Skuse: We're All Behind the Gaffer
Thursday, 15th Mar 2018 17:11

Town midfielder Cole Skuse has echoed the recent comments by skipper Luke Chambers that every member of the squad is solidly behind manager Mick McCarthy staying in charge beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.

Vice-captain Skuse said: “Chambo’s like me, he has been round the block a few times, and I can only reiterate what he said.

“People can say ‘Of course he’s going to say that about the manager’ but I’m not just saying it because he brought me to the club and I’ve played a lot of games for him here.

“It wouldn’t just be the players sad to see the manager depart, it would be people from all the different departments. Everyone is behind him.”

McCarthy bore the brunt of supporters’ frustration on Tuesday, both during and after the 3-0 defeat by Hull at Portman Road, and added: “He’s a human being and you have to ask yourself how you would cope with standing in that technical area for 90 minutes and thousands of people hurling insults in your direction.

“He stands there and he takes it on his shoulders with his chest pumped out. You have to take your hat off to him for that.

“He may have moments at home when he really thinks about things but to stand there and take that from so many people, I think you have to take your hat off to him.

“You have to walk past the gaffer’s office in the morning to get to the changing rooms. The lads will go in, like they do every day, and shake his hand and ask how he is.

“He’s honest enough and open enough to say whether he has woken up on the right side of the bed or not.

“It works both ways and he’s in our changing room wishing the lads all the best for the day ahead in training. It’s not just the manager and the players, it’s everyone at the club when we bump into each other. It’s a very tight-knit training ground.”

But Skuse appreciates how supporters feel, pointing out: “They pay strong money to come and watch us, and they want to see the lads do well.

“It’s not a cheap day out by any stretch, whether you’ve bought your season ticket or you’re coming along on the day with your two kids.

“They want to go away thinking ‘Great team performance’ and having seen a few goals. You can understand the frustration from the fans’ point of view.

“If things like the manager’s contract get resolved everyone is in the picture and in the clear about what’s happening. We can get our head around things and maybe move on.

“We have nine games to go and the fact that our next one is away from home could be a blessing.

“On the flip side, you might like a home game so that you can put things right and put on a display for the fans.

“We need them and they will be around to support their club through thick and thin long after we’ve gone.

“In the seasons when we finished sixth and seventh the attendances were higher and of course we want our fans onside and with us.

“We massively appreciate what they go through, not just at home but when they travel to away games, which can involve a lot of time travelling. We know what they give to the club and we want them with us.”

The fans’ reaction on Tuesday, when they called for McCarthy to leave the club and criticised his brand of football, took Skuse by surprise because it followed a decent run of form by the Blues, who had only lost one of their seven previous games and appeared to still have a chance, albeit a slim one, of challenging for a play-off place.

The ex-Bristol City player said: “Leading up to Tuesday night we had some really good performances and results, which maybe made it tougher to take.

“We didn’t go into that game on the back of five or six straight defeats. We beat Preston and Sheffield Wednesday away then we drew with Sheffield United at home.

“Maybe we weren’t at our attacking best against Sheffield United but we held a team who are just outside the play-offs and have been in and around them all season. It’s not a disgraceful result. That made it a little bit tougher to take on Tuesday.

“Going away from home on Saturday we’ll be trying our utmost to win the game. Whatever teams the gaffer selects we’ll be doing all we can to win, not just for ourselves but everyone connected with the club.”

Skuse reached a career landmark when he made his 200th first team appearance for the club in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday and added: “It’s a massive honour. When I first signed I was told by everyone what a great club Ipswich is and what a great place it is to play your football.

“I’ve got to say a massive thank-you to all the lads I’ve played with along the way, the manager and the staff, and of course my family for the way they have backed me and kept me ticking over.”

Photo: TWTD

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surgery added 17:20 - Mar 15 Dear God, is this for real?
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Radlett_blue added 17:23 - Mar 15 Well, almost every player supports the manager until he is no longer the manager.
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jas0999 added 17:26 - Mar 15 ... the majority of fans aren't.
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TimmyH added 17:38 - Mar 15 Another one of Micks ventriloquist dummies!...give it a rest.
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prebbs007 added 17:43 - Mar 15 Doesn't show in performance or effort !!!
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Bert added 18:12 - Mar 15

The players are behind MM because he does look after them. Skuse is also right to imply that MM is very popular inside the club with the staff. To them he is a good employer and good leader. However, that does not win games when too many players are too comfortable. Having a tight ship and good relations is one aspect of management but MM falls down with his tactics, his own behaviour and his brand of football. He has to go and the players should be playing with the future in mind under a new manager.

NoelTheDub added 18:25 - Mar 15

This is an exSKUSE for woeful football,empty seats hopefully a protest nothing else is going to work.I would take league 1 and work in progress than this tripe, stagnant so called football at our rotten to the core club.The conveyor belt of garbage talk from players that haven't got the B#lls to say how crap we really are an dislike the way we play football the reason for this not happening is most of our players wouldn't get into a conference side happy to get a wage and empty the seats as our directors watch our club disappear..

Seasider added 18:29 - Mar 15

Well as one of the three muskateers,this support is not unexpected.

It was interesting when he said thousands of people hurling abuse at McCarthy,which knocks the theory some have espoused on here,that it is just a noisy few,who are not real supporters anyway.

Also interesting when he said at Bristol fans were hurling their season tickets at him in disgust,so its just not us Town fans who are so awful to the poor well paid dears ?

Suffolk_n_Good added 19:12 - Mar 15 You're all behind the gaffer..... that can't be right, as 7 of you were behind the ball... ðŸ™„
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howdonblue added 19:27 - Mar 15 We are not Skuse and come to think of it you can do one as well
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Blue_Fred added 19:39 - Mar 15 I'm right behind my boss too ..... until he's not my boss and then I'll be right behind my next boss yawn ... is it over yet
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heathen66 added 19:43 - Mar 15

No one should be surprised by this response from Micks Vice Captain
As Radlett_blue says, whilst he is the Manager most players will say that. Those that have said otherwise are no longer here.
I am unsure as to what good form we were in
We had a couple of good away results, but the football was not great
Shocking against Burton
Shocking 2nd half Vs Norwich
Shocking against Sheff Utd
Poor 2nd half at Preston
4 wins in last 16 games, no goals in 5 home games
Not exactly good form is it

senduntd added 20:03 - Mar 15 Well done Skusey
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brittaniaman added 20:06 - Mar 15 heathen66. Tell that to Dino that and he would swear (as usual) that it was not right, BUT he does think he is Gods Gift to Football, and he is always right!! arrogant, self obsessed Yorkshire man.
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OohArrPaulGoddard added 20:57 - Mar 15

My children did fly the flag last season against Birmingham. Mick had a lot on him mind that day also. It made their day that on the way past he looked them in the eye and said all right kids. That is how he works and I think the players and staff are genuinely behind him. Would I like to see better football yes I would does he annoy me with his disrespect of Ipswich fans, yes he does, but what if he is the only guy who is keeping the club together?

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OldClactonBlue added 21:10 - Mar 15 Of course he's going to say that
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cat added 22:12 - Mar 15 Yep spot on Skusey, you are right behind him, half way out his arse!! Reason for that is if we ever get lucky enough to see some pass and move football again,you my man will be found seriously wanting!!
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