Town boss Mick McCarthy said all he's concerned with is getting enough points to secure the Blues' Championship status and then "have a sort out " while in this division after the 1-1 home draw with Birmingham played in front of a frustrated and ill-tempered Portman Road crowd.

“It was a point won, I can’t say anything else,” McCarthy admitted. “Bizarrely enough we’re six points clear of the drop zone rather than five.

“I thought the first half was just a Championship scrap, I thought we probably shaded it. The second half, I thought we started all right and lost all the momentum through giving a shite goal away, and it was for us to give away.

“Bart kept us in it then with a save and the only saving grace was that the lads [kept going].

“We weren’t playing well, they were always going to gain the momentum, it was horrible atmosphere and we got away with a wonder strike or lucky cross and we got a point. That’s my summary of the game.”

McCarthy, who dismissed suggestions the Birmingham goal was offside, agreed with his Birmingham counterpart Gianfranco Zola that it was a “no-lose game”, the pair having left the field at the end arm in arm.

“I said ‘This’ll make a good picture, two beleaguered managers together. Come on, smile for the cameras’,” he added.

Reflecting on the home crowd which began a series of chants aimed at him, owner Marcus Evans and MD Ian Milne after the Blues went behind, he said: “I just think we’ve still got to get enough points and stay in the league.

“It doesn’t help but we were the masters of our own downfall there by giving the goal away. We did and it was always going to turn if that happened.

“I don’t have any complaints with it, let them crack on. On the list of hatred I’m not sure who’s top, Marcus, me, Dougie, I think Ian Milne got a bit today as well, didn’t he? Threw him in the mix.”

McCarthy admitted there is little in the way of a feelgood factor at the club at present: “Not at all, get enough points, stay in the league and then we can have a sort out within this league, that’s what’s the important thing, nothing else, not for me at the moment.

“I’m not bothered about how people think about me, I just don’t want to be involved in a relegation.”

The Town boss’s starting line-up included Jonathan Douglas for the first time since the FA Cup defeat at Lincoln in January. Why did he bring back the 35-year-old?

“Because the way we played with the diamond, I knew he’d got legs,” he explained. “Plus Emyr Huws wasn’t fit, Jonny Williams was poorly, Kevin Bru had been away and just got back on Thursday.

“It kind of limited my options somewhat a little bit, but that’s being detrimental to him and I’m not trying to be because I knew he would stay with the runners with David Davis and them running from midfield.

“And I know I can trust him and I actually thought he played well, despite all the shite he got, which I think is a disgrace. He was the one that kept going and filled in for Skusey.

“I’ve no problems with Dougie, I think he’s an example to any young professional. He’s kept himself right and played 90 minutes. I know some of the others who, if they hadn’t played for so long, I’d take them off at 60 minutes, 70 minutes as they’d have been bollocksed. I take my hat off to him, I thought he was great.”

Regarding Skuse, who came off in the first half having suffered a blow to the head, he added: “Concussion, that makes him a doubt for Tuesday.”

The Blues boss says Emyr Huws, who has had a hamstring problem, could return for the visit of Wigan but that Tom Lawrence won’t be involved, having only just got back in training following a groin injury.

“Emyr trained but he’d had one day’s training after being off for three weeks,” McCarthy continued. “He’ll train fully this weekend and then he’ll be in contention for Tuesday.

“Tom Lawrence won’t be, Jonny Williams will be if he’s well, but other than that we’ll see.”

Given the poisonous atmosphere, will be be looking to create a siege mentality within the camp? “That’s always the case but I don’t want it to be that. I want it to be a good atmosphere, but it’s us that’s got to create that atmosphere.

“But I’d hate to think that there were people when the goal went in it was almost like a relief to them because they’ll see the back of me. Almost like a reason to give out. And as I say, it doesn’t help.

“But it’s us, if we play well on Tuesday night and we’re 2-0 up, we’ll have a great atmosphere. If we 1-0 down and playing shite it’ll be a shite atmosphere like it was today. But that’s because of us, not because of the fans.”

Birmingham boss Zola didn’t see Town equalising once his team had gone in front: “In the first half they probably did slightly more than us.

“But in the second half I think in terms of creating chances, I think we were ahead because we scored and we had two very, very good chances to score, and we also had one at the end.

“So maybe on points I would give maybe a little bit more from us. In the second half I didn’t really see them scoring because we were controlling them quite well, we were solid at the back, so it was a surprise [when they scored].

“But this is football. To be fair, they fought until the end and gave everything and they’ve been given a prize for that.”

Regarding Ward's goal, he added: “Watching it back I think probably Tomasz Kuszczak was a little bit too much on the first post. If he was a little bit more in the middle as he should have been he should have saved that.

“But, what can I say, last week he was outstanding for us. It’s part of the game and I can’t say more about that. In general I thought we didn’t look like we were going to concede any goals.”

Photo: TWTD

MicksZzzTactics added 19:46 - Apr 1 So the always well-mannered & non expletives using :-) lol self-perceived Football Genius thinks (once again) that the fans who don't worship him .... and his SELECTION, repeat SELECTION, of "In a different class" + now also "An [awe-inspiring] example to any young professional"???!!! Snooze Doggy Douglas ... "are a disgrace"! Hmmm that's real "funny" of you Dino... besides also very "classy" of course :-) lol ... since only a few days ago you literally BEGGED us fans to "Be together" [with the team and thus invariably also "together" with his-sooo-full-of himself! since completely inexplicable he still holds a job here, and thus picks the starting XI and the recurrent almost default-like siZzzy hedgehog tactics!]. Now that's not only premium cozy-convenient "flip-flopping"! to serve to own cause & agenda, from one day to another, but basically also an superb example of "DOUBLE STANDARDS" if I ever saw one within the game of football!!!! Ohhhh and then there is this here little ehmmm shall we say "ultra sympathetic & respectful" additional broadside (below) unmistakably aimed at us Anti-MM fans , this from Stuart Watson (suddenly?! very welcoming no-longer-so-rosytinted & none-censored) own twitter account. The point being that Watson's ORIGINAL relay of that remark from the Mick "Honestly, I really don't give a flying fu@k about you imbecile & fickled fans" McCarthy differs considerably from both the subsequent TWTD one and EADT one the .Now which one are the more correctly quoted one is obviously not for me to say (since I wasn't present there a& then!).... but given Mr. Watson's again refreshingly sudden change of 'piper tune' on his personal twitter / as opposed to what might get "edited" from somewhere "upstairs" in EADT and similar media later on, personally I have a pretty darn good idea though!!! Mick McCarthy: "I would hate to think people were almost relieved when we went behind because they think they’ll see the back of me." #itfc — Stuart Watson (@Stuart_Watson) April 1, 2017 So Mick "dearest", if I EVER again run into you hyper annoying & always self-satisfied smirk-clad face (and accompanying dirty mouth!) in public ......... ohhhh well better stop right HERE :-) or else I probably get banned! lol

19

madmouse1959 added 19:54 - Apr 1 After a rested period the players once again could not entertain the supporters or win a football match against a poor Birmingham team. McCarthys poor choice of words in his description of yet another abysmal game should not be tolerated !!!!. His poor media attitude and limited vocabulary only adds to the big problems at this club. Most fans are fed up with the product and the nasty chants proved that today. Marcus Evans has to release a statement of his intentions sooner rather than later. For the future of this football club, Evans can not carry on hiding and avoiding accountability. Many think Evans is lost and does not know what to do to rescue this club . Announcing a price rise on the back of a very poor season indicates the owner is clueless.

20

BlueArrow added 19:56 - Apr 1 Mick McCarthy couldn't beat an egg
8

grumpyoldman added 19:58 - Apr 1 I have just applied for a season ticket for me, my son, my grandson and wife. I have decided after a great deal of soul searching to put my loyalty to the club above my opinion of MM, I will again begin to buy products from the club shop to help financially support this great club. Please don't judge me too harshly after all it is April Fools day.
4

Suffolktractor added 20:04 - Apr 1 Surely our manager can have the decency not to swear and use bad language in his post match interview. Is he the only manager that does this cos I have never heard any others do it. He is a disgrace to our football club.
14

StowTractorBoy added 20:16 - Apr 1 In the end it was definitely a point gained today albeit fortunate but some of the comments on here are unnecessary. We all want our Club to do well but lambasting our own players, the owner, the chief exec, the Manager does no good at all and what the heroes of 61/62 thought of our support heaven knows. Perhaps the boo boys will tell us who is going to buy this football Club that incurs massive losses every year. I know lets all hound Evans out the bloke who has ploughed 90 million plus into the Club and then run the risk of being in a far worse position than we are now. Jonathan Douglas well done my friend you played your heart out and did not let us down and no player deserves the abuse you receive. I may have a moan about the performances of our team which is part and parcel of watching football but the negativity will only hinder our efforts to stay in this division. I really hope the fans get behind the team on Tuesday whoever is selected and help maintain our status which we have held for more than 50 years i.e. top two division participants. Can Norwich claim that - no. Not such a bad day result wise as we gained a point on the bottom three and the budgies lost again. I know things are not good at the moment but lets get behind the whole Club at least until we are safe from relegation.

-6

Lightningboy added 20:21 - Apr 1 The problem is the more abuse and stick McCarthy gets over the next few weeks,the more he'll dig his heels in and want to pi55 us off even more by staying. I always assumed he was someone who had quite a bit of self respect - Mick,you're proving me wrong on so many levels. We're all wasting our breath - we have an owner who does not have a clue how to run "our" club & a manager who's only here now to massage his own ego and not give the fans what they want - namely good football and ultimately his resignation. The club stinks at the moment.

16

ip5w1ch added 20:23 - Apr 1 I will be renewing next season. To all the fans who continue to abuse Douglas please stay away because you don't deserve to support the club. I was there 25 years ago when we won promotion to the premier league, I was also there when we had to put up with the dross that preceded it. I was there when we won the playoff final against Barnsley and I've been there ever since....its part and parcel of supporting your team. Regardless of how I might moan about tactics and team selection I dont abuse my own team, the manager or the owner. The comments on here about players and club staff are ridiculous at best. I don't agree with McCarthy or the owner or even the choice of pass Jonas makes but they aren't doing what they are doing to spite fans or destroy the club. Everyone needs to calm the f@ck down and get a little perspective.

-7

poldark added 20:42 - Apr 1 Mick McCarthy has no respect for the game for fans who pay money each week to watch this rubbish. I dislike the way Evans is running the club I dislike Milne as he is a puppet with no self respect but McCarthy is the one who picks the team sets the tactics and this causes a massive loss of confidence as seen week in week out at PR . The club needs to change everything from the top to the bottom or we will end up as Portsmouth or Coventry in a very few years. All the McCarthy supporters should hold there head in shame for supporting the downfall of a once great club. McCarhty ,Milne and last but not least Evans get out of our club

18

JCBLUE added 20:56 - Apr 1 We haven't won all season when Douglas starts - work it out FFS Mick!!
16

TimmyH added 20:57 - Apr 1 anything you'd like to add BillyBaxterwasbest?...rather than the continuous down arrows. Not a sign of anybody else in regards to supporting Mick, all rather quiet.
11

NoelTheDub added 21:02 - Apr 1 When I read theses views every week the same old story pops up BORING, NEGATIVE, HAPPY WITH A DRAW,CANT WAIT TO PUT MY TOP PROS BACK IN MIDFIELD.the main bloody reason this thing is still in charge of our team is people keep turning up and pay to watch this trash called football.This sh@t fottball might be ok for some if we are winning but its the worst tripe when you set your team out every week not to lose against teams we are well capable of beating. Boycott the ground and this man will be gone no other way to solve this issue.Managers are been turfed out of clubs every week but not ours I know a new manager does not guarantee success but its definitely time for our club to gamble.

16

wherescounago added 21:05 - Apr 1 Looking at the table Rotherham are already down, I can't see Blackburn even with Mogga in charge, surviving and Burton, Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and probably Wigan unless they win on Tuesday are not likely to get enough points to get above us. So even with the awful, negative tactics and diabolical decisions made by our Manager it is likely we will scrap for the odd point and stay up. So the big question is what happens from May onwards, do we carry on with the same people in charge, sign has beens, never beens and never will bes on short term loans and free transfers or do we have someone in charge who will give the Manager, whoever that will a transfer chest of £10million or so and go out and buy players who will get us at least into the play offs. Perhaps now is the time to get solidly behind the team, give them that extra man to make sure we survive and then let our feelings known Whatever happens good quality newcomers mixed with Andre Dozzell, Monty Pattinson, Ben Morris and the lad on loan at Aldershot, who scored a brace today must be the way forward next season.

3

Happy2bBlue added 21:10 - Apr 1 Bluetone _ agree 100% he takes us for mugs and the club (Evans) for a fortune. I wonder if he'll give his 1m bonus for keeping us up back if we get relegated. I doubt it, like you say no integrity no pride, Just full of his own self importance.
13

walberblue added 21:19 - Apr 1 thanks to bottom six mick we are already league1. with our football reputation completely thrown way and our media presence completely insignificant. mick is living in his own little world imagining he can mix it with brucy or big sam. truth is if he ever got another job in the uk with any media attention he'd be laughed out of the club within weeks playing he's revolutionary 8-2-0. micks only hope is china or the middle east or africa. somewhere where they have'nt ever see ITFC play. if he had an ounce of dignity he'd resign. as a professional I'd be ashamed of my limited vocab and inability to to show any manners and set such a poor example to kids. if went around tesco's spoutin off like mick i'd be arrested. and bottom sick mick you've achieved nothing at itfc. you've had 4 years and created absolutely nothing. turned a championship club into a mid table g1 side struggling. perhaps one sunday try reading the rubbish you spout week after week and have a good think about what an amazing privilege and opportunity you've flushed down the toilet because of your enormous ego

18

delias_cheesy_flaps added 21:39 - Apr 1 That was the longest scribe for MM conference EVER? Same sh@t spouted just a different load of drivel!!!
6

Town4me added 22:01 - Apr 1 Superblues9 - can you use some of these ,,,,,,, ........
0

Gatehouse added 22:15 - Apr 1 After dragging my 6 year old son to most home games this season today he told me he didn't want to come today he said he's bored nothing good ever happens.so sad but so true,at his age I watched sir bobby robson team entertain , excite and thril me yes they let in goals but they certainly scored goals. The club had a family feel warmth a real feel good factor now my club is soulless, rudderless drifting into non existence an owner who doesn't care who's lost interest a manager who is rude stubborn arrogant and above all else clueless a MD who is just the owners puppet together they are slowly killing my club and killing the hope of a father bringing his son to the club that he loves

15

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 22:18 - Apr 1 Whenever you are making an argument, you need to see things from the listener's perspective. I don't agree with abusing Evans or Mick, not only because it's simply unpleasant in a family atmosphere but also because it's guaranteed to be ineffective. I'm very unhappy with the direction we've taken under Evans, "Evans, you're ripping us off" is fine - because he is and we should let him know what we think. And following this up with "Ipswich till I die" gave a strong message that ITFC is more than just a market "product" for many of us. Good rhetorical technique. I don't think the players deserve abuse either. There was plenty of effort today - just not much organisation or technical ability. Picking out one player for special negative treatment is playground stuff, and anyway, said player did ok today. Not having seen a live match for a while, I was however shocked by the standard (Brum were no better than us). I think we might just evade relegation by default this season, but unless there is a radical new approach, we are first in line for the drop next season. Hopefully, something will happen between now and then to avoid that. By all means voice disapproval to bring this about, but there's' a time, place, and a way to do this. COYB!

6

itfchorry added 22:31 - Apr 1 Please go You are embarrassing
7

daisy1234 added 22:37 - Apr 1 Mick is doing an ok job with what money he has been given. More of a worrie is how long is it sense didz scored so over rated the players r letting mm down a lot more then mm is geting it wrong
-18

shakytown added 22:44 - Apr 1 The lads are not playing well because you are a clueless git Mick. Just sod off ASAP.
6

norfstanda added 22:47 - Apr 1 just heard from a very realiable source that, following the defeat today, McCarthy is to leave his post with immediate effect. News Conference to be held tomorrow.....
5

Tony88 added 22:48 - Apr 1 Why oh why do you moaners keep saying MM you know he has said he will decide his future at the end of the season so why are you do continue to say the same thing over and over again. I hope you all stay away on Tuesday as it is not fair on the players to have to go against 12 players 11of theirs and the crowd. It is not the players fault for being picked and all they hear is abuse. I hope that MM goes at the end of the season but until then support the the team.

-10

Tony88 added 22:49 - Apr 1 It should have said MM out
-4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls