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

Satt_Man added 00:09 - Apr 2 Mick McCarthy what a Wâš“, Mick McCarthy what a Wâš“. Leave our club you boring, boneidle bas***d. No one finds your pre match quotes humourous anymore just irritating. How we all wish for a manager who understands pass n move football or the benefit of the occasional tactical substitution (even if it is after 30mins). Oh for a manager like Burley again. #MickOutITFC
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jaydruid added 01:18 - Apr 2 I'm quite confused really. I mean, the language I hear at the ground (and in the presence of children) every game is quite frankly nothing compared to MM saying the word "sh1te" etc and to be fair, he seems aware that it's not exactly going well. Some idiot behind me referred to Chambo as Captain C&&t for the whole game against Wolves. Nice one mate. Bellhammer! Anyway, my protest is to stay away. It's utterly pointless getting on the backs of the team. Sure, it'll release your frustration and most games I'm swearing under my breath or holding my head in my hands, but really? Come on. If we sacked MM now, what on earth are you expecting? No, seriously. Look at what we have and tell me the way we'd set up and how on earth it'd be any different. As for Douglas and the stat of not winning a game with him in the team, well, I'm pretty sure every player has been involved in a poor performance and no doubt a defeat. On another not re: Douglas. Hear me out... Generally, I think Morrisons is a poor supermarket. It'd be like me going up to the shelf stacker and giving him or her abuse for the fact it's naff. Ain't exactly their fault is it? Let's smash Wigan into oblivion and we'll, COYB

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algarvefan added 02:21 - Apr 2 Yes the football is dire and yes it's not a good sign when the manager turns on the fans, but lets have a reality check here. Mo matter what happens nothing will improve this season, sacking Mick now would be a stupid idea, with what 7 games left, who you gonna get in and would it turn around unlikely. This brings me to my point, what the hell is the point in going to watch and support your team if all you do is hurl abuse and boo? I think some of you sit there waiting for the team to fail so you can have a good moan. Supporters.......the clue is in the word. If you want to moan, do everyone a favour and stay the feck away. Town don't need fickle supporters, yes times ain't good but some clubs get supported through thick and thin sadly it appears Town attracts a lot of good time merchants!! Now get behind the blues or stay away, the choice is yours!!!

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grumpyoldman added 07:31 - Apr 2 Algarvefan while I agree about the abuse, I disagree about MM, if we wait to the end of the season to get rid, it will be a while before a new manager would be appointed. Starting afresh now would allow a new manager to assess the squad before planning for the future.
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We_hate_Norwich added 08:26 - Apr 2 It's a horrible horrible situation. Whilst I understand the abuse the players get, I simply don't think it's the right thing to do. Yes picking the likes of Douglas is a joke, we know this, but personal abuse to him is wrong. Everyone's attention needs to be focussed on ME & MM, not even Milne because at the end of the day, he's just ME's puppet! The BEST thing to do, for your own sanity, is just don't attend the games. I was amazed when I saw the attendance was over 16K. If it was nearer 12K, or even better 10K, that would surely make more of a statement than hurling abuse at players. Even better if that 10-12K could sit in silence throughout the game!

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norfstanda added 08:36 - Apr 2 april fools...
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RegencyBlue added 08:44 - Apr 2 At least some of the fans anger is finally being directed where it mostly belongs. It's about time Evans was brought to account for his complete mismanagement of the club over the whole period of his ownership!
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GAZ1234 added 08:54 - Apr 2 I gave up my season ticket at the end of last season I have been several times this season, using season tickets held by companies who have tickets for entertaining clients The reason I get to go is that they can't even GIVE them away! I took 4 and only used 3 cos no one wanted to waste their Saturday afternoon! Very sad. I was also talking to someone from the club who told me that season ticket sales are at about 8000. ............. the only way forward will be to ground share with colchester as our ground is too big for us! MM has to go now... get someone in to assess who he has got to work with, so he can rebuild in the summer I for one will not pay to attend whist MM and his awful football /tactics are all that is on offer. ........ and I have been loyal since the sixties, including all the many ups and downs we have had along the way... but nothing that went before compares to this.

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therein61 added 09:01 - Apr 2 We would have been safe weeks ago our results and performances in Feb were good, but then you brought the great Skuse back in and we have gone backwards yet again(the table does not lie) due to your blinkered favourite induced selection policy we have players who make a difference(Feb proved that) but they are obviously not good chaps who creep around you hence our position which is entirely your fault and nobody else's Mick.

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truckertractorboy added 11:33 - Apr 2 Last straw saturday . Season x2 cancelled plus direct debit for this year cancelled . Im gutted but wat choice did they give me utter rubbish again .
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ChestnutSe added 14:21 - Apr 2 To all those fans not renewing their season tickets can you let me know if you have seats in I or G please. I'm looking for 3 seats for next season in either of thiose blocks. Thanks
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shakytown added 18:13 - Apr 2 Get enough points and then you just f..k off you useless overrated talentless git. Take douggie and the rest of your talentless overrated and underperforming proper blokes with you.
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luckydiddy added 18:20 - Apr 2 Not gone yet? Seriously.... why not? The vast majority of fans don't want you, the players aren't playing for you, you are likely to have relegated on your CV at this rate, an owner who doesn't support you with funds for players, you don't live in the area, there is no feelgood factor to the club at all ... create some .. just go .. NOW.
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Seasider added 19:26 - Apr 2 Timmy H-Not quite correct about the Mick lovers,as would put Stow Tractor Boy,Ip5wIch and daisy in that category. algarvefan calls the supporters who still go and don't wholeheartedly support the team,fickle;and tell them to stay away.Well my friend I shall continue to go,and the Ipswich fans are as tolerant as any I know.You say that at other clubs they would maintain support whatever.Don't know about that! In the days I used to go away, when we used to beat teams regularly;home fans used to give their players/managers etc a hell of a lot more abuse than I hear at Portman Rd. I am not going to criticise those who don't renew,or those that slink quietly away.If you go and have to put up with what we are seeing at PR presently,then I feel equally fans can express their feelings.I didn't use expletives yesterday;but instead sat quietly for most of the game in despair,and didn't clap at the end.However the more protests the better as far as I am concerned.If Mick McCarthy can use bad language then why not the fans? Noticed that just before kick off in 2nd half,there were at least 50 people left in Legends,don't know if they bothered to go down,although know of one long term fan who came straight back up after their goal went in. I feel the message is at last getting through,and by all means do it however you want;as the sooner we get rid of this moron of a manager the better!!!

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Daleyitfc added 19:28 - Apr 2 I keep a spreadsheet that analyses how many points (i.e. win/draw/lose) we get for each player that plays at least 30 mins of a game : so far this season Jonathan Douglas has participated in 3 wins, 7 draws and 8 defeats ; we have averaged 0.89 points per game when he has played, compared to the team average of 1.18 (also very poor, of course) ; the only 'regular' players (i.e. who have played in at least half the games) to have a significantly better average are Webster with 1.43, and Bru with 1.35.

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cat added 20:50 - Apr 2 ChestnutSe - Gave you an upper for being single minded, and for the quality humour of course. 😂😂
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 21:07 - Apr 2 “I'm not bothered about how people think about me" Well, maybe you should be. It's the fans who pay your salary. No fans, no money, no team.
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BlueSmith94 added 13:17 - Apr 3 Just because 'Dougie' can run a full 90 minutes doesnt mean hes a good player, the games I have seen he contributes nothing going forward, nothing going back and is very defensive! During the game they were saying he was playing between the two centre halfs, which at home against Birmingham he shouldn't be doing considering we need a win. When Mick said he was leaving I hoped that would be the last I saw of him, unfortunately not! I heard him speaking on the radio and I couldnt stand it, he was basically insulting the fans and defending Dougie, which is a disgrace and is just making the rift between the club and fans even bigger ! McCarthy out! Evans sort your mess out!

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