Town striker David McGoldrick has responded to critics after a run of just one win in six games has seen play-off hopes all but evaporate.

Welcome as McGoldrick’s return from a hamstring injury undoubtedly is, with just six games left in which to close the seven-point gap on the play-off places, most supporters have written off the team’s chances of a second successive top-six finish.

Manager Mick McCarthy has taken the brunt of the criticism, with some even claiming the time is right for a change, but McGoldrick said: “If I was them I’d look back to four years ago and where the club was then.

“Look at where we are now — it’s night and day. If they want other stuff to happen and go back to those times that’s not a wise move. I think we’re in very good hands where this club is now.”

Town have failed to score in their last three games — and in four of their last five — and this has been a major source of frustration for fans, many of whom are considering their options with season ticket renewals already under way.

But McGoldrick, a substitute in both the Wolves and Charlton games and likely to be on the bench again when Brentford are the visitors to Portman Road tomorrow, added: “There is never a lack of effort from the players. It’s just one of those things, we’re not scoring, but if it was in the middle of the season I don’t think we would be paying so much attention to it.

“We’re at the stage of the season where we have must-win games and it’s getting pinpointed a lot. There were a few chances the other night against Charlton and we should have won at Wolves.

“The chances were there and we’ve just got to take them. We all have to stand up and be counted.

“There’s still all to play for and we’re not short of attacking options with players like me and Murph coming back from injury. Searsy has had a great season even though he’s not scored for a bit. His contribution to the team has been brilliant.

“Pits as well, he gives it his all, and we’ve got Varns to come on. We’ve all got to chip in because in the games we have left we’ve got to get some stuff out of them if we’re going to go to the play-offs. We need goals from all over the pitch.”

Meanwhile, McGoldrick is clinging to the hope that he can do enough in what remains of the Championship season to show he has something to offer the Republic of Ireland as they prepare for the forthcoming European Championships taking place in France.

He said: “There’s been no actual contact between me and Martin O’Neill but I’m sure our doctors have been in touch with the Irish doctors about me. My first goal was just to come back but I would obviously like to be going to the Euros with Ireland.

“First of all, though, I need to play for Ipswich because if I don’t play for them I won’t be going anywhere.

“Maybe if I start playing well enough for Ipswich I’ll get the call-up and that would be different class.

“Everybody wants to go and play in the Euros but I’ve just got to take it one day at a time. I’ve been training for a bit now and if I’m fully fit at the end of the season it will be down to them.

“I like it when I’m with the Irish squad. The boys are great there and the manager and his staff are all good. I’ve been on the bench a few times and started a few times so it’s been good. I feel part of it and I’d love to go away with them.

“After being out for four or five months, if I kept going through the summer with Ireland it would help both me and Ipswich.

“But we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. I’ll have to be active in the summer anyway, to keep my fitness up, stay on top of the injuries and then come back with a bang in pre-season.”

Photo: Action Images

Langdon_Blue added 20:54 - Apr 8 Woodbridgian - my point is that in reaching the Play offs last season and being in the top half of the league all of this season, I believe we are overachieving. Although it's all very romantic to think that money isn't everything, if you do not compete in the transfer market and cannot compete with wages against clubs in our own league, then you don't attract the best players. So, as a manager you are left to work out how you are going to compete, while losing quality players to Premier League Clubs along the way. McCarthy brings players together, gets rid of players that aren't prepared to give 100% every game. Added to that he has added quality by attracting loan players that have given us a better chance to compete within budget. That way has proved successful when compared with his predecessors. Sure, when Murphy is playing he is targeted a lot by a direct ball from the defence, but anyone reading TWTD comments would think that we don't have wide players, let alone use them. That it's not exciting to watch Sears on the run and Fraser. I'd like to see McCarthy given some financial backing to sign better quality players than Douglas and Coke, with proper funds. With better players comes better football.

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Carberry added 21:47 - Apr 8 This is classic PR and the management think we are going to fall for it. OK David, you know best. It is quite pathetic whatever your opinion of what MM is achieving. And by the way David you have managed to get yourself fit just in time to have a chance of going to the Euros, nice work, shame it wasn't a month ago when we needed you most. And do we really believe he would have made any kind of contribution to Leicester's amazing season? Of course not, he would not have broken into that team, fit or not. Sadly he is a luxury who spends his time on the shelf, a situation that will not change.

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dannysigma added 22:58 - Apr 8 Dammit Langdon_Blue, after swearing to have nothing more to do with the comments section due to their incessantly unrealistic and unremittingly negative content, you made me sign in just to agree with you...
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ArnieM added 23:41 - Apr 8 McCarthy IN
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algarvefan added 01:16 - Apr 9 David is one of the few 'footballers' we have on our books, he is a quality player but has been restricted by injuries. However he has a point, what the hell is unattractive football, when resources are tight and money is not been spent, it's only results that matter!! Good football comes when you have the money to buy good footballers. Yes of course I want Ipswich to play exciting and expansive football, we have had some key injuries this season, which we didn't last, when we made the play offs last year few of you were complaining, but we didn't have the injuries then. Maybe we can review things until the end of the season, we're not leaking goals but we are not seeking them either, deep breath, do your best and then go for it!!

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footyblue added 01:59 - Apr 9 @algarvefan you don't need money to play football I don't know why people bang on about that its the way the players are coached that counts Lookn at Portsmouth and the Millions they spent on their team this season and yet they played us off the park twice
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Umros added 08:07 - Apr 9 Seasons over mcgoldrick, get yourself up to speed and hit the ground running for next season mate........
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