Town boss Mick McCarthy felt the Blues’ impressive away win against Preston was a culmination of a week of good performances.

The Blues were denied a 1-0 derby victory at Norwich by a last-gasp equaliser last Sunday before losing 1-0 to second-placed Cardiff in a tight game at Portman Road on Wednesday.

“I think that’s the culmination of a really good week of performances at Norwich and certainly against Cardiff, and today I think we’ve got what we deserved, we got three points,” McCarthy said. “We should have been more than one up at half-time.”

Town could have been three or four goals in front at the break against a Preston side which normally gives away few chances.

However, after goalscorer and man of the first half Mustapha Carayol was subbed for Luke Hyam at half-time the Blues showed different qualities after the break as they saw out the second half very comfortably to claim the three points.

“It’s the Championship and it’s required,” McCarthy added. “I’ve never been anywhere yet where being tough and able to withstand a bit of pressure has not been needed.”"

Town were always a threat on the counter-attack in the first half with full debutant Carayol the star performer.

“I was delighted getting Muzzy and I think he’s shown today what he’s capable of, although I never thought for one minute he’d play the whole game having had diarrhoea and sickness in the week,” the Blues boss continued.

“I think we would have got another 15 minutes out of him, but he’d run his race and they’d changed it before half-time, stuck Harrop on in the midfield. It was a tactical one as much as a physical one.”

Did Carayol want to be replaced at half-time? “He didn’t want to come off but I thought he’d run his race. I said to him, ‘Muzzy, how are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m OK’ and OK’s not, ‘I’m brilliant, gaffer, don’t take me off’.

“So I said to him, he used the wrong terminology to me, and he was coming off anyway.”

Explaining his decision to put on the more defensive Hyam rather than another attacking player, he said: “I knew doing that we might lose a bit of the threat that we had up front but we were 1-0 up and I wasn’t going to allow them to get Harrop on the ball in behind their front players and them cause us [problems]. Just tactical and it worked.

“Thankfully it worked because when it doesn’t work we get grief for not putting a fast one on up front.”

Preston manager Alex Neil swapped his full-backs and then made a double tactical substitution seven minutes before the break to try to counteract the Blues’ threat on the break.

“I don’t need them to do that to convince me I’m doing things right,” McCarthy continued. “Maybe we caused them a problem. I thought we caused Cardiff a problem on Wednesday, they were changing things.

“The lads have played well, I think it’s a credit to them, they’ve adapted to the way we’ve played and played well in that system.”

He added: “We had a different front three today and they’ve all worked really hard. I thought Muzzy was outstanding and we should have had more. We had two really good chances and then Dominic hit the cross bar.

“I could see the second half coming, I could just see, ‘1-0 up and messed it up’ coming. Anyway, it didn’t, we defended really well.”

He admitted repeating conceding the late goal at Norwich did prey on his mind towards the end: “I wasn’t fearing it, I didn’t want it to happen again because it has a really devastating effect if it happens again.

“But it never looked like it, to be honest. They had a header and the lads said the ball was out, but I didn’t see whether it was, and that was about it. I don’t think they had anything on our goal at all, not really. Corners and freekicks in the first half, they were good at that.”

McCarthy was pleased with his back three: “They’ve been very good. Cameron Carter-Vickers played it at Sheffield United and Chambo organises them really well.

“It’s been three good performances. We should have had three points at Norwich and I think we were done by a dodgy old decision in midweek and today we’ve played well and won.”

The Blues manager is delighted to see Adam Webster playing regularly again after the injury problems which have hampered him during both his seasons at Portman Road but says the former Pompey man is behind Carter-Vickers in the pecking order.

“If I play three at the back Adam’s in the team, if not Cameron Carter-Vickers has been excellent and deserves to be playing,” he said.

“It does give us height at the back that we can then deal with corners and freekicks against anybody and then it gives me a licence to play whatever I want up front, we can be a bit quicker, a bit more mobile and more of a threat.”

McCarthy has been impressed by Carter-Vickers’s physical strength, specifically citing one second-half incident.

“I was laughing when he was trying to usher the ball out in the far corner and the lad, whoever it was, tried to push him,” he said. “It was like trying to push a pick-up truck. He’s a big, powerful man.”

The result was only Preston’s second defeat in the league since they were beaten in Suffolk in November, the Blues recording their second double of the campaign and their first against Preston since since 1965/66.

“I think they’ve lost one since we beat them at Portman Road,” McCarthy reflected. “They’ve been excellent, but we’ve played well today, we deserved to win that today.”

Does the win mean Town are back in the play-off hunt? “No, I don’t think so. I wrote that one off. What are we, six points behind now? I did say I think it was over, but I didn’t say we’d stop fighting for it.”

Preston boss Alex Neil felt his team never really got into gear throughout the 90 minutes.

"I don't think we played anywhere near the levels we can, it was flat and we never got going," he said.

"Probably that was down to how much we have demanded of the players, how our games have ended up panning out - we have had three really tough fixtures with Brentford, Wolves and Aston Villa.

"We took a lot out of ourselves in those three games, for two of them we played with 10 men for 20 minutes and then 35 minutes."

He added: "I tried a few things to get them going, I was really dissatisfied at half-time as you could imagine.

"To be fair you could see the players were disappointed, they wanted to play well today but they didn't have the energy.

"I probably changed systems more today than I had ever done as a manager which to be honest that is not something I'm not overly comfortable with and don't do generally.

"I believe that if you set up a way of playing, you should be good enough to play that way and beat them.

"But it didn't think we were going to create anything, I had to do something to spark something into the team and if I'm being honest it didn't work."

Regarding his 38th-minute double tactical switch, he explained: "We got a warning with Carayol down that left-hand side, he should have scored on two different occasions and I could see the goal coming.

"Calum Woods made an error for the goal and he didn't look he was up to the speed of the game really.

"Likewise with Callum Robinson at the top end of the pitch, he looked fatigued as well and a yard off things.

"I thought we needed some fresh blood in the team but being honest, it didn't make any difference."

Photo: TWTD

heathen66 added 22:02 - Feb 24 So, poor for the full 90 mins against the bottom side Burton (80+ mins for first shot on goal) Decent for the first 45 against Norwich, but they changed at HT and we did not know what to do in the second half (very poor) Not overly impressive against a very poor Cardiff side and lost without troubling the GK Looked good for 45 mins today, opposition changed at HT all we can do is hold on. Not sure this is a 'culmination of Good performances, just evidence of our inconsistency, no plan B (apart from get as many defensive players on as possible and hope. Good result today...Change still needed...NOW!!! And yes I do wish people who do not watch us week in and week out and have to suffer poor and inept tactical football think Mick is doing a great job just because he has not paid much in fees for players. There is no such thing as a free transfer by the time players have a signing on fees and a wage structure that reflects the 'no fee paid' it all becomes quite expensive.

13

delias_cheesy_flaps added 22:12 - Feb 24 I'm sick and tired of this, either McCarthy does or I do.....
5

northblue added 22:21 - Feb 24 Stay mick. Take no notice of the armchair supporters. I think u have done a great job with the money u have been given
-10

northblue added 22:22 - Feb 24 Stay mick. Take no notice of the armchair supporters. I think u have done a great job with the money u have been given
-15

BigscarfAl added 22:29 - Feb 24 Mick believes these 3 performances were good! I have seen 2 of the 3 and can't agree. Time to go Mick, backs to the wall displays may be needed at times but not every game unbelievable! His justification of his tactics is why we need a change.
15

TractorBeezer added 22:52 - Feb 24 I was happy with today's performance (watched on iFollow plus Preston commentary) and think that I can understand MM's formation and tactics today. We earned three points and it was was entertaining enough...especially the first half with Carayol's strong runs creating havoc. It would be interesting to hear from more fans who made the journey (bless them!) to see if they were satisfied. Hopefully at home we can be more adventurous in the second halves. Overall I think that MM has done well with signings and loans with the available funds. Plus we have some promising youngsters being developed. Under Keane and Jewell not all players were giving 100%...thankfully that is no longer an issue. Regarding MM's contract renewal and dwindling attendances, the rift with supporters appears to be related to negative style of play (with players getting fit he should be able to improve on this) and his stubborn arrogance especially with supporters. We don't like arrogance in Suffolk so I recommend that he tone that down. If he can't then he should go.....we cannot exist with attendances of 10,000. I also recommend that ME take more of a leadership role and connect with the supporters. The Cobbolds must be turning in their graves with the present style of management. Let's salvage this.

11

chorltonskylineblue added 23:33 - Feb 24 Was at the match. Great first half performance. Carayol was the clear difference, hence the tactical substitutions by Neil. Lot less bite in 2nd half when he went off at HT. Garner clearly struggling then too and when he went off we had very little up front. But all Preston could manage the whole match was long crosses into the box, all defended well, and long shots well over the bar. Don't want to put the boot in on Hyam, but he looks well off the pace, both in this game and against the Budgies. Job defending was well done in the 2nd half, but would have liked us to have had more attacking threat. If Celina was too risky for Mick, then i think Gleeson would've at least done a job linking up the midfield and attack

10

jas0999 added 08:26 - Feb 25 If MM us still in charge next season - I won't be going. We were average at Norwich. Average against Cardiff. Good first half yesterday; boring and negative second. All well and good outsiders saying fe careful what you wish for. Do they have to pay a premium price to watch this rubbish?
12

muccletonjoe added 08:34 - Feb 25 To those who won't be going next season if mm is in charge - WONDERFUL ! Does that also mean we get a break from the infantile whining of Mick out every weekend?
-11

andycookguitar added 09:00 - Feb 25 Was at the game yesterday and really enjoyed it. Preston hardly had a shot on target managed expertly by our defense. I really like Webster, good defender and composed and skillful with the ball, same for Carter Vickers (would be a fantastic permanent signing) and Chambers is probably as good as he's going to be in middle (which is pretty good). Carayol was brilliant yesterday, it does make you wonder how the hell did we get him on a free transfer? Where did it go wrong for him? Is it just a succession of managers who like to buy their own players and are indulged by clueless owners with money to burn or does his have a attitude problem? Not sure, but if he plays like that next season he could make a real difference. Personally I hope Mick stays, think there are genuine reasons to be positive for next season. With a midfield coming back from injury the like of which would grace any to championship team and other good defenders and forwards we have the bones of a team that can challenge. Anyway great day, team played really well, COYB.

5

black_shuck added 09:32 - Feb 25 I hate the murderer, love him murdered.
-5

Cheshire_Blue added 09:41 - Feb 25 Well done Mick and the team. Another masterclass in tactics. Spot on. Long may it continue.
-3

martin587 added 09:43 - Feb 25 TractorBeezer, A very good honest assessment of the club.I was at the match yesterday.We had a good first half and yes carayol had a very positive first half,but his fitness showed by HT and was replaced. The second half was to be honest very below par once again.Preston had nothing to offer and with that we should have pushed on but as usual we dropped back and defended high crosses and nothing else. This has been a major problem this season,we have the players to win matches but time after time the tactics are all wrong.Having said that it was a welcome three points and that should not be taken away from the players. I just wish the uncertainty at the club over MM and the future plans for next season would be resolved sooner rather than later. I want the owner to stand up now and address the club instead of hiding away behind his CEO.

8

naa added 09:45 - Feb 25 There's no doubting that Mick had done an excellent job with the funds he's been given (he's spent something like minus £11m) over five years. To even challenge for the play offs, as we did twice, is a great achievement and people need to understand that. Given funds I would fully expect him to get us promoted. However, he plays a style of football I get no enjoyment from (even in our play off season I rarely enjoyed watching a game as we often came away with a single goal advantage and rarely looked like a much better team). He says fans shut up when you are winning and that's probably true but only because people don't like to moan when you are winning rather than because they actually are happy about the play. At the end of the day I pay to enjoy watching a game not enjoy the league tables. After all I can look at the table without buying a season ticket or having to watch the game. So, would I like change? Yes. But am I worried that we'll go down if we do (baring in mind there'll be no money given)? Yes, definitely.

8

GFH added 10:02 - Feb 25 With players now coming back to fitness that we have missed I am feeling optimistic we are about to put a good run together.
4

bobble added 10:25 - Feb 25 3pts from 9 is really good ?......
1

Lightningboy added 11:07 - Feb 25 Just about sums up McCarthy this week..1-1 draw,1-0 loss,1-0 win. Sadly it's results like today that give him and his disciples ammo for an argument to keep him on. They just don't get it.
7

cat added 11:24 - Feb 25 Credit to the lads for 3 very useful & welcome away points. There's no doubting McCarthys done a reasonable, if not a totally uninspiring job here during his 5 odd seasons, with mission accomplished in steadying the good ship ITFC. Most on here with a sound footballing mind will acknowledge its time to freshen things up. We are a bang average side, lacking a entertaining style and without serious investment & a change of manager this will remain exactly the same. McCarthy's relationship with the ‘majority' of fans has been severed past the point of no return, don't kid yourself into believing MM's hype about the fans feelings towards him, he's completely in tune with this, despite his obvious bravado from his latest pre match interview. If your content with the way things have been for the past 3 seasons then fair play to you, but without an injection of entertainment them attendances will continue to fall.

7

shakytown added 11:53 - Feb 25 Whats the bet Carayols on the bench next week????? Far too much attacking play for Micks liking so Hyamsy will play to stifle the fans hopes of entertainment
4

Andy32Cracknell added 13:25 - Feb 25 Still doesn't change the fact that we want you gone.
5

dirtydingusmagee added 14:51 - Feb 25 ive come to think the only excitement we will ever have under McCarthy will be avoiding relegation, by skin of teeth each year, nothing more, That seems to be the acceptable level of achievement for the club ,and those that are happy with McCarthy.Prior to Evans arrival we may well have been a club in difficulty,but at least the aim was to achieve success ,be it league or cup .

4

ronnyd added 16:29 - Feb 25 Why oh why do some posters keep on with the "careful what you wish for" and "he does well on his lack of funds" mantras. The main concern of many is the woeful boring tactics used by Mick. Please, no extension Mr Evans.
5

KillarneyBlue added 16:36 - Feb 25 Mick In
-7

Bert added 17:27 - Feb 25 So we are virtually safe and there is little to play for so now is exactly the time for Evans to have the conversation with MM. Evans may well hold MM in high regard and MM is, in my opinion, a brilliant manager of his playing staff but the club needs change as does any organisation when the incumbent cannot change. Evans has a duty to the club, it's board, the staff and the players to announce if he wants MM to stay. Supporters can then make their choice. Like Brexit, you cannot build a strategy on hope alone.

2

fransthyssen added 22:21 - Feb 25 This was a better performance but MM needs to stop nullifying games when we're looking good by taking off the players we want to see and replacing them with DM players and inviting them onto us to make us look naive again, I think MM rode his luck and got away with it. He needs to keep it tight at the back but let them play the football they can play without the shackles we've got nothing to lose really so let's go for it!!

1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls