McCarthy: 0-0 Was About Right
Tuesday, 26th Dec 2017 18:18

Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted 0-0 was a fair result after the Blues’ Boxing Day game at home to QPR ended goalless and was disappointed with his side’s performance.

“I think 0-0 was about right,” he said. “I said coming towards the end I’d take it now even when he [Josh Scowen] had been sent off, I could just see us trying to force it and getting done on the break. And that nearly did happen, he [Matt Smith] got a shot on target.

“I’ve no complaints about the scoreline. I’ve got complaints about how we played. I’m not really happy with that but happy with the result in the end, I’ll take it, I don’t think we deserved any more.”

Town looked to have had a clear penalty turned down in the final minute when Jack Robinson handled Joe Garner’s header, although McCarthy felt the visitors might also have been awarded a spot-kick when Dominic Iorfa appeared to handle at the other end a minute or so later.

“Ours was a penalty but so was theirs as well, I think,” he said. “The difference is that if we get ours and we score it it changes the complexion of the game completely.

“But Dominic’s, I’ve looked at that as well, and he could have given one for that as well. There’s no point in complaining, is there?”

McCarthy made five changes from the team which lost 1-0 at Wolves on Saturday and says he had no other options aside from the 18 players in the matchday squad.

“Bearing in mind that was everybody fit today, 18 fit players,” he said. “Michael Crowe’s one of them, Adam McDonnell’s one of them and Teddy Bishop, who hasn’t played for however long starting the game.

“I just couldn’t go with the same XI. The worry is that if you start with the same XI and we don’t play particularly well and we get beaten then I’d have to make changes on Saturday. Well, I’ve got choices I can make.

“And, moving forward, looking at the Fulham game, Didzy’s had a game, Freddie’s had a game.

“Unfortunately Bish was getting his game but had to come off. So, there are all those things to consider and five games in 15 days with 16 fit outfield players will be tough.”

Bishop was replaced in the 42nd minute with a hamstring problem and McCarthy says the 21-year-old, who was making his first start of the season and only his second during 2017, the other having been at Rotherham in April, was unsurprisingly downcast having been forced off.

Worked so hard to get to where I was today. Absolutely gutted to say the least but I’ll be back– Ted bishop (@ted10bishop) December 26, 2017

“He’s very down at the moment,” the Blues boss said. “I don’t know in terms of how long his injury is going to be.

“It’s a bitter blow for him and you could see on a couple of occasions when he opens his legs he can make things happen. It’s such a shame.

“I didn’t think we’d get a whole game out of him but I certainly didn’t think I’d be having to take him off in the first half.”

Bersant Celina made an impact when he came on in the 84th minute but McCarthy didn’t feel he should have put the Kosovan international, who is on loan for the season from Manchester City, for longer.

“He had the one little bit,” he reflected. “I was prepared to take a draw [at that stage], to be honest. They changed it and put all the big fellas on.

“The only way anyone was going to score in that game was going to be a scrappy break away.

“He created the one chance, which was good. But, I didn’t [think I should have put him on earlier], like the rest of them I’ve got another three games for him to play coming up and he can’t play in all the games either. He’s a good player but he’s not Superman.”

Regarding his injured midfielders, McCarthy says Cole Skuse is doubtful and expects no one to be back from injury for Saturday’s home game against Derby, although Kevin Bru missed today's game as he was at a funeral.

Asked whether the lack of players means he’s keen for the January transfer window to open so he can add to his squad, he responded: “I need to get players back from injury, that’s more important [than bringing players in].

“I don’t know what we’ll be able to do in the transfer window, we’ll be looking at loans, I guess.

“On a plus side, the lads have been brilliant, they’ve done great and it was a tough old gig today, but they keep going, it’s a point in our pocket, can’t take it off us.”

Photo: TWTD

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heathen66 added 23:27 - Dec 26

IMO that is an absolute disgrace to make that statement "coming towards the end I'd take it now even when he [Josh Scowen] had been sent off, I could just see us trying to force it and getting done on the break."
So against a lowly out of form team at the wrong end of the table in front of 18k+ people who have come to be entertained...and paid a lot of money (hard earned) you did not think it correct to actually try to win the game...even if the opposition were down to 10 men...Really !!! The additional 3k will not be coming back after that, and to have the potential match winner stripped and waiting for 14 mins is even more of a disgrace.
This my friends are why attendances are falling at an alarming rate, and perhaps why the owner is reluctant to give Mick any money, as any flair will be quashed in favour of workers

SheptonMalletBlue added 23:46 - Dec 26 Just shut up McCarthy you boring tw@t. Your just a sh!t manager, can't wait till you go, you're not Ipswich Town, never will be!!!!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:59 - Dec 27 Gemini...you really will defend the indefensible. Explain why Celina cant start? You can guarantee Chambers will be starting every game and he is 11 years older. Yesterdays game for me displayed all the reasons why fans have not renewed and when they do they get that served that rubbish! MM cant go soon enough!!!!!!!
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casper16 added 08:11 - Dec 27

How dare this imbecile remain in charge of my club. To give up & accept a draw at home against a team well below us. When did sir Bobby or burley ever play for a draw. Then he says there is nothing he can do to get the fans to return! Let me give you a clue mr Macarthy - f@#k off & let this once great club to at least attempt to become what it once was. I for one will then renew & I guess I won't be the only one

geminimustang added 08:13 - Dec 27

Dissboyitfc added 07:59 - Dec 27
Gemini...you really will defend the indefensible. Explain why Celina cant start?

8 midfield players injured.Celina rarely contributes for a full 90 mins,rather better as a substitute where he has an impact against tiring opposition.However,Celina & Connolly only joined because they could benefit from MM & TC.MM consistently finds value in players others disregard,i.e.Keiffer Moore,Waggy & Garner.ITFC are at best,due to a lack of funds,a lower league table team.With MM & TC,top 10 is possible,top 6 is the aim and expectation.MM has only had one poor season in 5 and deserves support.

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martin587 added 08:54 - Dec 27

I've had to have a few drinks and sleep on your comments Mick,because to be honest if you were happy with that result then you should really pack your bags and leave.We have all suffered enough of your unbelievable before and after match comments and strange team changes.
Why I never will know but I have always tried to defend you in the past as your hands have been considerably tied by the owner.
That performance yesterday was well below par considering the quality of the squad.we should be seeing off teams before half time instead of plodding along like a game of CHESS.Thats all it is now.Ive held back for long enough but enough is enough Mick.
I won't stop going home or away,but I am getting extremely disappointed with the performance and to say the least very odd team changes.
Saturday is NOW a must win game to get us back into the top six race.

warktheline added 08:57 - Dec 27 Top 6! Why do some on here continually rattle on about 'our aim is top 6'......it's far from it, forget top 2, not in our wildest dream 3,4 or 5th, it's SIXTH! Let's be truthful, when looking at that Championship table all roads lead to SIXTH, no higher!! Can we squeeze into SIXTH? Not a chance, 14th or there abouts is where we'll finish!
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Dissboyitfc added 09:45 - Dec 27 Celina is an impact player from the bench i hear you say, mick says he is not superman, well i reckon he needs to be to change a game coming on with the dying minutes remaining. He didnt come on earlier because Mm wanted to keep the point. End of!! He has to go, we want a manager with a winning mentality, that yesterday was shocking!
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Seasider added 09:49 - Dec 27

"I have no complaints about the scoreline,which was about right.I could see us trying to force it and getting done on the break.When I brought on Bersant Celina I had already settled for a draw"

All the above was said by Mccarthy,and shows that his outlook has not changed,and why we will never get anywhere with him at the helm.

He justified all the changes,and will never admit to getting anything wrong(Like making 5 change and bringing on Bersant too late to make an impact.

However I have never known an Ipswich side to suffer so many injuries,currently in midfield;but it is something a positive Manager would have sought to overcome.Instead we only really had one recognised midfielder,and as usual were overrun in that area by 18 th placed QPR

Razor added 10:19 - Dec 27 MIDTABLE OBSCURITY----WE ARE CHAMPIONS AT IT !!
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jayessess added 10:40 - Dec 27

McCarthy's post-match comments make his recent decisions look even weirder. If Spence, Ward, Celina and Bru need resting because we've only got 16 fit players (15 now, I guess), why did we leave almost every single player out there for the entire 90 minutes? If he's managing the squad surely it's better to spread the minutes out. Especially when we weren't playing well.

We were short of attacking players to bring on today, so what the hell were we playing at sending Rowe out on loan? None of the players injured since he left have been forwards.

We were apparently scared of getting caught on the break but still left 4 forwards on, even when it clearly wasn't working offensively. Even if he thinks Sears offers more than Celina defensively (he doesn't, but whatever), why not bring McDonnell on and try to get a grip on the midfield, allowing Ward to push forward?

Every decision today was weird.

geminimustang added 11:24 - Dec 27 On Page 1,i've only got -17 who disagree with my post.Please guys,you can do better than that,i've defended MM,got to be worth -30?
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NITFC added 12:23 - Dec 27 Totally agree that the poor mites should be able to be able to play 2 games a week. I don't get this "busy Christmas schedule" that we hear so much about. They play on Saturday and Tuesday, like they do at other times of the season On another topic, I see Mourinho is moaning that he has only had £200,000,000 to spend!!!!!!!!!!!
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geminimustang added 12:41 - Dec 27

NITFC added 12:23 - Dec 27 wrote:
"On another topic, I see Mourinho is moaning that he has only had £200,000,000 to spend!!!!!!!!!!!"

I agree with Mourinho.It's all about who has the most money.Man Utd have spent £261M since he arrived.MM has spent three washers and five coat buttons.
Credit to MM,i don't hear him complaining.Pity some supporters don't realise the reality.

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Pilgrimblue added 13:02 - Dec 27

You're deluded Gemini. Where's the evidence that Connolly and Celina ONLY signed because of MM ?
They'd gone to any Championship club is just we were the only one to approach them.
As for Celina being better off the bench, having a laugh to send him on at 84th minute!
Yesterday was return of hoofing with Webster and Chambers spraying in every direction and not helped by Bart either. It's easy to see why our midfield don't get a look in as the ball constantly sails over their heads.
Plenty of managers are looking at lower leagues!

Dissboyitfc added 13:35 - Dec 27

Its not only about the money you spend, its about good scouting and good coaching!! Under burley we finish 5th then he goes and spends a few million and it goes pear shaped.

I along with i guess many others want a manager who appriciates its an honour to serve our great club and that he has a duty to entertain whilst going for the win, not a manager who refuses to give the paying public what they want. “ the more the fans ask for something the less likely i am to do it”. Everybody in the ground wanted celina on that pitch, but we darent call for it otherwise he will bring him on too late! Oh wait a minute, that is what happened anyway.

The man needs to walk!

geminimustang added 14:24 - Dec 27

Pilgrimblue added 13:02 - Dec 27 wrote:-
You're deluded Gemini. Where's the evidence that ConnollyONLY signed because of MM ?
"I got the call on the Thursday night, but I knew Ipswich had been interested for the past couple of weeks," he told iFollow Ipswich.
"The gaffer spoke to me and straight away I thought it would be a good move for me.

Happy to oblige Pilgrim!

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skelly202 added 18:05 - Dec 27

Geminimustang,

Could I enquire whether you have heard any player joining any club on loan that has ever said anything different to " The Gaffer spoke to me and I knew it was the right choice' or words to that effect. My point being that if the boss of his parent club has suggested that going on loan to (in this case) Ipswich would help him, then the player is hardly likely to say in an initial interview "I would rather have not gone there as I don't particularly like the style of football being played there". I'm not saying that is the case but reality is no player is ever going to say any different to that which Connolly said.

Bert added 18:31 - Dec 27

I too was thinking that before the sending off a point was ok. It was QPR that looked more likely to score. Yes, Celina should have come on earlier but our midfield was weak so a counter attack by QPR was always on the cards. We missed Skuse in my opinion. Can't say I am too bothered about MM either way as it's down to those on the field to make it work. Easy to slag the manager off but sometimes MM does have a point which those who hate the man just don't want to see. Balance please.

geminimustang added 19:19 - Dec 27

"skelly202 added 18:05 - Dec 27
Could I enquire whether you have heard any player joining any club on loan that has ever said anything different to " The Gaffer spoke to me and I knew it was the right choice' or words to that effect".

The answer is no because if they spoke to the Gaffer and didn't like what was said,they wouldn't join the club.I was asked a question by Pilgrim and answered it.However,on here people don't like the truth to get in the way of slagging off MM.Without MM & TC,a number of players would be less keen to join ITFC.They're both held in high regard within football.Unfortunately,there are a minority at ITFC that want them gone.