New Blues boss Mick McCarthy was delighted to pick up a victory in his first game as Town manager. DJ Campbell’s first-half goal was enough to see McCarthy’s Blues to a 1-0 win over Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

McCarthy said: “You couldn’t have asked for much better — first game, getting a win, ending a losing streak for the club, ending a losing streak for me.

“I couldn’t really have asked for much more from the players, I felt they gave everything. We had some blocks, a great save.

“It was getting pumped into our box, they’ve got 6ft 7in [tall Zigic] on, he’s difficult to deal with. I thought their keeper made a great save from Danny Higginbotham.

“All in all, it was a fairly even game and I think we deserved to win it. I think the block and the save at the end earned it for us.

“It’s equally as good as somebody beating somebody and sticking it in the top corner. It’s part of the game when you’re 1-0 up.”

Although he says he gave his team words of praise in the dressing room, the former Ireland boss says there were also a few home truths: “I went in and gave them a pat on the back and gave them a bit of my usual caustic soda. I said they should be embarrassed that they’re bottom of the league.

“If they played like that, blocked things like that, I wouldn’t even be doing the job. It’s great to start with a win but they’ve got to do it again for the next 32 occasions. Enjoy that, but it’s a repeat process in terms of the hard work.

“You might not get the result, but at least the levels they showed and the attitude they showed were great.”

One or two players seemed to tire as the game wore on, which was little surprise given that several players, particularly the key men in midfield, were lacking match fitness.

“There’s a few of them not been playing games,” McCarthy said. “Big Guirane N’Daw, who I felt epitomised us, to be fair.

“There are loan players coming to get fit from other clubs. I thought Richie Wellens was terrific. I know his loan is up [after Tuesday], so I’ll have to speak to Nigel Pearson about that.

“I think there were difficult circumstances for Paul, the fact that he’d got so many loans and they weren’t fully fit. Let’s hope we can get them fully fit.”

Another loanee, DJ Campbell, netted the winner against his old club and McCarthy says he’s another he’ll be looking to keep at the club beyond his current three-month spell: “He’s a goalscorer, there’s no question about that.

“He’s another one I’ll having to be talking to the powers that be about to try and keep him. He’s bit of a character, he’s good around the place and I thought he played well.”

Birmingham boss Lee Clark felt his side lost the game in the first period: “We’re disappointed with the first half.

“We’ve come off the back of a good week. We know they’re going to be buoyed by the appointment of the new manager.

“They didn’t do all the things I’d ask of them; to play in Ipswich’s half of the pitch in the first 15 or 20 minutes and get the ball up to the strikers. Play off them, take gambles in terms of the widemen.

“But we didn’t, we played into their hands and the goal’s absolutely dreadful. And it’s not the first time. We’ve told young Nathan Redmond about square and back passes across the pitch — go forward, be positive.

“We should have won the game 3-1 in reality. We’ve had three great chances, two from Nikola, who I thought was excellent when he came on. He usually sticks those chances away.

“We’ve had other opportunities through people like Curtis Davies, so in all honestly we should have won the game.”

Photo: Action Images

oscarwhiting added 18:10 - Nov 3 So are we mick really happy now
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oscarwhiting added 18:11 - Nov 3 Come on mickswich
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canveyblue added 18:11 - Nov 3 Thanks Mick. A decent Saturday night at last.
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Nunn_the_Wiser added 18:12 - Nov 3 I love you Mick McCarthy.
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lTFC added 18:12 - Nov 3 why was this appointment not made earlier ?!?! Mick McCarthy's Barmy Army
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bluefeast added 18:12 - Nov 3 VERY SIMPLY , Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss get in..
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jongy added 18:13 - Nov 3 how things pan out differently when you have a plan. Well done MM, nice to see some passion on the touchline.
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ITFCGloryDays added 18:14 - Nov 3 As much as Clark says they should have won the game it's all about putting the ball in the back of the net and if you don't do that you don't win games! Great effort by the boys but as MM says the players need to do it AGAIN for the next 32 matches or however many games there are remaining. Here's to Micko! Congrats and lets keep the level of the first half performance up with when we meet Crystal Palace, especially given that they will have Holloway on the bench and he'll be wishing to win his first game in charge.

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Blue_Dwarf added 18:15 - Nov 3 Well done big Mick, we do not have the players of Man Utd et al and therefore the 4231 system requires paced skilled players, a simple 442 and we get a result, something PJ was unable to reason despite the fans seeing it.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:15 - Nov 3 McCarthy out! JOKE! Good start folks, but just a start. I like the indirect compliment to Jewell/swipe at the players to the effect that had they played like this with Jewell, Big Mick would not be here. The most important thing today is just the 3 points. Cannot read too much into this yet, but an ideal start.
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TractorCam added 18:17 - Nov 3 Very well done Mick, got the lads playing well, COYB
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Mark added 18:18 - Nov 3 Fantastic result, I could feel my heart beating for the last 30 minutes of the match as we've been in front so many times this season and thrown it away, but today we got the 3 points. Great to hear Cresswell playing so well, if Mick can return his form of last season that will go a long way to helping us out of our predicament.
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warbeat78 added 18:20 - Nov 3 Thinking we will have to be even more attack minded against palace to counter their wing play.mick mills suggesting bringing T smith in back four pushing carlos into right mid,
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LordMamu added 18:24 - Nov 3 Raising a glass to Big Mick - onwards and upwards - I know he was on the bench but I wonder - bring it on - I like the changed line-up and formation..looks like he knows what wants....
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skankerman added 18:27 - Nov 3 Well done Big Mick nice to feel a buzz about the club again
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martleshamitfc added 18:27 - Nov 3 1st Saturday win for 7 months - it's been a long time coming. Now for the same again on Tuesday! Well done, a lot more fight and determination today.
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TractorBoy666 added 18:27 - Nov 3 Great first win! A fact for us all... McCarthy has now won more games as Jewell did this season already. Good to hear Cresswell was playing well too. Clarke needs to realise that goals are what count, as we know that from when we've dominated games. Tough match next against Palace with Holloway being in charge. I'd take a point from that, which will set us up nicely for the home game next Saturday. COYB!

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howsey51 added 18:27 - Nov 3 Automatic promotion then?
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kuyski added 18:27 - Nov 3 thanks mm and thanks players what you well done today
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LordMamu added 18:28 - Nov 3 I meant I wonder whether Chopra's time is up - too many glasses!
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TractorBoy666 added 18:28 - Nov 3 The same amount.. sorry! Error because i'm so cheerful for once.
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warbeat78 added 18:30 - Nov 3 Very pleased to have ndaw out there today, shame he was left out awhile back he would have been alot better shape by now hope he's alright for tue's game thinking he can play a big part in the battle ahead of us best w/ end for quite sometime COYBsssss!!!
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Pip50 added 18:32 - Nov 3 A decent honest set of comments from a decent honest man. Would any new manager get a result against a poor Birmingham side probably yes, is the new manager the one to take us onto the promised land no. Personally I would have rather done a Norwich/Southampton risk and probably dropped a league but appoint a young vibrant manger with a medium term plan. Mick will get us back to mediocrity and 15th.

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VINNIEBLUE added 18:39 - Nov 3 Congrats Mick, well done. Early days but a fantastic result. But as the great Eric Morcombe said, PJ, had all the right players but not necassary in the right order.
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eunos added 18:41 - Nov 3 Fantastic win! Just what we needed to gel the squad, releive the pressure a bit and give MM and his staff a really positive start which is brilliant. I think it's important to put some smiles and belief back into the whole club from backroom staff, coaches, players and crucially us the fans. I imagine training on Monday will be that much more enjoyable and hopefully everyone will really dig in and find that missing extra 10%. It also cements MM authority and credability, which hopefully will give him the confidence to ring the changes where required. COYB! mid table beckons, I really do believe that now.

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