Town boss Mick McCarthy believes a Blues win against their greatest rivals Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday would right some wrongs after what’s been a disappointing season for fans up to now.
"I think there’d be a lot thinking it’s not been as good a season as they expected and there are a lot of wrongs and it would right a few of them if we beat them,” McCarthy admitted.
However, while a first derby victory since the 3-2 win at Portman Road in April 2009 and a first Carrow Road success since the 2-1 defeat of the Canaries in February 2006 is the aim and what supporters most crave, McCarthy would be far from disappointed with a draw.
"So we’re 1-0 down with a minute to go and we score, do you think they’ll take that? Would that be a good point?” he said.
"A point at Norwich is certainly a good point, I’m not bothered whether you’re a supporter or whether you’re a pundit or whether you’re a journalist. With a team that’s spent that amount of money, with the squad that they’ve got.
"Listen, I’m not bothered what anybody else says, supporters or anybody, if we get a point there I’ll be happy with it.”
The last time Town were at Carrow Road the Canaries beat the Blues 3-1 in the 2014/15 play-off semi-final to go to Wembley after a 4-2 victory on aggregate, but McCarthy says there’s no lingering hurt from that match.
"I’ve had a lot of games since then,” he added. "If I carried every defeat around with me and everything that’s hurt I’d be a sad old man, wouldn’t I? Not really, that’s done, that’s gone.”
Having been under fire from supporters for a number of months, the Blues boss was pleased with the backing he and his side got during last week’s 1-1 home draw with Leeds United.
"The atmosphere was lovely,” he said. "I thought it was nice when we came out, to be honest, on the back of the previous performances, Reading at home, Villa away and Brighton away.
"We didn’t have 14,000 there, so they weren’t all there watching them but they were all taking an interest and seeing how we’d done.
"And we played well, it was a great crowd because Leeds brought a load of fans as well. But our fans have been terrific.”
Does he believe supporters have been appreciative that he hasn’t had a significant budget to work with at Town?
"I think they appreciated it last week,” he reflected. "They didn’t appreciate it five weeks ago, they didn’t give a s--t to be quite honest with you.
"I didn’t hear them singing ‘Mick McCarthy’s football is s---e but his budget’s been small’! That wasn’t the song. I think you’ll find that last bit was left off!
"But that is football and I’ve never complained about it. It’s not me that whinges about it.”