Belligerent Mick Can Handle All The Stick

In his press conference today Mick McCarthy was at his defiant best – or worst whichever way you look at it?

He told Radio Suffolk’s Brenner Woolley his thoughts on those people who want to hurt his feelings and said that the international break did not come as a kind of escape route from all the pressure he has been under from the media and fans in general.

‘I don’t need it in relation to me and how I feel and having time off and getting away from people giving out stick to me – not at all … In fact, the more people give out stick to me, the more belligerent I get … so be careful.’

He also explained that it looks likely that Town will be missing Joe Garner for the rest of the season and he will join other long term absentees, which include of course; Andre Dozell, Teddy Bishop, David McGoldrick and Emyr Huws.

McCarthy also suggested the reactions from some supporters on Tuesday night did not reflect the performance as a whole and that he accepted that most of the criticism was directed towards him and not the players but they still had to play in it.

He continued, ‘The atmosphere was a disgrace on Tuesday night and it will make it incredibly difficult to play if that’s going to be the case for the three remaining games at home … and if it is, it’s ridiculous because it does affect the players playing in that.’

The manager is only too aware that it will not be easy to get rid of the toxic atmosphere at Portman Road, now that there is nothing to play for and attendances are rapidly declining at a startling rate.

He also suggested that if supporters wanted to really get the best out of the squad, then they should get behind the team and support the players, and if at the end the fans want to boo and jeer him then that is fine.

His last few words of defiance told us everything we needed to know about his thick skinned Yorkshire grit, when he referred to the stick he has been getting from all quarters of late.

‘ I tell you what.. if it was to get me out or to get me to walk out then it has achieved nothing because I am not going to do and if it was to provoke Marcus into sacking me then I am still doing the press conference for Bristol City and I am certain I will be still doing the press conference for Middlesborough at home.’


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich