Mick McCarthy's first Cardiff City interview:

Mick McCarthy's first Cardiff City interview in full as he talks footballing style, copying Wolves and his views on squad




CARDIFF CITY FC:

Saturday 23rd January 2021



The former Sunderland, Wolves and two-time Republic of Ireland boss was unveiled as Neil Harris' successor late on Friday night and has spoken at length about the challenge he faces at Cardiff City Stadium. He certainly has plenty to address.





MICK McCARTHY:


Was this challenge and opportunity too big not to take?

Well, nice to see you, I'm delighted to be here, yeah, you've put it as well as I could have put it, it is too big an opportunity to turn down. It's always sad, because someone has to lose their job, and I know Neil (Harris) personally, but it does happen and I'm thrilled by the opportunity to come in, and try to get Cardiff back winning games and getting up the table.








This is a division you've mastered in the past, you know your way around this division, it is fair to say

Thank you, mastered might be bit of an overstatement, I've won it twice, yes, with Sunderland and Wolves, two good teams, two teams we had to build from pretty much nothing.

They had been relegated actually and bringing players in who were young, hungry, ready to go. I think there is a bit of a different challenge here, although it is a team who have been relegated from the Premier League recently. It seems to me we have a good squad of players, I'm looking forward to getting down to work. TC has come in with me, Terry Connor, who was with me at Wolves and we got promoted. I'm looking forward to it. I'm not quite sure we've mastered this league, we might do well in it, we might master it for one season, but mastering it completely is a bit of an oversell. But we have won it twice.








Is job one about getting those boys smiling and believing again?

Yes of course, and it is not one man's fault that we are in this position, I'm coming in, there'll be lot of reasons why we've not been winning games, but footballers like to be in a club where they are winning games. It's amazing how, if you can turn those fortunes around and win a few games you suddenly see players who haven't been producing, not scoring goals, letting goals in, it's not been working for them. They've got big, sad faces. Suddenly they've got beaming smiles and that is what I'd like to do. Get smiles back on players' faces, and if we do that we'll get smiles back on fans' faces. I think man-management is a big part of the job. If ever there was testimony to that it's one bloke who's been here, Neil Warnock. He's done it wherever he's gone and he's doing it now at Middlesbrough. He gets the best out of people, and if you get the best out of people you get results.




When you look at that squad, there is plenty of talent in it, isn't there?

Yes, there is. Always a question when I come in, why is it not working? I don't ever think it's one man's fault. They'll be lots of little reasons as to why, not winning games, and I know when players aren't winning games, they are out of the squad, not on the bench, or on the bench and don't get on and then they get taken off. If they're not winning, misery likes company. And the place can become a miserable place very quickly. I'm hoping that's not the case. Let's hope we get that bounce that new managers get.




Tell us some of your memories of Cardiff, the City and Ninian Park...

Hated it! Hated it, because we used to get beat here, that's why! I was just stood here in the foyer as I've come in, I've always loved coming here and playing because the atmosphere is great. I've not always been beaten because we won the league with Wolves and I remember having a great game at the old stadium, a rip-roaring night on a Tuesday night, it was brilliant for us because we won of course. But I've been beaten here so many times. I was just stood in the foyer and remembering the last time and saying what a horrible place this is to come, to play and how tough it is to come here and win. And I'd like to get that back.





One of the jobs is about getting this team playing football again so that when the fans come back they've got a team to cheer on and be proud of again

Of course, let's not forget, I'm stood here, replacing someone who was in the play-offs last year and did wonderfully well. That should be remembered as well. It always seems when someone is replaced, everything is wrong, and that can't be the case. But yes, of course we'd love to be getting a great brand of football, football we played at Wolves when we won the league, and people enjoying. Not just the players, the fans, the people at the club, me - I like to enjoy it as well. I like to come to work with a smile on my face. I pretty much do every day because I like to be consistent. And that's win, lose or draw. I couldn't stand managers that when you lost they didn't speak to me until Thursday, then they decided to speak to me and wanted me to go win for them on Saturday, which I could never understand. So having a smile on my face will help as well.




Which managers did you enjoy working with, who got the most out of you?

One of the best was at international level, Jack Charlton. Jack was just wonderful, with all the players. If you've heard the testimonies, which you may have since his death, every one of them openly said that they loved him. As a manager, as a coach, as a bloke. He was deadly serious. If he told you not to do it and you did it, he'd take you off, he'd bomb you out. He could be ruthless like that. Everybody loved him, loved playing for him, they'd run through a wall for him. I got on with all of them, to be honest. Some better than others, but Jack was one I really loved working with.






Work begins on Wednesday night and it surely couldn't begin anywhere closer to your heart

You could say the first two games, Barnsley away and Millwall at home! It's very close to my heart, my home town. I had a wonderful time there, 272 league games over six or seven years, made my debut there. But I've got no love for them - I'm here, I'm working here, I got promoted with Wolves by beating them at Barnsley. I'd like to start my career at Cardiff by beating them.







Training tomorrow (Saturday) morning, I bet you can't wait tostop talking to me andget out there

(Laughing) I understand this is a necessary evil, for us it always appears that way, but I understand it's necessary for you and for everybody to hear what I've got to say. We're really delighted to be here, thrilled to be asked and an honour to manage and coach at a club like this. And then get to work with the players, because that's the best bit.

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MICK McCARPHY:


"NINIAN PARK Hated it! Hated it, because we used to get beat here, that's why!"


"I was just stood here in the foyer as I've come in, I've always loved coming here and playing because the atmosphere is great. I've not always been beaten because we won the league with Wolves and I remember having a great game at the old stadium, a rip-roaring night on a Tuesday night, it was brilliant for us because we won of course."

"But I've been beaten here so many times. I was just stood in the foyer and remembering the last time and saying what a horrible place this is to come, to play and how tough it is to come here and win. And I'd like to get that back."

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Mick McCarthy literally had to buy players for £20,000 and £80,000 at Ipswich, one of the lowest budgets in the country.

Top class interview that and you can just tell he’s well up for the task. Looking forward to the South Wales & sevenside derbies with Big Mick at the helm.
Come on Bluebirds lets av it

Remember one of the game's he refers to - we beat his Wolves side 4-0 at Ninian Park around 2008/2006 maybe. either way was when our football was so good under Dave Jones at the start of the season i refer to.

When I watched that last night I thought this guy is a breath of fresh air compared to NH, straight taking open and honest guy like NW and I think fans will come to love him. For the first time since NW left I'm looking forward to watching the next game.

I don't know about the players but MM has just given me that feeling of a new manager bounce.

I hope VT gives him some money in this window let's face it he was willing to give NH money on the lad from Bournemouth MM deserves at least the same.

I thought i would have sympathy for Neil Harris. But i can't help but still dislike him immensely. He just wasn't a good manager and sounded like David Brent when he spoke.

When I watched that last night I thought this guy is a breath of fresh air compared to NH, straight taking open and honest guy like NW and I think fans will come to love him. For the first time since NW left I'm looking forward to watching the next game.

I don't know about the players but MM has just given me that feeling of a new manager bounce.

I hope VT gives him some money in this window let's face it he was willing to give NH money on the lad from Bournemouth MM deserves at least the same.

Have you got a link mate? Always like to see interviews in person.

Replies FB:

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When I watched that last night I thought this guy is a breath of fresh air compared to NH, straight taking open and honest guy like NW and I think fans will come to love him. For the first time since NW left I'm looking forward to watching the next game.

I don't know about the players but MM has just given me that feeling of a new manager bounce.

I hope VT gives him some money in this window let's face it he was willing to give NH money on the lad from Bournemouth MM deserves at least the same.

Have you got a link mate? Always like to see interviews in person.

https://www,cardiffcityfc.co,uk/news/mi ... am-manager

When I watched that last night I thought this guy is a breath of fresh air compared to NH, straight taking open and honest guy like NW and I think fans will come to love him. For the first time since NW left I'm looking forward to watching the next game.

I don't know about the players but MM has just given me that feeling of a new manager bounce.

I hope VT gives him some money in this window let's face it he was willing to give NH money on the lad from Bournemouth MM deserves at least the same.

Have you got a link mate? Always like to see interviews in person.

https://www,cardiffcityfc,co.uk/news/mi ... am-manager

Cheers mate.

Is job one about getting those boys smiling and believing again?

Yes of course, and it is not one man's fault that we are in this position, I'm coming in, there'll be lot of reasons why we've not been winning games, but footballers like to be in a club where they are winning games. It's amazing how, if you can turn those fortunes around and win a few games you suddenly see players who haven't been producing, not scoring goals, letting goals in, it's not been working for them. They've got big, sad faces. Suddenly they've got beaming smiles and that is what I'd like to do. Get smiles back on players' faces, and if we do that we'll get smiles back on fans' faces. I think man-management is a big part of the job. If ever there was testimony to that it's one bloke who's been here, Neil Warnock. He's done it wherever he's gone and he's doing it now at Middlesbrough. He gets the best out of people, and if you get the best out of people you get results.

For me, this is going to be the most important part of the job to start with getting these players to believe in themselves again. There is a lot of talent in this squad, they just haven't shown it so far this season.

Moore, Wilson, Ojo, Murphy, Hoilett, Glatzel, Harris should be enough firepower to scare most championship side.

There are options not just in personnel but in how to mix up styles as well, but so far they just haven't connected. Getting them to enjoy their football and all on the same wavelength could change everything.

Very good first interview

Micks first jobs should be:

1. Drop Nelson as soon as possible when a replacement is available

2. Put Watters in the u23s and bring him on bit by bit not as a starter as he's not ready

3. Get Murphy playing to his strengths and utise him properly , probably as a striker

4. Find a solution to our midfield

5. Tell the players to get the ball down and play . We are so much better at that than people give us credit for.

6. Lower the amount of lower league players in the squad. We have way too many

If he gets it right which I dont think will take a lot, we have the squad to shoot up the table quickly

Micks first jobs should be:

1. Drop Nelson as soon as possible when a replacement is available

2. Put Watters in the u23s and bring him on bit by bit not as a starter as he's not ready

3. Get Murphy playing to his strengths and utise him properly , probably as a striker

4. Find a solution to our midfield

5. Tell the players to get the ball down and play . We are so much better at that than people give us credit for.

6. Lower the amount of lower league players in the squad. We have way too many

If he gets it right which I dont think will take a lot, we have the squad to shoot up the table quickly

Thomas I agree with all of them. As an add on to 5 I’d also say to get the ball forward much quicker, even if it risked losing the ball. The times over the last few weeks that we’ve started an attack and then within two passes the ball is with the back four and the opposition is back in shape.

Micks first jobs should be:

1. Drop Nelson as soon as possible when a replacement is available

2. Put Watters in the u23s and bring him on bit by bit not as a starter as he's not ready

3. Get Murphy playing to his strengths and utise him properly , probably as a striker

4. Find a solution to our midfield

5. Tell the players to get the ball down and play . We are so much better at that than people give us credit for.

6. Lower the amount of lower league players in the squad. We have way too many

If he gets it right which I dont think will take a lot, we have the squad to shoot up the table quickly

there is a fair old list there that wont take much doing
personally i will be happy to win a few quite soon and pull us away from a possible relegation battle...

Micks first jobs should be:

1. Drop Nelson as soon as possible when a replacement is available

2. Put Watters in the u23s and bring him on bit by bit not as a starter as he's not ready

3. Get Murphy playing to his strengths and utise him properly , probably as a striker

4. Find a solution to our midfield

5. Tell the players to get the ball down and play . We are so much better at that than people give us credit for.

6. Lower the amount of lower league players in the squad. We have way too many

If he gets it right which I dont think will take a lot, we have the squad to shoot up the table quickly

1. Yes but there isn't a replacement and I am not sure if they are any better than him anyway

2. This is just plain stupid,what on earth is he going to learn playing for the Under 23s why not just loan him out to a league one club like say Crawley and see if he can score for them and if he scores loads then play him.

3.Neither Warnock or Harris could do that and the evidence that he could play as an out and out striker is minimal.

4. Not really sure if there is a solution without bringing in new players. Thought moving Bacuna might help but he was our worst player against QPR and I say that as someone who thinks he is a good midfielder.

5. Are we really better when we get the ball down and play we seem to lose every single time we have the majority of possession.

6. No if they are good enough they stay whether they came from a lower league is irrelevant.

Micks first jobs should be:

1. Drop Nelson as soon as possible when a replacement is available

2. Put Watters in the u23s and bring him on bit by bit not as a starter as he's not ready

3. Get Murphy playing to his strengths and utise him properly , probably as a striker

4. Find a solution to our midfield

5. Tell the players to get the ball down and play . We are so much better at that than people give us credit for.

6. Lower the amount of lower league players in the squad. We have way too many

If he gets it right which I dont think will take a lot, we have the squad to shoot up the table quickly

1. Yes but there isn't a replacement and I am not sure if they are any better than him anyway

2. This is just plain stupid,what on earth is he going to learn playing for the Under 23s why not just loan him out to a league one club like say Crawley and see if he can score for them and if he scores loads then play him.

3.Neither Warnock or Harris could do that and the evidence that he could play as an out and out striker is minimal.

4. Not really sure if there is a solution without bringing in new players. Thought moving Bacuna might help but he was our worst player against QPR and I say that as someone who thinks he is a good midfielder.

5. Are we really better when we get the ball down and play we seem to lose every single time we have the majority of possession.

6. No if they are good enough they stay whether they came from a lower league is irrelevant.

1 - Flint - Bennett - New signing

2 - He has already scored a few at league 2 , he looked massively out of his depth for us, u23s games will allow him time to develop training with higher quality players

3. Plenty of evidence that he can play as a striker which his scoring record points to in his career. Just because He hasn't been used consistently in that position doesnt mean he can't play it.

4. The solution is in the set up and style we play. Bacuna was never the answer but a lot of people can't see past a poor player when he has a city shirt on. The tinted glasses blur out the poor players like Bacuna, Nelson, Glatzel.

5. Yes we are when Harris let them off the leash we played very well like the Luton and Barnsley games whst scoring a lot of goals. Only Harris defence first counter attack bullshit stopped us playing.

6. Stats and performances show they are not good enough for a team going for promotion. Glatzel can't score, Nelson makes mistake after mistake, Watters looked like a conference player , Whyte gone already. The list goes on. You sign too many and you become a poor squad . That is a fact.

What do you have against Waters? "He looks like a conference player" No he doesn't he scored 16 goals in 19 games for Crawley this season I doubt if there is a single striker in the conference who could do that. You can't judge him on 51.minutes against QPR when all he had to feed off were a few aimless balls headed in his vague direction even good premier league strikers who struggle to score with that sort of service.

What do you have against Waters? "He looks like a conference player" No he doesn't he scored 16 goals in 19 games for Crawley this season I doubt if there is a single striker in the conference who could do that. You can't judge him on 51.minutes against QPR when all he had to feed off were a few aimless balls headed in his vague direction even good premier league strikers who struggle to score with that sort of service.

I have nothing against him

Hes just not going to be good enough yet , its obvious just by his hour he played the other day. He showed nothing to suggest he is capable at this level whatsoever.

SIX months ago he couldn't get a game for Doncasters u23s let alone the first team and was released. He failed a trial at Maidstone before signing for Crawley . He has made 70 appearances at non league level and only scored 24 goals. A small purple patch at Crawley shouldn't disguise the fact this guy is not ready for cbampipnship football and needs time to bed into a MUCH higher standard than he has ever played before.

Don't let hope blur what you see on the pitch. I'm not saying he won't make it I'm saying he's not ready yet and needs to e training with better players before coming in as our striker.

Hes no better than strikers we've had recently like Harris , Ward or Healey. In fact all three of them are arguably a lot better.