Mick McCarthy says that Barnsley boss David Flitcroft should have been awarded manager of the month for January.

 

Flitcroft guided the Reds to four wins in six games during his first month as boss and Ipswich chief McCarthy, speaking to the Chronicle, said: “Eight weeks ago Barnsley looked doomed but they’ve gone and got all of these results.

 

“Goodness knows how Flitcroft didn’t get manager of the month. It’s remarkable that his name wasn’t even in the reckoning. Things have turned around incredibly for them. They came to our place and got a last-minute equaliser but they played well and impressed me.”

 

Barnsley-born McCarthy says he hopes the Reds stay up – but only if that means Ipswich survive too. He said: “Of course I want Barnsley and Ipswich to stay up but I’m a professional and Ipswich is my club. It’s tough down there. Peterborough can go on a run, Bristol are starting to perform under Sean O’Driscoll, I won a few when I came in at Ipswich and Barnsley have obviously done well too. It’s all about reacting to a defeat and bouncing back. Barnsley certainly have the quality to do it though.”

 

McCarthy made 272 appearances for Barnsley before joining Manchester City in 1983. A full interview with him ahead of the City v Reds FA Cup clash will appear in next week’s Chronicle.Look out for a souvenir poster in next week’s Chronicle.