McCarthy to get 'serious' with Lincoln visit

[arana peligrosa]

Here is Mick McCarthy's starting XI for every year since his arrival (2012) in the FA Cup tournament. No Ipswich team has ventured beyond the Third Round in every season participating under his "leadership"

PORTSMOUTH (HOME) 1/16/2016 DREW 2 - 2 (lost replay)

Bialkowski
Chambers
Malarczyk
Digby
Knudsen
Niles
Skuse
Hyam
Oar
Varney
Pitman

SOUTHAMPTON (AWAY) 1/4/2015 DREW 1 - 1 (lost replay)

Gerken
Chambers
Smith
Berra
Mings
Ambrose
Hyam
Bru
Hunt
McGoldrick
Murphy

PRESTON NORTH END (HOME) 1/4/2014 DREW 1 -1 (lost replay)

Loach
Edwards
Cresswell
Mings
Berra
Chambers
Wordsworth
Hyam
Nouble
Ebanks Blake
Tabb

ASTON VILLA (AWAY) 1/5/2013 LOST 1 - 2

Loach
Hewitt
Cresswell
Kisnorbo
Smith
Emmanuel Thomas
Martin
Hyam
Reo Coker
Chopra
Murphy

McCarthy concluded after the game "Maybe a replay would have got in the way, but you don't like to lose and when we were 2 - 1 down in the final minute I would have taken a replay" ?

In review, while there were (on occasion) strong teams assembled, the number of unrecognized names doesn't go unnoticed and playing without a first choice goalkeeper at the times in question arguably cost the team vital opportunity to progress.

You have to go back to 2009 for the last instance any Ipswich team progressed beyond the Third Round, so while McCarthy can't be held accountable for the years before his appointment, our record has been so abysmal that some would argue that something has maybe been said in his direction that standards need to improve or we need to rid ourselves of a record that has hitherto reached embarrassing proportions.

If we were to lose on Saturday I don't believe for one moment if will effect McCarthy continued tenure at this club in any great way but as before it at least provides a very good opportunity to reach a stage that no team of ours has reached for some considerable time. Lincoln have nothing to lose - no pressure game for the opposition - all focus will be on the home team so concentration will be imperative to eradicate any stupid errors. Biggest concern is, the weight of previous years and the sub-standard record may play on a few of the players minds and if the opposition get a goal ahead, it may be a hard task to retain belief and keep ourselves involved.

Any patience or respect with McCarthy that remains will effectively be erased if he goes back on his word and plays a weakened team for this game. This will be without question, one of the most pivotal days of his entire tenure at Portman Road in four years + when the contest in underway.

[phily bon bon]

comfortable win for the Imps Town 0 Lincoln 2.

Mick will treat this like every cup game complete comtempt.