Stand-in skipper Cole Skuse has dismissed claims that the Blues lack ambition but admits he and the rest of the squad expected to finish higher in the Championship table this season. The 30-year-old wore the armband during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the MK Dons in the final home game of the season with regular captain Luke Chambers out with an ankle injury.
"I’m not really the person to answer questions like what it takes to take the next step,” the former Bristol City captain said following Saturday’s game. "That’s down to staff and the hierarchy.
"The fans have been vocal in their criticism. Perhaps not in as many games as social media and the press would have you believe.
"There was perhaps one game, against Rotherham, when we were particularly disappointing, but believe me the players were just as disappointed as the fans were. The fans made their frustration clear but it hasn’t been as bad as it has been made out to be.”
Skuse doesn’t agree with fans - one armed with a banner at Saturday's match - who claim the club is lacking ambition or those calling for a change of manager.
"I don’t think the club lacks ambition at all,” he added. "People question the players, question the manager, question the owner but they really should be careful what they wish for.
"Who are you going to get in the Championship that is a better manager than Mick McCarthy? The owner has been very, very, very generous and has done a lot for this club.
"It is a case of the players stepping up next season. We, as players, thought we would do better than eighth, we thought we would be top six but it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.
"We don’t come to work looking not to do well, we have bad days, it’s human nature. I’m sure you have bad days at work sometimes.
"Every team has bad spells, we had ours at the wrong time and the fans get frustrated, we get frustrated but you can’t question the club’s ambition, or certain people’s ambition. We have had injuries to key players at key times but that is the nature of the beast.”
Reflecting on the victory over the MK Dons, he said: "It was massive to finish he season at home on a high. It has been quite a disappointing period over the past few weeks and the season has ended earlier for us than we expected. So, to get the three goals and three points was massive for us and the fans.
"Maybe it was because we had nothing to play for but also the team was as offensive as it could be with players coming back in, which showed by getting three goals.
"It was naïve of us the way we conceded. We lost possession and I perhaps should have brought the lad down and taken a yellow card but he got into the box. For the second it is always disappointing to concede from set plays or restarts.”
Town end their season at Derby next Saturday and Skuse wants to finish 2015/16 on a winning note: "Derby are in the play-offs and we have nothing else to play for but we will respect the league and look to get three points as we did here.”
Former Blues striker Dean Bowditch, 29, was disappointed that his MK Dons side left Portman Road having been defeated but was pleased to have received a warm welcome back from his old fans.
"To come away from the game when we have lost and be happy is hard but coming back was very good,” he said.
"I didn’t think the fans would remember me never mind give me such a warm reception. It was lovely.
"I’m disappointed for the gaffer, the lads and our fans but personally it was special to come back to such a great place where I have so many happy memories.”
He added: "When I left Ipswich I had to re-evaluate my career. I dropped down a level and started again with Yeovil, which was a fantastic time for me there.
"I have been with MK Dons for quite a while now and it has been brilliant. We have won promotions, our standards have been very high and I have learned so much. These are times I will cherish.
"I have a year left on my contract and I will stay and do my very best, which I always have done, and we will look to get promoted straight away.”