Boss Mick McCarthy admitted that the Blues’ 1-1 home draw with Fulham was “a real horrible game” and felt his side found it hard to play through the Cottagers, who sat back behind the ball. Jonas Knudsen scored an injury time equaliser, Moussa Dembele having put the Londoners ahead in the 66th minute.

“It was a real horrible game, they made it hard for us, everything was slowed down,” said an under-the-weather McCarthy at his post-match press conference.

“They sat behind the ball, they’ve got good qualities, as they proved with their goal and it just looked like a real end-of-season affair, which is a shame, actually.

“We didn’t want to make it that way, we certainly didn’t set out that way but we just never got going. All I can say is that we kept going and we did get something out of it, thankfully.”

He added: “It was Didzy that created the goal because it wasn’t easy to play in there, they sat back in and made it difficult.

“Didzy came on and showed his quality. We got the corner kick from his bit of quality and Jonas got in the box and got his goal.

“It’s lovely to get something out of it, but it wasn’t a great night, it’s not one I’ll remember fondly, that’s for sure.”

McCarthy was pleased for Knudsen, who scored his first goal for the Blues, even if he felt it was far from the Danish international’s best performance: “It was a fabulous finish. He got in the box, me and TC are always banging on at him to get in the box.

Finally I scored my first goal for @official_itfc ⚪️🔵 A shame we didn't got all 3 points 👀 https://t.co/lYh1tSQNSM

— Jonas Knudsen (@Knudsen23) April 19, 2016

“If their winger’s back there he can be up there behind him and run off him. He’s such a powerhouse he should get headers as well.

“I have to say, that was probably the most ordinary game that Jonas has had, and yet he scored the equaliser, which is bizarre.

“He found it difficult with the ball today. It was a bit of a scruffy performance all round, and the same with Jonas.

“For his debut season, coming from the league he came from, I think he’s had a wonderful year. It’s nice for him to score.”

The result was the Blues’ eighth home draw this season in addition to six defeats with only eight games having been won at Portman Road this season, in contrast to last season’s 15.

McCarthy admits that Town have struggled at home throughout 2015/16 and particularly recently.

“It’s quite clear and certainly over the four weeks, six weeks that has been the case,” he continued.

“If I had an answer to it, I would have stopped it a month ago. It wouldn’t have even started if I had an answer to it.

“We’ll analyse it and have a look at it and see what’s gone wrong, and see why we’ve found it difficult to win at home.”

Have opposition sides visited Suffolk taking a different approach this season? “I would think so, they all know [how we play], we all look at them and see how we play against them.

“We’ve been done on the break again. It’s almost a carbon copy of the Brentford goal. When teams sit in we find it hard to play through them.

“And it’s cost us, teams sitting in, catching us on the break. But they were unerring in their passing and finishing, it was a good goal by them.”

Regarding full debutant Andre Dozzell, who played the first 55 minutes before being subbed, McCarthy said: “I’m almost apologetic for him having to play in that game because he was never going to shine in that game, that’s for certain.

“It was difficult, he played against arguably one of the best central midfield players, I thought Scott Parker was excellent and I thought Rohan Ince was as well in their pairing in there, they were great.

“I thought Parker dominated the game, everything about him, so it was always going to be hard for Andre.

“I tried to shift him left to try to get him a bit of space and I tried to play him just in front of the two sitters. It didn’t work.

“Look, he’s a 16-year-old kid who came on and had a great debut on Saturday. That doesn’t mean he’s just going to come in and rip it up. We’d have to be playing a lot better than we are to get the best out of him.

“He’s a good player. His debut was memorable, his full debut will be memorable because he’s made it but not because of the way that he played or the way the team played. He’ll be better for it, he’ll be a better player for the experience he’s had.”

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic felt his side ought to not to have conceded the late goal: “I am disappointed about the late goal which we conceded. Generally I believe my team deserved to go back to London with a clean sheet.

“In the end I have to be satisfied with the fighting spirit and how my team tried to win this game, we offered a different face from the one we offered last Friday at Brighton [when they lost 5-0].”

Photo: Action Images

BrettenhamBlue added 06:43 - Apr 20 A Poem about ITFC Grass growing as the wind makes a small mark. A small cloud breaks away and reels in the wind Hoof Hoof Paint drying. It's drying. It's drying. Hoof Hoof Are the baked beans at Asda 29 pence or perhaps they have been reduced? Hoof Hoof Harold from Neighbours sits outside, swaying in his chair back and forth. Back and Forth. Hoof Hoof A snail slowly and gently crawls from one stick to another. Hoof Hoof I think about the prospect of cutting the grass with my teeth Hoof Hoof I wait for the checkout till. Waiting. Waiting. Hoof Hoof If I look through the darkness long enough I can see different shades of night Hoof Hoof The final whistle goes and life once more begins. I have no doubt in saying that we are in SERIOUS trouble. Why would anyone in their right mind pay to see Ipswich? We are boring, boring and boring. Team for Boro Bart Foley, Smith, Berra, Knudsen Boring, Dozzell, Boring, Sears Boring, Boring

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Dissboyitfc added 06:46 - Apr 20 All this Talk about giving MM money to spend, the football wont change he will invest in the type of player who plays it the Jurassic way. MM says tonight was not a game to remember fondly, been more of those than memorable games. And silky smooth players will always struggle to shine in anti- football team. The end cant come quick enough now, the only thing left to cheer is sunderland, NCFC come on down!

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christiand added 07:01 - Apr 20 A reassuring thought that Rhodes and Nugent waiting up in the north east on Saturday. Us trying to keep the score down with little attacking intent, such an enticing proposition!?
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BehindBlueEyes added 07:35 - Apr 20 “We'll analyse it and have a look at it and see what's gone wrong, and see why we've found it difficult to win at home.” I'd suggest setting up with 2 or 3 defensive midfielders may explain why we're finding it difficult to win at home...
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:01 - Apr 20 Dont get me wrong,im pleased Dozzel scored a historic goal, BUT i think its ditracting people ,from the real issues and i think McCarthy is milking it . Again fair dues to Dozzy by all accounts he was playing well until MM decided to move him ,BUT on Suffolk Sport's commentary you would be forgiven for thinking he was the only player we had on pitch. I am sure Andre Dozzel will be a good player ,but for all the focus to be put on him now will just put pressures on him that, at 16 he could do without.Will we keep him ? i doubt it .Anyway another crap result in a very disapointing season ,really given up now whilst Mc Carthy is manager .Respect to all the supporters that have shelled out good money ,a lot will need to change now before i return to terraces though .

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Europablue added 08:09 - Apr 20 I don't know what to think about Mick. Obviously he shouldn't be sacked based on results. I think it is a bit of the same situation as with West Ham when they got rid of Allardyce. It didn't seem right at the time. but was proven to be a good choice. You can get in the playoffs and not play such great football, but if you don't even do that you won't last that long. Maybe Villa will take him off of us?

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rfretwell added 08:12 - Apr 20 Tho us really distressing. So much optimism in August. We had the best set if strikers in the division. And its all gone pear shaped. Poor defensive play from Reading away onwards and out of form strikers (Murphy and Didzy) set the tone for the rest of the season.
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martin587 added 08:13 - Apr 20 The team was void of fight and PASSION,and this comes from the manager.Even when he talks he seems disinterested.Time to go MM.sorry but your time is now right to leave as I fear you have gone as far as you can.
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Hoofball added 08:15 - Apr 20 Definitely done the right thing in not renewing my season ticket. Will come back when Mick has gone & we are playing football.
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braveblue added 08:40 - Apr 20 We did not set up that way!! Yes you did. Douglas ahead of Bru is idiotic. Knudsen is not a good player. A wonderful year!! What an idiot MM has become when speaking post match.
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notleyblue added 08:45 - Apr 20 Sadly not renewed our season tickets because hoofball so bad, will return when football returns to Portman road.
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dukey44 added 08:49 - Apr 20 It shows how bad things are when the crowd cheer a shot then start singing they just want a shot on the goal. It was about 60th min till we had a proper shot ?
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DebenBlue added 08:51 - Apr 20 That performance was simply not acceptable and for MM to state in his press conference that it was difficult because Fulham sat behind the ball is also simply not acceptable. You are paid to win football matches, but every time you set us up not to lose. Fulham have been woeful this season, yet we made them look good last night. 2 world class saves from Bart and a last gasp equaliser which I don't believe we deserved stopped another embarrassing defeat. I have serious concerns for next season as our form for the past 3 months is relegation form. I honestly think MM has taken us as far as he can, he appears to be devoid of any fresh ideas or tactics and the rest of the league know how to play against us. Cannot see us winning again this season, and although I have renewed my season ticket, If MM is still here I expect more of the same.

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grumpyoldman added 09:16 - Apr 20 Again mixed opinions, with less it seems defending moronic Mick, have they decided that they will never change the Mick out brigade or have they seen the light at last and realised MM is past his sell by date.
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goat_man added 09:29 - Apr 20 They aren't a tough side to break down, nobody else has found it too hard against them this season hence why they are down the bottom. Whilst I think the majority of us DO think that MM deserves another season, he needs to be very careful about what team he puts out at the start of next season. If we see a team that contains more than one defensive midfielder, if we still do not have a right back or if we see or sign any players like Douglas or Varney then I can see it turning on him very quickly.

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:46 - Apr 20 ''they made it hard for us ''.......oh dear Mick, its so unsporting,not fair, i mean ,its just not cricket, is it ?. Mick even THE PHOTO OF YOU IN THE HEADINGS IS BLOODY BORING ME NOW .
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TR11BLU added 10:04 - Apr 20 “.... but it wasn't a great night, it's not one I'll remember fondly, that's for sure.” Get used to more of the same next season folks, the Dinosaur is not for turning. We will be in a relegation battle next season with the current regime, any new blood to the squad will be of the same defensive, un creative ilk. Go now Dino and take Murphy, Skuse, Coke, Toure, Berra and Douglas with you. Have I missed anyone? Mick OUT

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Daleyitfc added 10:19 - Apr 20 TR11BLU : Hyam
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BrettenhamBlue added 10:28 - Apr 20 TR11BLU : Stewart, Digby, Tabby
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martin587 added 11:10 - Apr 20 Bigalhunter,Where are you.!!😀😀😀😀
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Taricco_Fan added 11:25 - Apr 20 Without change we face the prospect of an entirely different battle next season, I genuinely believe that. McCarthy's philosophy is something that serious investment won't change. I'm usually careful what I wish for but I'm wishing for it nonetheless.
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karls_dad added 12:32 - Apr 20 It would be interesting to poll the TWTD peeps to actually see who is going to renew their season tickets? from what i can see many are not going to bother under the present situation! I know if i was a season tiet holder being asked to fork out hundreds of pounds to watch another dire season i think my card would stay in the wallet for now! Surely at the end of the season there has to be a massive clear out, to reward Coke with a contract extension is beyond belief, as with many others, they say the wage bill has increased by 25%, now surely this has to be addressed and a good look at actually who is getting what and for doing what? I used to look forward to matchday with the prospect of an entertaining afternoon/evening, now i listen in and think hmm i could be doing something else! So never mind the season ticket! i,m trying to decide wether to cancel player at a fiver or so a month! This is fast becoming simular to the dark days of Keane and Jewell, the night that Jewell never turned up after the match to speak on the radio for instance, and resigned its all starting to replicate, poor performances on the pitch, a lack of interest/desire by the players which would appear to be the case, has MM lost the dressing room? has he lost interest due to lack of funding? we cannot continue with everone else,s cast offs and end of career journey men, something that PJ did wholesale! We are in deep mire nothing surer! we need change and lots of it! I hope the lot up the road stay up as facing them at moment would be an embarrassment!

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vanmunt added 12:32 - Apr 20 TR111BLU Mick McCarthy
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vanmunt added 12:33 - Apr 20 Didn't see the Dino at the beginning.. .
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FrankBrogan added 13:20 - Apr 20 Well there you go!!! or perhaps not go next season. I have always supported Mick Mcarthy and his team of well intentioned but tedious buffoons, but there come a time when even the most blinkered and fervent blue can see that this isnt working anymore. Another awful display by a bunch of disjointed misfits against a side that we should have competed against. After all we were at home wernt we? And now we listen to the Mick saying it was ****** awful. Just heard that too many times now Mick. Too many times to think that next time it will be right. Of course it wont be. If you cant get the team playing right after all these dreadful and dire performances then you never will. You may not have lost the dressing room or Mr Faceless Evans but me owd mucker you have lost the fans. I am empty of optimism for the future. How can we ever ever be right again. Please Mr McCarthy do the right thing. The A14 awaits you. I've been told be careful what you wish for!!! really, what in the name of Danny Hegan's bootlaces could be worse than this.

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