Tractor-Boys.com

“Careful what you wish for,” was QPR boss Ian Holloway’s message to Mick McCarthy’s detractors after the Blues’ 3-0 defeat of his side at Portman Road on Saturday.

Having lamented his team’s second half collapse after conceding Luke Varney’s goal nine minutes after the break, which could have resulted in a defeat by a significantly bigger margin, Holloway turned his post-match press conference attention to the criticism his friend McCarthy has faced this season.

“I’ve got to go back and try and deal with how bad we were after we let the second goal in,” Holloway said following his second game back in charge at Loftus Road.

“But I’ll still remember what we were like before that and I’ll try and help them and I’ll stand there for them and I’ll be strong for them and at the end of the day they’re still the fundamental things.

“I’ve had about six training sessions since I’ve been here with all of them, I’ve had people away on international duty but we’ve got to be mentally tougher than that as a group because I’m pretty disappointed with the finish of this game and last week I wasn’t very happy with the finish of that game [the 2-1 home win against Norwich].

“But that is the vital thing. Can you all be as consistent as the teams at the top, and if not why not because everybody thinks they should be at the top of the table now, particularly here, don’t you?

“I would just like to remind all of you, where were you when Mick McCarthy first turned up?

“How short memories you have. With the greatest respect, it’s not the best thing to actually sell your best players all the time, is it?

“Seven points you had [when McCarthy took over in November 2012]. Never mind about going up, what about not going down, [never mind] about keeping building, what about selling? It doesn’t make sense for me, sorry. And he’s a good mate of mine.

“I’m only being realistic. Don’t bring your own woes and chuck it at someone, that’s how I feel, and ask why you keep having to sell all your best players all the time.

“You got someone from non-league [Tyrone Mings] , you sold him for about £8 million [to Bournemouth], is that what Mick wants to do, is it? Really? I doubt it. Would he like to keep them and keep working? I don’t know.

“Just have a bit of a thought sometimes, that’s all I’m saying and then you might get what you want for Christmas.

“I hope you don’t mind and I hope you don’t think I’m making a big story of it, all I’m trying to say is just sometimes have a little look where you were and have a little think about who you’re having a go at. That’s all I’m saying. Because some of us are alright. Some of us.”

Reflecting on his recent visits to Portman Road, he added: “I don’t like coming here now, that’s twice you’ve beaten me 3-0.”

When it was pointed out that at least the game hadn’t ended in a 5-0 defeat as Mick McCarthy’s second game in charge of Town and Holloway’s first as Crystal Palace boss had four years ago, he said: “It could have been. Believe it or not you had 58 per cent possession that day and we scored five goals.

“Three penalties we had that day, but they were all fouls,” he added with a wink.

611-4-ITFC wrote:Have to agree totally with IH. Other clubs' managers, fans and pundits all seem to hold MM in high regards and the sentiment of "be careful what you wish for" is a very valid point. OK, our results have been hit and miss and many performances poor, but you have to question what we are up against when so many other teams in the Championship seem to spend endless amounts of money. "Money" is (and for many years, has been) the real evil here and while there is such disparity things are unlikely to change for clubs like ours.
I do not tend to comment on forums much these days, as I would only be accused of wearing rose-coloured spectacles (maybe not so much on this particular site), especially as I don't get to many games either. Apart from the cost and other commitments, maybe I have chosen not to attend so many games, Rotherham the only one this season. I always believe in the old adage "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say it at all", therefore if I feel the football on offer doesn't represent value for money I'd rather stay away than be part of a negative atmosphere. As with any business, be it football, restaurants, theme , if people stop coming through the door/turnstiles there comes a point eventually when somebody at the very top has got to start questioning why they are staying away. Sorry I have gone slightly off topic, but that is several months of football frustration for you.

bluemike wrote:

611-4-ITFC wrote:Have to agree totally with IH. Other clubs' managers, fans and pundits all seem to hold MM in high regards and the sentiment of "be careful what you wish for" is a very valid point. OK, our results have been hit and miss and many performances poor, but you have to question what we are up against when so many other teams in the Championship seem to spend endless amounts of money. "Money" is (and for many years, has been) the real evil here and while there is such disparity things are unlikely to change for clubs like ours.
I do not tend to comment on forums much these days, as I would only be accused of wearing rose-coloured spectacles (maybe not so much on this particular site), especially as I don't get to many games either. Apart from the cost and other commitments, maybe I have chosen not to attend so many games, Rotherham the only one this season. I always believe in the old adage "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say it at all", therefore if I feel the football on offer doesn't represent value for money I'd rather stay away than be part of a negative atmosphere. As with any business, be it football, restaurants, theme , if people stop coming through the door/turnstiles there comes a point eventually when somebody at the very top has got to start questioning why they are staying away. Sorry I have gone slightly off topic, but that is several months of football frustration for you.

Very good post and exactly what I feel fans should do if they aren't happy with the entertainment on offer, as opposed to bringing those that do still want to go down with the negativity and moaning. Well done you fickle bugger !!! (Joke by the way) Shame you weren't posting more actually.

bluemike wrote:You are spot on regarding the Rotherham game, I too hated seeing fans turning on each other and unfortunately it was the Mick out brigade who let themselves down by having the front to have a go at fans for applauding the players, bang out of order in my book.

I agree with you completely regarding MM and I have also failed to spot anyone that would or could do a better job with what he has to work for, I must admit a week or two back I was close to losing faith, I defy anyone not to have a moment sometimes but I am more than happy to see him here if we continue as we did saturday as opposed to last weeks garbage.

You "make a day of it" That too is exactly what I do and the social side is as importnat as the football itself, especially the away days, just love them.

herforder wrote:Far higher calibre of supporter on this forum! Passionate, opinionated, humorous (black or otherwise), and mostly retaining most of their brain cells!

611-4-ITFC wrote:

herforder wrote:Far higher calibre of supporter on this forum! Passionate, opinionated, humorous (black or otherwise), and mostly retaining most of their brain cells!

Very true Herforder, it amazes me how different the 2 sites are. It is good that people respect others' views on here and while you get a few heated debates, many contributors speak and exchange views as though they actually know each other, not as strangers.

marko69 wrote:I think Ollie needs to forget about that brotherly love for a while and pull his finger out.

Shed on tour wrote:

marko69 wrote:I think Ollie needs to forget about that brotherly love for a while and pull his finger out.

One thing is for sure Ollie won't be given the time to put things right at QPR as some managers at ITFC have been given by Evans in the past.

bluemike wrote:

Shed on tour wrote:

marko69 wrote:I think Ollie needs to forget about that brotherly love for a while and pull his finger out.

One thing is for sure Ollie won't be given the time to put things right at QPR as some managers at ITFC have been given by Evans in the past.

That could well answer why they have never won anything and we have.

J4ck22 wrote:Unfortunately I think Mick's days are numbered here. With each game we don't win there is an ever growing resentment towards him leading to a very toxic atmosphere and general feeling. Many fans are against him and unless he works another miracle and gets an immense run of form going, more and more will jump on until Evans is forced to do something.