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:
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