Town boss Mick McCarthy accepted “a big part of the responsibility” for the Blues' 1-0 home defeat to Rotherham United, Leon Best having scored the winning goal for the Millers a minute before the break.

Unusually, McCarthy made his way straight down the tunnel after the final whistle signalled boos and chants of ‘What a load of rubbish’ from the home support.

“We deserved to get booed but I don’t have to listen to it,” he said. “We’re going for the EPPP in the academy, well that summed it up because it was a ‘piss poor performance’.

“I take a big part of the responsibility because I left the team as it was from Tuesday night having played.

“Whether we hadn’t got the legs or the energy in them for some reason. I watched the game back on Thursday and I thought we played well enough in the game.

“And in hindsight, which is 20:20 vision, maybe I should have changed it. Liam Feeney livened it up. I take a large part of the responsibility.

“In hindsight I wish I’d played a different team, we’d played better and we’d won. Hindsight is 20:20 vision.

“I left the team as it was because we won the game, consistency, leave it as it is. And you know what, if I change it and we play badly and we get beat, it’s the other way around. I have to take responsibility for my actions, which quite clearly I have.”

Regarding the boos and ironic cheers earlier in the game, McCarthy added: “I said the other day, I think people are maybe getting tired of me. Happens, doesn’t it?

“We all want to win, don’t we? And when fans have paid good money to see us play well and win, which we haven’t done, of course I accept them.

“I’m not claiming to be a victim of my own success at all. I just think that it starts, I think people are a bit more tolerant, then you have a couple of bad performances and it doesn’t start going right and they just get tired of seeing us play that way, which I would if we played like that, but we haven’t played that way all the time.

“And I just think people start to get a bit more intolerant of results and performances, but I get being intolerant of that today, because I’ve already said it was ‘EPPP’.”

He says he picked the side he did because of the way he anticipated the game going: “I could see what was coming. As it turned out, we were one down from our own freekick, which we shouldn’t be.

“I sensed the way it was going to be. It wasn’t going to be thrilling or pretty or wide open and expansive and I didn’t want to be in that position where we’ve conceded because we’ve had to defend against long throws, freekicks, corner kicks and we’ve done all of that. And then we’ve conceded a really poor goal.

“A very good goal on their part, I might add, because [it is] if they catch you on the break and do you.

“What I didn’t want to do was be 1-0 down with a nice, pretty team on the field. You can always add and try and create something later in the game, but it’s just not worked out. I’ve had the plaudits in the past, I’m now getting the brickbats, so be it.”

Do fans’ reactions like the one on the final whistle put him off doing the job? “No, not at all.”

What disappointed him most about the performance? “I’m going out for a bite to eat about half-past eight, I might still be here then if I start telling you that.

“All-round, I don’t think any of us, and that stems from me picking the team and how we played and how we’ve set up, to the players, I think none of us have really come out with any glory.”

He added: “[I’ve seen the highs and the lows] and I’m sure I’ve got loads more to come, both of them. Let’s hope more highs than lows.”

Millers' boss Neil Warnock was delighted with the win which took his side out of the bottom three and up to 20th.

“They’ve done ever-so well," he said. "We are limited. The Championship is my cup of tea really. We’re getting out of the lads probably what they didn’t think they could do, and it’s lovely to see them.

“I said to them that I’m going to come in for 14 games and I’m going to enjoy all my time here. There’s no pressure on me because we’re enjoying it.

“I asked them to give me their best and their all and you saw today that you can’t ask any more than that, can you? The tackles and headers, trying to keep the goal intact.

“And really the goalkeeper, Lee Camp, didn’t really have a shot to save, aside from one or two difficult balls into his body.”

Photo: Action Images

geminimustang added 20:20 - Mar 19 Be careful what you wish for,freebies,loans & kids will get you relegated all day long unless you've got MM & TC.Granted,today was unacceptable but unless a new manager was given the funds denied to MM,relegation would beckon.It's my view,serious money needs to be spent with MM in charge and the fantasy of achieving Premiership football by spending an apple and an orange are forgotten.I'll accept hoofball all day long as long as they're hoofing it at the goal.

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grubbyoik added 20:22 - Mar 19 Managers don't just get the sack because their team is bottom of the table.. They also get the sack because the fans aren't happy with how THEIR team is playing football.. West Ham fans got rid of Allardyce because of his style of play. We are Ipswich Town .. We like watching teams play the Ipswich way.. On the deck.. I'm loosing the will to live..
13

Michael11 added 20:32 - Mar 19 It's got to the point where I'm honestly not bothered. If you actually offered me promotion now I wouldn't even take it. Why on earth would anyone want us to go up with that team and the dire football we play? It's embarrassing losing at home to Rotherham so imagine what City and Arsenal would do to us. I'm just struggling to see the long term strategy of the club. McCarthy has stabilised us and I'll always hold him in high regard for that, but I think it's possibly time for someone to take us to the next level who's not afraid to try and win games and play attacking football.

22

6May1978 added 20:38 - Mar 19 Probably only the second time I've posted here since registering when the BBC 606 blog folded. From his musings after the match, Mick seems to be starting to think he can't do more at the club. I tend to agree. He's done a fine rebuilding job after the disasters of his immediate predecessors, but it seems his present team selection and tactics reflect no more than midtable ambition. The risk is that a new manager could take us down as easily up. Is it right to blame Marcus Evans for not making significant transfer funds available? Perhaps but don't forget he's sinking something like £7m into the club annually just to keep it afloat. My fear is that Evans will get bored and go before McCarthy.

6

stevieiriswattii added 20:52 - Mar 19 Normally I take advantage of the £10 promotions (along with paying £27 for tickets), but today I could not be bothered. Why? I am sick of the terrible football. Not the results, Not Mick, Not the lack of perceived investment, just the damn awful football that we 'play'. Rubbish. It is not the way we should be playing, end of.
9

Lightningboy added 21:05 - Mar 19 Time everyone who is a fan of this club to realise that McCarthy has zero intention or the intellect to get us (or any club) playing that way again. Can you imagine how poor we are going to be next season?! Drastic rethink and an actual plan is needed now from the owner and board - they surely can't be SO blind to not notice how dreadful our football has become under this management (and the 2 previous managers). Said before - what is the point in having McCarthy at your club unless it guarantees promotion? Get Burley and Magilton back.

8

wayway added 21:16 - Mar 19 Of course this boring, dinosaur of a manager should resign. He is yesterdays man with long outdated views on how the game should be played. So some will claim that he saved us from Div 1, was he the only person on the planet who could have done that? His stubborn team selections this season are a complete joke, Chambers at RB, Smith playing every week at centre back, Sears playing out wide and playing Gerkin in goal Instead of Bart, need I say more. Worse than this is the hoofball tactics that have made this once great club a laughing stock, we do have players at the club (Hyam Douglas Coke excepted) who are capable of playing football as it should be played but as the man said 'there is no plan B, there is plan A'. I will admit he has not been helped by our corporate absent owners and their zero investment but that does not hide the fact that his time is now up. FOR GODS SAKE GO.

9

itfchorry added 22:06 - Mar 19 Taxi for MM and Evans - Throw in Liz Edwards and Tottenham T And let's get our club back -
3

TimmyH added 22:11 - Mar 19 What the hell were you thinking McCarthy?!? - I said after the Blackburn game that Skuse/Hyam/Douglas midfield would not succeed if he played them continually together to the end of the season, so what does he do? that's right plays them again - diddly squat creativity in that midfield what so ever! Midfield today should have been Skuse/Foley/Pringle and Feeney, why have Foley (who has done quite well since being here) and Pringle done to be dropped? SORT IT OUT McCARTHY!!

6

prebbs007 added 22:21 - Mar 19 Part of the responsibility ???? You idiot. It's all your fault. Players try their hardest generally (except Murphy who is a lazy cart horse ) but they can't help it if they are just crap. They play how they're told to and in the position they're given and all that is down to you. Just do us all a favour and go away very quickly and take most of the dross of a squad with you !!! Disgraceful

8

Edmundo added 22:34 - Mar 19 "What I didn't want to do was be 1-0 down with a nice, pretty team on the field". This is the deal breaker for me. I could tolerate loses like this from Burley/Royle/Magilton teams, but today, I realised we deserve better: we're not entitled to Premiership football, but we are entitled to decent football. After 17 years as a seasont ticket holder, I am out. Nothing will change. Unless something happens to make it change. As supporters we need to support the club, not the current set up. The only way is by leaving for now. I urge you, if you feel the same, to email the club, cancel your DD and ask for our club, the Ipswich style we are entitled to, back.

8

H1960 added 22:37 - Mar 19 I believe that the heirachy at itfc lack ambition and are happy to see the club treading water safe from relegation and hovering around or just below the play offs. The players dont want to go up as most would end up out of a job and the manager is happy on an extended contract knowing his lack of sucess in the premier league will not be put to the test.why was his contract extended mid season? Surely he should be judged at the end of the season when results are assessed. The club should realise that not only they are in the results business but the ENTERTAINMENT business as well, its season ticket renewal time and I know many people who have seen enough and will not be renewing, I myself had always wanted to have a season ticket but until recently due to work commitments been unable to attend enough games, but watching the dross served up this season now have no desire to invest,

5

runningout added 22:40 - Mar 19 MM is getting too comfortable in sleepy Suffolk.. We may be that dozy county but we deserve better football from our very capable squad.. it was so obvious Rotherham were going to be a different propersition to sad Blackburn. We have thrown games to often through naivety, and that shouldn't happen with a decent experienced manager and very good squad
4

RegencyBlue added 23:24 - Mar 19 Well that's big of him! I would say he was wholly to blame for today's shambles with his negative team selection. As soon as I saw the team sheet it was obvious we would struggle with that midfield. Got it completely wrong today. Your days are numbered with many more performances like that MM!!!
7

blueherts added 00:09 - Mar 20 I have just signed a two year deal me and TC what do I cars
3

blueherts added 00:13 - Mar 20 Howany people would have said Sears down the middle feeney out wide? Most with some knowledge of watching us at home for last 6 months MM today you were an embarrassment
4

ssmith added 00:31 - Mar 20 Most of the season it's been boring long ball , last two games it's been the worst most negative football I've ever seen , time to stop going I think
8

MyBlueHeaven added 05:56 - Mar 20 Whinge and moan about McCarthy all you like (and I'm in agreement with the vast majority here) but he's only part of the problem. The *first team* needs a new manager but the *football club* needs a new owner. One who realises that you can actually put the football first to achieve business results. You know, stuff like youth players sold for healthy profits, large crowds paying (sensible) ticket prices for increased revenue, passionate supporters who provide additional income through merchandise and other related commercial activities. Sorry, 'revenue streams'. And, dare I say it, not forgetting a community - that's community - of people bought together with a smile on their faces to be a part of something they feel a part of. Something they can enthuse about. Something they have pride in. Ipswich Town Football Club.

5

tractorkent added 06:07 - Mar 20 Yes MM saved us from relegation, yes he steadied the ship but his ideas about how the game should played belong in the dark ages.I travel all the way from Kent every home game but not anymore. My season ticket will not be renewed until the dinosaur is extinct.
4

therein61 added 07:15 - Mar 20 Sorry Mick, but your stubborn favourite inspired team selection let us down yet again it has cost us a shed load of points this season while it is refreshing to hear you admit you got it wrong today what about the previous point seeking teams you have put out?? the worst of today was the players you left on the bench(who like to create and play proper football) to accommodate Skuse and Douglas this just beggared belief!!!!

3

TR11BLU added 08:11 - Mar 20 Season over, well done Mick mission accomplished. Go now , before the remainder of the fans do.
1

planetblue_2011 added 09:29 - Mar 20 Utter carp, wrong team selection, wrong formation, wrong altogether!! McCarthy it showed u today your not always right, listen to us fans for once. Can't see many season tickets being sold next season, cant keep watching football like this it's a waste of money & people's time!!!!
4

warwickblue added 09:36 - Mar 20 Can you imagine what all those Academy kids who went round at half-time thought of that game as a model for their aspirations? Like, if I work REALLY REALLY hard I could play like Douglas, in a team like that??!!?
5

roytheboy added 09:48 - Mar 20 I dread us conceiving the first goal as it virtually always means the most we will get is a draw, this is because we seem to be incapable usually of scoring more than one goal, yesterday we couldn't even do that (against Rotherham) unbelievable, I am bitterly disappointed in Mick for continuing with this lousy style of so called Football, it is nothing like Football and has very little entertainment value, change it quickly or the club will surely regret it next season !

5

Knightsy added 12:26 - Mar 20 Resign you dinosaur
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