Town striker David McGoldrick has responded to critics after a run of just one win in six games has seen play-off hopes all but evaporate.
Welcome as McGoldrick’s return from a hamstring injury undoubtedly is, with just six games left in which to close the seven-point gap on the play-off places, most supporters have written off the team’s chances of a second successive top-six finish.
Manager Mick McCarthy has taken the brunt of the criticism, with some even claiming the time is right for a change, but McGoldrick said: "If I was them I’d look back to four years ago and where the club was then.
"Look at where we are now — it’s night and day. If they want other stuff to happen and go back to those times that’s not a wise move. I think we’re in very good hands where this club is now.”
Town have failed to score in their last three games — and in four of their last five — and this has been a major source of frustration for fans, many of whom are considering their options with season ticket renewals already under way.
But McGoldrick, a substitute in both the Wolves and Charlton games and likely to be on the bench again when Brentford are the visitors to Portman Road tomorrow, added: "There is never a lack of effort from the players. It’s just one of those things, we’re not scoring, but if it was in the middle of the season I don’t think we would be paying so much attention to it.
"We’re at the stage of the season where we have must-win games and it’s getting pinpointed a lot. There were a few chances the other night against Charlton and we should have won at Wolves.
"The chances were there and we’ve just got to take them. We all have to stand up and be counted.
"There’s still all to play for and we’re not short of attacking options with players like me and Murph coming back from injury. Searsy has had a great season even though he’s not scored for a bit. His contribution to the team has been brilliant.
"Pits as well, he gives it his all, and we’ve got Varns to come on. We’ve all got to chip in because in the games we have left we’ve got to get some stuff out of them if we’re going to go to the play-offs. We need goals from all over the pitch.”
Meanwhile, McGoldrick is clinging to the hope that he can do enough in what remains of the Championship season to show he has something to offer the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for the forthcoming European Championships taking place in France.
He said: "There’s been no actual contact between me and Martin O’Neill but I’m sure our doctors have been in touch with the Irish doctors about me. My first goal was just to come back but I would obviously like to be going to the Euros with Ireland.
"First of all, though, I need to play for Ipswich because if I don’t play for them I won’t be going anywhere.
"Maybe if I start playing well enough for Ipswich I’ll get the call-up and that would be different class.
"Everybody wants to go and play in the Euros but I’ve just got to take it one day at a time. I’ve been training for a bit now and if I’m fully fit at the end of the season it will be down to them.
"I like it when I’m with the Irish squad. The boys are great there and the manager and his staff are all good. I’ve been on the bench a few times and started a few times so it’s been good. I feel part of it and I’d love to go away with them.
"After being out for four or five months, if I kept going through the summer with Ireland it would help both me and Ipswich.
"But we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. I’ll have to be active in the summer anyway, to keep my fitness up, stay on top of the injuries and then come back with a bang in pre-season.”