What Then Makes The Mick Man Tick?

What makes the Mick man Tick? In a word I guess honesty. Oliver Cromwell once said that ‘ a few honest men are better than numbers,’ and in the case of our manager Mick McCarthy if the cap fits then he really should wear it.

Our manager has many admirable qualities and honesty is but one of them. He is also a tough nut to crack and his stubbornness is perhaps his greatest failing, as well as sometimes his greatest strength. Tomorrow he must show some courage too and go for an attacking formation.

He has a wonderful sense of humour as well of course and is philosophical when results don’t go our way.

He seems to have that knack of being able to ride most storms and come back stronger, which is a very rare commodity indeed and his ability to see strengths in players that have been discarded by others is another great attribute of his.

All in all then there are many more strengths in his character make-up than weaknesses but his pragmatic approach is seen by some as stifling the life out of our former football pedigree.His teams are often labelled as hoof ball specialists but this is a little unfair because when Town are on fire they play attractively.

In his two plus years in charge he has made me understand what a thoroughly likable chap he is. He says it how it is and is not too upbeat when we win or too downbeat when we lose which is another plus point in my opinion.

As a manager it is important to get the balance right and on hearing him today being interviewed on Ipswich Player, he was as relaxed as ever and did not find the need to dwell too long on our disappointing performance against Huddersfield but instead look forward to Blackpool and Cardiff to come!

Some may argue that he should be fearful of further failure but this is not the Mick McCarthy way. Instead he will brush himself down having spoken his mind and move on with even greater enthusiasm to the next challenge.

Sadly however for the game at Portman Road tomorrow, injuries are again threatening to destabilize the squad.

Definitely out of contention are Kevin Bru, Luke Hyam, David McGoldrick, Darren Ambrose and Noel Hunt – although there is some good new too because Tyrone Mings has served his suspension and will start instead of accident prone Zeki Fryers.

Town need to start on the front foot and aim for an early goal to settle nerves because I suspect this game will be far from easy now that the Seasiders are preparing for life in another tier.

Luke Varney must be in the team to spearhead a three man attack supporting Freddie Sears and Daryl Murphy.

I would give Richard Chaplow another start in midfield too because I really don’t think he did much wrong against Huddersfield before his rather dramatic substitution. Stephen Hunt is also worthy of a place in the team because we need energy and commitment in abundance tomorrow if we are to get all three points.

Mick the man must instill courage into the team and he should remind the players in the dressing room of a wonderful quote by the Spanish novelist Cervantes who said, ‘ He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more but he that loses his courage loses all.’

Courage therefore must win the day tomorrow!


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich