Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

[J R Hartley]

about Mick McCarthy? I certainly am.

I have been pleasantly surprised, I thought we were going to get Warnock Ball on steroids when we appointed Big Mick, especially as we needed to stop the rot. I thought we would get safety first, defensive football, isolated lone striker and play with a draw first, hope to nick a winner from a set piece mentality which we saw under Warnock and the way Mick set up his Ipswich team last time he managed in this division.

However, the change of shape with wing backs and playing the wingers inside behind the striker has worked a treat so far. Yes we still rely on set pieces to a certain to a degree but its one of our strengths so why not? but we have also scored some lovely goals from open play.

I was dreading the thought of Mick doing well enough to get a longer deal but now I think jts a no brainer.

Well done Mick and TC.

[goats]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

about Mick McCarthy? I certainly am.

I have been pleasantly surprised, I thought we were going to get Warnock Ball on steroids when we appointed Big Mick, especially as we needed to stop the rot. I thought we would get safety first, defensive football, isolated lone striker and play with a draw first, hope to nick a winner from a set piece mentality which we saw under Warnock and the way Mick set up his Ipswich team last time he managed in this division.

However, the change of shape with wing backs and playing the wingers inside behind the striker has worked a treat so far. Yes we still rely on set pieces to a certain to a degree but its one of our strengths so why not? but we have also scored some lovely goals from open play.

I was dreading the thought of Mick doing well enough to get a longer deal but now I think jts a no brainer.

Well done Mick and TC.

For sure, you form an orderly queue and we can all line up behind you......

[Tuerto]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Me, I'm surprised at his attitude to go out and win games, we press much higher as a unit, there's more work rate and urgency involved in our play. It's still a bit old school and we have tougher tests ahead against better opposition, but all in all, it's looking positive and there's a bit of bravery on display. Murphy looking motivated with his game simplified is credit to Mick and TC.

[J R Hartley]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Me, I'm surprised at his attitude to go out and win games, we press much higher as a unit, there's more work rate and urgency involved in our play. It's still a bit old school and we have tougher tests ahead against better opposition, but all in all, it's looking positive and there's a bit of bravery on display. Murphy looking motivated with his game simplified is credit to Mick and TC.

Absolutely. I still think a fit Kiefer Moore is key to it all but so far, so good. The arm around the shoulder with Murphy and leaving Wilson out initially so he come back with the "Ill prove you wrong" mentality has worked wonders. Thats where managerial experience comes into I suppose. Knowing who needs a bit of loving and who needs a kick up the backside.

[J R Hartley]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

For sure, you form an orderly queue and we can all line up behind you......

Happy to be first off the plank. I didnt want to mention Harris as the threads about Mick but I certainly wont be hoping Mick fails so I can say "I told you so" like some did with Harris. Id rather hold my hands up and say Mick has proved me wrong. So far anyway.

[Croesy Blue]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

I was very underwhelmed but he's been great. Comes across must more forward thinking than Warnock too.

[J R Hartley]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

I was very underwhelmed but he's been great. Comes across must more forward thinking than Warnock too.

And much more genuine too

[xsnaggle]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

And much more genuine too

Does this mean you'll change your avitar from a Mr Grumpy McCarthy to a Mr happy McCarthy?

[Moodybluebird]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

And much more genuine too

As much as I enjoyed Warnock being our manager, you felt it was all about him; what he had achieved, the number of promotions, how he was perceived by opposition fans etc etc. MM doesn't seem that way inclined and as you say he's much more genuine too.

To say I was disappointed when he got the job would be a massive understatement but fair play to him, in only seven games he has completely changed the mindset of the players, instilled self-belief and made significant tactical changes. Quite astonishing really.

[Hilts]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Hes doing a great job. V Preston Bennett running into the box and a follow up shot by Ng.

V Millwall I didnt get why we kept 3 at the back and didnt change it. But hes kept the system and its worked.

As Harris needed credit for getting the best out of Tomlin the same has to be said of Mick with Murphy.

Unless they have someone lined up with a plan for a totally change of direction football wise then he deserves a longer deal. He can then decide on who he wants at the club next year and think about players he wants to keep.

[Croesy Blue]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

And much more genuine too

100%! and very down to earth

[J R Hartley]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Does this mean you'll change your avitar from a Mr Grumpy McCarthy to a Mr happy McCarthy?

No

[J R Hartley]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

As much as I enjoyed Warnock being our manager, you felt it was all about him; what he had achieved, the number of promotions, how he was perceived by opposition fans etc etc. MM doesn't seem that way inclined and as you say he's much more genuine too.

To say I was disappointed when he got the job would be a massive understatement but fair play to him, in only seven games he has completely changed the mindset of the players, instilled self-belief and made significant tactical changes. Quite astonishing really.

Yep. Fully agree on all points made. Good post.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Me. In saying that, I soon became a bit more optimistic once I’d reminded myself of some of his work earlier in his managerial career (I allowed myself to be influenced too much by his time at Ipswich and his second spell with Ireland). Most impressive for me has been the improvements where it was hard to see how there could be any. Josh Murphy has already been mentioned, but I think Harry Wilson and Sheyi Ojo have improved under McCarthy. It’s not just an improvement in individuals though.

I’d always contended that playing with three at the back would solve so many problems in the team, but it was like theory and practice, it all sounded perfectly sensible, but as soon as City tried to put it into practice on the pitch, it all went wrong and I think it had been long accepted that this group of players couldn’t play an effective three at the back system, yet as soon as we started using it about an hour into McCarthys first match, we’ve looked comfortable with it.

As for my main bugbear, our passing in midfield, that’s still far from perfect, but having Marlon Pack playing well improves it a fair bit and, for me, players such as Pack and Nelson are doing so much better, while Flint looks so much secure than he did last season. The players were never as poor as they were looking six weeks ago, but the transformation has been marked in such a short time.

[Tuerto]

Re: Come on. Hands up. Whos willing to admit they were wrong

Me. In saying that, I soon became a bit more optimistic once I’d reminded myself of some of his work earlier in his managerial career (I allowed myself to be influenced too much by his time at Ipswich and his second spell with Ireland). Most impressive for me has been the improvements where it was hard to see how there could be any. Josh Murphy has already been mentioned, but I think Harry Wilson and Sheyi Ojo have improved under McCarthy. It’s not just an improvement in individuals though.
I’d always contended that playing with three at the back would solve so many problems in the team, but it was like theory and practice, it all sounded perfectly sensible, but as soon as City tried to put it into practice on the pitch, it all went wrong and I think it had been long accepted that this group of players couldn’t play an effective three at the back system, yet as soon as we started using it about an hour into McCarthys first match, we’ve looked comfortable with it.
As for my main bugbear, our passing in midfield, that’s still far from perfect, but having Marlon Pack playing well improves it a fair bit and, for me, players such as Pack and Nelson are doing so much better, while Flint looks so much secure than he did last season. The players were never as poor as they were looking six weeks ago, but the transformation has been marked in such a short time.

There's been a difference in how Pack is playing in my opinion. It seems that he's being encouraged to 'Get on the ball' as opposed to just receiving it and acting as a pivot for our lack of movement in almost every position ahead of him under the previous manager, and Warnock. Pack seems much more mobile, more willing to follow a pass, get into little pockets of space in order to keep the move going. There's much more of an urgency about his play. He actually has options ahead of him now with NG and Bennett joining the attack. Previously there were none, he'd have to put his foot on the ball and go sideways, hence any momentum breaking down and Pack receiving some quite unfair criticism. He's even leaving a bit on the opposition and putting his foot in. Much better, although tonight will be a test.