THIS is SPOT ON by Stuart Watson

[hallamblue]

Monday verdict: Mick McCarthy has credit in the bank, but it’s beginning to run out.


Mick McCarthy has plenty of credit in the bank at Ipswich Town, but that could rapidly start to run out unless things begin to change.

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Salvation from relegation, followed by finishes of ninth, sixth and seventh on a shoestring budget has garnered him immense respect and gratitude from supporters, but a safety-first, ultra-pragmatic approach has never brought universal love.

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds was typically uninspiring. A comeback never looked likely after Chris Wood nodded home from close-range in the 35th minute. The margin of defeat could, and should, have been greater.

Since the Grant Ward hat-trick-inspired 4-2 home win on the opening weekend of the season, the Blues have scored just three goals from open play. On average, over the last nine outings, they have produced three shots on target per match.

In 2016 results read P34 W10 D12 L12 F30 A34. Those statistics backs up what the eyes see. This is a team likely to go nowhere fast – either up or down.

McCarthy has been given the benefit of the doubt a lot over the last nine months. At the back end of last season several of his creative sparks were injured. We all liked to think that signing young players, like ball-playing centre-back Adam Webster and direct winger Ward, might help change the dynamic and that life after target man Daryl Murphy may be a blessing in disguise.

The tactics have not changed though. Too much of the play is hard-wired. The full-backs always look long, the defensive midfield duo of Cole Skuse and Jonathan Douglas are too deep, there continues to be precious few goals or assist from the midfield as a whole, while the role of lone striker looks a thankless task.

This is not an over-reaction to one poor performance, but a highlighting of some frustrating recurring themes.

Much has been made about McCarthy’s ability to turn average players into better ones through good man-management, but there are also several cases of in-form players having the life sucked out of them by being constantly played out of position.

Freddie Sears has gone from in-form goalscoring extraordinaire to a confidence-shot left-midfield grafter in the space of 12 months.

Ok, so there have only been two truly bad 45-minute performances across nine league matches so far this season (second halves at Brentford and Leeds). On the flip side there has only been one half (second against Barnsley) that has set the pulses racing.

At what point do we stop saying ‘be careful what you wish for?’


This last sentence is becoming for pertinent with each passing game. I personally feel the Clock IS ticking for Mick. He has the choice to change tactics ( the current one clearly isn't working any more). Question is will he bite the bullet, admit to himself it's not working and change ?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

The clock isn't ticking for Mick I'm afraid Hallam. He's exactly the type of manager Evans wants.

[Dubai Blue]

Given the extensive changes of personnel this season I'm inclined to hold my comments until after Christmas. But then again I'm watching from a distance and don't have to shell out wonga to witness these games first hand. So I quite sympathise with what seems to be becoming a prevailing view.

It's worth noting though that MM has employed a double winger strategy in the past which did produce good football, and we do have a number of players who could play these wing roles at the moment. He may yet have a longer term plan up his sleeve.

I certainly agree that it would be a big surprise to see him move on just after a contract extension. I'm not personally even thinking in these terms.

[phily bon bon]

I think Mach is 100% correct. I read here months ago that eveans is content with threading Water and writing millions off as a tax debt whilst town slowly go nowhere and incure more and more debt.

The performances on the field leave a lot to be desired and the life is being sucked out of players that have ability and that something extra.

I fear the stagnation will only continue until something bursts unless there is change of some sort.

I dont post much and this is´nt direct critism of anyone in particular.....just wish my Club could get the blood racing through my veins as it used to. Would also love Evans to man up and publicly back mick and TC or bring someone in that could freshen/ modernise things up. We are going in the wrong direction right now. I dont concider this a knee jerk reaction its just Im feeling more and more apathy.

Coyb