Blues boss Mick McCarthy says it wasn’t a hard decision to move skipper Luke Chambers back to right-back at Blackburn on Saturday but that it wasn’t a reflection on youngster Josh Emmanuel’s performances in the previous two games, more the additional qualities he believes his captain brings to his team.

Emmanuel, 19, had played against Brighton and Huddersfield prior to the international break, Chambers having moved into the centre alongside Christophe Berra while Adam Webster and Tommy Smith were both out injured.

With Webster available again after his hamstring problem, was it a tough to opt to leave the academy product on the bench at Ewood Park?

“No, because it was the right thing to do,” said McCarthy, whose defenders have recorded four cleans sheets in the last six games.

“It was hard because he’s played well, but it’s not because I’m not leaving Chambo out. He’s a real leader on the pitch, he’s my captain, the team captain, they all call him 'Skip', they all look up to him.

“Is he the best right-back in the league? No, but I tell you what, he’s different class for us. I don’t think I’m going to achieve anything more [without him in the team]. It's what you're going to attain, are you going to get anything better?

“Does a decision like that - and that’s what I’m paid for - does it create more problems than it solves? And I think it does. So no, it wasn’t a hard decision because he’s been different class, Chambo.”

McCarthy says it’s what his captain gives to the team overall rather than simply a matter of the position he's playing in.

“With players, it’s an emotional game,” McCarthy continued. “People sit in the stands and they have favourite players and they want them to play.

“It’s what they bring to the team, it’s what they bring to the whole team, not just that one position. And that’s with everybody.

“And Chambo brings a whole lot of stuff to the team. And over and above all that, he’s a proper bloke, he gets everybody else motivated, he’s great.”

Meanwhile, the U23s take on Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this evening (KO 7pm).

Photo: Action Images

KuqiCoup added 06:08 - Oct 17 Chambers is a 'different class' alright. But not in a good sense! Leave now Mick you deluded old fossil.
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BlueNomad added 06:19 - Oct 17 Cue board meltdown! Keep your comments objective folks!
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franco added 06:23 - Oct 17 MICK THE MUG !!! Just go you Dino .
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 06:25 - Oct 17 "He's a different class for us".....says it all. He's one of the worst performers alongside 'Douggie' If Josh doesn't bring anything more and isn't any better than Chambers, then why has he won one MoM award and was considered one of the better performers in the other game he played? How MoM performances has 'Skip' had in the past 18 months? How are we not going to attain more by playing a young, natural, pacey right back who's as good going forward as he is at defending over playing a washed up, slow centre back who is always caught out and is always targeted by the opposition? It's this sort of mentality that is dragging us back and eventually, might see us finally get out of this league albeit in the wrong direction. #FOMM #InMickWeRust #MickOut

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LimitlessBlue added 06:38 - Oct 17 Staggering comments about Chambers, I wouldn't say Chambers is that vocal on the pitch. "I'm not leaving Chambo out. He's a real leader on the pitch" - he might be mick, but he is a terrible right-back!
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superblue70 added 06:58 - Oct 17 Maybe it's time mm elaborated on these so called qualities that chambers brings to the team, I'm sorry but I only ever see a man that's always the most likely to make that fatal mistake that leads to a goal, we lose wards attacking threat covering him all the time, he hardly ever scores and his assists are non existent, so I guess Brown nosing must be classed as a quality for a footballer now

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Suffolk_n_Good added 06:58 - Oct 17 Mick completely missing the fans point again, my opinion & I believe most feel the same is that Chambers SHOULD always be in the team, but as a centre back, not a right back. Based on his performances Josh should be given a good run at right back to allow him time to settle in, Chambers should be playing alongside Smith (when fit) or Webster, for me Berra should being used as back up now.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 06:59 - Oct 17 Well thats ok then. "He,s a proper bloke"................and a pretty poor right back Mick.
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Woodbridgian added 07:00 - Oct 17 Another load of rubbish from MM Justifying the unjustifiable. Either he has completely lost the plot or is just totally disrespectful to the views of the majority of fans, or as I suspect both!
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Blue_Again added 07:02 - Oct 17 What's more important is our midfield problems. Defensively we are ok so chambers coming back in at right back is not such a big deal, it's the leaving out of most creative players in midfield which is the big concern here.
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 07:04 - Oct 17 I also find it rather ironic that Mick says that, "People sit in the stands and they have favourite players and they want them to play".....pot, kettle and black springs to mind.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:06 - Oct 17 What an insult to Josh and every fringe player for a fact that no matter how well you play you will be dropped when his favourites are ready to come back in. No Chambers is not the best right back in the league, but he is certainly a contender for the worst! This story really highlights why MM must go! He will take us down! He Justifies his decisions by the clean sheets, it really isn't so clever when you are not scoring! MM out!!!!

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therein61 added 07:07 - Oct 17 Just proves the point that he cannot(or will not see) what thousands of other people can, also I'm astounded that he didn't defend the great skuse, douglas combo, but I expect that will come!!!!!
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KuqiCoup added 07:10 - Oct 17 There have been women I've been madly in love with that I've talked about in less glowing praise than Mick does for this bloke. Very odd.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:13 - Oct 17 Kuqicoup.. you marked me down, Why?
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KuqiCoup added 07:15 - Oct 17 In error Dissboy. Sorry. Was trying to up arrow.
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yorksblue added 07:18 - Oct 17 Put him up front. Couldnt do any worse than we currently have
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Penguinblue added 07:22 - Oct 17 I presume different class = third class by this third class 'manager'. Neither deserve to be manager or captain or anywhere near the team. He won't walk so please let your feelings be known tomorrow eve, those who can still bear to see the tedium - you will be doing our club a favour. McCarthy OUT
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Brownie added 07:23 - Oct 17 I sit in the stand & Chambers is one of my favourite players because of his passion & commitment. BUT he doesn't deserve his place on his form over a long period of time. You can feel sorry for both Chambers & Sears as they try & do a job for the team out if position. However neither are the best option at the club in those positions so don't play them. MM''s stubborness is damaging this club..

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Dissboyitfc added 07:27 - Oct 17 Blue Again... he plays a defensive midfield to cover the frailties in the defence, there is no room for flair in central midfield! MM out!!!!
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grumpyoldman added 07:28 - Oct 17 Mick next time you need some painting done around your house don't get a decorator get a plasterer not the same but is probably capable of covering the area, the result will not be as good, "a different class" maybe.
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Tractorboy1985 added 07:41 - Oct 17 This typifies our problems!! He's too stubborn to change his philosophy! Chambers skuse Douglas.. All played week in week out no matter how they play! How damaging this must be for the likes of Emmanuel.. Bishop.. Dozzell.. Chambers might well be a leader but he's absolutely p1$$ poor on the ball and too slow to be a right back! Wayne Rooney is man utd's captain.. Not at the races currently and rightly so on the bench to give youth and pace a chance of winning the game.. I suggest you do the same ol bent nose!!!

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Spanishblueblood added 07:44 - Oct 17 The clean sheets are not down to the back four but the back six and Micks defensive tactics. His stubbornness must be killing any confidence Josh and Miles has, only a few injuries will give them any playing time in the first team and no matter how well they play, they know that once the injured players are fit, they will be dropped to the bench (at best) Sadly i find myself wanting to lose games now as i feel its the only way we can get rid of bloody McCarthy. If it means taking a few knocks to then be able to move forward.........

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Mark added 07:50 - Oct 17 We kept a clean sheet against Brighton with Emmanuel in the team, and would have done against Hudderfield had a mistake not been made...by Chambers. Josh can feel very hard done by to be dropped. His development was a rare scrap of hope in recent times. It sounded on the radio like Chambers did play well Saturday to be fair, but if we are going to field full-backs who do not get forward and two defensive midfielders, it's little surprise we don't score goals or create many chances.

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martin587 added 07:51 - Oct 17 Chambers has not played well all season.He is not a right back and never will be.He was asked to play there by an inept manager void of any correct decisions.Chambers may be a good leader,but that's about it.He is slow,gets caught out of position on many occasions and his passing leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand Josh came into the side played exceptionally well,his attacking ability made a great difference down the right flank.It was great to see a youth coming through the ranks.Tell me,just how can MM make the decision that Chambers is better.It's utter madness,a no brainier. Why do we bother to have an academy if we don't give the kids a chance even when there better than the player in front of them.You only have to look at Dozzel and a few others.I could go on and on,but then we all no where the problem lies.It just makes my blood boil to see my club playing like this. Can things get better.! Not until changes are made.I rest my case.Not looking forward to Tuesday night really.!!

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