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Chambers: Lads Are On Crest of a Wave
Friday, 14th Dec 2012 12:00

Town defender Luke Chambers has highlighted the difference in morale at the club after a 16-point haul from new boss Mick McCarthy’s first eight games in charge.

Chambers admitted: “We had a difficult few months results-wise and were not picking up enough points. Winning the last three in a row is fantastic and but since the gaffer took over I think the change of management has given everyone a little bit of a lift and sometimes that is needed in football.

“It was obviously unfortunate the way things turned out at the start of the season but the lads are riding on the crest of a wave at the minute and long may it continue because this Christmas period is not going to be an easy one.

“In games the boys are not as frightened to play and it’s just a different sort of mentality when we’re going on the pitch now with maybe less of a fear factor.

“We’ve put in some tremendous performances ever since the gaffer came in and the boys, both individually and collectively, have performed as we always knew we could. The results have echoed that really.”

Chambers elaborated on why players suffered from a fear of playing when he added: “I just think that when results aren’t going your way it’s natural, especially in football because confidence is such a big thing.

“If you’re getting knocked back and losing games — and remember we couldn’t win our home games — it’s always going to creep into the back of your mind, especially for the lads who had never been in the situation we found ourselves in.

“Make no mistake, we’re not clear yet. We’re just going to keep focusing, keep ticking every game off as it comes and continue to approach games the way we have done in the last few weeks.”

Chambers reflected on the impact made by McCarthy and his assistant at previous club Wolves, Terry Connor, who has also been an influential figure in the transformation in fortune.

He added: “They have come in with their own ideas and the lads have bought into them quickly. I think the gaffer’s made no secret of the fact that if you’re not performing at your best and you’re not buying into what he wants, you’re not going to play.

“I think that’s happened pretty quickly and people who were possibly comfortable in the team under the previous manager have found that it’s a new start for everyone and people have come in because they’ve done very well in the last few weeks.”

It's not been plain sailing all the way for Chambers during Mick McCarthy’s six-week reign because he was axed for the home clash with Peterborough, the fifth of the new manager’s eight games in charge so far.

Chambers said: “I was very disappointed not to play against Peterborough but when you lose 6-0 (at Leicester) there are going to be casualties and unfortunately that was me.

“The gaffer wanted to look at a few things. He sat me down and we had a chat about it. It’s part of football and it’s happened to me before but for the majority of my career I’ve been playing week in, week out, so maybe that was a kick up the backside that I needed.

“I feel that since I’ve been back in the team I’ve played particularly well with Tommy [Smith].”

Town will be looking to extend their winning run to four matches at Elland Road tomorrow with Chambers adding: “It’s a massive game for us. I don’t think we’re afraid of going and playing away from home.

“We’ve been very solid in the last few weeks and we’re just going to go there, focus on what we’ve been doing and preparing the way we have to.

“We’ll obviously know all about them and all we can do at the minute is what we have done over the last four or five weeks and concentrate on our own game.”


Photo: Action Images



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blueherts added 12:05 - Dec 14
Feeeling good about the rebuild at the back and the form of Henderson .
Have good memories of sending Leeds down afew years back when my son was the mascot - unfortunately my missus went for once and she witnessed the ugly side of Leeds United fans . Bam Bam aside - a team I never like losing to .
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NoCanariesAllowed added 12:16 - Dec 14
Let's just hope they can keep it going. Very tough game this weekend but after the way we saw off in-form Millwall, you wouldn't put it past the boys to cause a surprise.

On another note, I'm thinking/hoping Chambers might slowly be becoming the replacement for McAuley we needed. GMac started slowly at the club himself but gradually formed a strong partnership and became integral to our starting XI, so maybe Chambers is following suit.

*Fist-pump* :)
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irishtim added 12:38 - Dec 14
Keep the improvement going. Hopefully we can smash leeds.
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JewellintheTown added 12:46 - Dec 14
Firstly I'd like to say I'm all for the better form and fully backing the boys. But part of me is a little disappointed they they're "professionals" that get paid large sums of money to entertain and do a job, no matter how dissapointed they feel. If you go to a restaurant you expect good service, why not at a football match. I could forgive a waiter or waitress who's had a long day & week, gets paid far less that a footballer does, finding it difficult to always be happy and doing their job properly, but I cant forgive someone who has the ability one week not to be able to play well, then change of manager and they are able to play well when they get paid so much. Jewells tactics were only a part of the problem. The punters pay hard earned cash, they should get value for money. Not saying this is Chambers attitude, but they also need to recognise they have a responsibily even if they're on a personal low to give 100% - thats a professional. I know they're only human but they're very well paid human. They should pay someone to motivate them not use it as an excuse. Everyone else who's having a down time has to motivate themselves in their own jobs, why not them?
Rant over, good luck to the boys and I for one like Chambers. He has a better attitude than most and seems to appreciate how lucky he is. Things are looking good, lets hope the players keep a positive attitude when they arent so rosy.
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BillBlue added 13:03 - Dec 14
I too hope we can continue this excellent improvement and beat Leeds, a team I have never liked. They are smarting after being outplayed by Derby last week and I have just been reading something called "Leeds United v Ipswich Town: YEP jury predictions" published in the Yorkshire Post. Five of the six predictors forecast a Leeds win on Saturday and only one says he would settle for a 1-1 Draw. Play like you did last week lads and get us all three points. I still remember Leeds being given a penalty with about two minutes to play, at Leeds, which should most certainly have been a free kick to us and it cost us the First Division Championship all we had needed was a draw! Something I shall never forget so come on lads, beat them. COYB
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MattinLondon added 15:40 - Dec 14
"JewellInTheCrown
I suppose they get used to the lifestyle and the money and so those factors may not come into their mind when they need to motivate themselves. If they have no faith in the management, have results going against you then that'll affect their confidence.

They are people like verybody else
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walberswick added 18:16 - Dec 14
“Make no mistake, we're not clear yet. We're just going to keep focusing, keep ticking every game off as it comes and continue to approach games the way we have done in the last few weeks.”

That's a 2-0 defeat then, Chambo.
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Fatcatevans added 08:51 - Dec 15
Bill blue you need to be specific about that Leeds v ipswich supposed penalty. What year was it? I've supported town for 50 years and am struggling to recall this incident. Having slagged off Leeds the least you can do is explain how they cost us another 1st division title. No doubt you will immediately provide details of year and incident
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