Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy doesn’t want star man Tom Lawrence to lose his aggressive edge over the next three games – even though he runs the risk of being suspended for the East Anglian derby at the end of this month.
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy doesn’t want star man Tom Lawrence to lose his aggressive edge over the next three games – even though he runs the risk of being suspended for the East Anglian derby at the end of this month.
The Leicester loanee forward, who has scored 10 goals in a series of dazzling displays, has been booked nine times this season. One more yellow card and he will serve a two-match suspension.
A caution in this afternoon’s Championship game at Aston Villa – which will be officiated by card-happy referee Tim Robinson (eight reds, 125 yellows in 27 matches) – would see him sit out next week’s games against Brighton (Tuesday, away) and Leeds (Saturday, home).
He would then return fresh for the short trip to Carrow Road to face bitter rivals Norwich City. That’s a fixture, as if fans need reminding, that Town haven’t triumphed in for almost eight years.
Escape punishment today, however, and then Lawrence would be walking a tightrope for two matches. If he can get through the next four matches without being shown a yellow card, then the slate is wiped clean on Sunday, March 2.
McCarthy raised his eyebrows when it was put to him that some Blues fans might wish to see Lawrence pick up a tactical booking at Villa Park this afternoon.
“The only booking that would be ridiculous for him to get at this stage would be for lipping,” he said. “He’s been the player he is because he plays on the edge. He is feisty, he’s tough – he’s a proper player Tom.”
The Blues boss, who was a combative centre-half as a player, said: “I played the game slightly differently to him and I can remember going 10/15 games without getting that booking that resulted in you being suspended.
“You can’t do anything if you go in for an honest tackle and the referee books you for it.
“Just don’t trip anybody up, pull anybody’s shirt, react to something or argue with the referee – they are the ones that are just bonkers. That’s self-discipline.”
Lawrence and David McGoldrick linked up well as a front pairing in last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with Reading.
“That was a really good partnership – we need that every week,” said McCarthy.
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