Skipper Luke Chambers admits that he and his colleagues have in part contributed to manager Mick McCarthy’s impending departure from Portman Road.

“We haven’t made the play-offs so we probably have let him down,” confessed Chambers. “But whether we had any right to be anywhere near the play-offs is another question for another day.

“I feel we’ve definitely overachieved with him as manager and the resources at his disposal, and we have enjoyed playing for him.

“As a manager he speaks to us on a level that means we have to respect him. It’s his way or the highway and there have never been any problems in the squad.

“Everyone has always given the manager the utmost respect and given everything for him.

“Yes, we may have failed with our aim to make the play-offs this season but we’re 19 points from relegation with eight games to go and 10 points from the play-offs. I don’t think things are as drastic as they’ve been made out to be.”

Chambers turned his attention to his own relationship with McCarthy, who appointed him captain after taking charge in November 2012 and has consistently praised the defender for his professionalism throughout their time together, often hailing him as his best skipper during 26 years in management.

“I’ve had a great relationship with the gaffer, the best I’ve ever had with a manager in my entire career — and I’ve been lucky to play under some very good ones in that time,” said Chambers.

“The way he handles himself day to day, and the way he is when we win, lose or draw a game, or if there’s a crisis or anything going on, he’s very, very straight down the line. He doesn’t go up too high or down too low.

“He’s taught me a lot of things for me to look at in the future and overall he’s been brilliant. He steadied the ship when he came in because we looked dead and buried back then.

“That’s one thing he should take back and be very proud of. I think he should be very proud of his achievements on behalf of the club throughout his time as manager.

“I think I’ve become a better player under him and I’ve learned a lot from him, both on and off the pitch, like how to handle different situations.

“When I first came to Ipswich I was probably a lot more hot-headed after a game than I am now.

“He told me to remember I had to keep people onside because there was always another game coming up, little things like that.

“I’ve had a good working relationship with him and I’m gutted to see him leaving.

“With Mick, the man or the manager, what you see is what you get. He’s got his manager head on when he comes and sits in front of you all at press conferences and answers your difficult questions!

“He’s a fantastic person and it isn’t just the squad, but every single person at the football club wanted him to stay.

“He’s got a tremendous working relationship from top to bottom, no matter who you are or what your role is at the club, and we’re all very sad to see it turn out this way.”

Photo: TWTD

Mark added 17:11 - Mar 29 We need a new manager who genuinely believes in promotion and makes the players believe it too, not considering mid-table as over achieving. I totally accept that means investment, over to you Marcus Evans...
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maccyd9 added 17:13 - Mar 29 “He told me to remember I had to keep people onside" - probably should have taken his own advice.
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therein61 added 17:26 - Mar 29 Oh for christs sake here we go i expect Skuse next, but then of course we are thanks to Mick stuck with them for 2 more years, but then a forward looking manager will have them on the bench at best, oh well Mick will sign them wherever he ends up!
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mkbobby added 17:33 - Mar 29 Let the gaffer down " you knob " how about you let the fans down with this continued backing of the manager when you know full well the fans feelings of late well its bye bye mmc & tc and you and scuse as well about time too
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J45 added 17:42 - Mar 29 Can't please some people, mick has gone and this is just one of his players saying he thought the manager on the whole done a good job. Which in most peoples opinion I think he did for a time but things fell away. He had zero investment to be fair it's just unfortunate his football is terrible to watch. Luke chambers has been a good servant to the club and one of the best captains around yet people have to knock him down, at least the guy shows he cares. What would rather him come out and say the manager was useless should have been sacked ages ago? Or say nothing and just throw in the towel for the rest of the season. All you hardcore mick outers have your wish now get back to Portman road and support ITFC!!

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Andy32Cracknell added 17:56 - Mar 29 Right to start off with I don't like McCarthy and never have but lets be honest here. From an outsider looking in McCarthy has done a very good job on a relatively small budget and no-one can argue with that BUT as a life long Town supporter of 39 years unfortunately it isn't as simple as that. McCarthy has been rude, stubborn and a very negative manager tactically wise for the whole six years he has been with the club. We had a little stint where as a club we were punching way above our weight and almost got promotion. As a club we have been negative and boring for way to long, it is time for the hierarchy of the club to take a calculated risk and bring in a manager with a positive/attacking ethos. I'm afraid if you don't the club will slip into a rapid and disturbing decline. I await news from the club with a great deal of nerves, if they get this wrong we could be in for a really bad spell (worse than what we have just had) COYB.

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Churchman75 added 18:00 - Mar 29 Chambers, you havent let the EX Gaffer down, he's let you and every other defender down with the instructions he handed out.... "Kick it long and high if it bounces near you"
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TimmyH added 19:09 - Mar 29 “But whether we had any right to be anywhere near the play-offs is another question for another day." - maybe that says a bit about the players mentality Luke if that's the case, it's not all about budget. Look at Cardiff, Preston, Sheff Utd, Brentford and even little Millwall all giving it a go!
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jas0999 added 20:14 - Mar 29 Interesting how everyone is now on the lack of resource bandwagon.
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dukey44 added 22:08 - Mar 29 So if mick luvs Skuse and chambers that much will they go with him? Just a thought and I'm chuffed to bits micks gone now it's like waiting for Xmas when your a kid for the new manager!!
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lightingblue added 22:26 - Mar 29 With everyone wanting Mick et all out you got your wish. Now when we are in a similar situation in a couple of years time I don't want to hear you lot saying this that and the other. Personally I am seriously concerned with mick and his team departing. We had a solid team there, on a budget, promising kids etc. I wonton blame Mick if he turned round and said screw you to many players and fans at Ipswich. Mick had injuries last his season at the wrong time. Can someone please tell me of a potential stronger mid field when fit than Ipswich. Personally I think we have missed a trick hear with Mick. I

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PortmanTerrorist added 05:59 - Mar 30 Plunge is dirty word. Promotion isn't. A mate said to me that it is the hope that kills you, but at ITFC it is the lack of hope and ambition that is killing the Club. MM and Chambers are symptoms of a virus in our Club and you just wait for Chambers to be waxing lyrical over the new manager's methods... might put a few quid on him using "breath of fresh air" by the second press conference! Let's just all move on and be positive

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MoscowBlueMule added 08:32 - Mar 30 Come on ITFC players, win all 8 of the remaining fixtures, gatecrash the play offs and get promotion with a final win. The gaffer might stay on. I don't think the majority of you realize what a great manager we are loosing. The problem is clearly with ME and the lack of investment. Given the funds MM would have played a more attractive brand of football. He did at Wolves when they went up. If ME plans to give the new manager funds I'd have rather MM stayed with the entertainment and result remit. Give him a preseason and 6 months to get PR rocking again.

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Seasider added 17:08 - Mar 30 He would say that wouldn't he,especially as Mick set his 2 favourites up for a nice little 2 year earner.before he got his marching orders. Defence including Chambers have been doing well of late;but no mention by him of the fans or by McCarthy,apart from calling us numbskulls.
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:06 - Apr 1 Well we at least will have a competitive midfield next season, injuries permitting, so lets hope that the new manager is inclined towards playing through it. I think that we are just a couple of players away from being able to mount a sustained attack on the top six next season if we get the right type of manager.... lets see.....
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