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McGuinness: A Two or Three-Game Winning Streak and We’re in Contention
Sunday, 18th Apr 2021 11:42

On-loan Arsenal central defender Mark McGuinness believes a two or three-game winning streak would put the Blues firmly back in the play-off picture as Town go into a big week in which they face Northampton away on Tuesday and then AFC Wimbledon at Portman Road next Saturday.

McGuinness returned to the side for the first time under Paul Cook’s management for yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Charlton in which he felt Blues were significantly better than they had been during Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the Dons at Plough Lane, certainly before the break.

“Our first half was much better,” he said. “We moved the ball, retained possession, but just didn’t get that bit in the final third but we build upon it, we got another a clean sheet, and we go on to the next game.”

The 20-year-old, one of five players to come into the team at the Valley, admits there was pressure on the players after the defeat at Wimbledon and with Cook having been highly critical both post-match and prior to the visit to South London.

“Yes, definitely. It was always about a response,” the Republic of Ireland U21 international said. “We knew that losing 3-0 at Wimbledon wasn’t good enough. We need to pick up a little run now to get into the play-offs.

“But I think we’ve responded better. As I said, we moved the ball better, kept the ball better. It’s just that final little bit now.”

McGuinness was pleased to be back in the team for the first time since the home game against Northampton in February, another 0-0 draw, one of seven Town have recorded this season, four in the last six matches.

“Definitely. It’s always good to be out on the grass and getting 90 minutes. I’m happy with today,” he said, and admitted it’s not been easy watching on from the sidelines.

“When you’re not playing, it’s always frustrating, watching the lads. It’s your job, you want to go out and play, but at the end of the day you’re there as part of the team as well, so like today I’m always ready if the gaffer wants me to play.”


Was he surprised to get the nod over skipper Luke Chambers who was dropped to the bench? “I don’t pick the team but, as I said before, I’m always ready for when I’m needed.

“It starts on the training ground, it starts with what we do off the field as well, making sure I’m 100 per cent ready for any opportunity, whether that’s coming on for five minutes or playing the 90 minutes today.”

While goals have been hard to come by, the Blues have achieved 17 clean sheets in League One this season, the fourth-highest in the division.

“Dfensively we’ve been solid,” the Slough-born defender said. “A good foundation to build on now. Just in the final third we need to create a bit more and then get that final end product.”

He admits that with the frontmen currently misfiring - Town have now gone 439 minutes without finding the target - goals need to come from elsewhere, including from the centre-halves.

“We’ve always got an opportunity being 6ft 4in tall at set pieces,” he said. “But also building up from the back, like we did a bit in the first half.

“The second half, we got a bit sloppy at the end but building up from the back in the first half, we passed the ball better, we broke them down and we got chances, it’s just that end product now.”

At Charlton McGuinness was joined at the heart of the defence by Luke Woolfenden, who he played alongside for much of the season under Paul Lambert, but he says he’s happy partnering any of the club’s senior centre-halves.

“Whether it’s Luke or Chambo or Toto, I think we’ve all got relationships with each other and me, and Woolfy have played the majority of the games together,” he added.

Asked how the Blues’ approach differs under new boss Cook with the Blues more direct at times, McGuinness added: “It’s not so much different, I think sometimes you just have to know how to win games and play to our strengths.

“So when we’re under the cosh we’re playing longer balls, and it’s been working for us with James [Norwood] up top. It’s just about playing to win at the end of the day.”

Reflecting on Town’s position in the play-off hunt, ninth, four points off the top six with five left to play, he added: “No one’s running away with it so if we build a two or three-game winning streak and we’re right into contention.”

And this week is one in which the Blues could give themselves that sort of boost with the games against the Cobblers and Dons, 19th and 21st in the table respectively, matches Town ought to win if they’re to stay in the hunt.

“We’ve got a great run-in, we probably couldn’t have asked for a better run-in on paper,” McGuinness continued.

“But, as we’ve said, in this league it’s all up in the air, anyone can beat anyone. We just have to do our best and get on a run, and that starts at Northampton.”

He says the players still believe they can finish in the top six: “Of course. It’s still there, we’re only four points off, it’s definitely not done. We’ve got five more games, so if we pick up two or three wins out of that, we’re straight back in.”

Looking back on his season-long spell with the Blues, in which he has now made 19 starts and one sub appearance, scoring once, he said: “It’s been incredible, I’ve learnt so much being here and I’ll take a lot going away. I’ll really miss it.”

He says he doesn’t yet know Arsenal’s plans for him for next season: “No, at the moment, I’m fully focused on the last three weeks here. We’ll just see what happens when I get back there after the season’s finished.”

But he would be keen on a return to Portman Road for a second campaign if that were to be in the offing: “Of course. It’s a great club and I’ve really enjoyed it, got to know the lads. But look, I can’t talk about next season because at the moment I have no clue what’s going to happen.”

Turning back to the Blues’ play-off prospects and Northampton on Tuesday night, he added: “It’s a must-win if you want to get in there. If we get a good run of games going, then we’re straight back up in there.”


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Chris_Knights added 16:32 - Apr 18
Dear Mark ..... go and make yourself look like an idiot and say we are still in this !!

Love

Portman Road PR cock up factory
0

Drifter3012 added 16:59 - Apr 18
I heard that there was a competition at Playford Rd. The first player to score in a training match had to go before the media. Everyone was happy with that but after 15 hours of playing unfortunately a wayward cross from Edwards hit Mark on the back of his head and in it went.
Out you go son! Tell them we have some "must win" games to get into the play offs.
2

Cloddyseedbed added 17:06 - Apr 18
Oh, hear we go again.
0

algarvefan added 17:06 - Apr 18
"If you don't support us when we draw or lose then don't support us when we win" Bill Shankly.

The man understood the true meaning of being a supporter!

COYB
1

Bluearmy_81 added 17:25 - Apr 18
Need to score goals to win games. Just saying...
1

istanblue added 17:32 - Apr 18
Mark's been on the Guinness again.
0

juniorblue added 18:21 - Apr 18
I actually feel embarrassed for him. These are supposed to be professional footballers, but you will find better in your local park on a Sunday afternoon. If we got a goal for every time one of them said "the next game is a must win" we would be top of the league.
0

therein61 added 18:21 - Apr 18
He's correct about a 2/3 game winning streak putting us in contention(poor sod drawing the short straw this week) well it's been a while since we did that and also don't forget other teams might just win games because they score goals making the whole statement pointless, but then he was rolled out so what's he supposed to say.
1

Dissboyitfc added 18:47 - Apr 18
i have heard ducks fart before!
0

barrystedmunds added 19:20 - Apr 18
It could indeed, highly unlikely mind, but it could! My next glaringly obvious statement concerns the national lottery and associated winning numbers.............
0

multiplescoregasms added 20:16 - Apr 18
Well I wasn't that far out. Tune in on Tuesday night for another round of Footballers Cliché Bingo. My bet is that Chambers will be wheeled out for Tuesday nights interview, and he will say something good about 'the gaffer'.

multiplescoregasms added 15:06 - Apr 17
Looking forward to the next player interview, and them saying that Northampton is now a must win game. No goals in 439 minutes. What a bunch of amateurs.
0

Lightningboy added 21:27 - Apr 18
“2 or 3 game winning streak”..at league one level?!!

Jeeeez,how far we've fallen 😞
0

shakytown added 22:06 - Apr 18
Hilarious is all you can say about the c..p that comes out of the mouths of these 5th rate losers.
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 22:24 - Apr 18
Poor kid, should not have to face the press, go back to your parent club and put this horror show behind you
1

BettyBlue added 08:29 - Apr 19
If we win all our games 3-0 and everyone else loses, then mathematically..........
0

BettyBlue added 08:30 - Apr 19
What do you care, you're an arsenal player???
0

bobble added 09:33 - Apr 19
if i win the next 3 lottos and my member grows by 3 inches i reckon i am going to be king of the pacific...
0

bobble added 09:38 - Apr 19
and if i get into the" long ball "game then it will only be so much better than now i assume..
0

blues1 added 10:48 - Apr 19
My god, theres some idiots on here. Dont get me wrong, I agree with the sentiment that it's at best unlikely we'll get into the playoffs. Frankly, part of me would rather we didnt. But if the manager or the players came out and said we're out of the race for them, ud all be the 1st to condemn them for saying so. And let's get real, we're not the 1st team, nor will we be the last, who goes on a run of games without a goal. It happens, and to much better teams than us. Then often suddenly the goals start going in. Does that look likely for us? Right now, ud have to say no, but who knows. And dont say why do they come out and say anything at all? They have to. It's part of their job, just as players from every other club have to do interviews. Why do some of our fans think it's different for our players?
1

Barty added 12:58 - Apr 19
A run of winning games without a goal - maybe I am being thick but isn't that impossible !!
0

Jonaldo added 06:19 - Apr 20
I like the optimism but.......

Aliens to land in Rendlesham tomorrow, Elvis to show up on the Cornhill or Ipswich to win 3 on the trot?

Pretty sure William Hill will ask you to name your own odds on all 3!!!
0


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