New manager Mick McCarthy says everything is in place at Town, it’s just that things haven’t gone right on the pitch. McCarthy’s appointment as Blues boss was confirmed this morning.
Speaking in a lengthy interview with Ipswich Player, McCarthy said: "This is a good football club first and foremost, and it’s sad to see it languishing where it is.
"I feel for Paul and Hutch and I have spoken to them both. I know how disappointed they are that it didn’t work out for them. When you look around the place, everything is here. It’s just not happened on the pitch.”
He says he will speak to the staff and the squad about why the team has ended up bottom of the Championship: "I’ll take opinions from the coaching staff and the players. Everyone has to analyse their own performance of why the club is where it is.
"I want success here and I’ve got a good feeling about the place, that’s why I’m here. I want to get Ipswich Town going in the right direction, but make no mistake, at the moment the club is in a relegation battle and we’ve got to fight and scrap to get out of it.”
McCarthy says his assistant Terry Connor has a big role to play at Portman Road: "Terry is a fantastic coach.
"He has a good football knowledge and has worked his way up from a community coach at Bristol Rovers to working at the top level. "He prepares well for games, is good with the players and around the dressing room and he demands high standards. He will be good for Ipswich Town.” Regarding the number of loan players currently at the club — eight plus short-term signing Nigel Reo-Coker - he admits it’s "not ideal” but understands from talking with the staff that they have "enhanced the team” since they have been here. Overall, he feels he is inheriting a decent set of players as he begins the task of pushing the Blues up the table and out of danger: "I look at the squad and there’s quality here.” McCarthy and chief executive Simon Clegg will be holding a press conference at 5pm, which BBC Radio Suffolk is broadcasting live online. Photos: ITFCWhat to read next:
Town boss Kieran McKenna says left-back Leif Davis was limping heavily following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.
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Have you predicted the Hull score yet? Sixty per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this evening, 27 per cent a draw and 13 per cent predicting a home win, but what do you think?
The battle for promotion at the top of the Championship took another dramatic turn this evening when Leeds United were thrashed 4-0 at QPR, a result which confirms Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League and puts the Blues in the box seat for the second automatic spot.
Town’s head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin will continue his role on Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O’Shea’s staff for the June internationals, the FAI has announced.