want to buy these great players from us? Skuse, Berra, Chambers etc. |  | |
Orraman added 10:44 - Dec 13
Douglas is an athlete????? MM is totally deluded. Yes, every squad needs a nucleus of experience to guide the younger players through their journey to the top, but our promising youngsters never get a look in because Dino cannot see past a team full of experience, or as I see it several players past their best for week in week out performance.
Taking into consideration all players who have played 30 or more games for Town, is Douglas the worst player ever? | | |
groundhog added 10:52 - Dec 13
Has mick been checked out for dementia. | | |
Bluetone added 10:59 - Dec 13
Strewth how can this idiot come out with this crap week after week. McCarthy just stop ruining our club just GO.
Our club has always thrived by trusting and bringing on young players not sacrificing them to old and past it "proper blokes". I say again just GO and GO NOW. | | |
MicksZzzTactics added 11:06 - Dec 13
MASTER MICK'S ULTRA DEEP METAPHYSICAL 'PHILOSORAPTOR' OF THE WEEK:  :-) |  | |
jas0999 added 12:19 - Dec 13
Chambers, Varner and Duchess yglas wouldn't get a deal at any other championship club. This is another two fingers up at the fans from Mick. Varney and Douglas are nowhere near good enough. Chambers is below average. | | |
Wickets added 12:28 - Dec 13
Must be great being a young player at Town! |  | |
JimmyP45 added 13:02 - Dec 13
I am sure Mick is coming out with this stuff just to anger us fans who aren't delusional.
Mick has singled out Douglas and Chambers but sadly not because they are the main culprits of why our season needs turning around in the first place. | | |
Carberry added 13:47 - Dec 13
Me, me, me.
WHERE'S EVANS? | | |
Surco72 added 13:49 - Dec 13
I would like to know when the goals from Douglas will come as MM bigged up over last two seasons ? | | |
RaymondovicBlue added 14:19 - Dec 13
If it was JUST experience you needed then John Wark, Paul Mariner and George Burley would be in there instead of Douglas, Varney and Chambers .... and Mick Mills instead of Knudson ... and .... instead of .... and .... instead of ....
But you need a balance of experience AND youthful energy and ambition ... fearless attacking. I hope he swaps Lawrence for Douglas and plays Jonny Williams from the start too ... Skuse and the back four are good enough ... we CAN afford to play 5 more attacking players in front of them ....
But also, (Please don't down vote until you've read to the end !!!!) If I am being totally fair to the players who we are all criticising week in week out - if they played every game like they did against QPR and got some results but for two good goalies (let's not forget, that could have been 7-2 to us instead of 3-0) then noone would be moaning at all.... but sadly they don't, ... and so ..... WE ARE ! | | |
1RWR added 14:35 - Dec 13
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