Town boss Mick McCarthy says he doesn't "give a flying one” about the Blues being bottom of the Championship table when it comes to pass completion and 16th on possession.

The Blues’ pass success rate this season is 61.8 per cent the lowest in the Championship, while their share of possession during their league games is 49.1 per cent.

“Where are we in the league?” countered the Blues boss. “I can bring you, and I’m not going to, but I could, [stats which show that in] more games we’ve won, we’ve had less possession. If we have 400 passes, I guarantee we get beaten.

“I don’t give a flying one about the possession, I really don’t, because we come up against teams and they’ve had 400-and-some passes and we’ve had 220, and you know who has had 150 between them? Their two centre-backs, the central midfielder and the full-backs, and it’s not going anywhere.

“So, great. Their two centre-backs are wonderful players, they’ve both had 75 touches each. Am I bothered? No, because our centre forward’s had about 50 and he’s scored two goals.

“So don’t bring me stats. What is it they say? There are lies, damned lies and statistics? And that’s just what they are.”

He added: “I see the stats and sometimes I think ‘How the hell have we won that game?’. Then other times I think ‘We’ve murdered them’ and we’ve been beaten, we’ve had loads of passes, loads of crosses, loads of balls into the box. If you want somebody to analyse stats, get them all in here and see what happens.”

Regarding Saturday’s 2-2 FA Cup third round draw with Portsmouth, in which the League Two side had 68 per cent of the possession to the Blues’ 32 per cent, he said: “Portsmouth murdered us with the ball on Saturday. Did we lose? No.

“At Milton Keynes we won, and by the way should have won by more, we had the better chances.

“If you’re trying to get a story on stats, you can write all you like but I don’t give a monkey’s.

“The stats I like are that we’re in sixth position, we’ve got 41 points, we won five away on the bounce and drew on Saturday. We’ve been unbeaten for a while, we’re on a good run.

“There’s always somebody who could find a negative to anything, though, which I understand but find difficult to tolerate, I have to be honest. The only stat that matters is how many points you get at the end of the season.

“And there are all different ways of playing. Portsmouth were fantastic, they’re fourth in the league, but they’re not top of the league, so there are some good teams [in their division], but if they’re playing like that every week they’ve got to win the league, because they were outstanding.”

Despite the low possession and pass completion statistics McCarthy says his team has a consistent threat from wide areas through wingers Freddie Sears and Ryan Fraser.

“And I have with Tommy Oar and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as well," he added. "We’ve been a real threat.

“I go back to it. Portsmouth were great on Saturday and they should have won the game. We’re just on the back of beating QPR with the team that’s playing, beating Brighton, drawing at Burnley.

“So we have a draw in the FA Cup with a lot of changes. Hey ho, we’ve been a real threat, us. We’ve been a constant threat.”

You can find a TWTD blog assessing Town’s low pass completion rate here.

Photo: Action Images

yorksblue added 12:45 - Jan 12 Yet more 'Americanisms' that have crept into the game, probably as a result of Sky TV. Who gives a stuff about stats?
0

jert16 added 13:01 - Jan 12 Totally agree. Keep up the good work Mick! Suuuuper Mick Mcarthy!!
1

Fatboy added 13:08 - Jan 12 The point that MM is making is that if Berra and Smith passed it between themselves 10 times before punting it forward, our successful pass rate and time in possession stats would be higher but we'd be no more likely to win games. In fact we'd just be more likely to give it away at the back and concede.
2

Stato added 13:16 - Jan 12 The thing is this style of football is bringing results away from home and I wouldn't have a problem if this continued to be our away style but I don't go to Portman Road to be entertained by the opposition while we grind at a draw. The realitively low attendances at Portman Road seem to suggest I'm not alone in this view.
-1

TractorJed added 13:25 - Jan 12 TBH going to home games watching this style of football is as miserable as I can remember in over 35 years. We still attend home and away because that's what you do? I would like to know the stat for our passes on the floor and those in the air? Away games you can understand it a little more as you expect to have to play slightly more defensively and directly. I could probably stomach the style of football if the remit was to get promoted and then everything would change but to be honest even if we were promoted nothing would change with the current management and players. I can fully understand why certain sections of the support choose not to attend having to pay hard to come by fund's to watch this brand of 'football'. In the meantime like a brainless drone I plod on.

5

goat_man added 13:37 - Jan 12 What is the matter with some of you? The only times we've been remotely successful in the last 15 years in this division is when we've played hoofball to strikers who can jump and run. Under Magilton we chased this so called "attractive football" and went absolutely nowhere. The other 2 plonkers also tried, which is why we played the ever so exciting 451 formation every week to dominant the passing in midfield and also went nowhere and resorted to hoofing it to a lone striker who wasn't geared to hoofball. Id much rather us play this way and have a chance of playoffs each year, than chase this nonsense "attractive football" dream and finish 15th each year. God, some of our fans are really creepy.

-5

blrmy added 13:37 - Jan 12 Link to article below is still a good summary on stats, good for quiz machines and football games, but a defender can make 100 brilliant passes and make 1 mistake for a goal, or a striker can do nothing except score a couple of goals, the endless list of examples of how stats are pointless can go on and on. http://www.theguardian.com/football/when-saturday-comes-blog/2014/feb/03/statist

2

BadgerBajner added 13:47 - Jan 12 So just keep booting the ball aimlessly forward eh Mick, everybody at the club is happy?
2

hotdog added 13:52 - Jan 12 I was at the game on saturday and thought it was embarssing from us in the first half but what worries me as that surely this shows we don't have quite the strength in depth that we thought? I still believe we are stronger then last season but I'm surprised Mick doesn't want to add any more players to the squad! I think when we have our first team playing we have a real chance of winning every game but I still wonder if we have enough back-up if/when people get injured? When Oar and AMN left the field on saturday and were replaced by sears and fraser you could instantly see the change in quality and play from our team. I think with a few additions and if we keep our key players fit then possession and performance will improve... (fingers crossed)

1

geminimustang added 13:57 - Jan 12 never fails to surprise me,the short memories people have,slective memories.MM inherited a team that was destined for relegation,turned it around,got to the play off's.Let's sack him.Have Wolves been better without him?Have Sunderland been better?He's get's the best out of what he's got.If previous Managers hadn't wasted the funds,maybe MM would have a little more in the pot.MM hasn't long left on his Contract and if i was him,i'd consider do i need such negativity.

2

big_gaz67 added 14:15 - Jan 12 Goat Man - Do you remember Joe Roylle?
3

TheBlueBarca added 14:21 - Jan 12 Excellent from Mick. The above complaining supporters would rather we passed the ball around with big money signings and ended up in League One and the eventual financial death of the club. If you don't like it please feel free not to attend games so we can improve the atmosphere at PR. On top of that if you could refrain from posting online or calling into the radio even better. Those of us living in reality can enjoy our eventual promotion and you can cry into your keyboards.

-3

goat_man added 14:37 - Jan 12 big_gaz67 - Yes I do?
-1

Keaneish added 14:41 - Jan 12 No Bluebarca, we'd all rather Mick coached the existing team to play football, it's really that simple.
5

goat_man added 14:53 - Jan 12 Keanish - It's actually not that simple. The players we have in our squad now have been assembled they play one way and do that with a reasonable level of success and efficiency. Before when we've tried to coach players to play "attractive" passing football, we've ended up 15th with all of you booing after a month. Let's be realistic here, the players who can play passing football at this level efficiently enough to allow us to finish in the top half of the table, we neither can afford, or have the big enough reputation to attract anymore. The style of football we watch under Mick has saved us from relegation, brought us playoffs last year and 6th place so far this year, and if we finish in the playoffs enough we will eventually win them.

-2

craigyboy10 added 15:15 - Jan 12 Some people have a short memory, yes I agree our football is not the prettiest on the eye.. And possibly played better football under our previous management.. We also finished around 15th for a good run of seasons... Sometimes playing "attractive football" doesn't always pay off. You read it in the match reports every week by the other managers. No team likes playing us. And if it eventually get us out of this league then that's what needs to be done. Short memory people.. It's actually disappointing to see people moaning about it.. People say about wasting there money.. But I expect most of you watched us finish mid table every year previous to these last two.. Was that more satisfying to you? Mick is right in how he's doing it.. We haven't got the biggest budget and we can't get the quality of players that other teams can. But making us hard to beat is half the battle.. This is a tough league.. And playing pretty football doesn't get you out of it.. At the end of the day we are 6th maybe only just.. But we are there.. Who cares if we have boring matches every week as long as we get the points and get back to the promised land!! Stop being narrow minded and look it at realistically.. We have had dreadful season after season before McCarthy came in.. He's finally getting us competing at the right end of the league and people still seem to want to find a negative in it...

1

MattinLondon added 15:30 - Jan 12 This story sums up why MM has never been a success in the top flight. He can get away with pure grit and determination in the championship but not in the premier league. Also highlights why PL owners aren't interested in him and regard him as a bit of a dinosaur
6

coolcat added 15:51 - Jan 12 Well said Mick. Totally agree. You can find figures to explain away anything you like. I'd be annoyed. It proves nothing and is just a distraction from the main task in hand.
-2

Seasider added 16:17 - Jan 12 Looks like somebody dared to ask this stubborn know it all Yorkshireman,a question he did not like His reply contradicts itself somewhat.He states he is proud of the fact his team didn't lose to Portsmouth despite only having less than half the possession of their opponents. However he goes onto say that if Pompey play like they did on Saturday,that they should win League 2. Talking of stats Mick do you know who the three top teams for pass success rates are this season DERBY MIDDLESBROUGH AND HULL.Now where are they in the league??? And last season who went up Bournemouth,Watford and Norwich.Not a lot of hoof there either. Mr (Hoof)McCarthy seems to talk opposing teams up whilst making us all think,we are a little team punching above our weight.Well having watched this team for over 50 years cant recall any other Town Manager doing this,and with an owner with short arms and deep pockets it doesn't look like this will change anytime soon. Its like somebody telling you, my word you do look ill ,and before you know it you are feeling unwell,when you felt fine. Looking forward to the Town hoofing us to victory tonight over a Yorkshire team.

4

Keaneish added 16:19 - Jan 12 Disagree Goatman but say for arguments sake that theory is correct, what's MM saying in this statement? That it doesn't work trying to coach players to play in order to win games? It's a mind boggling admission on so many levels and one that only adds fuel to the fire. Growing up all kids are taught to play the ball on the deck, pass and move (this is not Tika Taka for all those who play that card each and every (yawn) time)). Would be good to hear some parents views on what they think of their kids watching Town at the mo and what they're taking out onto the pitch each Sunday. Anyway, 3 points tonight to throw off the shackles of Saturday's abomination and here's hoping we Spring a tactical surprise and do it with the ball on the deck!

6

BlueandTruesince82 added 16:55 - Jan 12 Obviously some cucks on here. I'd far rather take the lass to the bathroom and have my way then talk to her all night and let someone else do it.
-7

Surco72 added 16:55 - Jan 12 Keanish ...my three children asked before Christmas do they have to go anymore to the home games so we have now stopped . As a manager of an under 18s non league side and coach to an academy linked to Bournemouth what MM is saying is against everything we are being taught by the FA on coaching courses and all Bournemouth stand for as they coach all sides to play the same way at all levels and ages , certainly not dependent on if you win . You do not need any money to teach passing , control , movement and improving skills at any level . The Spanish decided many years ago this is what they were going to do at all age groups after several poor performances at top level tournaments , they have certainly reaped what they sowed . MM's kick and rush style may get us promoted I personally doubt it but we will not last in the premiership playing that way

6

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:00 - Jan 12 Anyone have Chelsea's posession stats from last season? Would be interested
0

Portman51 added 17:27 - Jan 12 You might Mick if you had to pay £30+ to watch the ball being thumped hopefully upfield or into the lower tiers (which luckily as an ancient STH I don't). There's some dross in the squad, but also more genuine footballing talent than we've had for a long while. ITFC's professionals, also known as "entertainers", don't play this way by choice. Three points are great, but If they're all that matters, Ceefax and Radio Suffolk are cheaper, warmer and just as enjoyable. 10,000 - 15,000 empty seats at home games suggest many feel the same. Think what bums on those every other week would do for your transfer budget.

5

hello66 added 17:38 - Jan 12 I will always support Ipswich but this style of football I feel its better to save your season ticket money, I pay as you go, pick and choose my games and I really enjoy it when I go, I just cant watch OUR CURRENT STYLE for that amount of games in one season so disheartening there boxing day first half was awful.....but going tonight at some point (not under this manager.... Marmite Mick .... ) I will have a season ticket again ! Wouldn't it be great to see a rip roaring game tonight ? on the edge of your seat with 10 shots on goal in the first 35 mins ......ooooops back in the room !

3

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls