Here is the player feature article from the Spurs game programme. Once again we have full permission to re-produce and the photos are copyright to Birmingham City FC.
Stephen’s comments regarding Chris Hughton were obviously before he was sacked.
The article was written by Andy Walker.
STEPHEN CARR IS FULL OF PRIDE FOR BIRMINGHAM CITY’S ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER HIS CAPTAINCY LAST YEAR.
For an experienced campaigner who has led a long career in the English top flight and also at international level with the Republic of Ireland, helping guide Blues to a remarkable top 10 finish in last season’s Barclays Premier League will rank as one of his finest accomplishments in football. However Carr isn’t one to dwindle too much on the past. At 34, the Dubliner’s competitive fight remains as strong as ever.
The right-back is always looking to drive both himself and those around him on to a higher level. It’s the sort of spirit that convinced Alex McLeish to help pull Carr out of his well-documented retirement at the start of last year and the attitude that ensured that the Blues boss didn’t think twice about handing him the skipper’s armband last season.
Carr has continued to prove that his manager was right with every decision. He’s a natural leader in the Blues pack and an individual who commands respect around St. Andrew’s and the club’s Wast Hills training ground. And just like his own mindset, Carr’s not the type to let those around him rest on their laurels.
“Last season was brilliant especially as it was my first year back in the Barclays Premier League,” reflected Carr. “It was personally a big challenge for me and it was a challenge that I’d never been faced with. To be captain made it extra special. We did really well, unfortunately we fizzled out near the end but I think that was always going to happen. We had the same squad of players that were working week in, week out and it’s tough to do that and keep up a level of consistency over 38 games. We did enough to get ourselves in a good position and that was great.
“But that’s gone now and people are looking for us to push on from there which is even tougher. The league has already shown that it’s very close this year with everybody beating everyone. There are no teams that you can look at now and say that they’re really going to struggle this season. We have to do what we did last year and get a good little run of results together. We just need to keep picking up something, especially on our travels as well.”
As they head in today’s Barclays Premier League fixture, Blues are only four points worse off than at the same stage of last season with 17 points from 15 games so far.
Comparing the last two campaigns, Carr continued: “I don’t think this season is too dissimilar to the start of last season, to be honest. We’ve given away a few leads which is quite unusual for us but then in the last few league games we’ve shown that we’re getting back to being that solid unit that doesn’t concede too many, nicks a goal and holds on.
“The Chelsea game (Blues’ last league fixture at St. Andrew’s) was a classic example. I know Fozzy (Ben Foster) was man-of-the-match, he was unbelievable, but we had times like that last year when Joe Hart did the same. Then there was times when Joe didn’t have to do much and the whole team was defending really well. It’s about pulling together. Fozzy took the accolades against Chelsea because he was outstanding. Going into Chelsea we knew we had to win it because a point and a draw wouldn’t have been enough for us looking at the table. You end up getting pushed down even further, the gap gets bigger and then it’s quite difficult. Hopefully we can continue to push on.”
It’s the formidable back five of Carr, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, Liam Ridgewell and then Foster between the sticks that have attracted most of the headlines this season. Blues have developed a reputation as a tough nut to crack no matter who the top flight opposition may be. However captain Carr is also quick to salute the efforts of his team-mates further up-the-field.
The Irishman added: “I think it’s the protection from the midfield that has to be looked at as well, they work really, really hard. If you keep a clean sheet then people always look at the goalkeeper or the back four, but you are only as good as what is in front of you, that’s my attitude. If the midfield aren’t working hard enough then the opposition are going to come at you, you’re going to get pulled out of position and then all of a sudden you’re defence isn’t as solid.
“I think as a unit, as a back four, with the four in front of us, we’re all working really hard. Then up front, Cammy (Cameron Jerome) is working his socks off and the big man (Nikola Zigic) is getting used to it a bit more now and getting into the pace of the game. We have to make sure that we get back to what we were last year and that was solid and hard to beat. Hopefully we have got back to that.”
Carr is preparing to face back-to-back Barclays Premier League home fixtures against his previous two employers. This afternoon’s visit of Tottenham Hotspur is followed by the arrival of Newcastle United to St. Andrew’s in a fortnight’s time. The Blues skipper is not one to get overly sentimental about the prospect of facing his ex-clubs, but he admits that he’s got happy memories from his time at today’s opponents.
Having arrived in London from his native Dublin, Carr came through the ranks at Tottenham to make his first team debut in 1993. Harry Redknapp’s Spurs upset the Barclays Premier League’s top-four apple cart last season and haven’t looked fazed by Champions League football so far.
“I don’t really think about my former clubs too much now but, of course, I look out for Tottenham’s results because that’s where I started and learnt my trade,” Carr insists. “I had some unbelievable years at that club and loved it there. Obviously when I moved on to Newcastle (in 2004) I thought the time was right to move. I always look out for Tottenham’s results and I’m buzzing that they’re doing so well.
“I got on really well with the fans and I enjoy going back to White Hart Lane and playing against them. But to me Saturday will just be another game that I’ll be trying to look to win at home. And that will be exactly the same against Newcastle in two weeks. They’ve been through some difficult times. Their fans there are quite boisterous and it has been tough on them. I know Chris Hughton well from my earlier career with Tottenham and Ireland. I’ve got a lot of time for him and I’m delighted he’s doing well.”
Leave a Reply