Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
McCarthy: Two Unlucky Goals But Bristol City Deserved Win
Saturday, 30th Sep 2017 18:43

Town boss Mick McCarthy felt the Blues were unlucky with two of the goals they conceded as they were defeated 3-1 at home by Bristol City but admitted that the visitors were the better side and deserved to win.

“It was frustrating,” McCarthy said. “I’m not going to sit here and say overall in the game we were unlucky because I thought they deserved to win, they were better than us.

“But we were unlucky in terms of the goals we’ve conceded, two of them. And after two minutes, it really knocked the wind out of our sails to concede that.”

Was conceding so early crucial to the way the game progressed? “They are a good team, they played very well. It helps if you’re 1-0 up after two minutes, certainly to be that good a team and us, the home team to not really to get started, get a foothold in the game. And they played well then.”

Martyn Waghorn’s goal four minutes before the break made the scoreline 2-1 and got the Blues back into the game but McCarthy admitted his side made little headway after the break.

“I think they handled it particularly well,” he added. “They sat in to the halfway line and certainly whenever we lost it they’d catch us [on the break] and they had a couple of chances because of that. They’ve not conceded many goals either.

“I thought we were a threat in the first half and not so much in the second half, that’s probably because they were 2-1 up and they’ve got a real threat, they’ve got pace up front.”

McCarthy refused to blame tiredness after three games in eight days and the impressive display as they beat Sunderland 5-2 on Tuesday.

“I’ve had pretty much 16 players that I’ve been working with, they all put a shift in every week and I admire them all for that," he reflected.

“Tuesday night, I don’t know whether it took it out of them, I didn’t foresee that coming, I wasn’t looking at them thinking they were tired, but goals do change momentum in games and how things work and they got one after three minutes.

“We got one after 10 or 15 minutes on Tuesday and even having conceded another we got another, but we looked far better, we looked sharper.”


McCarthy admitted that the loss of Tom Adeyemi in the warm-up hampered his plans for the game but similarly wasn’t using that as an excuse for the loss.

“Of course it did because he was selected to play but that’s not detrimental to Tristan Nydam because Tristan played very well,” he said.

“But we played really well with Tom in the team, he’s linked up well with Didzy and them. Everybody was disappointed to lose him, no one more so than him, but I’m not going to blame that either, it doesn’t help, but I’m not going to blame that.

“He’s nicked his hamstring, we don’t know [how serious that might be], he’ll probably have a scan tomorrow and we’ll find out.”

David McGoldrick came off injured in the second half and is now a doubt for Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales.

“Likewise, he’d a tight hamstring,” McCarthy added. “I asked him about five minutes before and he said he was all right. I didn’t think he was, I’d seen him stretching off and then he said he couldn’t carry on.

“Likewise, he’ll go for a scan, he’s in the Ireland squad, I’m sure they’ll want him to go over and assess him.

“But the last thing I need is for him to go over and train or do anything and get injured. We want him fit. As you know we can’t afford any more injuries, certainly not to him, the way he’s been playing.”

The two games are a big chance for McGoldrick to make his mark with Ireland and McCarthy says it would be a blow for the striker to miss out: “Yes, it is but he’s got to be fit.”

Asked to assess the first couple of months of the season with the Blues eighth on 18 points having played 10 games, one fewer than most other clubs, he said: “Would I have taken it? Yes, I would have taken 18 points.

“But I’m under no illusions, and this isn’t detrimental to the other clubs, but the teams we’ve beaten, where they are, Barnsley, Brentford were very good but they’ve still been down there, Bolton, Millwall, Sunderland.

“The teams we’ve beaten are beneath us, maybe they’re beneath us for a reason. We lost to Fulham quite badly, not so much today because I think the two deflected goals have really changed it.

“We lost at QPR and we lost at Leeds, we played well at Leeds. I think overall we’ve had a good couple of months, we’ve played well in the games. My assessment is that we’re giving too many goals away.”

He added: “I can’t do anything about the first one [today], the second one, certainly the ball in the box. I think he’s a good player [Famara Diedhiou] but they’ve spent the guts of £6 million on him and he looks the part to be fair.

“And the third one we can’t do a lot about, but certainly some of the other ones we’ve conceded over the last few weeks we can, we’ve got to do better.

“Something to work on and I’m sure it will help when there’s a bit more pressure on them when Webbo’s back. It was nice to see him on the pitch, he looked a bit ring rusty but it was good to see him back and when Tommy Smith’s back we’ll have our defenders back fit.”

Midfielder Emyr Huws is due to return from his achilles injury after the break but not for the next game at Sheffield United.

“I’m not sure he’ll be fit for that game and likewise Flynn Downes,” McCarthy continued. “We need players back fit, in any position.”

He says his squad will now be given a break: “They’ve worked hard, there’ll be no recriminations from me. They’ve all worked their socks off and done well. We’re in a better position we were last year by a good stretch.”

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson thought his side deserved the victory: “I’m delighted with the result. This is a difficult place to come, especially with the form they have been in.

“There was a lot of talk beforehand about threat from their front five but we dealt with it quite well.

“We played some good football, we had the lion’s share of possession and created plenty of opportunities, plus we worked our socks off.”

Johnson felt Town striker Joe Garner should have been dismissed following a clash with Aden Flint in the first half, the Blues frontman reacting after the Robins defender appeared to stand on him when grounded following a challenge.

"I thought Joe Garner could have gone for a red card but I'd rather talk about my team," Johnson told his club's official Twitter.

In his press conference, he added: "My instinct was that - well, I'm going to be biased first and foremost - was that it was a little bit naughty but I haven't watched it back."


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



martin587 added 15:23 - Oct 1
blue75,
You have to remember we all follow ITFC and are entitled to our opinions whether you agree or not.Thats part of life so don't let it worry you,I don't.
I don't care a jot what people say,I love my club,win or loose,and for me MM has done a good job on a very tight shoe string and you cannot disagree with that.
6

Seasider added 15:24 - Oct 1
Credit to Mick McCarthy for his honest take on this match,saying that Bristol were the best side.

It is however unfortunate that Bristol scored 2 of their goals from deflections,and the referee seemed to miss their fouls,and penalise Ipswich continually.He was going to penalise Town on one occasion;but gave foul against Bristol as the lino was flagging for Ipswich.

Unfortunately he over ruled the other linesmans flag for their 3rd goal.Shocking referee.

I feared that something like this would happen when I learned that he came from neighbouring Wiltshire,probably does his shopping at 'The Causeway' in his nearest City

McCarthy never sought to use any excuses,and recognised that he needs to tighten up the defence.Hope this doesn't mean going back to the old ways.

None of his 3 favourite blokes Chambers,Skues or Knudsen played particularly well in a poor performance,although Knudsen was the best of the three.

Chambers once again was poor,and resorted to hoofing the ball upfield,or into touch
rarely using the ball constructively.

When you see the way Wolves, amongst others, are playing,with a Portugese coach,and over half the team consisting of overseas players;the bulk of whom come from their Managers home country;you wonder will Ipswich be able to compete with teams like this,and Bristol who have also spent loads?

I fear not especially as MM has said that he prefers UK players;but then you have 'Colin' at Cardiff,another ' old git'who Mick has compared to himself.

There is still a long way to go;but he has had 5 years to get Ipswich promoted,nearly half the time Mr Evans has been in charge.To me we don't look any nearer the Prem than when he sacked his first Manager,Jim Magilton.The reason given that he did not appear to have enough to obtain promotion.

The team were then 9th;today we sit 8th in the Championship.

In view of this Mick McCarthy should consider himself very fortunate to have been given twice as long as any of his predecessors this Century.
10

ronnyd added 16:05 - Oct 1
As i,ve said before, why worry about down marks, just post up what you think at the time and move on. It,s all about opinions, nothing less.
6

sereneblue added 16:09 - Oct 1
You really are a joke McCarthy. Any sort of manager looks at the opposition before playing them.
As soon as we get rid of this fossil the better.
1

blue75 added 16:44 - Oct 1
Martin587 other people's opinions don't bother me I think mine bother them. On McCarthy's done a good job we differ I think he's done a bang average to poor job. Yes his funds have been limited. Compare his time to Joe Royles. Joe had no transfer funds had to sell players for whatever he could get and he had to cut millions off the wage bill. Joe had us competitive on a lesser budget than McCarthy you didn't hear Joe bitch on about funds like McCarthy does!! McCarthy's style has never changed, he'll always revert to type when the opposition scare him as proven this week. Tuesday our players were looking to pass it more, yesterday they were 90% of the time looking to launch it.
1

Bert added 17:15 - Oct 1
Give youth a chance, play Celina, play a passing game and don't hoof it. That's what the gripes have been and in the main MM has responded. If we play four up front we have to accept the consequences until we have a strong back four. Yes we failed to replicate what we did on Tuesday but there were phases of yesterday's game that show that we can play proper football. Ironically one of our best players, Bart, was guilty yesterday of aimlessly hoofing it rather than throwing it to one of our backs. I doubt MM instructed him to do it. On balance pleased to be where we are with a game in hand.
6

heathen66 added 21:49 - Oct 1
All in all we are just too one paced...slow.
When we did get the ball it was 10 passed to get 10 yards....and then back to the old bad habits of long aimless balls to 2 x 6'4" CBs. Garner battled well but never likely to win enough
Bristol were up and at us. When they got the ball they attacked at pace. With no Adeyimi there was never anyone to challenge. Nydam done ok but is very lightweight.
A real reality check for those who thought Mick had changed his spots
1

Swn98 added 08:44 - Oct 2
Dissboy i take it by your silence that you weren't at the game
-3

TractorClarke added 09:45 - Oct 2
Seeing some of the comments i can not believe how some people can be defending that game from an ITFC stand point. We have had a good start to the season by all accounts yes, however does that make up for performances like this one?

We were so very poor today, but also i dont think Bristol are any good either, us playing so badly made them look far better than they are. A very good point made before, why are we lobbing it down field again when they have two giant centre backs?

I would not say that there were any real positives in that performance, at least nothing to shout about. We were playing at home but itfc came out playing like they had just gotten out of bed and were still tired, shambles to be playing like that at home.

i am realistic, i know we will not win every game, i also know that in the grand scheme of things we are a team that would be lucky to get playoffs. I dont mean that to sound like a downer on the team, we have some good players but facing facts and going on previous seasons we are not the best team in the league, by a mile.

Our attack is good and when we play to that strength we look dangerous, that does not mean long balls down the pitch either.

I found this game so frustrating, i just feel like as soon as we start looking good and seem to be playing some nice passing, attacking football, we then get a game like this to slap us back into reality.

I also agree with other posters when they say Mick has no plan B or C, his subs are also really poor in my opinion. Mcgoldrick ok he was injured needed to come off, but i wouldnt have taken Celina off, he was one of our better attackers that game. Nydam, whilst i am glad he is getting game time and overall definitely does not look out of place in the first team, i too would not have started him, or at least i would have subbed him for sears of ward and left Celina on.

And before any asks yes i was at the game.
3

Razor added 10:34 - Oct 2
How much energy does Joe use trying to scrap with centre halves----perhaps it could be more positively used in other ways.

3 out of next 4 games away I think and tough ones too so that should show us exactly where we are.
1

Razor added 10:39 - Oct 2
Have just seen highlights and 2 possibly 3 Bristol players in offside positions for 3rd goal and must have been interfering with play because in front of Bart.

Our defence did their job,the lino did his job but unfortunately the muppet that was the palpably failed----that does not help and we should be rightly hacked off!!
1

Swn98 added 10:54 - Oct 2
Tractorclarke Dont think Ward has contributed much in the last few games woefully out of form even though he did score tues.
0

dusty added 14:01 - Oct 2
In general the injuries sustained by defenders have restricted McCarthy's ability to name what he would assume to be his best choice. The arrival of Webster and the imminent return of Smith should bolster the defense. It was clear from Saturday's match that those occupying the defensive role were being bossed by Bristol and at times were woeful. It is often said that you build a team starting with a strong defensive capability. One player consistently stands out as a weak link in that capacity, and although it pains me to say so, that player is our Captain. It is all very well having someone who can act as a leader on the pitch, but the most important aspect is his footballing ability which is not up to the challenge he faces, then I ask, why is he being picked. It was obvious towards the end of last season he was past his best, so why he was offered a further contract beggar's belief. He needs to be replaced, but it will not happen, because he supposedly is one of MM's favourites. Any opposing manager worth his salt will target him as he is clearly, a weakness. I have supported my team for longer than I care to remember and can fondly recall defence pairings that adopted a policy that was based on 'you shall not pass me' with the ability to match it! In the modern game there is no room for sympathy.
0

Dissboyitfc added 18:01 - Oct 2
swn98.. i was there, Sir Alf Upper! Even McCarthy said they deserved the victory!! And they did! and they made us look extremely average which we are!
4

blueboy1981 added 18:33 - Oct 2
....... I was there on Saturday, and full of optimism for two minutes - that soon over, as it became obvious that we just didn't have anything to offer in midfield going forward. The starting eleven looked ok on paper and capable BUT it was all too obvious early doors that we had no intention of doing anything more than extracting a point from this game from the onset. Conceding the early goal as we did threw the plan out the window - what did we then lack ? - a midfield capable of creating anything, and hoofball prevailed from that point onwards.

Anyone who thinks we are better than mid table - yet again - are deluded to the extreme. The few hundred on the gate will not have been remotely interested of returning - I know how they will be feeling, and left 10 minutes before the end. The writing was on the wall from two minutes onwards in this game.

Look at the crucial home stats - ABYSMAL.
2

Swn98 added 07:42 - Oct 3
Well Dissboy doesn't it go to show what a wonderful sport we follow that people can see the game and come out with different views and opinions.
If you read my Earlier post I also said that Bristol edged it but not by the margin that some posters believe.
0

Dissboyitfc added 20:35 - Oct 4
swn98... and for once i agree with McCarthy they deserved. And how you can say we looked anything other than Average is a unbelievable!!!
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024