Match Day: Mick McCarthy on Sunderland AFC V Ipswich Town

Last updated : 22 November 2004 By John Jenkin
Mick McCarthy
"I thought we had done well enough in the first half but Jeff Whitley had a slight hamstring problem so I had to change it.

I said to him that if he was not right he should come off. We got a bit of joy on the flanks.

It was great for Stephen Elliott to get the international recognition. It was not his best performance today but he scored. It's a lovely habit to have.

We shouldn't rely too heavily on a 20 year old. We need contributions from all over and we're getting them. Chris Brown scored and he has done well for us.

The lads are all working for each other. They are mates and are having a right go for each other, you can't get better than that.

I'm pleased with the players - individually and collectively.

To do better than last season we have to get in the Premier League. We had a right go last season and finished third. So we'll see how we go.If Ipswich had won they would have gone a long way in front. We played very well and deserved to win.

I spoke to Steve Bruce on Friday and told him I want Darren [Carter] to stay here until the end of the season.

Steve will make a decision in the next two weeks or so. I'd like to keep him [Carter]. He had a good game today.

Julio [Arca] is suspended now, he's got five bookings but we'll just get on with it."