‘We are nipping at those in front of us now’
MICK McCarthy met the press yesterday as Cardiff City prepared to return from the international break with a home clash against Nottingham Forest. Here’s what he had to say.
Question: Had a little break, much needed and a good time after the result?
Mick McCarthy:
We have had a bit of time off. I’ve had a bit of time away. But it never ends, = really!
We have had time away from the club and the players away from training. A bit of downtime.
But we had 10 bodies away, so even when we were back we didn’t have the full complement.
Ciaron Brown only came back today from Northern Ireland’s game last night.
Jonny Williams had a game, Browny had a game, Junior Hoilett has had some time. They have had some game-time and it’s been good for them.
It was great to end on that (Swansea) result. At least we could enjoy it.
Q: Is chasing a good position to be in?
MM:
I would prefer to be top and they are all chasing me! But considering when we played Bristol, we could have gone fourth or fifth bottom, we are.
You could sense the change around the place, the confidence. We are nipping at those in front of us now.
If you’re in the top six, all you worry about is falling out of it.
Even if you’re in the bottom three, you’re chasing to get out. Fourth or fifth bottom, you don’t want to drop in now.
Q: Do you think they are feeling you on their shoulder?
MM:
Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Barnsley have been on the best runs. Anyone in striking distance, they won’t be worried about individuals.
The thought of dropping out with six games to play is a worrying feeling. That can affect performances.
Q: Kieffer Moore was running on fumes against Swans, happy he didn’t play too much for Wales?
MM: I was thrilled! Delighted When I got a call from Ian Baraclough to say Browny wouldn’t be playing I was delighted for that.
Because he wasn’t in the squad, Ian might have thought I thought he was injured or poorly, so that’s why he called me.
Whoever turns up here, fit and ready to go, it’s needless worrying, I can’t do anything about it.
With Kieffer, it was a bonus. He could have played three games.
Q: Who is in contention? MM:
Curtis Nelson is fine, Perry Ng is fine.
They were the ones who had injuries and we thought could get back.
Lee Tomlin rocked his ankle prior to the under-23s game. It’s nothing major.
To be fair, he has been working hard.
He was due that other game in the under-23s. It’s sod’s law, in the warm-up he stood on another player’s ankle.
He’s not going to be long. Just puts his training programme back.
Q: Building something special? MM:
I’d like to think everyone will want to be fit every week, but it’s a nice position to be in now.
It just garners that feeling in the football club.
Everyone has wanted to be fit. We are looking forward to the game.
Q: Fans in stadiums, pilots, can’t wait for next season and fans?
MM: I wish they’d been in when we won seven on the bounce! I want them back in, it’s rubbish without them.
We are blessed we can come in and train and interact with each other.
It has been brilliant for us from that point of view.
We have been very fortunate, but it’s still rubbish without the fans.
Everyone knows that. We want them back.
Q: Got back to see your family, what’s it been like the relentlessness at Cardiff? MM:
It’s been great, I live on campus at The Vale, at one of the apartments. I’m in the gym at 7am with TC and we are there until 6 o’clock.
People told me it’d be great in Cardiff, getting a flat in the Bay and getting a beer and going to restaurants, it’s all shut!
But the golf course is open now, so…
We have had a fair bit of success since coming in, so it makes it a lot easier to settle.
Q: Do you ever switch off if you live at work?
MM:
Yeah, I don’t sleep in the training ground! I have an apartment. But I do tend to watch football on the TV when I go back.
But I enjoy the busy days.