Boss Mick McCarthy is determined to take the same level-headed approach now that Town’s form has dipped as he did during the better spell which took the Blues into the top six over Christmas.

McCarthy repeatedly said he wasn’t getting carried away as a nine-match unbeaten run took Town into the play-off places and he aims to stay similarly grounded after three successive losses, only one win in nine games and with the Blues having dropped to 10th in the Championship.

“That’ll be the test, won’t it?” he said after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Millwall. “We got into the top six, I think deservedly, because of the way we’ve played, and now we’ve dropped out deservedly because of the way we’ve played.

“It happens in a season, we’ve had our good spell, we need to get back to a good spell. We’re having a tough time, at the minute. We’ll just try and work and get ourselves out of it.

“We gave goals away against QPR and we’ve given one away today. And they could have had others, but they didn’t, and the one goal was a mistake that’s cost us.”

While he admitted that Town played as poorly as at any time this season at the Den, he gave credit to Ian Holloway’s Lions: “It’s always me or us we talk about, but I think Millwall were full of energy and played well. They deserved to win.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reported to have turned down loan offers from the Blues and an unnamed League One side for 18-year-old central midfielder Kristoffer Olsson.

Swedish U19 international Olsson, who joined the Gunners’ youth set-up from IFK Norrkopings in 2011, is yet to make a senior appearance, although was with the Arsenal first-team squad during pre-season.

Photo: Action Images

petermorris added 14:46 - Jan 20 I feel a bit sorry for MM. He got us E-B didn't he? - the exciting 20 goal a season striker we've all been asking for. Things looked terrific just before he limped off…. MM's plan didn't work. Some of you need to calm down — or would you have preferred League 1 — really give you something to howl about!
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Lightningboy added 14:54 - Jan 20 @Beattiesballbag Could not agree more. Mick took Sunderland & Wolves up with the attitude of not getting beaten & trying to nick 1-0 wins..it might be ok at clubs like that but we've had a tradition at itfc of good,adventurous,attacking football since my first days as a fan under Sir Bobby,right through to the Burley years & even under Royle & Magilton there was some sublime football at times..i'm not seeing/hearing that anymore. I'm quite happy for Mick to see out the next 18 months & carry on stabilising us but I know deep down that he's not our long term solution.

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Cheshire_Blue added 15:32 - Jan 20 Getting tired of reading the same old rubbish from the same old contributors. There are so many experts on here why don't MM and TC stand aside and let them have a go!!!
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Walk_the_Wark added 16:22 - Jan 20 I am not at all convinced that we don't have the players to play good football- I have a strong suspicion it's the way they are told to play… We won't know until Mcarthy goes, and that does't look like anytime soon, as from a 'business' point of view we are ok. Above posters are right- people don't want to watch this stuff- but we are gaining the necessary points to be mid-table- which seems to be all the powers that be want/desire. It's a sad state of affairs- but I don't see it improving anytime soon unfortunately

5

PutneyBlue added 16:26 - Jan 20 What is your problem, bluefeast? Do you get a kick out of badmouthing every element of the team, MM and TC? Only a week ago, people were saying how brilliantly we played in the first half against QPR, and how well Gerken had played. Surely the way forward isn't to scrap everything and play the youth team, but to restore the team's confidence and start playing well again.

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PutneyBlue added 16:28 - Jan 20 However, I do agree that Chambers is not the right man at RB. Let's hope Hewitt comes back from Gillingham in sparkling form, and gets back into the team in a position he fits.
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calypso_blue added 16:34 - Jan 20 with our team of bottlers we'll end up just outside the playoffs and everyone will say "what if" do something now, before we waste another season
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TimmyH added 16:44 - Jan 20 'Level Headed' = not panicking and putting the same non-creative midfield out, now probably Tabb in for the injured Hyam. I'd rather have one of our young lads (maybe Lawrence) somewhere in that midfield , it's about time Mick in my mind started taking a few risks and started Hunt regularly on the left.
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Bown added 16:48 - Jan 20 we are after john brayford from Cardiff city on loan for the rest of the season or buying him
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TimmyH added 17:01 - Jan 20 Brayford - right sided defender, if we do get him on loan one of the bigger names will have to be dropped to accommodate him as I don't want him as a back which is pointless. So either Chambers is dropped or Chambers joins Smith again in the centre and Berra is dropped. Either way it's all conjecture at present. Mick also doesn't seem to have any plans for Hewitt at present in this position if this is true!

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blueboy1981 added 17:03 - Jan 20 ........... all exciting stuff - never a dull moment !!!
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TimmyH added 17:15 - Jan 20 should say 'as a back-up' (in above post).
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BlueBadger added 17:44 - Jan 20 If only some of our supporters would follow his lead...
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bohslegend added 17:46 - Jan 20 Jeez Bluefeast, I'm starting to think you were planted here by Phil and Gav to drum up forum traffic ;-) you do come out with some real turds considering you call yourself a fan of the team. At what point do you ever put the whole situation in context? Have you ever once considered that MM has not had ANY money to spend? After years of disgraceful management which saw us slip towards relegation from the Championship we are now in the top half notwithstanding the whole 'no money to spend' fact. The improvement in the team despite what the fickle fookers say has been incredible, and gives us a platform to build on. What did you all expect seriously? NO MONEY to spend but still get promoted with ease???? Go back to your Xbox kids, you have Juventus top of Serie A with Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic all playing for you, you are a great manager, you can do no wrong. But stop kidding yourselves that you 'support' Ipswich.

3

Ipswichbusiness added 18:24 - Jan 20 We have three right-backs (Chambers, Hewitt, Vesali) yet we seem to be in the market for another one. Most posters seem to agree with the notion that we are lacking a bit in midfield and now Hyam is crocked. If we must have someone in on loan (as opposed to playing our own lads which I'd prefer), how about this Arsenal lad in midfield?
2

alexsmith111 added 22:24 - Jan 20 Get some of our youths in to spice it up. Hewitt and Marriot seem to be getting people's attention. Try them in our team
1

alexsmith111 added 22:24 - Jan 20 Get some of our youths in to spice it up. Hewitt and Marriot seem to be getting people's attention. Try them in our team
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