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Douglas: We Need to Stick Together
Monday, 19th Oct 2015 06:00

Midfielder Jonathan Douglas says everyone at Town has to stick together during what he admits is a frustrating period for players and fans alike.

“We have to stick together,” he said. “We are all as one, including the fans. The gaffer is trying to play a bit more football this year and the fans have to get behind us. They have to understand we sometimes have to go backwards to move forward.

“We created chances in the second half but I can understand their frustration because we are frustrated as players.”

He added: “We want to win all our home games. We have a squad capable of doing that that but at the moment it just isn’t happening. We have to keep believing and keep working hard to make it happen.

“We knew Huddersfield would try and sit and catch us on the break. They have a lot of pace and power up front. Christophe saved one off the line for us but with the players we have we can beat any team in this league.

“Berra and Tommy Smith were different class playing against players of the calibre of Ishmael Miller and Nakhi Wells.

“The defence did very well, it wasn’t just the two centre-halves, but also Cole Skuse and myself and it is up to us to help create chances.

“It is a team game and if we stick together we will do well and be happy come the end of the season.”

Regarding James Vaughan’s late red card for throwing the ball in Jonas Knudsen’s face, he said: “It was too late to make any difference but even so with 11 v 11, we should have been able to beat Huddersfield, indeed any team in this league. We kept a clean sheet so it is something to build on.”

What does he believe has changed since August when Town topped the Championship table? “We’re just missing that little bit of luck. Like the chance right at the end when Didzy’s clean through and the keeper makes a great save.

“In August the keeper may save it but then it trickles into the net. It is stuff like that.

“We’ll keep believing and working hard and we know the results will start coming again for us, just as they did in August.

“The main thing was we kept a clean sheet and we have not had many of them since August, so that was a good positive for us and something to build on.”

The 32-year-old joined the Blues from Brentford in the summer on a free transfer and, having made his debut as a sub against his old club on the opening day, has been a regular alongside Skuse at the centre of the Town midfield.

“I’m enjoying it here,” he said. “It’s a good club and it’s a privilege to be here. I’ve moved here now and settled in well, I just want to do well for the club too.”

The former Republic of Ireland international believes he and his team-mates can make up for Saturday’s disappointment by taking all three points from Tuesday’s trip to Hull City.

“We have dropped points here before and then we went to Leeds and won so we are capable of going to places like Hull and winning,” he insisted.

“Every game in this league is difficult. It is a battle but we are capable of going to Hull and winning."

Meanwhile, the Blues' U21s are in action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate this evening (KO 7pm).

Elsewhere, Ireland were paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina in yesterday's Euro 2016 play-off draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Strikers Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are both likely to be named in the squad for the ties.

The first game in Bosnia will take place on Friday 13th November with the second at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on the following Monday.


Photo: Action Images



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Garv added 10:32 - Oct 19
Well the gaffer is failing then Dougie.
1

Lightningboy added 10:38 - Oct 19
When oh when will Bishop and Hyam be fit again?
4

mikeybloo88 added 10:48 - Oct 19
It's come to something when you actually wish Tabb was playing again...Douglas doesn't cut it for me I'm afraid.
2

yorksblue added 11:20 - Oct 19
A couple of bad performances. Try a couple of seasons bad performances
1

warktheline added 11:39 - Oct 19
@ lightningboy, will McCarthy play them ? Personally I don't believe he regards Bishop as a cert when fit!
3

blueherts added 12:57 - Oct 19
Our form since Jan 2015 has been poor
Players not performing , out of position
Murphy has been out of sorts since before the play offs
New signings ? our best one is now out for months ( and he is NOT ours )
We have loaned out others
Our problem RB has still not been resolved
on paper - we have four of the best strikers in the division - not grass
our best and most creative player has not played this season ( Bishop )
Our second best ( Bru) is not picked
Our best full back is not played - Parr
Berra has been very average
We have our better keeper on the bench
Progress ? - in the last 12 months ? I dont see it
I have supported MM and TC and if we really are 'trying to change our style of play' please explain what 'style' that is we are now playing - not creating chances maybe ?
7

NSL added 13:03 - Oct 19
No-one has ever been happy with the style of football played under McCarthy, however last season the fans were on side as we were getting results somehow. On quite a few occasions we played badly but still won the game.

This season the combination of dire football and poor results is obviously not going down well and Mick's decisions smacks of a manager on his way out - digging at the fans, stubbornness on player selection etc. However, the problem runs deeper than the manager with the entire club being run badly from top to bottom with no regard for the fans whatsoever. Highest prices in the league, poor match-day experience, poor on-field entertainment, no communication from the owner whatsoever. Just really really disappointing as we have not moved on in 15 years.
5

Steve70 added 13:07 - Oct 19
Another one that talks the talk. Get on with it let the results do the talking !!
3

jas0999 added 18:17 - Oct 19
What we need is an attack minded, goal scoring, creative midfielder alongside either you or Skuse - Jonathan. Not both of you and as Skuse is the better player by a mile, then we actually need you to be dropped and quickly.
3

Warkys_Tash added 20:32 - Oct 19
I am as frustrated as anyone. However, massive, massive negativity on here which isn't going to lift the team to any kind of decent run any time soon.

That said, McCarthy does need to sort it & fast. Not sure what kind of football Douglas thinks we are trying to play because I haven't seen it for the past 3 home games... Looks very much of the same as last year without the goals!

Douglas is far too pedestrian & gets too many needless yellow cards, like the one he collected on Sat. Phil, how many has he got for the season? Maybe he will be due a ban soon.. (Here's hoping)

Any finally, not sure what more Parr has to do to win a place in the side. Never really put a foot wrong, is an attacking full-back & played in the 4-3-3 formation during McCarthys best spell in charge, Sept-Jan, last season..

Should never have sold Mings but let someone else go instead, Kudssen just isn't up to it. And whilst on the subject, why oh why do we never have a tall man in the edge of the 6yard box to win the flick on??? That long throw just gets headed back every time - Does MM not mention that in the tactics talk or am I assuming there is one?!
2

TimmyH added 20:42 - Oct 19
Douglas hasn't been here long enough to make such comments...he for one is part of the problem in midfield.

Agreed that Bishop needs to get back as soon as possible, he was training in the reserves 3 weeks ago but still no sign!?!...Luke Hyam can get back also asap so Douglas is a bench warmer at best!
2


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