Blues boss Mick McCarthy has praised owner Marcus Evans for the support he has given him during his time at Portman Road

While the job he’s doing might not be appreciated by all Town fans at present, the Blues manager says it is by the man who employs him: “Absolutely, he’s great. I’ve always said to you, his support is fantastic.

“People might say ‘He isn’t spending money!’, but it’s not all about that because he spent a load of money with other people and it didn’t work.

“But I get that emotional and moral support and when it has gone wrong or we have had a bad performance, he doesn’t mention it. And I don’t need that rubbing it in from the top.”

McCarthy says it’s often been the case in his career that he’s been appreciated by fans of clubs after he’s gone, not least by supporters of Saturday's opponents Wolves, who were relegated to League One in the seasons following his February 2012 sacking.

“It’s funny, generally as I’ve gone back as a player or a manager I’ve sometimes been more appreciated than when I was there!” he added. “I think where I’m stood might appreciate that more than a lot.”

Just as Town fans booed the Blues off after the 1-0 home defeat to Rotherham a fortnight ago, Wolves fans chanted ‘boring, boring’ during the second half of the weekend 0-0 draw with Town, their fifth at Molineux this season and their second in a row at home.

“We should also give the away team some credit,” reflected McCarthy. “We’ll take a bit of credit from Saturday and Rotherham should take some credit because they performed well on the day. Happens, doesn’t it?”

Meanwhile, Town’s U21s are in action away against Barnsley at their training ground this afternoon (KO 1pm).

With the first-team in action against Charlton at Portman Road on Tuesday evening, it’s unlikely that any senior players will be involved.

Photo: Action Images

Penguinblue added 06:05 - Apr 4 The standard of football under McCarthy is dire, period. No amount of crap talk, excuses and waffle can change that. McCARTHY OUT
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jas0999 added 06:46 - Apr 4 The championship is changing. Most clubs are spending money on fees. This past January we got rid of two more players than we signed, weakening our squad. It lacked ambition and despite the relentless spin, ME is accountable for that, just like MM is responsible for the dire standard of football on display and determination to play the likes of Douglas.
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RegencyBlue added 07:18 - Apr 4 The spin is certainly ramping up - what makes you think its season ticket renewal time!!!
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tallguy6767 added 07:42 - Apr 4 Always so arrogant !! I like so many more Town fans won't be going to any more games until he's gone !!!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:52 - Apr 4 jas.... yes investment is needed, of course it is and i agree. But Saturday proved just how stubborn MM is. Against Notts Forest we played some nice football ( it can be done ) Foley being very instrumental in that midfield, was lovely to see some football going on for a change. What happens sat? he picks Douglas in his starting line up, one of his mates. The point i make is this we could have Messi and Ronaldo in our squad and he would pick his favourites never down to ability or form, picking Douglas proves it! I can remember how woeful it was under Keane And Jewell and given the choice to go back or keep MM, i would keep MM, I think perhaps Evans thinks i wasted loads of money on Keane and Jewell's teams and and i am getting slightly better here for very little investment. Just want to see football and a team chosen on merit, not mates! And as MM is too stubborn i really believe he has taken us as far as he can..

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Stato added 08:21 - Apr 4 There is no connection between the size of the budget and the standard of football dished up at Portman Road and I just wish more people would stop mixing the two together. Football in any division doesn't have to be turgid ando I could even accept most away performances being that way if it proved effective but too many of the McCarthy fans have forgotten this is an entertainment business and we have been woefully short of entertainment since he turned.

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Dissblue added 08:52 - Apr 4 Well I suppose he hasn't sacked him.............................................
1

essex57 added 08:59 - Apr 4 To keep waffling on about picking mates is getting boreing he picks which in his opinion is the most likely to gain a result. To say that his comments are arrogant isnt a man entitled to comment about the support he gets from his employer. Pequin blue we all know you want Mccarthy out so why not post something constructive.
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Guthrum added 09:16 - Apr 4 People keep saying "It's an entertainment business" - it isn't. Football is a sporting competition, in which winning matches is the most important thing. Strictly Come Dancing it is not..
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onthehoof added 09:26 - Apr 4 Do not write often but I do hope Mr Evans, as the current brand owner, you listen to what appears to be a large and growing dissatisfaction of the current situation and product that die hard loyal fans pay exhorbitant fees to watch every week. Lets hope this is done before the club suffers but given the current path being followed by management, your income will most likely drop as fans vote to see less ITFC. We love this club and we love it even more when times are bad. A contradiction but passionate feedback from all good fans on this site. Listen to the fans - they are the customers - they help the income - they would love to see change - embrace change and give us 1) more attractive football 2) more attacking football 3) more on the ground passing of the ball 4) choice of players based on form 5) greater use of up and coming youngsters 6) fresh management style 7) get squad players we need to fill positions of weakness 8) ensure these players are playing in position and not out of position 9) be prepared to invest more money to reach your premiership dream and 10) lower prices to bring the fans back. OK - thats my simple 10 point suggestion. Mr Evans, we are grateful for your getting ITFC out of a financial hole but it did not finish there. It still requires money to invest and make this a successful football brand and business. Yes there have been some bad choices in management but please help fans keep the faith and show your desire and dreams for this club. Yours - a passionate Ipswich fan of 30+ years

7

Gilesy added 09:33 - Apr 4 I think we need to be very careful what we wish for. We've not really played nice football since Burley's day in my opinion. Royle was fun for a bit when we were scoring goals at will, but it wasn't pretty football. Magilton's brief time wasn't great either because we weren't winning any more games than we are now. Keane was horrid, Jewell was embarrassing and McCarthy...well, I'd much rather be playing pretty football too, but look at MK Dons; they play pretty football. We don't have a divine right to be in the Premier League. Marcus Evans doesn't have a duty to use his personal money to fund this; the club runs at a loss remember. I don't know what the answer is but getting rid of McCarthy might not be it.

7

Cheshire_Blue added 10:02 - Apr 4 How about getting rid of the handful of knockers and moaners and letting MM get on with his job?
-8

Razor added 10:11 - Apr 4 Does not seem to have supported him very much in the purchase of new players when we needed them. Seems like everybody is scratching each others back at club at moment----all very cosy but not going to get us promoted.
3

muccletonjoe added 10:14 - Apr 4 The only way he is going to see a return on his money is with premier league football. What is better - 10 seasons in the championship at 5 or 6 million a year. Or invest 15 million in the squad this summer and have a go at the top 2 ?
3

Gilesy added 10:18 - Apr 4 And that £15m puts us foul of Fair Play, we don't get promoted, the club owes Evans more money and....if it was that easy, he'd do it. He's tried it and it's not worked.
2

Woodbridgian added 10:20 - Apr 4 The PR machine is in full flow. MM loves Marcus the players love Mick everything in the garden must be rosy ! Pity about the quality of the football served up week after week.
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Lightningboy added 10:30 - Apr 4 No money to spend is not an excuse for the dreadful style of football..Burley had virtually nothing to spend during his first few seasons,Royle probably had even less than McCarthy & Magilton worked his magic BEFORE Marcus opened his chequebook - they all got our club playing an attacking,exciting brand of football so let's stop using no money as a reason for the poor quality of our football. Mick's taken us as far as his limited tactical awareness can - it's not his fault,we all knew what we were getting..if he goes I hope our owner takes some advice from people who really know what this club should be about before appointing another manager.

10

essexboy added 10:44 - Apr 4 Yes your correct,having no money does not mean we have to play dire football,and terrible tactical and team selections,doe's it.MM did a very good job to stablise the club when he first came to the club,and yes we have progressed to an extent.But now the style of play and the team selections I feel have gone as far as they can,and that MM has gone as far as he can with the players available to him,and I believe he thinks the same.He keeps saying he still gets support from the owner so why in January did we not get the few extra players we needed to push on.Did he ever ask the owner,and if so what was his reaction.Frustration is the word on many a supporters lips now.I really don't know what to expect tomorrow now.Three points would be very nice.!! 👍

2

essex57 added 10:53 - Apr 4 Lightning boy exactly what is this club all about?
0

mojo added 11:00 - Apr 4 If the last two seasons had been reversed we wouldn't be having these discussions.
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legal_blue added 11:05 - Apr 4 After the unfair sacking of Magilton, the catastrophic appointments of Keane and Jewell, McCarthy has been fantastic. This season, we've looked a different prospect with Fraser in the side and defensively have struggled since Mings left. Personally, I feel that Mick and TC have worked wonders with some pretty average players. There is no sign that ME is willing to provide the further investment necessary to move the team to the next level, whoever the manager is. Therefore, we need to stick with Mick and press ME to fund a genuine promotion push. Absent that investment, I have no confidence that Mick's successor would take the team any further forward than where we are now.

3

itfcbam added 11:27 - Apr 4 Can someone please come up with a sensible argument re investment. Where does the extra investment come from? The same person / company that is funding the 6 million shortfall every season. How many businesses can sustain that sort of loss every year? Whatever people think about MM now he has done a fantastic job in moving us from relegation fodder (spending money and running at losses of in excess of 12 million) to play off contenders (balancing the books, with player sales, over the last 2-3 years). The other thing he has brought to the club is honesty and integrity. We know that what we see each week, while not pretty is honesty and carried out by people who do care about the club, which was massively lacking under previous management). I'm undecided as to whether he has taken us as far as he can, think the summer is the time to reflect that. We need to put this negativity behind us and get right behind the team for the next 7 games while there is still remote hope until or fate is decided. If we make the change in the summer we will need to be very careful who we pick otherwise all what has been done over the last 3-4 years will be undone. Maybe the ideal fit will be younger and ambitious (eg. another Burley).

7

blueherts added 11:38 - Apr 4 Whether you are Pro or Con MM and I was a supporter up until the turn of the year when ; a) ME 'rewarded MM with another contract - and yet felt ( or Mick felt) we had a deep enough strength in depth to cover us for the run in Inspite of losing Parr and the flying Aussie? and not having Dids and Bish available 'There is no one out there better than what we have' REALLY ? So then we lose Fraser and all of a sudden we are paper thin so then he adds and , Yes , I think Pringle , Feeney and what I have seen of Foley ARE better than what we had - but why not move in January Look at our form and performances since the turn of the year ( like last season ) 5 wins in 16 since Jan 01st We reached the play offs last season by others slipping up - not by a late charge What we need is a 'ALL OR NOTHING' set up to win mentality - we have NOTHING TO LOSE And here in lies the problem with MM - He is , by nature, risk averse, lets play not to lose .In the situation we are in now we need to go all out for a win ..so , Let us just see if we can see Bru , Feeney , and Pringle with Dids and Sears ( or maybe Bishop / Dozzell) Skuse can sit in front WHY NOT What is the worst that can happen I await and if he does - fair play and lets show some ambition !!

1

blueherts added 11:38 - Apr 4 Whether you are Pro or Con MM and I was a supporter up until the turn of the year when ; a) ME 'rewarded MM with another contract - and yet felt ( or Mick felt) we had a deep enough strength in depth to cover us for the run in Inspite of losing Parr and the flying Aussie? and not having Dids and Bish available 'There is no one out there better than what we have' REALLY ? So then we lose Fraser and all of a sudden we are paper thin so then he adds and , Yes , I think Pringle , Feeney and what I have seen of Foley ARE better than what we had - but why not move in January Look at our form and performances since the turn of the year ( like last season ) 5 wins in 16 since Jan 01st We reached the play offs last season by others slipping up - not by a late charge What we need is a 'ALL OR NOTHING' set up to win mentality - we have NOTHING TO LOSE And here in lies the problem with MM - He is , by nature, risk averse, lets play not to lose .In the situation we are in now we need to go all out for a win ..so , Let us just see if we can see Bru , Feeney , and Pringle with Dids and Sears ( or maybe Bishop / Dozzell) Skuse can sit in front WHY NOT What is the worst that can happen I await and if he does - fair play and lets show some ambition !!

1

blueherts added 11:38 - Apr 4 Whether you are Pro or Con MM and I was a supporter up until the turn of the year when ; a) ME 'rewarded MM with another contract - and yet felt ( or Mick felt) we had a deep enough strength in depth to cover us for the run in Inspite of losing Parr and the flying Aussie? and not having Dids and Bish available 'There is no one out there better than what we have' REALLY ? So then we lose Fraser and all of a sudden we are paper thin so then he adds and , Yes , I think Pringle , Feeney and what I have seen of Foley ARE better than what we had - but why not move in January Look at our form and performances since the turn of the year ( like last season ) 5 wins in 16 since Jan 01st We reached the play offs last season by others slipping up - not by a late charge What we need is a 'ALL OR NOTHING' set up to win mentality - we have NOTHING TO LOSE And here in lies the problem with MM - He is , by nature, risk averse, lets play not to lose .In the situation we are in now we need to go all out for a win ..so , Let us just see if we can see Bru , Feeney , and Pringle with Dids and Sears ( or maybe Bishop / Dozzell) Skuse can sit in front WHY NOT What is the worst that can happen I await and if he does - fair play and lets show some ambition !!

3

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