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McCarthy: We're in a Relegation Scrap
Saturday, 18th Mar 2017 18:30

Boss Mick McCarthy admitted Town are in a “relegation scrap” following their 3-1 defeat at Cardiff City, the Blues having dropped to 17th, just five points above the relegation zone.

“We were well beaten,” he reflected on the defeat to the Bluebirds, who came from behind to win after Luke Chambers had put Town in front. “We were poor and I thought they were good.

“I guess [Cardiff boss] Neil [Warnock] will say that you go out and beat somebody and you make them play poorly, badly, you don’t let them get going.

“I thought they were very good but I didn’t think we were anywhere near what our standards have been.”

The Blues boss, who was celebrating his 25th anniversary as a manager, felt Cardiff’s second goal five minutes after the break was a key moment.

“We won the first header, then it got headed back on top of us and we didn’t win the first ball, we didn’t win the second one and it ended up in the back of our net. It was really poor from us, poor defending.

“All three. We’ve not defended well for any of them. We didn’t get organised for the set piece, having talked about it. They won’t score an easier equaliser, that’s for sure.”

He added: “We didn’t start well at all, we gave far too many freekicks away, they were putting it in freely from the edge of our box.

“Having got the goal, you never know what’s going to happen, we thought we might get a response and I think we did actually, it was OK then.

“It was their goal, we’ve allowed them to stick the ball in the box, which was really poor. But you could see it coming, they were putting a lot of pressure on us.”

At half-time McCarthy switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 but he admitted the change didn’t work.

“Because what we were doing wasn’t working,” he continued. “The way they were playing, I think our back three defenders were almost being occupied by one striker and it wasn’t working. But it didn’t work the other way around when I took him [Tommy Smith] off either.


“[The second] was an awful goal to concede. We’ve got a back four and we weren’t really organised, it’s not like we haven’t played a back four. To think that we can’t play a back four is ridiculous, we’ve played that for pretty much four and a half years since I’ve been here.”

With eight games to go the Blues look to be one of seven sides battling to avoid finishing 22nd, which would see Town drop into the third tier for the first time since 1957.

“We’re in a relegation scrap, I’ve never denied that,” he said. “I’ve been asked that in press conferences all the time and I’ve always said I’m looking over my shoulder or in the wing mirrors at teams behind me not up in front of me.

“I’ve not been shying away from that ever and we can’t afford to play like that because there’s always somebody that slithers into that bottom three and always somebody that scraps their way out.

“And it’s funny, when you’re trying to scrap your way out, it’s amazing how much fight you have in you and when you’re going the other way it can be quite the opposite.”

Having been the ones fighting their way out of trouble in his first season in charge, the boot is now on the opposite foot.

“It is,” he admitted. “We all need to regroup I think in the week prior to the games that are coming up, they’re huge games, Birmingham and Wigan. We’ll certainly need to compete better and play better than we have.”

Given the Blues’ form, does he feel it’s a good or a bad time to have a break with no game next weekend due to the international fixtures.

“It doesn’t matter, we’ll find out when we come back against Birmingham whether it’s a good time or not, when we have those two games,” he reflected.

“It’s just important that when we do come back everybody’s in it together and we make it a really tough place for people to come, Portman Road. They’re huge games, massive games for us.”

McCarthy says he understands the frustrations felt by fans: “Do I look happy? I’m not happy with it at all and I’m not happy that people aren’t happy with me or with the players or with the club.

“I fully understand the dissenting voices but we’ve just got to make sure we’re staying in this league.”

The Town boss says it’s not easy to work out why form has fallen away after the promising displays in February.

“It’s more than frustrating, it’s bloody annoying,” he added. “Why have they not continued? It’s difficult to put your finger on it because we were playing particularly well, playing well with the 3-5-2. It wasn’t great last week and it wasn’t great today.”

Despite the result, McCarthy says he still plans to give players some time off during the international break.

“I will be, yes,” he continued. “There’s no point in bringing them in and hammering them, that’s not going to do any good.

“I think we need to be fresh when Birmingham and Wigan come to our place, we need to be full of running.”

Warnock was pleased that his team's performance brought them three points.

“We’ve had our opportunities with a little bit more nous we would have had nine points from three games," he reflected.

“As I said to the players just now, if you’d have told me when I walked through the door that we’d have 51 points with eight games to go, I’d have snapped your fingers off.

“You’ve got to give them credit, they’ve listened and learned and you can see they’re enjoying it, they’re winning their battles in every department.

“And there were some good goals today as well, I thought. A good atmosphere with the fans, just what we wanted before the international break.”

He added: “We wanted to change it slightly today, we were outnumbered in midfield today but we said let’s have a gamble.

“Last week we went with a different system and it was boring, I didn’t enjoy it at all, even though we should have won. I want to enjoy it if I can.

“I thought today it was a gamble because they could have picked us off in midfield but I thought we created more with the strikers on the field than we would have done like we did last week.

“I’m pleased that we scored the goals because that’s what we set out to do today, to be a bit more positive. Whenever the full-backs could get on that’s what I wanted them to do today, to get bombing on as much as they could.

“I thought they both did ever so well apart from the break away from the freekick when they should have scored [through Grant Ward], I thought we should have been stronger there then, but we’ll learn from that.”


Photo: TWTD



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runaround added 20:45 - Mar 18
So Mick can't put his finger on why we've faltered yet we all can. Changed the tactics & played 2 defensive midfielders & turned 352 to 532 & almost 712. Only trying not to lose matches instead of trying to win them. Now we have 2 must win matches but had we have gone for it more in last 38 I doubt we would have this issue.
For the sake of our club Mick please go now
22

Safetyfirstmrwark added 20:46 - Mar 18
EVANS OUT
16

itfchorry added 20:49 - Mar 18
If you had any shred of decency - you would resign

Sadly, you have been found out once again as
you were at both Wolves and Sunderland.

You should have been removed immediately
after the Lincoln home game -

You seem to enjoy the fact that you are not
liked at Ipswich -

Urge the Club to make a change of manager
This weekend before it is to late -

McCarthy OUT

You are killing our Club
23

Lightningboy added 21:01 - Mar 18
Have said over the last 3 years - what is the point in having Mick McCarthy at your club unless he GUARANTEES promotion?...seriously,why else would you have him?..what does he bring???..zero fight in SO many huge games since he's been here..can't believe the amount of big games where we've barely mustered a shot on target let alone looked like trying to win it..sick of hearing how he saved us..we were rock bottom in October that season,any half decent manager would've got that team up the table...Murphy got us into the play-offs NOT Mick's tactical genius (and even that season the football was average at best).

There are some fans who slag off Burley & Magilton but my God I would go back to those days in a heartbeat over the utter cr@p we've put up with over the last 8 years.

3 weeks ago I was thinking 2 more wins from our last 12/13 games and we've got nothing to worry about..now it's 2 wins from 8?..we are where we are because we have a manager who is only here because of his stubborness and the only thing that drives him on is the fact that he does not want to be driven out by supporters who don't think the sun shines out of his @rse all because he "saved us" 4 years ago...yet he'll no doubt be saved again by a 2 week break.

We are a joke.

#embarrassing
27

thar22 added 21:02 - Mar 18
Why oh why did MM decide to change things at half time when we went into the break all square? He is normally so protective of a precious away point but this time for reasons only known to himself he decides to change from a back 5 to a back three and within 5 minutes of the restart we are behind.
6

Tractorboy1985 added 21:37 - Mar 18
We all moan and say the mick should be sacked which is totally correct.. no other club in the country would stand for this shambolic team selection/tactics whatever you want to call the pathetic debacle but the buck stop with the BENT MARCUS EVANS!!! This man has and ruined our football club for his whole tenure and is fleecing us with his prices for tickets and lying promises! The man has had his hands tied from day 1 and as much as I want a new manager the new man coming in will need funds that the 'pathetic one' has failed to give our manger over the last 4 years! Yes we are sick of the quality of football but the blame needs to start and end with the WORST owner in football MARCUS EVANS!! DISGRACE!!!!!!!
15

ITFCsince67 added 21:38 - Mar 18
NW said "I was afraid they would pick us off in midfield " really? We ain't used midfield all feckin season.
7

Taricco_Fan added 21:38 - Mar 18
Just think where we would be without Lawrence's goals!
14

shakytown added 21:41 - Mar 18
Mucks completely lost the plot and needs o go now. Players have no confidence and we have no game plan. Get Burley or someone of that type to see us to safety and then start again in the off season. We have some good players but Muck has destroyed their confidence with his dreary negative rubbish.
9

TimmyH added 22:14 - Mar 18
Talking about Cole Skuse - anybody see how easily he was beaten on the byeline for Cardiff's third goal?...like running in mud!!!!!

The most ordinary midfield player in Ipswich's history to be given so much time on the pitch.
19

carsey added 22:18 - Mar 18
Much as I dislike McCarthy and his idea of football I am more concerned right now that Evans is doing nothing to remove him and save our club. I am more convinced than ever that ITFC has become some sort of money laundering operation for Marcus Evans Ltd or whatever he calls himself. Why else would he allow this to continue?
If by some fluke we survive this season I sincerely hope Evans gets someone young in to properly build a football team and restore some pride to this club because the last 4 years and this year in particular have been awful.
18

Essexnblue added 22:45 - Mar 18
Todays debacle was another nail in the coffin, but to the cowards who abused MM whwn he got off of the coach, it took the club to another level.
Chambo put his boots down and they soon shut up.
Hard from behind 3 rows of Cardiff children, nothing wrong with banter but that sort of filth is pathetic
5

Jonnosdreadlocks added 00:02 - Mar 19
No hit Sherlock! This is what happens when you set up to draw games and bore people to death by playing your failing favourites. Just leave.
6

milliem added 01:21 - Mar 19
The last time blueboy1981 went to Portman Road it was in black and white. The man is a serious sad act. He couldn't find the place with an A-2-Z.
-7

milliem added 01:38 - Mar 19
Town win the top division in 1962
Town win the FA Cup in 1978
Town win the EUFA Cup in 1981

Norwich win the Nomark cup in 1962 and 1985 and qualify for sweet FA.

The fact is even if Ipswich end up in the Eastern Counties League they'll still be more successful than Naarwich ever will be because the Budgies are CACK and always will be. So suck on that Budgies.
1

bobble added 04:30 - Mar 19
get micky mills to manage for the next 8 games
3

therein61 added 07:38 - Mar 19
Talk about bolting the stable door when the horse effed off months ago!!!!!!!
correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that so called footballer Skuse in the team to break up play and offer the back 4 some protection?? how can he when he is still trying to get back in our half(slower than a granny on a zimmer frame) when he finally arrives the ball is in the net and he stands pointing fingers!! at people he has left exposed we play our best football when he is sidelined but of course our blinkered leader refuses to see it.
18

therein61 added 07:42 - Mar 19
Mick looks very uncomfortable sitting there it must be his bulging wallet!!!!!!!! it won't be the thought that he has failed our club big time as he has done a great job!!!!!!
4

carlisleaway added 08:04 - Mar 19
McCarthy states we are in a scrap, surely we have been in a scrap for the past 18 months
10

ClactonTrueBlue added 08:24 - Mar 19
MM looks like "" dead man walking" and the team looks like it is walking - there is no pace in the side - into division 1. We have a month left to save ourselves - not looking very likely is it?
9

dirtydingusmagee added 08:55 - Mar 19
####;;;;;*****;;;;;;;;########',the Suffolk Punch has been missing for two years [at least] Evans ,the owner, McCarthy the trainer, Conner the stable boy, just sitting back gloating over their bank balances, they havent even noticed, NOW I suppose Milne will come screaming into the yard expecting US the punters ,to help shut the stable door. I'm afraid our proud Punch will be joining stable mate SHERGAR ,LOST FOREVER, ,
5

dirtydingusmagee added 09:05 - Mar 19
Mick Mills Tache, Swn couldn't swallow it ,he has done a runner to Spain ,recons will be back in summer. It will interesting to see how he views Lge 1 hoofball next season, He will probably change his tag to Manuel or Costa Blue in hope he isn't recognised .
4

blueboy1981 added 09:24 - Mar 19
milliems intelligence !! ..... rears it's head once again - how sad can someone be ??

High time you emerged, and don't forget to take the sand out of your eyes / ears - otherwise you won't hear a thing - let lone see - where Portman Road actually is.
3

martin587 added 09:38 - Mar 19
The club has been in a total mess for the past two seasons,hence the position we are in now.The owner,apart from keeping the club afloat has done very little to invest in players or even show his intent for the future of our club.
We have failed to find a replacement for Murphy and instead wasted wages on rubbish players that in my opinion would never get into any other championship club(and that is no disrespect to the players).
We gave Woods away to Leeds who has now scored 24 goals.How wrong was that.
MM has failed all season to find a settled side,system changes week in week out,players unsure of what to do.Players in one week and not even in the squad the following week.Diobolical substitutions,need I go on.
There needs to be a change in the Management NOW otherwise this club will never survive.Any other manager performing like this with poor results would be released of his duties so Mr.Evans now is your chance to prove you do care for the club,get rid of MM now.🤔
18

ChrisFelix added 09:42 - Mar 19
I agree 100% Martin587. What worries me is our home record this season. If we hadn't fluked away wins at Derbyshire & Villa we would already be the bottom 3
9


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