Town owner Marcus Evans has praised manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor for seeing the Blues to within touching distance of the Championship play-offs for the first time in a decade.

Writing in the programme for Saturday's final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, Evans says he’s delighted with the progress made and vows to continue to back the duo, as well as the club's academy.

“It’s worth reminding ourselves of just how far we have moved forward over the last two years,” he writes.

“The fact that we are within sight of the finishing line to reach the play-offs is nothing short of miraculous and a testament to the ability of Mick and Terry.

“My main priorities over this summer, and in future years, is to support Mick by ensuring we keep our best players through being able to offer competitive terms, as well as the players being aware that they are part of a team with the realistic potential to move onwards and upwards in whatever league we find ourselves.

“In addition, I will continue to ensure funds are available to offer similarly competitive terms for new players we bring into the club.

“If we add to this a vibrant academy with players progressing into the "first team, we will have, I believe, a recipe for greater success.

“Transfer fees, when needed, will be paid, however activity in the transfer market in the Championship generally, not just from us, has been lower over the past few seasons with the introduction of Financial Fair Play.

“We will continue to be highly competitive in terms of wages and will strive to match up to market conditions.”

Sixth-placed Town are currently three points ahead of Brentford and Wolves in seventh and eighth with a superior goal difference with two games left and could seal their play-off place tomorrow.

The Blues are anticipating a crowd of around 24,500 for Nottingham Forest’s visit.

Photo: Action Images

rambohambo added 12:04 - Apr 24 Well come to the game and say thankyou to all the fans iswell, beer on the house will do fine
0

suffolkpoker added 12:05 - Apr 24 Well said!! im glad ME is the owner and praising MM and TC
10

BoredWithThisNow added 12:05 - Apr 24 Cracking news that we can look forward to more innovative tactics and scintillating football in the years to come.
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blueherts added 12:30 - Apr 24 Boredwiththisnow - I'm 'boredwithyounow' go and 'support' someone else
10

Paulblue62 added 12:44 - Apr 24 I am glad we have all 3 of them here. ( ME, MM & TC ) Evans probably just wishes MM & TC were here 5 years previous.
10

NicRams added 12:45 - Apr 24 Genuinelly don't understand the negativity. We've done so well this year and that comes from a great management structure in place. I bet people would moan even if we'd conquered Europe. Just for once be proud of being competitive.
14

hampstead_blue added 13:02 - Apr 24 and to think that some people decry our owner! We have one of the best owners and management teams in the entire football league. He has said it all in one simple and brief statement. No need for him to be in the press or on camera. I'd prefer the attention on MM and TC rather than the owner.
13

BoredWithThisNow added 13:05 - Apr 24 blueherts - love the fact we're in the running for the play-offs and have achieved so much, hate the lack of creativity and pre-historic tactics. Is it too much to ask to be entertained? It's hardly inspiring stuff at times is it?
6

muccletonjoe added 13:08 - Apr 24 Wheather we make it to the play offs or not mm and tc have done a terrific job here, and I have no doubt in mind if we ultimately fail this season we will be knocking on the door again next year
4

DurhamTownFan added 13:14 - Apr 24 Well then, a pretty clear indication that we plan to spend high wages and low transfer fees for the nex season at least. Can't argue based on this year and the success of people like Berra, Murphy, Skuse, and all the other free transfers we've had. Let's hope that luck lasts!
2

DurhamTownFan added 13:16 - Apr 24 Oh an by 'high wages' I meant as a proportion if what we hve to spend, not in comparison to other more cash-rich clubs like relegated teams!
0

topguy added 13:44 - Apr 24 I like to hear an owner finally praising the manangement and players instead of sacking em its right and good to hear and a very good sign that the future is bright so a few quid to spend and improve get to cat 1 at youth level and we wont be far off all I can say from me to all town fans thank you Marcus you are a breathe of fresh air
4

jas0999 added 14:04 - Apr 24 Other teams have spent considerably more Evans. Time to do the same. A modest investment on fee players in January and I personally believe we would be challenging for automatic promotion.
3

Lightningboy added 14:15 - Apr 24 Mick and TC have without doubt done a great job and get results. The style of football does need improving drastically though.
8

Arthur added 14:21 - Apr 24 ME has come a long way from Keane / Clegg /silly transfer fees.
1

rickw added 14:31 - Apr 24 He's talking about being in the Championship again next season - not very optimistic!!!
0

muhrensleftfoot added 14:34 - Apr 24 Great stuff - so good to be going to the final home game of the regular season, knowing that a win means almost certainly play-offs! Wow, so long ago since the last time we had anything to cheer about at the end of the season. How anyone can criticize MM and TC for achieving what Magilton, Keane and Jewell failed to do is beyond me! And spending hardly a fraction of what these guys did.

5

TimmyH added 15:44 - Apr 24 hhmmm - Mick and Terry have done a good job on limited resources as is well known, personally believe ME could have done more to help them in the January window, he has surprisingly been a skinflint since Mick has been here (sod the FFP rules - what's happened to QPR and Leicester? not a lot).)
-2

Monkey_Blue added 16:53 - Apr 24 BoredWithThisNow - Please get a life. MM and TC as well as Evans are a combination we are lucky to have. You are either a Norwich fan or have a very tiny penis, probably both
0

Seasider added 17:45 - Apr 24 Having just read from Harrys notes that Forest have a transfer embargo presumably because Stewart Pearce spent unwisely by the look of it. This is in contrast to Ipswich;but we are in the playoffs and they are not;so must tell you something!
1

BoredWithThisNow added 18:32 - Apr 24 Monkey_Blue The size of my girth is none of your business. If you read my second comment lower down I am not disputing what McCarthy has achieved on a meagre budget, just that it's pretty blinking dull to watch about 90% of the time. To my mind that's not in doubt. God, the vitriol you get on here from deviating from the 'In Mick we trust' platitude. That doesn't stop me wanting Town to crush every opponent, I'd just like it to be a bit more easy on the eye.

1

alexsmith111 added 18:59 - Apr 24 If we miss out, I will still be proud, I've been optimistic this season, it's been many seasons since I've had optimism, not all prem teams play pritty football, I still love arsene Wenger saying we played rugby when we beat arsenal a few seasons back, we work, hard, this season we've achieved, cemented, cared, took pride. We have wanted it and that is what MM and TC have bought. Great season on no budget, yes good salaries, but NO BUDGET, I'm happy, anyone who is thinking we're not is thinking we're 30 years back or naive.

1

MrDiddle added 19:28 - Apr 24 I think its more dull listening to the fans posting their dislike for our teams style of play and perceived lack of investment from the owner. How can anyone be unhappy when were settled, playing as a team and really looking likely to get into the top 6? Theres no transfer embargoes, no threat of administration, players we paid nothing for worth millions, we have the leagues top scorer, we have an owner who has the best interests of the club at heart and best of all we have Mick McCarthy presiding over it all. I for one think the man is a walking legend and i'm really looking forward to all the moaning, cup is half empty "fans" being silenced. COYB!

1

warktheline added 19:30 - Apr 24 Once again the debate turns to insulting one another! No need for it gang. @boredwiththisnow, your first post left you wide open to being hammered, why didn't you balance your argument? Just a thought pal!
1

Warkys_Tash added 20:23 - Apr 24 Just remember Bournemouth & Brentford have played lovely creative football all year but neither are home & dry.. We would all love free flowing football but right now, I would take 5 of the ugliest wins, back to back.. Anyone disagree?
2

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