Boss Mick McCarthy says it’s important for a manager to remain single-minded and not allow themselves to be swayed by other people’s opinions.

McCarthy stuck with his usual back four for Tuesday’s 1-0 home victory over Bolton, despite calls for him to make a switch.

“Strangely enough I get fairly well paid to do this job and I’ve done it over 23 years and I also get trusted with it in terms of running a team because I’d like to think I’m half-decent at it over that period,” he said.

“I’ve got TC in my office and he’s my trusted lieutenant and I bounce things off him. As for everybody else, if I form a committee to design a horse, that’s how you get the camel.

“So I’m not keen on taking any notice of what people say because if I asked you all in here for a team you’d all give me a different one and you’d all give me a different opinion on why you’d do it.

“You have to be single-minded, you have to trust in what you do, the way you do it and have belief in it.”

He says he chats with his assistant Terry Connor all the time: "I speak to TC every single day, he’s in my office with me. I discuss things, things I might consider doing and ask him his opinion, of course I do.

“Mine is the final decision, always. But he’s a very good coach and is somebody I trust and what I do trust and like about him is that he doesn’t just say yes.

“He would give his opinion and rightfully so because of his experience. We’ve worked together for a long time and I value his opinion and his input.

“He wouldn’t just concur with me, not at all. And likewise on the sidelines. Two heads are better than one, so long as one of them’s making the final decision.”

Photo: Action Images

OldClactonBlue added 10:42 - Mar 20 As long as they are largely right single mindedness is a virtue.
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Bluebell added 10:45 - Mar 20 Well said Mick. People who feel they know better than Mick and Terry should try getting a football manager's job themselves. Mick has been fantastic for us after the 'bad' years. He has been a light at the end of the tunnel. We can still get to the play offs so let's trust his judgement! In Mick we trust.
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vanmunt added 10:58 - Mar 20 There is no doubt MM has done really well at Ipswich, bordering on a miracle with the budget he has worked with... it still doesn't mean that Chambers is a right back and it is bordering on pig headedness not to address this problem.
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thebeat added 11:18 - Mar 20 This is simply code for : I know the team would be better with Parr at right back and Chambers in the middle but the more the fans want it the more i wont play it just to prove whos in charge even to the detriment of the club and results.
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MattinLondon added 11:18 - Mar 20 Think everyone acknowledges the fantastic job MM has done in transforming the club around. It's just a shame that the football needed for that transformation has been dire.
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Lightningboy added 11:48 - Mar 20 We're not suggesting huge changes Mick - just the bleeding obvious ones - Parr at right back & Chambers in the middle. I'd say that 90% of fans can see that but you and TC can't - or maybe you can but just don't want to be proven wrong?
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bluesince84 added 12:12 - Mar 20 No you would t have lots of different teams, you'd have 95% of people picking the same one, playing their position
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TR11BLU added 12:13 - Mar 20 'if I form a committee to design a horse, that's how you get the camel' That is classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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braveblue added 12:41 - Mar 20 The camel comment is ancient. Self congratulating stuff. Just play people in their positions. Also, if Tabb is so brilliant why did you tell him to go at the end of last season.
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Paulc added 12:59 - Mar 20 Mick is spot on here. Ultimately, if he gets it wrong here, he loses his job. So if your going to balls it up and get the sack, do it with your own plan. For the record I think MM has done great. I am frustrated that we haven't quite kicked on since the turn of the year, but who has (Watford excepted). Everyone keeps dropping points, that's why this league is so exciting/frustrating. COYB - I love it when we beat teams in yellow, so let's start that again tomorrow,

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TimmyH added 12:59 - Mar 20 Second or third time I've heard Mick say he gets paid well...I wonder if we'll ever know how much he gets paid per contract? As for being single minded...well we all know that! I wonder how many times he might have disagreed with Terry over certain players in certain positions, can't believe he too would think Parr is better in midfield and the back 4 doesn't need changing.

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warktheline added 13:08 - Mar 20 Ultimately managers are judged upon results, not team selections. If McCarthy guides us into play offs this season, regardless of outcome, without doubt, the hierarchy will view this as continued progression. If he fails, still believe the board will be satisfied with season. Obviously fans want more, but unlike the fans, the club owner has the whole picture to address. From where we were when McCarthy walked in,up to today, will without doubt give him plenty of leverage with owner, unless of course results nose dived drastically. If McCarthy had been playing attractive football from day one of his reign, then surely the vast majority of Ipswich fans would be reasonably satisfied to date, but that hasn't been the case, therefore any 'wrongs' are magnified by disgruntled supporters. Personnally believe McCarthy will be in charge come opening game of next season, and also believe we will be stronger for it. Swapping and changing is not the way forward, but that said, McCarthy promised a more 'attractive' brand of football would evolve , many are still waiting....Mick's summer recruitments could prove to be pivotal!!!!!

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 13:12 - Mar 20 Ha ha! The reaction to this is exactly what he's talking about!!! Well done Mick, keep it going fella and please ignore the commitee!!
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Seasider added 13:30 - Mar 20 So you are not keen on taking notice of what other people say Mick,well that is a surprise!
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Seasider added 13:32 - Mar 20 Only big win team has had under MM was when he was ill and TC was in charge(4-0 over Middlesbrough)
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bohslegend added 14:16 - Mar 20 There can only be one manager. And as said before, the manager has far more at risk than any of us when picking our preferred 11, makes it easy for us to call for players like Stewart and Henshall when it seems quite obvious that they are not doing enough to force their way into the team in the first place. The manager sees all this at training every day, we dont.
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itfc1981 added 14:20 - Mar 20 Lets see if we would choose different teams then Mick. Here is a poll for the only area of the team we ALL have a major issue with, Right-back. http://www.twtd.co.uk/members/itfc1981/polls/1966/should-mick-stick-with-chamber
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Bluetone added 16:25 - Mar 20 Single mindedness is one thing but this right back issue is just stubbornly bloody mindedness. I get the feeling if the fans weren't so forthcoming in this matter McCarthy would have had Parr at right back and Chambers in the middle many games ago.
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Michael11 added 18:18 - Mar 20 I wonder how often TC has disagreed with MM over his strange tactics and formations?
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blueboy1981 added 19:15 - Mar 20 ......... let's hope your judgement proves to be right at the end of the next 8 games Michael - otherwise you, and your staunch allies could have some 'egg on the face'. Let's not forget we had this in the bag a few short weeks back, until the stubborness kicked in - again. This is in all probability, the best chance we will have of getting out of the Championship, because the fact is that the standard of opposition has proven to be nothing at all spectacular this season - and we had, playing 433, and attacking teams, the beating of ALL and EVERYTHING around us. The capability is still there - it's the current system that we play to - that is / isn't up to the task. Time will indeed tell the story. Sorry guys and gals - but it's true. Let's see where we are in May should we ??

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blueboy1981 added 19:31 - Mar 20 Fat Boy Tim ........... that's fine - but the 'committee' are the ultimate paymasters - and shouldn't be forgotten. Having said that, he makes the decisions, that's what he is paid extremely well for - and the 'paymasters' form there own judgement as to if they like / dislike what they see - and react accordingly. End of season - or whenever. Lot's of people post on here, have very strong views in support of McCarthy, but do not attend Portman Road for many reasons, others commit hundred of £'s - season after season to the Club's cause. It's those people who obviously see things differently sometimes, for very good reason. Entertainment and results is what most people want - and that in itself has (until recent times) been our STANDARD PEDIGREE. I personally long for it to return - and sincerely hope it does, otherwise the cloth wears thin eventually.

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Ipswich58 added 22:52 - Mar 20 McCarthy proving his utter stubbornness and how blinkered he is. If most fans can see the issues that need addressing why can't he ? He doesn't want to and it is that pigheadedness which did for him at Wolves an Zunderland and will do so again at ITFC
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Ipswich58 added 22:52 - Mar 20 McCarthy proving his utter stubbornness and how blinkered he is. If most fans can see the issues that need addressing why can't he ? He doesn't want to and it is that pigheadedness which did for him at Wolves an Zunderland and will do so again at ITFC
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Mick_Thrills added 00:48 - Mar 21 You have to laugh when people on here think they know better than Mick. He's won championships, kept teams up in the prem and had a successful spell in international management. Not to mention saved our club and has us in a great position with 8 games to go. Let's get behind them and look at the table after 46 games.
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bohslegend added 09:40 - Mar 21 Totally agree Mick_Thrills, he's a proven, successful manager. "Egg on faces?" If we do get into the playoffs regardless of what happens thereafter I would consider that significant progress for the club.it would be nice to think that we would all give MM some credit if that were the case, and even more so should we get up. Thankfully the club does enjoy a large international fan base as well as the local support. I don't live in Ipswich or even the same country, but let me tell you I spend £100s every season directly to the club in the form of the tickets for the 4 or 5 games I can get to plus all of the new merchandise I buy directly from the club every season..I don't think that fans like me should be somehow made to feel like our opinion counts for less.

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