Town boss Mick McCarthy says his skipper Luke Chambers has handled himself brilliantly in recent months with his Blues future up in the air and with his former club Nottingham Forest having made a deadline day move for him.

“He’s been excellent, and even more so with the way he handled himself after the Forest bid in January,” McCarthy said.

“I can’t speak highly enough about him. He’s been great, both on and off the pitch, and I’ve always said he’s as good a captain as I’ve ever had.”

Chambers, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option for a further year, which so far hasn’t been taken up, although owner Marcus Evans was due to start talks regarding new terms in March.

Asked by BBC Radio Suffolk after the Burton game whether he would be a Town player next season, Chambers said: “Who knows?” adding, “I’ve been concentrating on getting the points which keep us in the league.”

Might other players have reacted differently to Chambers in a similar situation? “Human beings all have different thought processes, different emotions and different characters. But it wasn’t anybody else it was just Chambo and he’s been brilliant.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy felt Sir Bobby Robson Day was a fine tribute to the Blues and Newcastle’s legendary manager.

“I think both clubs did him proud, I thought the occasion was lovely. It was a great, positive atmosphere.

“People who have spoken to me [have said that], it was great, and it was nice to see that again at Portman Road. It was fantastic to see such a big crowd and nicer still that we could play well and entertain them.”

And the performance and result saw a return of the famous Chambers fist pump.

“It’s hard to do a fist pump when you’ve lost!” McCarthy added.

Photo: TWTD

Mark added 17:16 - Apr 20 I agree Chambers has been brilliant, all credit to him and his superb attitude. So we have the option of the extra year but just will not trigger it, instead there will be 'talks'. It makes me think Evans does not want to pay the wages that come with that option but instead negotiate a cheaper deal or release him (on a free transfer, whereas triggering the option we could negotiate a fee at least).

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jabberjackson added 17:28 - Apr 20 31 is nothing He has 3 good years in him Give him that contract
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jas0999 added 17:34 - Apr 20 Fantastic in rightful position. Sounds like he might be off though. Shame.
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christiand added 17:39 - Apr 20 I've been impressed with Chambers' attitude too and his form since the January debacle. If you were Chambers would you want to stay especially the way he has been treated? I'm not sure I would, but I'm not him. He's shown he has terrific character and I have to agree with MM he is a very good leader.
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hoppy added 17:43 - Apr 20 "He's been excellent"... "He's been great"... "he's been brilliant."... What about the present tense? Would've been nice to see "he's been brilliant, and hopefully, we'll have him sorted out on a new deal soon." or something like that. There's not much within what has been quoted there that gives much away on that front.
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therein61 added 17:44 - Apr 20 Credit to Chambo for getting on with his job and giving his all when in the background the club have p1ssed him about, I bet Mick would create hell if it was creep Skuse in this contract situation!!
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cat added 17:44 - Apr 20 If chambers and Skuse are here next season along with our beloved Dino, then I'm afraid two of my biggest fears will continue, FAVOURITES and HOOFBALL. Favourites is pretty much self explanatory, so no need to elaborate on that one, hoofball, however will continue as neither of these two can play what I call 'proper football', no composure on the ball and zero passing abilities, especially in the forward sense, and these two being part of the spine of the team, progressive pass and move football will simply not happen. Controversial I know, but hey, we are all intitaled to our opinions!!!!

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corfu72 added 17:54 - Apr 20 Chambers has been brilliant since the shambles in January and been a good leader,but I'm not sure if he will want to stay next season after the way he was treated. Personnelly I would prefer smith and Webster but that's just my opinion.I think we all differ on this one.!
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BlueAllOver added 17:56 - Apr 20 Chambo is a top character, excellent captain and good defender generally, but his distribution is woeful at times. So for me will depend on his wage demands as to whether he should get the long contract I assume he will be wanting, imho he should not be one of our top earners.
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blue75 added 18:30 - Apr 20 A back 3 of smith-Webster-chambers good enough for the championship. Based on his performances at cb I'd give chambers 3 years as long as he's a cb and only a rb in emergency!!!
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Jimmy86 added 19:06 - Apr 20 Chambers is a fantastic character and a great captain. He did an awful lot to mend the broken relationship between the club and the fan base after the Jewell debacle. He has never complained, despite being played out of position for so long and still did a job, all be it a more limited 1. He is proving that when played in his preferred position of CB he is certainly good enough in this league. His goal against Brighton typified his character, having went in where it hurts and cracked his ribs. He then played through the pain barrier in the games after. Above all else he is refreshingly honest, whenever interviewed. We will miss him if he leaves!! 1 F**kin chambers!!!

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Carberry added 21:14 - Apr 20 With Berra leaving how could they not give Chambers another contract?
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Brownie added 23:53 - Apr 20 Chambers at centre back is fine as is Skuse in his role. They are suited to the position. The trick perhaps is having enough square pegs elsewhere to put in other square holes. Mick so far has failed to achieve that aim. His fault or ME's? Definitely not ours and it needs sorting for next season!
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TR11BLU added 09:55 - Apr 21 He has been great..... since you played him in his rightful position....only took you three years to work it out. Bye Bye Dino
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essextractorboy93 added 10:12 - Apr 21 Give Chambers a contract! Brilliant captain and obviously has a huge influence around the squad. Get the feeling that Mick wants Chambers to be given a new deal but Evans doesn't. Sort it out quickly!
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Surco72 added 10:40 - Apr 21 Personally think Chambers is a very competent centre back for this league and obviously has very good leadership qualities and should be offered a new 3 year contract . Form dipped whilst constantly being played out of position but just got on with it for the team , his partnership with Smith when he first arrived was good and maybe in a back 3 with Webster it would be very capable back line

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Pilgrimblue added 14:56 - Apr 21 What gets me about Mick is that he can't say what we're all thinking that playing Chambo at RB was a mistake. He's so full of himself and can't acknowledge his mistakes. Rather than say that Skuglas wasn't working or Sears is lost out wide, he makes out that he's found the solution and should be applauded for last two wins but forget 18 months of crap. Arrogance or what!! A little bit of humility goes a long way MM. We'd think more of you (maybe).

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runningout added 17:50 - Apr 21 "Chambo" .. cringe
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