Cameron Carter-Vickers has impressed the Ipswich faithful since his arrival
Photo: ITFC
Carter-Vickers watch: Clean sheet and glowing reviews as Tractor Boys (and USMNT) await new coach
by Steve Clare at Portman Road, Ipswich.
There is good news for American fans looking at the future of the USMNT. Central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was a stand out for his loan club Ipswich Town at Portman Road tonight. The 20-year-old resisted all the challenges posed to him by his massive and awkward 6’5″ opponent, Barnsley striker Kieffer Moore.
Moore had a few tricks in his bag such as backing into his marker but Carter-Vickers stood his ground and kept on his feet when faced with that challenge, often in situations where going down looked easier in the risky hope of winning a free kick. More importantly, he made several key interceptions and tackles especially in the first half when relegation haunted Barnsley were the better side, and posed Ipswich more problems than the visitors eventually did after the interval. Despite Ipswich being safe from leaving the Championship at either end, they were the more dominant in a second half even when they held the lead.
A clean sheet was a just reward for Ipswich’s Tractor Boys who took all three points courtesy of a 54th minute header by World Cup bound Jonas Knudsen. The Danish international stooped to meet a left wing corner and brilliantly direct a header goalward while running away from the Barnsley goal. His angle was perfect and Tykes keeper Adam Davies could only look on in anguish.
Barnsley began the match on fire and a fourth minute Moore header cannoned off Bartosz Bialkowski’s crossbar. Ipswich responded well to the warning. Thereafter, the Tykes rarely threatened the Pole’s net and despite having a distinct height disadvantage, the Ipswich defence protected Bialkowski well.
With the result, Ipswich rise to 12th in the Championship, and leapfrog local rivals Norwich. That itself would have been the talk of the Town but for the subsequent breaking news.
Head coach Mick McCarthy announced at the post match press conference he would not be leaving at the end of the season as originally planned, but had agreed with club owner Marcus Evans that he would depart his post immediately after the match.
He told the media:
“I spoke with Marcus at the weekend and we agreed that it was in the best interests for me, the players and the club that I move on now. I said I would see the season out but it’s been a new experience and it’s not one I have been enjoying to be honest.
“I have continued to do my job to the best of my ability but there is something missing and I’m not comfortable with that. I have had a great time here and worked with some great people and to all those who have given me wonderful support over the last five and a half years – and there are many – I want to put on record my personal thanks. The players here can look forward to a new challenge with whoever comes in and I want to wish them, the staff and the club the best of fortunes.”
The announcement ended a situation that many inside Portman Road on a pleasant night considered bizarre. The team was being selected by a man who had already announced he was leaving. Players had no-one to impress in the bid to attain a new contract. Motivation had become an issue. Fans were disgruntled with McCarthy receiving a health proportion of the stick.
One of the biggest questions that irked Town fans was whether negotiations over new contracts for the 2018/19 season were being put on hold, and even whether McCarthy might try and take any out of contract players to a new club. That indecision affected not only Carter-Vickers, but also two other men on show last night, Callum Connolly and Bersant Celina who are on loan from Everton and Manchester City respectively.
The statue of legendary Ipswich and England manager Sir Bobby Robson outside Portman Road
After the match, I asked a club director for his view on the young American’s future. He received a glowing report card. The Suffolk club are very keen on him and would like to keep the American on a more permanent basis. Carter-Vickers has strong local connections. He was born in Southend and also raised in Essex, where he went to school in Leigh-on-Sea. Ipswich lies in the county of Suffolk which borders Essex to its north and is therefore practically home turf for Carter-Vickers.
He is also popular with the fans I spoke to in a random survey. Carter-Vickers’ task however is to persuade an incoming manager of his ability and drive, and then for Evans and that manager to make the deal with his current club Tottenham.
If that deal is done, it seems that Carter-Vickers has found himself a good home, from which he can further learn his art with solid local support, and perhaps even find a new manager who will become a mentor.
If there’s one thing the Suffolk club are renowned for it is producing great managers, with Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson among their alumni.
If all goes to plan, Carter-Vickers might soon become a bigger factor in the plans of his other yet unknown future coach, the man who will take over the reins at US Soccer.
