Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy tackles a variety of issues ahead of his side’s clash with Leeds tonight
McCarthy on – a change of style
“We’ve certainly got more attack-minded players in the team – whether it’s Ainsley (Maitland-Niles) as supposed to Paul Anderson, or Ryan Fraser as supposed to Tabby (Jay Tabb). We’ve got more flair and more attack-minded players, but they can still do the dirty jobs, track back and get their tackles in.
“We just got out of shape a little bit and we were punished by a good team. And yet we had enough chances to make it a score line that wouldn’t have been so embarrassing.”
McCarthy on – potential for selection problems
“Picking the team is no the problem, it’s telling the ones who have been left out that is the hard part. You know me by now though, if they are playing well they stay in the team.”
McCarthy on – the return of Daryl Murphy
“That’s expected from everybody, but he is particularly powerful and he’s an asset – all over the pitch.”
McCarthy on – the make-up of the Championship
“The nature of the Championship is bonkers. We watched Leeds against Derby and they were outstanding.
“I watched Reading versus Brentford and Brentford could have been beaten six or seven.
“Then Brentford were excellent on Saturday against Leeds and could have won.
“Funnily enough I came in at half-time on Saturday and one of their fans said ‘nowt to worry about there Mick’. I said ‘you were probably saying the same about us last night’.
“They changed shape second half and were much more of a threat. That said, Brentford missed chances and probably should have won it.
“That’s the nature of the league. It really does fluctuate a great deal.”
McCarthy on – playing at Elland Road
“They seem to be a lot more settled now. There’s not the uncertainty that was around the place. There was 25 thousand there on Saturday. It’s a partisan crowd, it will be under the lights. It will be interesting.”
McCarthy on – coming up against former blue Chris Wood
“He also struggled because he wasn’t as fit as he is now. He looks sharper and leaner now and the goal he scored against Derby was an outstanding finish. If you give him chances he’ll score.”
McCarthy on – learning lessons
“I’ve worked with the majority of these players for a long time now, so I know about their personalities and character now.
“I think it’s maybe what they learn about me when you get beat like that. How I react.
“You’re always learning about the players.
“I know what they are. They are a fantastic group that give everything on the pitch for me. We just didn’t play well the other night and played against a team that did play well and were very clinical.”
McCarthy on – reacting to tough days at work
“What do you do when you’ve had a bad day in the office? Do you go and cry in the corner, do you go and get rocking drunk? I don’t know. Do you go and do something bonkers?
“Or do you go back to work and get back to doing something that you’re quite clearly good at.
“We all had a bad day at the office – me included. I’ve been doing this job 25 years now though and I’ve had more success than failures.”
McCarthy on – praising the opposition
“I think we’re dwelling slightly a bit too much on our deficiencies on Friday night as supposed to giving Reading a bit of credit.
“If we’d have scored some of those goals we’d have all been waxing lyrical.
“They played well and they were excellent in what they did. We just had a bad night. It happens.”
See here for everything you need to know ahead of Town’s trip to Leeds
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