Mick McCarthy reckoned Wolves were architects of their own downfall as their winning run came to a halt at Portman Road.
The Molineux boss was left to rue a missed Freddy Eastwood penalty and two defensive errors that left his side departing Portman Road empty handed in a game they had dominated for half an hour.
After Alan Lee’s opener Wolves were distinctly second best and McCarthy admitted tired legs played a part in the defeat.
“We started really well and were far and away the better of the two sides,” he said.
“I don’t think it affected the whole 90 minutes, but missing the penalty gave them and the crowd a boost.
“We got the penalty and there was a big sigh of relief from the crowd – it turned them around as well.
“Their first goal was a fabulous finish from Alan Lee, but we caused our own problems by taking a quick throw-in and then losing the ball.
“That is our mistake – the ball shouldn’t have been thrown to Jay and when he loses it we’re in trouble.
“The second goal was rank awful defending. I don’t know how Counago wriggled through all that and scored.
“At 1-0 we’re probably alright if it all settles down, but at 2-0 you can visibly see the Cardiff trip etched on one or two faces.”
McCarthy refused to blame the fixture list for the defeat, but did admit it had been hard on his players to travel to Cardiff and Ipswich in the space of a few days.
“By the time the game gets to two-nil you can visibly see that it has an effect.
“We had the extra day over Cardiff on Wednesday and I thought we looked sharper and maybe that was the case this time too,” he said.
“I’m not very good on the lap top but I tell you what, I’m better than the plonker from the football league who gave us Cardiff on Wednesday and then Ipswich on Saturday.
“I’m not blaming that solely, but when it starts to go a bit pear-shaped then we do start to struggle. I took Kightly off because he was struggling badly.”
Despite the defeat, McCarthy launched a passionate defence of his players, insisting they will be focused on the Bristol City game by the weekend.
“I think I’ve got an absolutely brilliant bunch of lads. They’ve just beaten Norwich, drawn with Leicester and Pymouth and then beaten Charlton and Cardiff.
“We went to Leicester and, yes, we caused our own problems by giving them the opportunity to score. But I love my lads to bits.
“OK, we’ve lost, but we’ve got Bristol City next weekend and there is nothing I can do about the Ipswich game now.”
Meanwhile, Ipswich boss Jim Magilton paid tribute to his side for notching their 10th successive home win and felt they showed great character to fight back from a poor start.
“We started slowly and it was a terrific save from Neil from the penalty spot and that gave us a lift,” he said.
“The players showed fantastic character and I can’t praise them enough for their attitude and commitment against a very good Wolves side.”
21 Comments
The missed Pen was the start of the downfall, well done Fred!
can’t win em all boys, heads up. unlucky freddy, obviously a confidence player. poor poor penalty though. ipswich look good under magilton
Doesn’t hurt to come back down to earth once in a while, dust off and get back to it.
we aint hit form with a steady 11 players yet.
Keep the faith
ps
Taxi for Eastwood.
went to the game, was very good until the waste of money freddy missed the penalty, MM don’t start with him again!!!!
I TRAVELLED 4 AND HALF HOURS 2 SEE THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS KICK OUT OF US
Lol.
MM has a fine line in excuses, especially when he says he isn’t making any. Wolves “high tempo” style of play could be the root of the problem, a team that lets the ball do the work should not find two away games in four days too difficult.
As to the effects on Eastwood’s confidence of the treatment he has received, compare his scoring record at Southend. Do they create more chances than Wolves?
I read 1 sunday rag saying 3-0 flattered wolves!!! Why moan about missed pen in that case??
Sounds like you’ve been found out.
Poor team, poor manager!! Lets see..
Personally. I do not believe Wolves are up to the required standard. They rely on youth and energy, which to a degree is OK but ultimately they need good seasoned professionals around them if they are to develop and learn. I have not witnessed the real desire from the chairman to go down the route of “putting his hand in his pocket” to any worthwhile level. will be there or there abouts at the end but hasn’t that been recent history apart from Dave Jones promotion - refusal then to back him!!!
Sound reasoning and sound management. I think the move has gone to Eastwood’s head, he needs a long spell in the reserves and/ or ship him out January.
Post 1;;
Theres 11 Men In A Team;; Its Not All Freddys Fault !
We Had Enough Time Left To Carry On With The Game And GRIND Out A Result.
Freddy Eastwood Is Not To Blame For Saturdays Performance !!
well …. i blew my car engine on the way home from the game . that game cost me two grand . got in at half ten … good news tho…. the off licence was still open
Not many teams will take points from Ipswich at Portman Rd. Keep going lads. Bring on Bristol City lets burst the bubble!!!
Absolutely A1 comments from Wolves fans regarding Freddie Eastwood
Who caused the 3 goals we conceeded - Freddie Eastwood?
Freddie missed the penalty - he wont be the first, and he wont be the last player to have done this So get over it!!! & besides, isnt it supposed to be a “team game” with 10 other players???
MM seems intent on letting the world know about “nearly” getting rid of Jay Bothroyd and certainly isnt shy of letting the media, public and players know who is in the MM club and who isnt!
The media attention that has been given to Freddie and Jay cannot do either the players or the club any good whatsoever - & please dont dress this up as “Honest Mick”
Just ONE complaint regarding MM - When it comes to press statements regarding players you dont want - either SELL them first and then have your say or simply shut up and keep the negatives in-house where it should be!!!
Afterall - WHO wanted these players in the first place?
Ah yes it was MM
Dont play the blame game - the team LOST against Ipswich - they scored 3 and we scored NONE
NEXT!!!
It is rather interesting that Southend have one of our ex - players doing rather well at the moment. That team seems to help strikers so maybe MM should take a look at what they did last year to get the best out of Freddy.
However all this chat about Freddy and MM and whatever belies the fact that the team overall needs new faces and some of that 30 million needs to be spent in january if we are to get up. There is still time. I believe we are a top six club but we desperately need a successful striker.
By the way, what a great win at Cardiff…
No’s 4 & 5
What? Was I at the same game? Do I suport the same team?
Incredible!
i like mick mccarthy, but i wish he wouldn’t mess with the strikers heads so much.
Some competition is good, but chopping and changing and all the comments in the press about players attitudes and stuff. Teams take time to gel, especially up front, and messing with the players, expecting people to come in and perform miracles is ridiculous. Eastwood won player of the month, was scoring in internationals etc, and now he is a shadow of himself because of the way he got publically hauled out of the team … not impressed.
It also encourages polarising of opinions amongst fans and them to get on peoples backs.
ive just seen the penalty miss bet he felt a right pratt after that :-)boing boing
ryan (5) 4n half hours did you walk it :-)boing boing
we love you freddie we do oh freddie we love you :-)boing boing
The guys weren’t the architects at all in the problem, MM MUST take responsibility for the loss. He never does!
Wonder what the excuse will be after Christmas? got to be one coming….