Holloway on his old pal's Bluebirds plight
Ian Holloway believes his old pal Mick McCarthy has got a "mountain to climb" at Cardiff City due to the fans' expectations.
The recent run of five successive defeats, and six losses in the last seven, has left heaps of pressure on the manager's shoulders, with the small matter of the South Wales derby coming up after the international break.
And former QPR, Blackpool and Crystal Palace boss Holloway believes that McCarthy has a huge job on his hands due to the ambitions of both the club and its fans, but can still be the man to turn things around.
IAN HOLLOWAY:
“For me he’s got a mountain to climb because of the expectations of the Cardiff City fans and they’ll know that because it’s a big big club, absolutely massive," Holloway told Football League World.
“Mick made a massive difference last season, almost got in the play-offs and I can’t understand it.
“But I haven’t seen the ins and outs, I don’t know the financial difficulties they might be having, normally that’s what impedes someone of Mick’s experience. Maybe they’ve got some injuries I don’t know.
“Normally, with the experience Mick’s got, one or two bad results at the start of the season doesn’t affect him, but as we all know it might affect crowds these days and what is expected.
“I’m sure he’ll have words with them, get back out on the training ground.
“My experience of Covid, and the extra problems it could cause to your playing group, and the way you practice, that can be very very difficult to deal with so maybe he’s had some of that going on, I’m not in a position to say.
“Am I surprised at the last few performances, or results at least? Yes I am, because when I look at their squad player for player, I’m quite impressed with it, but maybe they’re not all selectable.
“So without studying it, I can can’t really put my finger on why. But who would I want being manager of my club? Probably Mick McCarthy if I had one.”
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.