Episode 4 Late Kick Off East

A rare and frank and honest assessment from Mick McCarthy. Plus

the last manager to take thdm to the Premier League joins us in the

studio. After 12 long years, five m`nagers,

and financial straits, could Ipswich town be driving towards the Premier

League? The gaffer tells it straight. You could finish 02th if

you're not careful. If it is drama and excitement after, you'vd come to

the right place. Absolutely incredible goal! The story of not

one but two stunning fightb`cks some cracking goals. And chilling into

the fight for Premier Leagud survival, we are in Norwich City as

the fans take to the airwavds. Jamie, are you happy? I am happy. He

was so superb, I don't care what anybody says.

Hello, good evening. Good to have you with us. We'll have highlights

from tonight's promotion cl`sh at Roots Hall as Southend look to

return to the play`off placds in League Two against Oxford btt onto

the introductions. And joinhng Paul McVeigh tonight, the man who knows

what it's like to manage Ipswich in the Premier League, George Burley.

Great to have you with us. Xou are a regular at Portman Road. I loved

down to where my family is. My home games have been there. It is great.

Still a lot of old faces. I've enjoyed the games as well. Let's

start with that amazing victory against Brighton. A possibld turning

point. Now you've been taking a look at that game. In the whole context,

playing Brighton, so close hn the leak, this could be huge for

Ipswich. It was such an good victory down there at the MX stadiul. You

think they were up against ht. They needed to get the three points. The

only thing is that Brighton got off to a good start. So, Ipswich were on

the back foot, even when thdy beat them early on in the season. It was

a poor start from Ipswich. But then when you see Tommy Smith popping up,

he scored last weekend, and he scored again. He has done wdll.

Ipswich are dangerous from set plays. They have big players. And

Tommy Smith has been excepthonal this season, he has much shored as a

centre half. They have the best centre halves in the Championship.

If you look at the goals, sdt play has been keen. These little feet

from John Williams on the ldft`hand side. Whenever Aaron Murphy popped

up, it was a goal. It shows how well they are doing. Darby, Notthngham

Forest, McCarthy knows now whether his team have got it or not. I think

at the moment it is still there for them. They've been up and down all

season. Near the top six. Only five points off the top six. Bec`use of

that women, down at Brighton, it has reduced the gap. So, big wedk for

Ipswich. So, big week for Ipswich, but the very fact Town are

contemplating the play`offs is testimony to the job Mick McCarthy

has done in little over a ydar at Portman Road. So how does hd reflect

on the progress during his time in charge? Tom Williams dug out his

golf clubs to take in a round with the gaffer and his players.

A world away from the presstres of a play`off race Ipswich town's players

and management team enjoy a little downtime. Not far away, just a few

miles, in fact, for the club's annual golf day, a chance to unwind,

take stock and reflect on the fair way they've come. Did you anticipate

16 months after arriving yot'd have your team pushing for the play`offs?

I don't know. I didn't. That is like one of those retrospective

questions. I could look back and think, did I think that? I'll tell

you what I thought when I c`me 6 months ago, make sure you h`ve

enough points to stay in thd league. I wasn't considering what I was

going to be doing the following season. That was the remit. At the

start of this season, I thotght I put a good squad together. H thought

we'd got a chance. And we still have. We've got to make surd we stay

there because we could finish.. We could still finish in the top six

but if you are that close, xou could finish 12th if you're not c`reful,

or even further down becausd we have some tough games coming up. So, what

is it like playing for Mick McCarthy? You know... He's ` very

honest manager. He gets the best out of his players. Everyone enjoys

playing for him. That's the thing. As a player, I've worked under a few

managers before. And, you know, one thing you respect is honestx. He is

straight down the middle. You know where you stand with him. Two out of

two so far. Go on, then! I tell you what, I want to be on

your team today! Ipswich's rise under McCarthy is impressivd given

he is working under a tightdr budget. The last set of accounts

showed the club's debts had risen to over ?80 million. Although `nnual

losses are down to under ?10 million. But some way to go to break

even under new financial FahrPlay rules. Ipswich are currentlx the

Championship's longest servhng team. 12 successive seasons in thhs

division. All eyes are on this man to make the difference. If xou'd had

a bit more money available this year, do you think that would have

made a difference? But it made a difference? But it w`sn't. I

know what my remit is. That's the gig, that's the job I've got. It's

funny. People say we haven't spent anything. I know Marcus has put five

million quid of his own dough into just to keeping us where we are And

we are adhering to financial FairPlay. I'm not saying evdrybody

else is. I'm certain not evdrybody else is. And, so, within those

parameters, we've done well. I get frustrated at times, and we could've

done a little bit better, btt it is not down to the funding bec`use I

knew what it was. You mention financial FairPlay. Is that why

things have been cut back a bit Or is it the owner wanting to keep a

lid on things? Or a bit of both Listen, financial FairPlay hs there

for everybody supposedly to adhere to.

lid on things? Or a bit of both Listen, financial FairPlay Pueens

Park Rangers can have a hugd fine and a few others, I'd like to see it

and I want to see who will take the money. And where it is going. We are

sticking to it. Within that, we ve done really, really well. At 23

Tommy Smith is already conshdered one of town's senior pros. Ht's a

good start. If you get 17 of those, you'll be laughing. With McCarthy in

charge, he's confident Ipswhch are on course to challenge for honours.

Great strike. First and fordmost, he addressed the defensive sidd of

things. We were leaking far too many goals. And then he has shordd things

up. That's the base for any successful team. We need th`t solid

base to build from. And then adding the players of various qualhty. ``

of Berra's quality. McGoldrhck, all the players we got on free transfers

have been very good for us. And I think that shows his guile hn the

transfer market as well. Kidron Dyer's now retired from football,

meaning more time for golf. And to watch his hometown club. He has

admired the progress Mick h`s made. I hope you got that! He knows the

division. He knows how to gdt out of this division. And he's madd Ipswich

tough to beat. Before him, there was no structure to the team. Jtst

basically go out there and play Go and play attractive football, but

that wasn't the case. He has come in, everyone knows their jobs,

everyone works 110%. And th`t has obviously resulted in great results.

If it doesn't happen this ydar, do you think you'll be under more

pressure next year to delivdr promotion? Listen, the longdr you're

in the job, the more pressure becomes. I don't worry about that. I

will do my job under whatevdr circumstances I am doing it. I think

what people underestimate is the amount of pressure I put on myself.

I get people patting me on the back saying, you're doing a good job I'm

not happy with that, the fact we might just miss out on play`offs. I

think we've got a chance thhs year, and still have, to get into those

play`off spots. Listen, if H don't think I can get there, therd's no

point in me being here. If Larcus doesn't think he could get to the

Premier League, I don't think he'd really want to be here eithdr. So,

we are still harbouring ambhtions of doing that. So we will conthnue to

try to improve. Mick McCarthy ending that report. George Burley, or has

it gone wrong for Ipswich in the past kid? If you're a fan, xou will

have been left extremely frtstrated, angry at times by the performance of

the club. No doubt that in the last 8`10 years, the club haven't been

performing very well, as far as getting to the top of the

Championship, getting to thd Premier League. There has been a lot of

money invested, and sometimds that happens. New managers come, they

bring new players in, and the big thing is we are not `` we are not

bringing young players in. When I was managing at Ipswich, we managed

to get young players, and that hasn't happened. It's not e`sy. You

need a few breaks. Before Mhck arrived, they were battling against

relegation. And you don't expect that from that club. In the glory

days when they were fifth in the Premier League, playing in Durope,

did you feel under pressure to bring in staff to consolidate Ipswich in

the Premier League? I suppose if you look back at your time, would you

have done anything differently? Yeah, I think we got play`offs, got

promoted, we brought through young players, Kieron Dyer, all of them,

and that was a nucleus of the team. So we had the Premiership there We

added one more player when we got promoted. We finished fifth, the

best for any club after prolotion. The second season, we thought we'd

better do better, and that hs where we went wrong. We brought some

foreign players in. It didn't work out. Sometimes, when you lose that,

your team goes. We had Mick McCarthy talking about financial fair play

which we should spell out. Clubs have three years to break even. They

don't have any weight restrhctions on the Championship, but how do they

compete if they are making ` loss? I suppose there are other clubs in the

Championship, like QPR with such a massive wage bill. And I thhnk QPR

have got a similar jet as Dortmund. That is what Ipswich are up against.

The fact that Mick has them anywhere up the top... Why hasn't worked for

so many years? They have had huge amounts of money thrust at them

That is football. Sometimes you move to a new club, change things, it

doesn't work out. You can blame the manager, the players, but

expectations are higher. As mixers, it is pressure and got deal with it.

So, what is the chance for Lick this season? I think Mick is frank and

honest. He is organised. Kidron Dyer said that. The boy Berra saxs he

brings the best out of people, and that is what you've got to do. They

are solid, hard to beat, and he s improving players, like the boy

Murphy, who is playing his best football in his career. So, in the

Championship, as long as yot can work in your restraint. At the end

of the day, as Mick says, you've got to try to bring the best out of

people. They have a real ch`nce of finishing in the top six.

Plenty still to come. We've news of Southend's League Two promotion

clash against Oxford at Roots Hall. Plus it's the cult show for Norwich

City fans. We're behind the scenes at Canary Call on match day. Who is

the hero? I am looking for Snodgrass.

But next, League One, and a weekend of extraordinary comebacks with

arguably the fightback of the weekend anywhere coming at the Lamax

Stadium. Great news for MK Dons not so for Stevenage. Let's relhve the

drama now witnessed by BBC Three Counties Radio.

Alan Smith returns it. John Ashton again will head it forward. Freeman

gets a touch. Now Stevenage can break forward. Zoko trying to flick

it in. Parrett with the shot! That beats the goalkeeper on the

right`hand post. Stevenage take the lead. Parrett with his first goal in

a Stevenage shirt. And that was well worked by Stevenage. Corner, floated

high, this one. The header didn't come. It's a

penalty! Akins against David Martin. Right footed, here it comes. Shoots

and scores! And Stevenage t`ke a 2`goal lead here at the Lam`x

Stadium. Headed on, it is put in the back of

the net. It was a goal, a great touch by Lewington. And MK Dons have

got a goal back. Reeves now. Long`range... What a goal!

Absolutely incredible from Reeves. Only he could have seen that. 3

yards out, left` foot shot, it's the inside of the post, and MK Dons have

gone level. What a goal. Here is Bowditch. Bowditch floats it across.

It's a header down by Lewington Lewington scores for MK Dons! The MK

Dons' captain from three yards out has finished an amazing comdback for

Milton Keynes Dons. Stevenage 2`3 MK Dons.

A terrific match, some terrhfic commentary from the boys on BBC 3CR,

in seriously testing condithons as well. Paul, a hugely import`nt

victory for Karl Robinson's side. Yes, it certainly was. And when you

look at the fact they were 2`0 down until the 80th minute, then to score

three goals in the last ten min it really was an outstanding comeback,

especially after the defeat against local rivals Peterborough l`st

weekend. There are only thrde points difference between MK Dons `nd Posh,

so they are still desperate to get into the top six. Just lookhng at

the replay, it is an amazing strike. You have to have serious pltck as a

team to still think you're hn it when you are away from home. Yeah,

it is important you keep gohng. You get one goal, you can get two or

three. All of a sudden, when the opposition concedes one thex go on

the back foot and that shows you, if you keep going right to the end it

is amazing how many goals are scored in the last five or ten minttes of a

match. There are always quite a few. And the reason Peterborough are now

looking so nervous is because of the huge setback for them at London Road

against Rotherham. Just the one goal, Paul, but a hugely important

one. Yeah, and I think that is the problem, especially when yot see

someone of the like of Kier`n Agard coming back against his old team.

Peterborough are always good. They have so many goals in them. They

didn't get one on Saturday, but they always have with Assombalonga, who

we talked about last week, xou have always got a chance. Connor

Washington, a lovely little bit of skill here. And Ajose pulling off a

good shot, good save by the keeper. This is what Peterborough are all

about going forward. Unforttnately, when you see this side, George,

giving away the penalty by Ben Nugent, it's just a shame for them.

Yes, I think Peterborough are one of these sides that would be great to

watch as a spectator becausd you're always going to get goals.

Unfortunately, sometimes, they concede too many. They are `lways an

exciting team. I like the w`y they play. They get the ball down, they

pass it early, they move quhckly. They are always creating ch`nces.

You need a little bit of luck. It could have gone either way that

game, but, unfortunately, it went against them. And, crucial that

Peterborough get promoted bdcause, as Barry Fry told us last wdek, if

they don't, they could face a transfer embargo next year. Well,

I'm sure they are geared to get back into the Championship, becatse they

certainly have a lot of good players. Everybody has got to set

their own stall. It could bd very serious if they don't get promoted.

To another of George's old teams, Colchester, next. Quite a comeback

from Joe Dunne's side against Bristol City. George, you mtst have

been hugely impressed with how Joe Dunne is managing things at

Colchester. Yeah, I think they have set their stall out. They are going

to bring young players throtgh. Try, maybe, to establish themselves in

the league and develop playdrs. They have been a little bit up and

down this season, but they have played some good football and they

have done well to come back in this game. Well, I was at the gale,

Colchester United against Shrewsbury, and they did re`lly well

to get the victory. It wasn't the best performance, but it dodsn't

really matter at this stage of the season. When you see this khnd of

defending... It is just such an easy finish by Wagstaff. There is no

communication between the ddfenders. But this is what Joe Dunne can bring

to the table, because of thd fact they have got that resolve, they've

got the guts and determinathon. Gavin Massey doing really wdll to

get on the end of Marcus Be`n's cross. As soon as you get that back,

very similar to what we saw with MK Dons, as soon as you go 2`0 down,

then you get the one back, then Freddie Sears, back after injury,

what a strike that is! A massive goal in the context of the season,

George? Yes, well, they don't want to get dragged down any further

Then the pressure really gets on. It's great to see them in the new

stadium. It's just a shame there are not more people going to watch them,

because, actually, they havdn't got any more numbers. Usually, when a

club goes to a new stadium there is a big lift, like Brighton got that.

New stadium, bigger crowds. Maybe they deserve a few more people going

to watch them. Well, let's have a look at the

bottom of League One. From Stevenage upwards, nine teams separatdd by

just six points. It is congdsted, isn't it? Well, Stevenage, they must

be absolutely devastated th`t they haven't won that game on Saturday.

That win would have taken them up to 40 points and that would have taken

them out of the relegation zone Considering, it was only a lonth ago

they were virtually rock bottom So, the fact that they got so close to

getting the three points ag`inst MK Dons, they must be gutted. @ busy

week to come when you look `t the fixtures. Coverage on your BBC local

radio station across the wedk and the weekend. MK Dons against

Chillingham, Preston against Peterborough, Wolverhampton play

Colchester. Stevenage play Coventry on Wednesday.

These games are coming thick and fast at the moment, George. Yes

I'll will be there on Tuesd`y night at Portman Road. Derby are playing

Ipswich ` that's the one I'l interested in. In the Footb`ll

League, you have so many gales. At this stage, points are so crucial.

Getting a draw when you are behind, or just nicking a win makes such a

big difference. Well, Barry Fry called it the 16`pointer for Norwich

against Sunderland on Saturday. The 2`0 win would definitely have helped

calm the nerves of the fans leaving Carrow Road, many of whom hdad

straight to the phones to C`nary Call on Radio Norfolk. Paul is a

regular in those parts and he takes up the story.

Well, here's a good`looking couple! You might recognise the guy on the

right. A little bit younger, then. The guy on the left, you might

recognise his voice, but possibly not his face, especially for those

outside of Norfolk. Let's go and investigate.

Here he is, Rob Butler, my Radio Norfolk colleague. Rob, how you

doing? I'm all right. You'rd looking very smart. One half of McVdigh and

Butler. Two`thirds of McVeigh and Butler, two`thirds! Our Radho

Norfolk show, every Thursdax night. Rob, you're in doing your fhnal

preparations for the game. Big game against Sunderland today for

Norwich. Huge. So, what do xou normally do on a match day? Well, I

try and get ready in the normal way that any football fan would. I go

and have a pint, maybe a half, with a couple of my mates, have ` chat

with them, get a few vox pops with the fans and just be ready for what

Canary Call is going to throw at us. The game is what people are going to

talk about, but, whatever h`ppens, people will have a good moan and I

just want to be ready to fidld those calls.

We need a hero today. Who do you reckon? I'm looking at Snodgrass.

Sometimes I think the fans get at him, but you can't fault thd bloke

for effort. I think if someone is going to pull their socks up and

really drag us over the lind today, it will be him.

OK, well, that's enough of the talking. We are going to go down to

Carrow Road. An early cross from Olsson. He can't

get there. There's the goal for Norwich City! It was put on a plate

for Robert Snodgrass to score. What a shot from Tettey! Tettey

What a goal! Tettey volleys the ball in from 25 yards! An unbelidvable

strike. Norwich two, Sunderland zero.

That is a great win for Norwich Let's see what the fans havd to say

about it. Welcome back to Carrow Road. We are

here for your Canary Call. With me is Greg Downs. We're going to go

straight to the phone lines and get our first caller. It's Dennhs. You

are through to Greg. Hello, Dennis. Great result. Very relieved, I have

to say, along with 25,000 other supporters in the stadium.

Jamie, you going to have a loan or are you happy? I am very happy. To

be honest, I think Wes Hool`han has been thoroughly missed by us

throughout the season. He should have played a few more games. He was

awesome today. Today, his workrate was there. I think maybe coling back

into the team, he nicked a few balls of their midfield.

What a brilliant game Elmander had! He was so superb. I don't c`re what

anybody says, I thought it was brilliant.

I thought that was as good ` performance as I have seen for a

long, long time. As always, thank you very mtch Greg

Downs, always good on Canarx Call. It's been a great day for Norwich

City. Yes, a great day, great goal. Let's

look at how differently Norwich are playing. The goal aside, how

differently were Norwich pl`ying? Well, they did do really well. I saw

them recently against Stoke and it wasn't one for the scrapbook. Canary

Call is not always the most positive place in the world, but the fact

when you get that 2`0 win, ht was just such a good victory. The fact

that all five at the bottom of the table all lost, and Norwich got that

win was crucial for them. Home form is always key. When you're playing

against teams in your vicinhty, it is even more crucial. Norwich up to

13th. Seven points away, with Swansea next week. We know the

run`in is going to be reallx tough for them. For me, them being in the

Premiership, you read about all that and Chris being under presstre. They

are in the Premiership, Norwich fans! I wish we were! I would be

glad! You have Robert Snodgrass as a player. I remember him playhng for

Livingston Reserves when I was at Hearts and watching him and

thinking, this boy... I tridd to get him into the Scottish squad. He is a

really good buy for them. From the Premier League to League

Two next and Northampton's fight to escape the relegation from the

Football League continued against Mansfield. 1`1 it finished. Eight

games left. Paul, what will it boil down to for The Cobblers, do you

think? You've got to say thdy are giving themselves every chance. You

see Emile Sinclair here putting the ball across. At least he's put it

into the danger area. David Wright, unfortunately for Morecambe, putting

the ball into his own goal. At least they have a great chance, jtst

purely for their run of forl. What a finish that is from Padraig Amond.

Such a great finish into thd top corner. The fact that they `re still

putting the run together. This was a good save, but Emile Sinclahr once

again getting into the thick of the action. He could have taken all

three points. That would have been crucial for Northampton.

Considering, George, what is coming up for Chris Wilder, the run he has

put together is extraordinary. Wimbledon next for The Cobblers

Yes, some tough games. I thhnk everybody was surprised that Chris

left Oxford to go to Northalpton. The potential is there. It hs very

important they stay in the league. They don't want to be dropphng out

of it. They are giving it a good fight and they are hanging hn there.

With the spirit they have shown they have a good chance of staying

up. Well, it's been a miserable run of

form for Southend. They havd gone 12 league matches without a win and

have fallen out of the play`offs. Tonight, they could climb b`ck into

the top six with a win against promotion rivals Oxford. Kevin Piper

watched this one. Having stepped out of the play`offs

after back`to`back goalless draws, the promotion challenge frol

Southend needed a lift tonight. They got off to a perfect start `fter a

goal with just `` after just nine minutes. Will at once and the

scorer. This speed of Jamar Loza because

Oxford problems night. He w`s very much involved when Southend doubled

their advantage. The keeper penalised for bringing down Jamar

Loza. Lee Barnard scored thd penalty. Southend United looked to

be on the way to ending that winless run. There was a scare from a corner

just before half`time. Hearst was very much in the thick of the action

in the second half. Good effort just over. Hearst was turning the

defenders Inside Out. His shot just pushed over by Clark. From the

corner, John Egan with a he`der which again Ryan Clark somehow

managed to keep it. Then, straight out of the Wayne Rooney book of long

shots, Leonard tried his luck from just inside his own half. Southend

preserve the third, and that eventually came, courtesy of Jamar

Loza. Great finish by the striker. 3`0, South and up to seventh and

back into the play`offs in style. Before we go, just time to let you

know what's coming up next week s programme. We will have a special

investigation into the statd of the grassroots game in this reghon.

Finally, our congratulations to Cambridge as they celebrate their

success over Gosport in the Vase yesterday at Wembley. We'll be

hoping Peterborough make it two in a row in JPT final against

Chesterfield. That's it for this week. My thanks to Paul McVdigh and

to George Burley. Please kedp in touch via Twitter and Facebook,

particularly Ipswich fans and what you think about what you've seen

tonight. We'll read out somd of the best next week. Thanks for watching

and goodbye.