Huddersfield 0-1 Ipswich: Mick McCarthy and David Wagner reaction
Sunday 28 February 2016 10:07, UK
Mick McCarthy was a relieved man after Ipswich ended a three-match losing run with a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon.
McCarthy admitted he was upset and angry after Tuesday's home defeat against Hull left the Tractor Boys' play-off hopes in tatters.
Ipswich had crashed down the Sky Bet Championship table after five defeats in six games but after Ben Pringle secured victory at the John Smith's Stadium, McCarthy said: "This was a huge result for us.
"We needed a win and, as usual, my lads have come up trumps when we needed them.
"The other night I was down, upset and angry and, to be honest, I'm sick of talking about the play-offs. If we get in there, brilliant, if not there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
"If we had come away from Huddersfield having lost four on the bounce I can't imagine how I would have felt."
McCarthy admitted the home side were well on top in the first half and he was forced to change formation to combat Huddersfield's style.
Huddersfield had a string of good chances through Nahki Wells, Kyle Dempsey and Harry Bunn but Pringle struck the only goal in the 19th minute.
Terriers defender Joel Lynch attempted to shield the ball out of play but Daryl Murphy kept it in on the byline and picked out the unmarked Pringle, who fired home despite Jason Davidson's attempt to keep it out on the line.
McCarthy added: "Football is often a game of good luck and bad luck and there's all sorts of ways of winning a game.
"For all the chances Huddersfield had they didn't take any and we were clinical. We rode our luck but everybody needs luck."
Huddersfield head coach David Wagner said there was an incident in the box, missed by many, where his side could have had a penalty.
"There were incidents that did not go our way," he said. "One of them was a fair play moment for Nahki Wells. If Nahki gets a bigger hit then it's clearer and he gets a penalty. But I want fair play from my players.
"If we win games I want it to be by fair play but if we get a penalty the result could be different."
Wagner added: "The first half was fantastic and it hurts that we got this result for our performance.
"The possession and shots tell you everything about this game. Usually you would get the result. Maybe I will feel better about it in the morning."
Huddersfield finished the game with 10 men after midfielder Jonathan Hogg limped off.
He went down after a challenge holding his knee and immediately signalled to the bench. He was helped off and Huddersfield played the last 10 minutes a man short, having used all three subs.
Hogg was on crutches after the game and Wagner said a scan would confirm on Monday if he had medial ligament damage.
Wagner said: "What happened to Hogg could prove to be worse than the result."
