Boss Mick McCarthy admits that the long Championship season may have taken its toll on his regular backline. Town’s previously solid defence - skipper Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra and Tyrone Mings - has kept only one clean sheet since the turn of the year and has made a number of costly errors, most recently during the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Blues have taken only 14 points from their last 13 games and have dropped to seventh with nine matches left to play - a point from the play-offs and eight from the top two - having been second as recently as mid-January.

McCarthy, who conceded that Town now have little chance of winning automatic promotion, was particularly disappointed that Boro’s two first-half goals came from corners having been otherwise pleased with his team’s performance before the break.

“It’s extremely frustrating because the lads have been excellent,” McCarthy said afterwards.

“Maybe the fact that Chambo, Christophe, Tommy and Ty have played all the games just about, maybe it’s taken its toll.

“I don’t know. I can’t say I’m looking to pin blame on anybody anyway, but they’ve been excellent, our guys.

“It’s not like us, it is frustrating and it is damaging, of course. It’s damaging our prospects of getting in the play-offs even. But we’ve got to recover from this and we’ve got Bolton on Tuesday.”

There have been calls amongst fans for changes to the defence with some keen on a return to the back four the Town boss utilised during September and October with Jonny Parr at right-back and Chambers moving into his preferred central role alongside Berra.

“If I wanted to change it where are all the defenders coming from?” McCarthy responded when quizzed on his continued selection of his current back four. “I’ve got the defenders that I have.

“Jonathan Parr set the goal up for us. I thought he was great today. I think he has been, playing further forward [in midfield].

“It’s always the same, everybody can pick the team for me when we we’re getting beaten.

“When we had that team playing and we were winning [people were saying], ’It’s a great team, it’s a great back four’.

"And I don’t hold the back four totally responsible for the goals and everything that’s happened.”

Meanwhile, keeper Dean Gerken, knocked unconscious at the Riverside as Town conceded Boro's first goal, travelled back to Suffolk on Saturday evening having been given the OK to do so after being taken to hospital and undergoing scans.

Town’s U21s are in action against Nottingham Forest at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm). With the first-team facing Bolton at home on Tuesday evening, few if any senior players are likely to be involved.

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 10:52 - Mar 16
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itfc1981 added 10:58 - Mar 16 Sorry Mick a great many were saying we needed Parr at RB even in Nov and Dec. It was only a matter of time before teams worked out we are uncomfortable at RB. While it is no coincidence Smith makes so many errors as teams target him, he is being carried.
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Popeye added 11:01 - Mar 16 If MM doesn't get town in the top six this season then I think he might walk at the end of the season. There will not be a better opportunity than the one this season. Butif he cant do it this season then i cant see him doing it next season or the one after. Mings and didsy will leave and possible the bish too and thats town's best three players gone and the money wont be re-invested. Tabb, Ambrose, Stewart, Varney, both Hunts, Chaplow, Wood and probably Hewitt and Marriott should and probably will go at the end of the season and to find better quality replacements will be hard on a relatively small budget. The task ahead is massive and i'm not sure MM would be up for it, he's done well in the circumstances so far but how much further can he take it realistically unless ME writes off existing debts or sells the club? Any replacements are likley to be another lot of has beens or plodders unwanted by other championship clubs again unless we can afford better quality loans from the premierleague clubs like derby and boro have got. Mid table finishes are likley to be the norm for the next few seasons unless something drastically changes at the club.

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richardpaul added 11:02 - Mar 16 Two brothers sat in a pub in West Yorkshire discussing our team We have both supported the Town from the 1940,s and although not attending the live matches follow progress in the media and through forums such as this We have celebrated royally with the successes that we had and were proud that two managers were chosen to perform the ultimate task of managing England . We have also felt the pain of failure throughout the past 60 odd years BUT we do support them and although we both feel low if we are beaten we as most of the true fans are quite resilient and look forward to the next contest So a win tomorrow would please me but whatever the result and the end position come May the support will not waver

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tractorshark added 11:05 - Mar 16 Still back Mick and I don't think the season is over but the Smith issue has been coming for some time. I do think Tommy has become a bit of a scapegoat in the same way Tabb has but there's no denying he looks woefully short of confidence. And the only reason fans have accepted his inclusion for some time is he has popped up with the odd goal. Now they have dried up and his form is having a negative effect on Berra and Chambers. Parr must switch to right-back and I agree with those who point out his success in midfield is more of a reflection of our lack of depth there. The return of Bishop and McGoldrick will help there but we lack creativity. And it's too easy to bang on about hoofball. Our midfield does see plenty of the ball, we just don't hold on to it. Bottom line is it comes down to quality and quality costs more money than Evans is willing to part with. I would have loved us to sign a Tom Ince but he's way out of our pay grade even if Evans doubled everyone's wage. Sad thing is he spunked so much money away on the likes of Keane, Clegg, Jewell, Priskin, Bullard etc etc without ever flirting with promotion. Now he's got a manager who can get us promoted and the cash isn't forthcoming.

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GiveusaWave added 11:11 - Mar 16 my team for Bolton Bialkowski Parr, Chambers, Berra, Clarke Connolly, Skuse, Hyam (if fit), Stewart (who must be desperate to prove his worth) Sears and Murphy my advice: "pass the ball lads, take players on and try to enjoy yourself" But MM will pick: Gerken (if fit) Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings Anderson, Skuse, Chaplow, Tabb Wood, Varney tactics: get it across to Chambers and hoof. If not Chambers, hoof it anyways. hoof, hoof, hoof.

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Kirbmeister added 11:16 - Mar 16 I've never played football but surely being asked to kick the ball with your weaker foot all the time must affect your game. It's not Smiths fault but i agree with most that we should revert to the Berra / Chambers CB partnership. And Mings needs to show much more urgency. He doesnt close attackers down anywhere near quick enough. With a very average midfield in front of them though this must take its toll on the defenders especially with the lack of passing options when they do get the ball.

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bluesince84 added 11:18 - Mar 16 Mickzzztactics : a pleasure good sir, im only sarcastic because the alternative is to cry in to my £680 Bovril and £20 portman road chips. You have to laugh. Im just so disappointed. I compare supporting Ipswich to going to the funeral of a parent that you hated. Your not sad because they've died, that inevitable, your sad because you lament what your relationship could have been. Let my give a predication - If, and I do mean if, mick leaves/sacked/asked to move on (unlikely as that is) I got a sneaky lil bet that well be seeing a bit more of Ian Holloway. Just a feeling in my water. If we don't play 442 tomorrow ill eat my hat and issue a grovelling apology of my criticism of MM. However I don't think ill need to somehow. even if we could field 15 players for a game, we'd still play 442.!

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richnblue added 11:27 - Mar 16 Drop T Smith I say, just like he did before Christmas. The lad is making mistakes. Amazing job, given the tools MM. Lack of intent at Jan window has cost us.
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juniorblue added 11:45 - Mar 16 I have tried really hard to support MM but after Saturday's game I have to agree with fellow fans on this forum. I watched the game on Sky, thought our 1st half performance was reasonable and we were unlucky to be behind. BUT, I also knew that Boro were not playing as well as they can and we were going to be in for a difficult 2nd half. The goals conceded were poor and in the end we were just not good enough. MM is commenting about our lack of defenders, but he should have thought about this in January. Smith looked totally bewildered at times on Saturday, I actually felt sorry for him. He desperately needs to be taken out of the firing line with Parr moving to RB and Chambers to the centre. I also found the substitutions strange. I know MM was trying to get us back in to the game but throwing on striker after striker isn't the answer when they get such poor service. I am sad at having to be so negative. We had a real chance to do something this season but for some reason (MM's bad tactics or ME's lack of funds) we have fallen off. We need a win on Tuesday to raise confidence and keep our play-off hopes alive. COYB!!

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ormey75 added 12:02 - Mar 16 We have got 2 crap keepers, ain't had anyone good since Kelvin Davis
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Surco72 added 12:03 - Mar 16 This is what I added after the Blackpool 0-0 last season , over a year on and we have made no progress , still have players out of position , still do not have creativity in midfield , still do not play with any wingers ,still keep picking favourites . Murphy has carried the team and MM for the season Surco72 added 08:49 - Feb 17 We are not a playoff standard side selection wise , tactically wise . Playing three holding midfielders from the start against a team that hasn't scored away or won for so long is appalling , when we have an injury we bring on another work hard midfielder ? What have Taylor , Anderson and Edwards done so wrong that central midfielders with limited creative ability get selected above them or Nouble ? We have a centre back at right back that is the issue and he needs cover in front of him . How do we expect to create anything on the right with a centre back and a holding central midfielder at home ? 3 wins in 14 is no where near playoff standard at this stage of the season and people are deluding themselves if they think different

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gippeswyk added 12:09 - Mar 16 Hope Didzy's back tomorrow. We need a spark to get things happening again and go on a run to the end of the season. He's had a lot of injuries and I'm sure MM won't risk him until he's ready but it can't come soon enough imo.
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airliner added 12:13 - Mar 16 Nobody is doubting Mick as a manager just the inability to make changes when required. Why is connoly not being used to provide some pace, that's what we are lacking. Tabb in effective , midfield is not right. Please just try and see it before we fall off the pace anymore.
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planetblue_2011 added 12:14 - Mar 16 Think smith needs to come out the team & play chambo cb, Plus either Parr Rb or recall Hewitt from Col u. Mings hasn't been great either maybe parr lb, Hewitt Rb. Midfield isn't great either we don't score from midfield there is no one capable of scoring, what has happened to Cameron Stewart & Henshall?? We do have players who can come in. Think we do miss McGoldrick be good if he's on the bench at least tomorrow night. Options are there upfront too but would still keep with Sears & Murphy. Just need a spark from midfield it's not all about the defence at the end of the day. We have been poor but in other areas too. COYB bounce back tomorrow with a 3.1 win 👍

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jas0999 added 12:20 - Mar 16 The problem here is clear. We only have FIVE senior experienced defenders at the club. One is playing in midfield. Therefore we don't have any experienced back up, even on the bench. I find it remarkable that Evans hasn't realised you can't go through an entire season with virtually no options in this position. What would happen if two defenders were injured? We would be relying on a player with no experience at a critical stage of the season. No point Mick moaning, it's his and MEs responsibility to ensure we have enough cover. Our squad is too small and it's taking its toll. Hope Evans learns from this.

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MathieandMarshall added 12:20 - Mar 16 lets not forget that we had Sean St Ledger but Mick released him saying that he didn't want to stand in the way of Matt Clarke's progress. The back four needs to change! Problem is that Mick has stumbled across Parr as a midfielder and doesn't want to lose his energy in the midfield. Parr should never be playing there anyway. He signed two wingers in the summer and wont play them. Frustrated!

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blueherts added 12:31 - Mar 16 PACE AND WIDTH BOYS PACE AND WIDTH
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docsavage52 added 12:44 - Mar 16 Prehaps, they don't want promotion this year
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yorksblue added 12:45 - Mar 16 Ormey 75 - At long last, someone's mentioned the 2 clowns we have between the sticks. Can't catch or punch under pressure (Gerkin about 2 mins late coming for 1st goal on sat), communicate with their defenders(Bart with every backpass) or distribute/kick effectively(Both). Apart from that, they're great.
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GiveusaWave added 13:01 - Mar 16 Yorksblue and Ormey75 Haven't we still got Paddy Kenny?
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GiveusaWave added 13:04 - Mar 16 Of course...can't play against Bolton...
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rugbytomc added 13:39 - Mar 16 Len_Brennan added 06:41 - Mar 16 - Spot on No one is doubting Smith's ability, but the balance just isn't there in the back 4. drop him, parr at right back, chambo to CB, then in a few games time he can bring smith back in and rest berra or chambers so they don't all get burnt out by playing every game - like they did last season! Also - you can't lose 4-1 and go on the bad run we've had since the turn of the year and not make changes to your back 4 as it gives them the message that whatever happens they will be picked which just means more complacency slips into their games. Finally - Parr might have played well in midfield and Tabb might have also - but the worrying thing is Mick doesn't think we have anyone BETTER in those positions right now, and I would say that to challenge for promotion, we need someone better in those positions - whether than means loan signings or seeing if Ando, Stewart and some of the younger guys like Hensall or Connolly are up to it is not my call

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BillBlue added 14:46 - Mar 16 Look Smithy is NOT a bad player, in fact we are lucky to have him. His only problem is his being played in the wrong hole. Put him back where he belongs and he will be as solid as he always was. The rest is a matter of "Oh. how blind are they who do not wish to see"!
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halsteadblue added 14:56 - Mar 16 Bonkers !! No not the league Mick........You. Its unbelievable,that we have had arguably our best Fullback at the club,sat on the bench for half the season getting splinters in his backside,whilst your persistence to play a back four that's so unbalanced its untrue,and all this from a manager who plied his trade as a defender,as I said Bonkers.Please Mick sort it out Now before its too late.

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