Wolves 0-0 Ipswich: Mick McCarthy flattered by Aston Villa link
Saturday 2 April 2016 19:45, UK
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy admitted after his side's 0-0 Sky Bet Championship draw against Wolves at Molineux that he was flattered to be mentioned as a contender for the vacant manager's job at Aston Villa.
McCarthy has been strongly linked with Villa since the dismissal of Remi Garde. With Villa doomed to relegation and McCarthy having won promotion with Sunderland and Wolves he can see why he is being mentioned.
He said: "I view it as a compliment. I can't help but feel it is a compliment when clubs of that ilk think that I am doing a good job as a manager bearing in mind that I have got two similar clubs promoted.
"But I have for a job here and there is nothing I can do about whatever they are saying. I won't even talk about what another job might entail.
"We have seven games and we want to get in the play-offs. My focus is on trying to get in the play-offs."
But McCarthy admitted that securing a top six finish was looking tough after a run of five points from five games.
He added: "We have got two home games coming up now and I do feel that we are going to have to win them to be in the mix.
"They are not going to be easy games against two teams (Charlton and Brentford) who are scrapping away.
"It gets a bit nervy, fans want to see better and I can understand that, we all do. Fans want to see good football and we are all trying to serve that up. But my point is that in the main that is what we have done.
"I thought this was a game we could win but we haven't. But we didn't lose it and it is a point gained for us."
Ipswich were denied victory by goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who pulled off a stunning save to deny Brett Pitman in the 66th minute.
Wolves have now drawn their last three games and failed to score in their last two at home. They faced chants of "boring, boring" in the second half from some of their fans and manager Kenny Jackett admitted his side could have done a lot better as an attacking force.
He said: "I felt that defensively we did well and I was pleased that the back four looked quite cohesive and competitive and we needed to be as otherwise at the start of the game Ipswich would have swept us away.
"It was hard to get our passing game going through midfield which has been a feature when we have got it right this season. Physically they were on top of us, closing us down, until we looked a threat in the closing stages.
"While we are pleased defensively we want more. We want to be able to pass the ball and flow and it through midfield and create chances and score goals which can give s a chance of progressing.
"We have been a mid-table side this season and that is what it has been. Going forward as a team we didn't get it right today and we didn't get our passing flowing.
"Up until the last period we didn't turn their defenders and get in behind and offer a threat. We want to build and improve and show optimism for the future and we will only do that with good performances and results."
