Town boss Mick McCarthy believes there’s now a mutual respect between the Blues support and the club’s players, something which wasn’t the case when he took over as manager in November 2012.

Following Saturday’s 1-1 play-off semi-final first leg draw with arch rivals Norwich City, McCarthy gathered his squad together on the pitch to acknowledge their fans.

“I think there is [a mutual respect],” he said. “I had to throw a bottle at Tommy Smith to alert him that the rest of us were stood in the middle waiting for him, he was busy clapping the fans.

“There is a mutual respect, it’s got to be a two-way thing. It can’t be that we just expect to turn up and fans come and applaud us and cheer us.

“I think over the last two and half years when we had players living out of the town, loan players, I think I had seven or eight loan players when I came here.

“I just think there’s a bigger feel for it. People have moved here, they live here in the town and are bringing families up here. They have got a feel for it and I think it’s reciprocated.”

A crowd of 29,166 watched Saturday’s game and McCarthy was impressed by the noise and spectacle created by the home contingent.

“It was brilliant, the atmosphere going out had the hair on the back of the neck standing up on end,” he said.

“It was lovely to see it, it was great to experience it. I know what this club can be and we’ve got it rocking at the minute. Let’s hope we’ve got another two games to play.”

Reflecting on this Saturday’s visit to Norfolk, he added: “It’s even, it’s got to be won. That away goal doesn’t count for anything. They could have made it a one-off game at Carrow Road and just go and play there. That’s the way it is.

“For us to progress to the play-off final we’ve got to beat them. Whether that’s in normal time or whether that’s with a penalty at the end of it, I don’t know. And they’re in the same position. It’s honours even at the minute.”

Photo: Action Images

truckertractorboy added 06:09 - May 13 So away goals dont count anymore a definite bonus
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Dissboyitfc added 06:49 - May 13 I so want us to beat them, i am desperate for us to win. I watched the Bradford city story last night, i have such vivid memories of that awful day, brings a tear when you watch it and listen to the many stories of loss and heroism. If we lose at carrot road i will be devastated, we all will. But we will all live to tell the tale. Still bloody nervous, COYB
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oscarwhiting added 07:30 - May 13 mick i love you and I love how you have turned this club around. you have turned us from certain relegation candidates to play off final candidates. Whatever happens Saturday we must remember this and be proud of our club, and prepare for a huge summer which ever league we find our selves in. COYB
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wkj added 08:34 - May 13 I hope I'm right, but I think the Ipswich players will have taken more from Saturday than Norwich, more pressure on the Canaries, and hopefully this shows in a good WINNING display at Carrot road for the blues. I too share truckertractorboy's relief that away goals do not hold weight over home goals any more
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swarby_7 added 08:50 - May 13 I was only about 13/14 at the time but i'm fairly certain it was us that had a hand in the away goals rule changing in the play-offs after falling foul to it a few times.
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ChateauWines added 08:53 - May 13 The transformation in the feel for the place is incredible. Mick has brought in men with character. Those without have gone or will go.I was a 19yr old working in southend back at time of bradford. I had just been to watch southend play and got back to hear about events on radio. I knew steve collins who played for lincoln. truly dreadful. Enjoy every game, especially saturday. we are so lucky

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PJH added 08:56 - May 13 I think MM and TC first created a tight bond within the club and only added players to the squad that would fit in. Mick and the players,in particular Chambers,have now drawn most of the support into that group. I know that there are some that do not like Mick and/or the style of football but generally the club and the support is now one big family. I also think that Marcus Evens deserves a huge amount of credit for what he has done for this club. Let us take one more step together on Saturday and then hopefully one more on 25th May and go into the Premier League as one very large and very happy family. COYB

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PavlovsCat added 08:57 - May 13 Bumped into our inspirational captain, Luke Chambers, in the park on Sunday. Pretty much echoed MM's thoughts: thought the fans were awesome on Saturday, and reckons MM is a fantastic manager to work with. Has a nice dog as well!
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elalaer9 added 08:59 - May 13 Sheepshanks was on the F.A board whilst chairman here. He pushed the change in away goal ruling for playoff games. We all thought away at Bolton, scoring twice, that it was suddenly an awful decision... But 3 Bolton goals later at PR and extra time was played. We all know the rest!
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gazzmac4 added 09:05 - May 13 I for one cant remember a time when ive been more proud of a squad of players. There isn't a single one of them whose ethic we could question. Big kudos to Mick and TC of course but I cant speak highly enough of the influence Chambo has had on this relationship. Our captain. Our leader. Our club.
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N4_Blue added 09:06 - May 13 This is why everyone should love Big M and TC....the football is not great (which is why the get criticised easily after any loss) but they have brought in a group of players, made them better and fostered a team spirit so they are all fighting for each other and the club. Under Keane and Jewell, we had a load of mercenaries who couldn't care less, had no appreciation for the support and cared only for cash. They were such grim days. It's not Burley style football but the last few years have been just as enjoyable and what ever the result on Saturday, we should just be appreciative of what they have done for the club.

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BackTheBlues added 09:36 - May 13 So it all comes down to this, one game, carrot road, the team we hate more than any other... The stuff dreams are made of! I just hope we win, it means so much more to us, for what it can do for our club, our town our fans! COYB!
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muccletonjoe added 10:03 - May 13 I think there is a mutual respect there and long may it continue
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caught-in-limbo added 10:05 - May 13 Mutual respect between fans? What exactly is there to respect about Budgie City FC? They've achieved next to nothing.
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hughesbluenose123 added 10:11 - May 13 Can only repeat what's already been said , been supporting town since the middle 70s , and and the passion and pride of this football club comes from MM ....TC and our inspirational captain chambo, and I for one would like to thank you for bringing the pride and passion back to Portman rd , whatever happens Saturday we our the winners , in two seasons we have gone from certain relegation to play offs , ..Saturday is IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB S DAY ............COYB................

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Warkys_Tash added 10:15 - May 13 Tuck tractor boy: Sheepshanks campaigned to have the away rule squashed after we went out two years in a row to it. I particularly remember going out to the team at that time that was dubbed 'Norwich of the North' (Sheffield Utd).. We had 3 marbles in our hand they hand three in theirs but theirs was the winner?!. Crazy.
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bluethroughnthrough added 10:46 - May 13 CIL: Read the article first. Such a difference to the days of Reo-Coker & Chopra.
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MathieandMarshall added 12:18 - May 13 We have discussed this in the stands on a few occasions this season. There is definitely a connection now between the fans and the players which hasn't been present since the Matt Holland days. I think some credit has to go to Luke Chambers for this. People hang about at full time now waiting for the fist pump. Tommy Smith has also always applauded all 4 sides of the stadium, win, lose or draw since he has been in the team. We have a great bunch of lads playing for the shirt now. Mings giving fans tickets, Ando chatting to fans on Twitter and paying ceiling repair bills. These things all help to build that relationship We should all be proud of the team no matter what happens on Saturday. The transformation under Mick has been incredible! COYB!!

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warktheline added 16:18 - May 13 Here here..... Long gone are the dark days of Jewel's mis-management. I for one, certainly won't forget the dreading of Saturday afternoon's....6-0, 7-0's etc. Good riddance to the deadwood since long gone.
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bohslegend added 16:56 - May 13 I may have come across as "too" pro-MM over the season and probably crossed swords with a few who had different opinions. But ultimately I'm so happy we've made it to the playoffs (our legitimate goal this season) and I'm delighted with 78 points on the board, and I'm delighted with Murph's 27 goals for the season. These are all highlights that we can all enjoy regardless of any differences of opinion through the season. The players, the management and staff and not least the long suffering fanbase can be so proud of what we've already done this season. Th epressure is not on us on Saturday (well not as much as it is on Nodge) so I think we might just do it! I think we might be on our way to Wembley!

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DrJeckyll added 12:53 - May 14 Brilliant season, best year for a long while, and done the Ipswich way as well, no big money signings, no big time charlies. Love MM, down to earth, plain speaking. Work ethic in the team is second to none, how can you not respect that?
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tractorgrl added 14:18 - May 14 If we don't make it this year then the pressure will be on us next year, i hope we will invest in a couple of decent players to bolster the squad. Next season one way or the other will require us to step up to the plate.
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Roola added 18:17 - May 14 I think whatever the result on Saturday we should be proud of what has been achieved this season and the positive outlook! We don't have a big squad but we have a great team of players that care about the club and want us to succeed. We have some exciting prospects in the likes of Mings and especially Bishop (great to see youngsters coming through again) rather than 'has-been journeymen'! If we don't win Saturday then I for one am still excited about next season! Well done to Mick and the team for all your hard work this season.

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