Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom on his respect for Ipswich Town's former Red Mick McCarthy

Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom admits he looks up to Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy, but he's looking to get one over on the former Reds hero tomorrow.
Ipswich boss and former Barnsley hero Mick McCarthyIpswich boss and former Barnsley hero Mick McCarthy
Ipswich boss and former Barnsley hero Mick McCarthy

The two outfits are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of recent form.

The Reds have failed to win in their last four, losing three, whilst Ipswich are unbeaten in their last seven - albeit only winning once in that period.

Paul HeckingbottomPaul Heckingbottom
Paul Heckingbottom
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“We know they’ll come here with a real mentality and a real desire to win,” admitted Heckingbottom.

“Our challenge is breaking that down, because they’ll know exactly how they’ll want to play to beat us.

“They’ve changed their shape and their results picked up significantly as a result of that. That also coincided with Tom Lawrence scoring every time he touched the ball for a spell.

“They’ve not lost in a long while, although they’ve picked up a lot of draws.

Paul HeckingbottomPaul Heckingbottom
Paul Heckingbottom
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“They’re a tough, well organised team. They’ve been in this division longer than anyone and they know how to win and they know how to compete.”

McCarthy started his career at Barnsley - where he went on to make almost 300 appearances in a six-year spell and having been around the managerial game for 25 years now, Heckingbottom.

“Mick’s one of many who has been really good with me,” reflected Heckingbottom, who only came into management midway through last season when former boss Lee Johnson jumped ship to Bristol City.

“One hundred per cent he’s someone I’d look up to and try to learn from.

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“When your paths cross and you get speaking it’s little pieces of advice and picking up on things he’s said have been important.

“My idea about it is the same as when I was playing; you go out there and try and beat each other, but you’re in the same game and when the game’s done the managers have an understanding of what the other’s going through. There’s a camaraderie among most managers and I’m eager to see what they say about it because they’ve been at it longer than I have.”