Leeds manager Steve Evans has sought to clarify the comments he made after his side’s recent 2-1 defeat to the Blues at Portman Road, which were perceived as disrespectful towards Town.
The former Rotherham boss - who didn’t attend the usual post-match press conference in Portman Road’s media centre although he was interviewed by his club's TV channel - made various claims about the Blues including a comment, which was widely viewed as dismissive, regarding then-sixth Town’s position in the play-offs: "[If that’s] the benchmark [for the play-offs] then we’ll take that benchmark”.
But he now says the comments regarding the play-offs were taken in entirely the wrong way.
"I said after the game if Ipswich Town is the benchmark, then I will bring that challenge on, I will take it and respond to it,” he told talkSPORT.
"I meant that in such a complimentary way, a complimentary way, because Ipswich Town last year, in my opinion, were unlucky to lose over two legs with Norwich in the play-offs.
"I watched both games live, I’m good friends with the Norwich coach. They have kicked on this year once again, no surprise to people in Championship football.
"Mick McCarthy has built an excellent side, lost one or two players, added some real quality and they are challenging again.
"So I come out as Leeds coach, I am disappointed with our performance. I say if that’s the benchmark and then I read blogs from people who were not at the game, who were not at the press conference, they then said well that I was saying that’s a simple challenge to go and achieve. I was meaning it was a difficult challenge.”
In addition to his comments about the Blues, Evans was also highly critical of referee Fred Graham after the game - "I thought he was absolutely garbage" - and the official wouldn’t leave the field following the final whistle until the furious Leeds boss had been removed from the tunnel by stewards.
Both Town boss McCarthy and skipper Luke Chambers subsequently responded to Evans’s comments.