Mick McCarthy wants a winning formula

Nov 28 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MICK McCarthy says he wants points not plaudits and admits knives could be out for him if he cannot find a winning formula.

McCarthy has told his players to prepare for Blues tomorrow by winding back the clock two matches.

“It is a really important game for us. We need to get some wins, not particularly good performances,” he said.

“It does generally go hand-in-hand if you are playing well, or defending well, that you get good results.

“We need points. We have not been trying to play style over substance, that’s for sure. We want to win games.

“We haven’t managed to do it for whatever reason, but it is not us trying to play the best football in the league – that is not the case.

“I prefer to have points rather than compliments because they don’t get you anywhere.

“And ultimately pats on the back because you are playing well turn into knives in their hands.”

McCarthy knows that his side would be judged totally differently without those Arsenal and Chelsea losses.

“If we were playing Birmingham two games ago people would be saying we are strong, resilient and have had great results,” he said.

“But we can’t say that now because we have been beaten by two of the premier teams in the Premier League.

“They have exposed everyone else and exposed us for what we are – a hard-working, grafting, honest team – but we are not going to compete against them.

“It had every chance of happening. Now let’s remember how we played against Everton, Villa and Stoke.

“It’s easy to doom and gloom after being slapped by Arsenal and Chelsea. I didn’t like it, I didn’t want the fans chanting my name at four-nil down.

“But they did it because they appreciate and understand we are not expected to win.

“It’s not easy when you get slapped but I have said to them – ‘remember where you were two games ago’.”