Manager Mick McCarthy says his thoughts are still on making sure the Blues climb away from the relegation zone rather than looking any further up the table at this point in time. Town have taken 16 points from 24 since the former Republic of Ireland boss took charge on November 1st.

McCarthy said: “Everybody wants to start talking differently rather than staying up. Keep picking up the points, I’m not interested in anything else.

“We’ve got Leeds away, then a really tough Christmas period coming up with Charlton away and Wolves away. I’m happy with the points [from the Millwall game].”

He has no problem with supporters’ enthusiasm but is keeping his own feet firmly on the ground: “I like the fact that [the fans] get excited but I’m not going to start getting carried away, that’s for sure. I’ve lost my voice, but I wasn’t shouting ‘Well done’ that’s for sure.

“When you’re winning everything’s fantastic, everything’s going well,” he added. “If we go to Leeds and get slapped everything will be different. But it’s correct and proper to enjoy it when it’s going well.”

The 53-year-old had praise for keeper Stephen Henderson, who had been the subject of a few boos in earlier games. McCarthy says he ignores that sort of fan comment and is very much his own man when it comes to picking his teams and their tactics.

“I’m not bothered!” he said. “Let me tell you, we were 3-0 up today and our fans were wanting us to cross the ball when we should have just kept the ball worked it. We put the ball in and it ends up in our box and they’re shooting.

“I’m being paid to be the manager and make those decisions. I want them to come and watch and enjoy it but enjoy us doing it the way I want it to be done.

“Everybody’s got an opinion on it. When you’re struggling, all the best players are generally sitting behind me because the bench is better and all those sitting in the stand is better.

“That ain’t the case. Opinions are like backsides, we’ve all got them but it’s not always wise to air them in public.”

Regarding Henderson and the 5-0 and 6-0 defeats at Crystal Palace and Leicester, he says the team should take collective responsibility: “We all conceded the goals, that’s the issue.

"Hendo got all upset about conceding the five or six, but you still get the same points for it — nothing. When you get nil, whether someone gets one or six it matters not.

“I think he’s a good keeper and he needed [to be kept in the side]. If I’d just changed him then, what happens if Loachy had come in and we’d got beaten by four?

“Let’s try and recognise the good stuff he does. He’s been great and he made some great saves [against Millwall].”

Photo: Action Images

brockleyblueboy added 06:16 - Dec 10 I love you Mick McCarthy.
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brockleyblueboy added 06:18 - Dec 10 Oh mick McCarthy you are the love of my life oh mick McCarthy I'll shout at my wife oh mick McCarthy I want a dodgy nose toooooo. Great words from MM. Wonder if the hammers will let us keep Henderson?
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StuartBrett8 added 07:43 - Dec 10 “That ain't the case. Opinions are like backsides, we've all got them but it's not always wise to air them in public.” Fantastic quote lol
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RevAdrian added 08:32 - Dec 10 "I want them to come and watch and enjoy it but enjoy us doing it the way I want it to be done." MM is doing great - and at least he has laid down his philosophy which is quite correct as he is the manager. Let's hope as fans we do enjoy it his way. Doing it our way is unlikely to be succesful since we are not managers. At the same time if too many end up not enjoying his way of doing it then there will be issues. COYB - off to support them at Elland Road.

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tractor57 added 08:33 - Dec 10 He is a real manager ain't he! Brilliant !
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brian_a_mul added 08:52 - Dec 10 He is definitely a real football manager. The difference in the team is phenomonal since he took over. Tactics have only been changed slightly while selecting well balanced teams. Bringing in Orr and playing players in best positions (Carlos out wide + Murphs up front) allows the players to play their natural games. All MM needs now is a nice tash.
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Lowestoft_Blue added 08:57 - Dec 10 Did anyone listen to DJ on talk sport this morning? He's enjoying football and loving the club!
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dirtyboy added 09:40 - Dec 10 Must admit, I felt sorry for Henderson getting abuse from our fans, especially in the Burnley game. Although the guy beside me (who was chanting the abuse) did concede he did very well, so well done Henderson for shutting him up.
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bluelad7 added 10:08 - Dec 10 I think I'll use the "backside" quote in a forthcoming meeting I have to attend when it will be quite an appropriate place to use it. MM has that Brian Clough sarcasm doesn't he !
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NoCanariesAllowed added 10:11 - Dec 10 Frankly I'd like to take Micko's superb quote about airing opinions and rub Roy Keane's face in it.
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MVBlue added 10:26 - Dec 10 Long may Mick reign at Ipswich.
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Lennyboy added 11:07 - Dec 10 oh dear...I can see a few bums being mooned next home game. What a fantastic quote and what a refreshing manager we have. He is of course right, so when we do lose, and we will; lets keep the support the same and the negativity to a minimum. Oh and I love Melbournevicblue's avatar. COYB.
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DanLyles added 11:27 - Dec 10 With the exception of Barnett and Orr, McCarthy is achieving title winning form (16 points from a possible 24) utilising a talent pool that he has inherited, and which is littered by loan players. How many managers across the country have we seen flop under these constraints: makes MM's achievements all the more admirable. I'm looking forward to seeing him tie down the best loanees (Orr, N'Daw, DJ and Murphy if he carries on like this) and then add a few gems of his own. Paul Taylor is going to be like a new signing next season too (off field issues a side). I can see Taylor being played on the right wing challenging Edwards. His work rate and pace allied with a deft touch, dribbling ability and an eye for goal would make him tailor made for that role ;) Mick has picked up bargains in the lower leagues before too. Judge (Notts County), Ritchie (Swindon) and Maguire (Shef Utd) are all destined for much bigger things than League One and wouldn't be out of our price range. Mark my words Harry Maguire will be a very good Premiership centre back one day (only 19 at the moment).

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TimmyH added 13:20 - Dec 10 We all got a really good present a month+ before xmas in the shape of MM! 5 wins out of 8 is great form, and if teams like Millwall, Watford, Palace and Charlton can do it there's no reason what so ever that we can climb up to mid-table by early in the New Year!
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brian_a_mul added 15:30 - Dec 10 Its a very tough run in with plenty of away games (Leeds, Charlton & Wolves) and one home game. Im delighted we picked up 16 pts from last 8 games because this run of games coming up is tough. 5 pts would be very decent return (1w + 2d).
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Talbs77 added 19:56 - Dec 10 He is so "I like what I say and I say what I bloody well like!!" His middle name should be "Northern". What a fantastic job he's doing, dont think we ever had a manager thats made me laugh as much as him. Long may it continue.
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bohslegend added 20:28 - Dec 10 LOL Mick "Northern" McCarthy! Love it! I like King Mick!
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bobble added 03:07 - Dec 11 mick has a good point ,teams shouldn't get the same points if one loses 1-0 an the other 7-0 there should be minus pts for heavy defeats.
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