Town boss Mick McCarthy said he apologised to his players at their impromptu post-match on-pitch meeting as he felt it was his presence which led to the toxic second-half atmosphere during the Blues’ dismal 3-0 defeat to Hull City and impressed upon them the importance of sticking together.

Asked what he said at the meeting of players and staff after the final whistle at an again fractious Portman Road, McCarthy said: “That we’ve got to stick together, absolutely. You just make sure everybody knows that. I don’t doubt that for one minute, they’ve got my support and I’ve got theirs.

“And it was a tough old evening but it really is a matter of sticking together and not fragmenting because if we do then it’ll really go pear-shaped and I don’t the atmosphere represented the way we’ve been playing, to be quite honest.

“A bad night tonight, but we’ve played against a bad team with good players. And fundamentally it’s a disgrace that they’ve been down there all season long with those players, so fair play to Nigel Adkins, he’s finally got them going and he’s got a good team.”

McCarthy said his side started well with Jordan Spence hitting the post in the eighth minute: “We did. We conceded a soft one but it looks like a good strike but I don’t think he should have got a shot as free as he did on the edge of our box.

“[Allan McGregor] made a good save from Wardy and I think it was from a goalkick which should have been a corner that they scored their second from.

“We just got out of shape, to be quite honest, and they picked us off. And they were a good side then, they were better than us tonight.”

The Blues boss explained his six changes in the third game of four in 12 days: “And we’ve got Saturday to go. Waggy and Callum were probably the bigger changes but both have played the games, both are on nine bookings, if they get another booking they’d both be suspended for two games.

“They’re the squad, the squad I’ve got and I made the changes and I thought that we could compete with the players I put on the pitch.”

Asked about the toxic second-half atmosphere, McCarthy said: “It was horrible. It was awful.”

Did it make it difficult for his players? “It’s dreadful, as I said to them at the end. To their eternal credit they kept going actually, not one of them stopped. The heads didn’t go down, they kept running, they kept tackling, they kept chasing, they kept trying to play.

“And I thanked them for that and I apologised because it was probably my presence there that caused that atmosphere and they shouldn’t have to play in that.

“But that’s the way it is at the minute. I just thanked them for their efforts and made sure they all stick together and that everybody saw that we are as one, which we are.”

How does it feel on the touchline when chants are being aimed in his direction? “It feels lovely, of course it does. It’s a lovely feeling.”

Does it get to you? “It’s not nice but I can stand that. I can stand it so long as the lads are with me I can stand anything.”

Does he feel it’s undeserved? “I don’t think it represents how we’ve played recently and the results that we’ve had.

“But it does seem like unless we win that’s always going to happen now. Not a lot I can do about that except win, try and win.”

Is winning now enough to get fans back on side? “You tell me, you’ve got the ear of them better than me because I don’t listen to them or take a great deal of notice.”

After the opinion was offered that it probably wouldn't be, given the impasse has gone on for so long, he responded: “If that’s the way you think. But that might not change my opinion.”

Hull manager Nigel Adkins was delighted with his side's victory which sees them move nine points from the relegation zone.

“It was an excellent away performance from the players,” he said. “That’s back-to-back victories. We’ve come away from home, got a clean sheet and three goals.

“We did all the things you’ve got to do to win a game of football. Our performances have been consistently good.

"There’s no flukes when you get the result. Yet, you take nothing for granted, we have to keep building.”

Photo: TWTD

BrettenhamBlue added 07:55 - Mar 14 Don't know what he means by pear-shaped. Play-off hopes are over and even if we lose every game now until the end of the season we won't get relegated. Nothing to play for. Things can go pear shaped when you have some aim or objective that isn't achieved, which has already happened.
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lightingblue added 08:18 - Mar 14 I think the pear shaped thing has already happened. Also it's gone a bit rotten.
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ChrisFelix added 08:31 - Mar 14 So glad I stayed at home.As soon as I heard the odd team selection (no news there!!!) I knew the result
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Europablue added 08:37 - Mar 14 He's right when he says the result is not representative of our recent form, but that is because we have been doing well away from home. There is a definite difference between the way we play at home and away. I'm guessing the players are enjoying their away matches more. I remember I used to enjoy the atmosphere at away games more than home games when I was regularly attending last. The away supporters are just a lot more passionate and seem to be there to have a good day out (of course they go to the home games too). The atmosphere at Portman Road is just toxic these days. It's a sad situation because Mick has done an excellent job in many areas, he's done very well recruiting with a very tight budget. Clubs should have a clear identity and hire a manager based on their identity. Magilton was the last manager that wanted to play the Ipswich way. I have a lot of respect for Mick, but I think this summer we should bring someone in who wants to play the George Burley way and not grind out results like Mick tends to try to do.

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pragmatic added 08:43 - Mar 14 Algarve blue & europa good points with no toxic abuse in the content irrespective of opinions on the mick situation the team needs support.
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RoyalAscotBlue added 08:52 - Mar 14 So he knows that it's his fault the atmosphere for the players is incredibly toxic and bad. And he now knows that it's not just a minority of fans that want him gone. But, for the sake of a couple months pay, he is staying! Even though he is a millionaire and the money REALLY can't be that important. I cannot see how the players would be on his side?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 08:56 - Mar 14 I knew that wasnt a resignation
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black_shuck added 09:10 - Mar 14 Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.
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itfcserbia added 09:13 - Mar 14 "George Burley applied for the Ipswich job in 2012, ultimately losing out to Mick McCarthy. He would later be critical of how the club was being run, in 2017, following the club's lowest finishing in nearly 60 years, stating that: "The tradition of this club, with what Alf Ramsey, Bobby Robson and even myself achieved shouldn't be forgotten. Right now, Ipswich should be contesting for the top six in the Championship every year at the very least — that's where I think they should be. I was at the club for 21 years as a player and manager and the standard never dropped below that.That's the level Ipswich Town should be endeavouring to be at again. That's where they should expect to be. It's that type of club."

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itfcserbia added 09:15 - Mar 14 ^ Europablue comment inspired - regarding who picks our managers and based on what criteria...
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MicksZzzTactics added 09:30 - Mar 14 The so tragic-comical wannabe IMPERVIOUS dino ...'Deludesaurus Arrogantus Terribilis Rex' :-) :-) :-) :-)
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Bluejake added 09:35 - Mar 14 Having now admitted to the players that the atmosphere in the stadium is down to him, he surely must be leaving otherwise the atmosphere will be the same for the rest of this season and into next. The only way for it to change is for the manager to leave.
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Daleyitfc added 09:47 - Mar 14 I suspect MM will now simply not attend the remaining home games, leaving MM-lite (or dark ..) TC to face the stick. But he'll still be here till the end of the season ; and, I suspect, another 3 after that.
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64Townman added 10:28 - Mar 14 Mick McCarthy please don't bother turning up with your team on Saturday at Bristol City you might as well give the three points to them as we can not score goals and we have not got a good defence and I urged the town supporters not to waste their money to go to Bristol to watch crap football with town,unless things get sorted out in the club.
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madmouse1959 added 10:47 - Mar 14 McCarthy has had 5 YEARS at this club and just look at the disillusioned faces in the stadium !!! Just look at the empty seats . Last season we could not wait till the season ended by January/February and it is the same this year as the clock ticks down on this awful contract. I felt sorry for the children who had to listen to the horrible chants and the boo,s at half time and full time. The jeering every time we kicked the ball. Is Milne and Evans so detached from the supporters to allow it to get to this stage ? The football has been poor for far too long. We have lost everything that was good about this club.

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Surco72 added 10:48 - Mar 14 MM you and your poorly assembled squad can stick together and pat yourselves on the back at what a great job you are all doing just don't do it at Ipswich
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Razor added 10:53 - Mar 14 The white flag is fling over Portman Road.
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Europablue added 10:57 - Mar 14 I think we have gone over why we got into such a terrible financial state quite a lot over the years, but I think it is important to stress how much of an impact that had on our club. It led us to need Marcus Evans to come in to basically save the club. The management team that Evans put in place was terrible. Basically, he recruited for name recognition in Roy Keane, and performance in a non-football role in Simon Clegg. The mismanagement continued with the appointment of Paul Jewell. Actually, McCarthy was the right appointment for the time and he has done a very good job in many ways. Evans and McCarthy have both become unpopular with the fans because neither of them seem to be a great fit for Ipswich. I would like to thank McCarthy for getting the club through a tough stage of our history and for being so diligent in an often hostile environment (I'd argue that environment was at least a little of his own making). It might not be a popular opinion, but I think McCarthy has done a great job of rebuilding us after the demolition job that was Roy Keane. Thanks to McCarthy we are in a good position to move forward. However, that future needs to be led by someone who understands the Ipswich way. Clearly, that was most embodied by Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson, but George Burley and to a lesser extent Jim Magilton also had the right footballing ethos. I would like to thank Evans for saving our club. Now is the time for Evans to show that he has learnt from his time as owner and his poor appointments and only good one (McCarthy). He needs to bring in a new manager who buys into the Ipswich way and give the club back its identity. The only reason I'm an Ipswich fan is that my dad was looking for a club to watch with me and he was attracted by his memory of Sir Bobby Robson's side. Now I'm very much a reluctant supporter, and I support Town more out of nostalgia than anything else.

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Bluetone added 11:14 - Mar 14 I am old now, 81 years old and due to distance and mobility issues cannot attend games but it is still my, along with other supporters, club. I remember many a misty, dreary winter night making my way home along West End Road and then Yarmouth Road and on to Bramford Road traffic lights and then onwards home. My spirits were mostly high as I had watched my team, in my eyes the only team, play and win, lose or draw they had played football, skilful football and left the crowd impatient for the next game and more of the same. Later I joined Ipswich Town Supporters Association and played table tennis for one of several Manor House table tennis teams this was then the property of ITSA. Later my wedding reception was held at Manor House. This was in my younger years and my love for the club never wavered. Then as I got older travelling became a problem and still I followed my team although my attendance became less frequent and on to today when old age means I cannot get to games except on rare occasions. But would I want to go? Would I recognise my once proud club and the current negative play on a very, very poor playing surface; I remember the pristine green pitch of past years the envy of many clubs. I feel it is no longer our, the supporters, club. It is no longer our club, our team, it is now the property of a recluse owner whose motives are far from clear with. One day it might be our club, our team again but I fear it won't be in my lifetime.

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SuperBlue67 added 11:31 - Mar 14 sadly it is time for mick to go but i may be the only one who would like to thank him. he has done a job on a very limited budget but the fans have turned on him which for ipswich is very sad days best of luck Mick i wish you well and dread bext seasons relegation unless evans stumps up a massive transfer kitty and takes the risk of a ffp transfer embargo the season after.

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tempzzzz added 12:12 - Mar 14 - Is winning now enough to get fans back on side? “You tell me, you've got the ear of them better than me because I don't listen to them or take a great deal of notice.” Says It all really doesn't it! So up his own backside he doesn't give a damn about the opinions of the people who pay his wages! If he gave a damn about the players like he says he does he'd do one now or at least refuse a contract. If he stays the exact same thing will happen next season but it will be all season but quieter because half the amount of people will be there! Never known such an arrogant tool!

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blockb_steward added 12:14 - Mar 14 We should have also lost on Saturday. Although we played better second half (Nydem, Ward and Waggy played ok to be fair), we got exactly what we deserved...nothing. The owner needs to have a serious re-think, the atmosphere at PR last night from the few of us who could actually be bothered was toxic at best. I haven't seen such a reaction from home fans for a long time and things cannot go on like this.

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runningout added 12:16 - Mar 14 We were lucky to beat a ropey Sheff Wed side. Preston was a one-off.. Haven't wanted to get on the MM slagging off trailer. Concerned it's a bit OTT from some
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Southamptonblue added 12:49 - Mar 14 @runningout - Nobody wants to get on the MM slagging-off trailer, but it's hard not to when the club is dissolving around our eyes.
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cat added 13:00 - Mar 14 MzT - Great idea posting that marvellous reminder of the venomous look on McCarthy ‘boat' just in case posters with short memories have kind of conveniently forgotten about it. Not being in the slightest bit religious here, but coining the phrase “you reap what you sow” very much springs to mind here.
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