Ipswich v Leeds: IPSWICH Town manager Mick McCarthy is dreaming of the perfect weekend – but his gut feeling is that there’s going to be a bit more stress to come.
The Blues could be on the verge of safety with back-to-back wins against Leeds (at home today) and Millwall (away on Monday), while a poor points return could see them slip back into the Championship relegation zone.
McCarthy, who is maintaining a calm and relaxed demeanour, said: “If we win two games then I think other teams would find it very hard to catch us then. That’s utopia isn’t it? I dream about that sort of weekend.
“We’d all love two wins and to be saying ‘we can’t go down now’, but I don’t think it will happen. I think there will be a bit more stress, pressure and worry yet.”
Two wins would put Ipswich on 52 points – a tally only two clubs (Millwall in ‘96 and Leicester in ‘08) have been relegated on in the modern set-up of English football’s second tier.
“Will two more wins be enough? I haven’t got a clue,” said McCarthy. “The others are all winning still and one thing’s for sure, we’re going to need a point more than anybody else because of
our goal difference.
“It’s bonkers, but worrying about it is not going to help. I don’t see any reason to get that way.
“We train well and all I keep saying is ‘if you take that into the games then we’ll be alright’.”
He added: “I don’t think this weekend is going to make or break us, but it can make things seem a lot healthier or worse.
“We’d all like back-to-back wins, but I can’t guarantee it. I’d settle for win one, lose one until the end of the season. It’s not going to be easy because everybody is scrapping.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here