Boss Mick McCarthy was frustrated that his side conceded two bad goals after the Blues’ 2-1 loss at QPR, a game he felt Town should never have lost having put in a “terrific performance”.

“If frustrated is another word for completely pissed off, then yes I am,” McCarthy responded when asked if he was frustrated by the result.

“What went wrong? We conceded two bad goals, that’s what went wrong. We created loads of chances, the second half was a terrific performance, but we haven’t scored and we’ve given a milky goal away.”

He added: “Very happy with the performance, I thought we played really well, it was a good performance all round.”

But he admitted it was frustrating that the Blues have again been unable to record back-to-back wins, something they’ve not managed since the end of last season.

“Two good performances but a really good performance and a good result and a good performance and a bad result, unfortunately,” he continued.

“You’ve more chance of winning if you’re playing well and we have played well today but if you give goals away like we have, then it’s going to be difficult.”

Regarding QPR’s winning goal, which came in the 83rd minute via Pawel Wszolek after he had got in behind Adam Webster, he said: “It was a great header from Jonas and the ball came back and it was a poor clearance.

“Inevitably if you don’t clear it properly it ends in behind you, which is where our ball should have gone and they were sticking it in the net instead of us.”

McCarthy was pleased with Tom Lawrence’s overall performance as well as his excellent goal: “Tom’s been a thorn in their side all afternoon, certainly in the second half when we went to 4-4-2. He created chances and he scored a great goal.”

He was also impressed with David McGoldrick’s display, although said that the Irish international was disappointed not to have scored.

“Didz is back at it, he’s playing well,” McCarthy continued. “He himself says he should have scored, he’s disappointed that he didn’t.

“If we don’t score a winner, it should have ended one-all, we shouldn’t have lost that game.”

McCarthy explained why he started his side in a 3-5-2 system for the first time: “I wanted two up front and I knew they’d be playing three in the middle, so I matched them up them up there.

“The shape of the team had nothing to do with the goal, I thought we played well in the first half, after five or 10 minutes I thought we started and played well. We dominated up to the goal.”

Why did he switch back to 4-4-2 at half-time? “We played well but they were sticking it in behind us and in the channels and having a bit of joy and just wanted to get Wardy on, a bit more of an attacking threat.

“I thought Josh played well, it was nothing to do with his performance why I took him off, I just wanted to go to 4-4-2.”

McCarthy was pleased with Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock’s performances in the wing-back roles.

“I thought they both played very well,” he added. “Myles, unfortunately, was struggling with his calf when I took him off. I might have changed a striker, been more attacking, but I couldn’t, that was forced upon me.”

The introduction of Jonathan Douglas rather then Andre Dozzell prompted boos from some Town supporters and then chants of the 17-year-old’s name.

“I guess that’s what they want to see,” McCarthy reflected. “We’re away from home, it’s not like the game on Friday. It’s a different game completely.

“Poor old Kevin Bru was running on empty and we’re coming here and it required Dougie in there. They’d got three in there at one stage and we were playing 4-4-2, so we might have got overrun and we didn’t.

“We’ve just given a [bad goal away]. The criticism can be levelled because we’ve lost, but we’ve given two piss poor goals away in a really good performance.

“It gives people a stick to beat me with because we’ve lost but ultimately that’s bullshit, to be honest with you.”

Does the defeat change his plans for next week’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Lincoln? “Not really, I’d not given it too much thought before today. But no, I’ll be playing as strong a side as possible, we need to win it.”

Photo: TWTD

SingBlue added 18:35 - Jan 2 when we win MM takes the glory stating things like "no-one is as good as me at doing this job..." then when we lose it's the players who make the mistakes. You made the mistake MM (again) with the Bru sub which changed the pattern of the game, that put our defence under more pressure and inevitably a mistake was made, but we should've been pushing for a winner. MM has summed his beliefs up by saying he cannot bring Dozzell on because of the way THEY are playing not thinking "if I do something positive it'll give them something to think about..." I'm now a 100% MM OUT - he does not have it in him to take this team forward

28

Tractorboy1985 added 18:36 - Jan 2 All I want to say is what a fantastic goal by Tom Lawrence.. whatever sort of damage could he do in a good side? Terrific little player! Shame we have admitted defeat in signing him and will have to watch him no doubt tear us apart next season from a rival championship club who actually have ambition and no faceless twot of an owner who actually spends a few quid! I for one don't care who we sign in this window as nothing will change while that 'p1ss poor' manager is at the helm! U chat pure 'bullsh1t' and should be relieved of your duties.. the game needed dougie?? When has any game needed an ol fart who's legs are shot and offers absolutely jack to the team! Dark days at Portman road with Evans and Mick! 3 appointments.. 3 jokes.. if only we all had enough cash to club together and take the club off the hands of clueless Evans! We will stay up due to 3 worse sides but I do dread next season if the dinosaur continues in his role!

11

JCBLUE added 18:39 - Jan 2 Still pi55ed off about the Douglas substitution ..... in particular! Some interesting stats from all games so far this season: Douglas didn't play - P7 W5 D1 L1 W%71 AVG PTS 2.29 Douglas started - P16 W3 D7 L8 W%17 AVG PTS 0.88 Douglas sub - P2 W0 D0 L2W%0 AVG PTS 0.00 FFS do the maths Mick!! Whilst we all know about lies, damn lies & statistics, the above would certainly be good enough for me.

35

Tractorboy1985 added 18:42 - Jan 2 Also what makes me laugh is we can't post what we really think of this man as it's offensive language but his post match interviews are littered with bad language.. just go u moron!!!
24

TrueBlue1998 added 18:48 - Jan 2 At the game I was bemused by the decisions, however we have to look at this properly. Kenlock was injured so Knudsen was enforced. Bru was running on empty and, although I'd liked to have seen Dozzell, we may have been overrun. Remember we've got Bishop, Williams and Hyam injured which limits options there anyway
-17

warwickblue added 18:49 - Jan 2 Glad it's not just me that finds the liberal use of swearing from this so called professional mildly offensive ay these depressing post-match attempts to justify the indefensible You've no class McCarthy. A disgrace to the tradition of ITFC. Just go.
28

brendanh added 18:53 - Jan 2 Only perhaps if you are bottom of the Ipswich Sunday pub league and only 10 players turn up, would you consider "it required Dougie in there" a fair assessment. Quite what planet MM is on to think his introduction is EVER justified in the second tier of the most competitive club football league system in the world is a mystery. But to do it when chasing a goal against a poor, tired-looking QPR side in the lower reaches of the Championship is INFURIATING. The man is a total pillock.

17

alfromcol added 18:57 - Jan 2 ""It gives people a stick to beat me with because we've lost but ultimately that's bull_hit, to be honest with you"" Another bit of great PR from MM. We love you too Mick!!!! My post got stopped because it had MMs word "bull-hit in it????
15

martin587 added 18:58 - Jan 2 Your comments are a laughing stock.!! Just go.
14

runaround added 19:01 - Jan 2 He just doesn't get it does he! We need to try & win games instead of trying not to lose them. This is the issue. Stop worrying about what the opposition will do to us & make them worry about what we are going to do to them. You are yesterday's man Mick with outdated tactics & ideas
22

geminimustang added 19:03 - Jan 2 "DurhamTownFan added 18:26 - Jan 2 What has being away from home got to do with it? Is there a rule saying that we're not allowed to try and win? sign the petition " 386 votes,with a target of 500.Democracy copied from topsy-turvy land where the minority rule.
-4

Pencilpete added 19:06 - Jan 2 When Douglas came on we were on top and looking to win and we end up losing. I have nothing against Douglas personally but i don't understand what he does or what he brings to the team, he doesn't score or set up goals, he isn't a box to box midfielder and he doesn't make us better defensively. Towns Record when Douglas has appeared Pld 18 W3 D6 L9 F10 A19 Towns Record when Douglas has NOT appeared Pld 7 W5 D1 L1 F15 A10

11

Seasider added 19:09 - Jan 2 I predicted when commenting on the match report at full time that he would stress about the two mistakes,and say we played well;which is true up to a point. His negative outlook means he was looking for a point when only half way through the 2nd half against a poor QPR side,when he brought on useless Douglas after 68 mins.We must take his word for why he subbed Kenlock for another of his favourites. He NEVER seems to concentrate on the other end of the field,and endeavour to add to the one goal the excellent Lawrence scored.I expect this, as he was a rugged defender.who was talking at lunchtime about being persuaded not to punch Alan Clarkes lights out. Marcus Evans has been a disaster for Ipswich Town with his poor choice of Managers,and it has been pointed out that we are doing no better under Boring Billy than we did under his poorly chosen predecessors.Although I have not bothered to verify this ,I know that I feel less enthused than at any time in my 55 years of support. I cannot see McCarthy turning things around or winning a lot of the fans back;but unfortunately we seem stuck with him for the foreseeable future.

30

blueboy1981 added 19:17 - Jan 2 You lost it McCarthy - by just having to bring in your 'favourite blokes'. You would not get away with what you are - at any other Club.
14

Mark added 19:19 - Jan 2 So we couldn't bring on Dozzell to replace a tiring Bru, despite his "masterclass" when coming on last match, because this was away from home. Okay then, so why did McCarthy START Dozzell away at Wigan?! He seems to be arguing against himself. If we lost 2-1 due to going to really going for the win at 1-1 we can accept it easier than bringing on Douglas to go defensive and then still losing. Not that I think Douglas is even effective as a defensive midfielder, or in any role due to his age.

19

blueboy1981 added 19:28 - Jan 2 For the sake of all, everyone, and everything associated with Portman Road - GET OUT NOW McCARTHY. And don't ever grace... !!! the place again with your presence, attitude, language, verbal garbage, total disrespect, or anything else you stand for - EVER AGAIN.
13

Cheshire_Blue added 19:29 - Jan 2 396 out of 15,000 plus says it all doesn't it. A joke.
-16

GGblocker added 19:30 - Jan 2 Do you think MM looks out of the window at Portman Road and says here come those prat fans again .....what ever I do to upset them the still keep coming !!!! because he is pi#sing me off wholesale now. He is out to annoy us ......please go
7

Mick_Mills_Tache added 19:34 - Jan 2 I'm attempting to give up smoking for New Years...haven't really felt like I've 'needed' one since midnight on NYE. After reading this press report from the inept McCarthy, im physically having to stop myself from popping down the shop to get some. The bloke stresses me out.
8

blueboy1981 added 19:35 - Jan 2 Mark ........ he constantly contradicts himself all the time, day to day, game to game - which proves he has lost the plot (that's if he ever had it), couldn't care less, and doesn't know what he is doing. There is no prospect of going in the right direction with him as Manager - proved comprehensively, yet again today. He's shot to bits - and hanging in the game for as long as he can for the his pay cheque only.

8

TimmyH added 19:43 - Jan 2 Can't help thinking that McCarthy now is over exaggerating our 'better' performances so it's almost like a back up for himself if we don't win. Fed up with the bloke to be honest and time he moved on, in my mind the tipping point was not being able to beat a poor Rotherham team at home and since then we've huffed and puffed and stayed in the middle of the bottom half of the table. Please just go!!!!!!!!

11

evansblue added 19:47 - Jan 2 Mick has ruined my night, my day and my life. I am Just going to sit in the corner of a dark room and sulk. We should win every game - it's pathetic. I know he played at the top level and has managed for years but I know way more than him about football. He should never have got rid of DJ Campbell. I am never going again. Me and Ipswich are history.
-5

Taricco_Fan added 19:49 - Jan 2 Please, just go.
8

busterjames added 19:49 - Jan 2 How the hell can douglas go from being out of the squad to coming on as sub! Mick Mills summed it up dont mess with the defence if they were doing ok .If we are having subs on for christ sake use freddie or dozzel not donkey douglas !
10

Knightsy added 19:51 - Jan 2 Deluded Mick McCarthy
11

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls