Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town preview and matchday thread

[number 9]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

[Bluemike]

Having had time to reflect on yesterday's effort here are my thoughts on the game.

Basically was certainly no better than the last Two home games against Birmingham & Bristol City, in fact taking into account that in all probability Huddersfield are the worst team we will face this season it was even worse from us yesterday. The so called shake up of the team failed to materialise with only Oar & pitman coming in for Fraser & Murphy.

For me I think we look a team totally shot of confidence and devoid of any belief that we can actually beat anyone at the moment, I suppose it's sods law that we actually manage to keep a clean sheet only for the strikers to misfire, Sears has gone off the boil and Pitman chased shadows all afternoon and offered no goal threat whatsoever. Clearly it improved after Didsy & Murphy came on and as others have said you could see their understanding of each others game is still there.

The midfield continues to take a lot of stick and rightly so because we aren't creating anything for the Strikers to feed off, however for me Skuse was our MOTM yesterday and had a really solid game, not many will agree but who cares, to me that was the case. Maitland-Niles worries me, suddenly he looks so lightweight and and a bit of a headless chicken, again his defensive work is p*ss poor and leaves Chambers totally isolated at times, thankfully we just about got away with it yesterday. Tommy Oar came in and did err....not much, clearly he wasnt helped by the clattering he took from the keeper who was lucky not to see Red but Oar needs time and games, not fair to judge on half a game.

One point I have to make about the Midfield is the continued slagging off of our latest scapegoat Jonathon Douglas. I accept that he and Skuse together cant really continue but the guy is being told to do a particluar job and that is to be defensive most of the time. One thing that makes me laugh is the derision that is aimed at the players whenever we hoof the ball, but for those that actually watch the game closely Douglas is the ONLY player that time and time again at least tries to bring the ball under control and play a pass, albeit a lot of simple passess but pass it he does, I counted only one time yesterday when he hoofed the ball away, the guy is able to take more than one touch without getting into a panic which is more than most of the others can do, I think people need to give him a break.

The defence will take credit for a clean sheet but I think a few of us from off here would have kept a clean sheet against that p*ss poor attack that Huddersfield had, Berra did improve slightly on recent performances while Smith was his usual self, Chambers had one or two iffy moments thanks in no small part to having no cover from AMN while for Knudsen was again very shakey and just looks plain ordinary, Jonathon Parr must be a better option ?? I have already singled out SAkuse as my MOTM but Gerken was not far behind him and again pulled off a really good save to keep us level, like Hallam I too thought he looked far more assured throughout and that will do his confidence the world of good.

So to sum it up I feel a draw was the right result and in the cold light of day and taking into account the quality of the opposition it was a very poor outcome and Two more points leave PR to a team we really should be putting away. We can talk about it all as much as we want but the back line is what we will see again at Hull on Tuesday as MM will say they bounced back with a clean sheet but what were they up against ? I would still like to See Parr come in and maybe even Emmanuel but it won't be happening anytime soon. Kevin Bru is a must to give us a bit more up front, If Oar is not fit then we are looking a little limited on the wings again, AMN flatters to deceive and we haven't really seen enough of Toure to pass judgement. One win in Seven is not great and with Two tough away fixtures coming up it could get worse before it gets better. For me MM is still very much the man to take us forward, absolutley no doubt about it in my eyes but he does need to tinker a bit more or he will lose more and more fans who are still behind him. As for the booing yesterday, does it really surprise anyone, we all have a right to an opinion and mine is they are a bit dim, had the late strike from Didsy gone in it would have been fist pumps and smiles with the poor performance forgotten, that is the fine lines we deal with in some quarters.

I do not understand this at all. You make observations that the midfield is not creative, that the team is disjointed, players played out of position, players that you think should be playing - all very true and I think that most people would agree with you.
But then you state that Thick McNumpty is still the man to take us forward. Given that he picks the team, decides the tactics etc, I do not see how the 2 ideas tally - they are miles apart. You cannot have it both ways.

For what it is worth, I thought yesterdays display was the worst I have seen for a very long time - an awful game between 2 very poor sides, neither of which have any hope at all of escaping mediocrity this season. It's got to the stage where I am totally fed up with the crap being served up by MM and the players - to the point that I have decided that I have better ways of spending my time than watching the poor excuse of football being served up, both home and away.
We are not moving forwards, we're unfortunately going backwards, and the sooner MM is no longer here the better I will like it. But there again, I'm hardly changing my opinion.

To me it does make perfect sense, MM has stayed loyal to the players who did so well last season and who at the end of August were top of the table, clearly the longer the poor run goes on the need for change grows and I feel it is now at that point where we will see a change here and there but it won't be wholesale changes, that just won't happen. I believe 100% MM is the best man for the job and will still see us have a successful camapign where we will be in and around the top Six, nobody can honestly expect more than that given our standing on the financial front..

You have indeed been very loyal to your thoughts that MM is no good and not the man for us, maybe entertainment wise a fair few agree with you but last seasons efforts tell me he was the man for the job, this season is still very much in its infancy and one or two good results changes the whole outlook for most again. Despite our woeful form of late expectation seems to be at quite high level seeing that we have only lost once in the last Five games, no game is easy in this division as we are finding out and teams at present have sussed us out. Sometimes we are victims of our own success and had we started poorly and then put together the August run in the last few games everyone would be much happier than they are now even if the league position were the same, results and form often play tricks with the mind. I think what we are all in agreement with is the quality of the performances really do need to imrove and soon.

[hallamblue]

Sounds a reasonable assessment to me Mike. Let's see what MM does for the Hull game. Frankly a point on Tues would be very good IMO

[marko69]

I'll put on Scharmanns "obvious" jumper and say it's the system that needs changed by Mick, not the manager changed by ITFC. Looking through the entire squad available; he has a squad there available to him to change things.

After yesterday, and knowing how defensive minded McCarthy is, it's a banker draw at Forest next Saturday. But it's a loss on Tuesday unfortunately.

Come on, Terry, put your boot up Micks arse......, get the midfield formation sorted.

[Bluemike]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

No true Town fan would want that.

[number 9]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

No true Town fan would want that.

I don't want MM to go, mate! Not yet anyway. I'm just responding to the Mick Out posters. MM's got plenty of time to fix this mess. I hope he does...it wouldn't be good to start over now.

[Bluemike]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

No true Town fan would want that.

I don't want MM to go, mate! Not yet anyway. I'm just responding to the Mick Out posters. MM's got plenty of time to fix this mess. I hope he does...it wouldn't be good to start over now.

No I didnt think you were suggesting he go, but I cant think anyone wanting Town to slip down the table just to get shot of him truly has the best interests of the club at heart, we should want our team to win every week whatever the circumstances.

As you say to start over again now would be a disaster but I am totally happy in the knowledge that MM is about as far away from leaving us as you can get, it just isn't an option and wont be happening anytime soon unless he decides he wants to go and that aint likely either. So all the outers.....TOUGH.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

No true Town fan would want that.

For once I totally agree with you. Much as I want MM out there is no way on earth that I want to see us losing games, and I take no delight in it despite your comments to the contrary a couple of weeks ago.

But I disagree with the OP on this - I expect MM to be sacked before Xmas.

[hallamblue]

Cant see that happening tbh rossi.

Town are in a poor run at the moment, but we can get out of it and start picking up points again. You know what this division is like. Its too close to call, every seson!

[arana peligrosa]

Highly unlikely McCarthy would be fired, the only way he'll depart is through resignation. Say again one reason (perhaps the best reason) would want to see him gone is we could bring in (while there is still time to achieve something) someone with fresh ideas and that little extra motivation that could remedy a deteriorating situation.

Rest assured if a win was to occur in the next game (by any means) then all the crap from recent weeks would be conveniently overlooked by a majority and all would be right with the world. Guess we'll focus on what will occur when the time arises, but be under no illusions.

[ashfordblue]

Your Dead right we can get out of this bad run Liz, BUT only if Mick bites the bullet and see's sense and picks the right formation, the more stubborn he is the more we are likely to fail, I just think he's too dam stuck in his ways, when it starts to go wrong he doesn't seem to have the plan B to change things, Fraser being out hasent helped the cause, But we must change things around in the midfield to get it ticking like clockwork, less of the bloody hoof ball, I will be glad when Bishop and Hyam are available just to see how Mick reacts, as you cant leave your better players sitting on the bench, we have a massive task ahead with teams like Hull, Middlesbrough, Derby, Brighton, Birmingham, etc, all playing better footie than us, and winning too boot, so the longer we carry on in this vein of playing, we will be arsehole lucky to finish mid table, not quite what ME wants I supect

[Charnwood]

IMHO, the only way MM will leave is if he makes that decision for himself. ME won't sack him...MM doesn't spend money. The only way ME would consider sacking Mick is if we start to fall toward relegation. Even then, ME will wait for Mick to resign. It just ain't happening fellas. So if you really want Mick gone...you should hope that we don't improve and that we fall down the league.

No true Town fan would want that.

For once I totally agree with you. Much as I want MM out there is no way on earth that I want to see us losing games, and I take no delight in it despite your comments to the contrary a couple of weeks ago.

But I disagree with the OP on this - I expect MM to be sacked before Xmas.

.
Given our Mick is the 4th longest serving Manager in the Championship would suggest he's on borrowed time unless results improve.

The only Managers currently in post for longer than Mick are;

Karl Robinson MK Dons June 2010
Steve Bruce Hull City June 2012
Sean Dyche Burnley October 2012

Next our Mick McCarthy - November 2012

[Tangfastic]

I cant see Mick being fired yet.

That isn't Evans' style..... we're mid table. Not relegation fodder and the law of averages say we'll hit some teams on bad form and win/draw some.

But that what frustrates me.... Just waiting for something to happen. it's like we had a good season last year and Mick appears to think putting out the same characters as last year will inevitably lead to a winning streak.

It's actually not being pro-active or trying to out-think or out-manoeuvre opponents..... It's more like hoping they will slip up. Sorry.... that's negative.

He's basing his team around a bunch of 5 or 6 out of 10 performers and playing percentages based on last year.

Not criticising honest players, but there's got to be more to his game plan than sticking to his core favourites and same old tactics.

Mick was the right person to bring in and turn things around. He did. Over-performed last season and hopeful this season. Great start..... and we are not in a real bad league position, but there is such of lack of inventiveness there.... just.... Stick with what he knows and seemingly too set in his ways to change things.

At the moment he seems like he's taking on the fans in some stubborn ' I'll show you who knows best' kind of game. He shouldn't be told who to play by the fans..... but he should be ahead of the game and not p*ss of the paying public and fringe players with stupid comments about the more he's told to bring on players, the more likely he won't.

[marko69]

As many have said, myself included,....., it'd be so frustrating if Mick either walked, or was sacked. I think he's definitely a good enough manager to persevere with (he has proved that in this league) and he knows his stuff. And is he as stubborn as people are making out? He just can't make wholesale changes, he'd look like feckin Paul Jewell; trying to guess the formula. He's trying to make the system that works, work again. If he could make noticeable tweaks here and there, it could click into place. Injuries don't help and neither does two extremely ordinary goalkeepers, (apart from the smattering of "worldlies!")

Don't know about anyone else, but replacing him would be a kick in the f**king nutsack for me. What about you Hallam? Kick in the testicles?

You are going to kick me in the testicles eh?

[Bluemike]

Agree with you Marko, he is every bit good enough to be the manager we need. I have to say I am astounded that there is even talk of him being replaced etc, from my point of view it is plain crazy, 11 games in to the season for christ sake, I also don't go along with all this "the style of play is rubbish" blah blah blah because if we had won a game or two instead of them being draws not a word would be said, it's all about the frustration of disappointing results.

I also look at just what changes we could be making here, OK Parr is the obvious one, Bru is another but up until last week he was injured, there were calls for him to play saturday, myself included but he had been around the world and maybe MM thought it best not to throw him into the game, aside from that we have Fraser, Hyam and Bishop injured from the midfield, I take not many want Tabby back in so not a lot MM can really change there, the strikers are being rotated a fair bit, most want to see Didsy in from the start and that is a fair shout, the same Didsy that cost us the win saturday by the way when he missed a sitter from point blank range, had that been Douglas or god forbid gerken at the other end costing us points there would have been hell to pay.

As for the defence apart from Parr we have Emmanuel and Malarzcyk, neither of which would greatly imrpove the starting 11, the Polish guy has looked painfully slow to me and Emmanuel needs to be treated correctly, not thrown in willy nilly when things are going tough. So just what are all these options that MM has ? I don't think we have great choices at present until the injuries start to clear up.

[Charnwood]

We could really do with a couple of straight wins sometime soon to calm the nerves and take away some of the inevitable pressure that comes with below par results.

Although I'd prefer it to come sooner we may have to wait till November when a hatful of points could be reasonable expected.

Two of our games are against the bottom two clubs (Bolton (h) & Rotherham (a)) who are both struggling + Wolves (h) & Charlton just two points above the bottom club. If we could get our act together 12 points in November could be achievable and get our points tally back on target.

In the meantime two consecutive away games over the next 5 days will be challenging to say the least, but as we all know football is a funny game and The Championship a very unpredictable league.