Stand-in skipper Cole Skuse has dismissed claims that the Blues lack ambition but admits he and the rest of the squad expected to finish higher in the Championship table this season. The 30-year-old wore the armband during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the MK Dons in the final home game of the season with regular captain Luke Chambers out with an ankle injury.

“I’m not really the person to answer questions like what it takes to take the next step,” the former Bristol City captain said following Saturday’s game. “That’s down to staff and the hierarchy.

“The fans have been vocal in their criticism. Perhaps not in as many games as social media and the press would have you believe.

“There was perhaps one game, against Rotherham, when we were particularly disappointing, but believe me the players were just as disappointed as the fans were. The fans made their frustration clear but it hasn’t been as bad as it has been made out to be.”

Skuse doesn’t agree with fans - one armed with a banner at Saturday's match - who claim the club is lacking ambition or those calling for a change of manager.

“I don’t think the club lacks ambition at all,” he added. “People question the players, question the manager, question the owner but they really should be careful what they wish for.

“Who are you going to get in the Championship that is a better manager than Mick McCarthy? The owner has been very, very, very generous and has done a lot for this club.

“It is a case of the players stepping up next season. We, as players, thought we would do better than eighth, we thought we would be top six but it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.

“We don’t come to work looking not to do well, we have bad days, it’s human nature. I’m sure you have bad days at work sometimes.

“Every team has bad spells, we had ours at the wrong time and the fans get frustrated, we get frustrated but you can’t question the club’s ambition, or certain people’s ambition. We have had injuries to key players at key times but that is the nature of the beast.”

Reflecting on the victory over the MK Dons, he said: “It was massive to finish he season at home on a high. It has been quite a disappointing period over the past few weeks and the season has ended earlier for us than we expected. So, to get the three goals and three points was massive for us and the fans.

“Maybe it was because we had nothing to play for but also the team was as offensive as it could be with players coming back in, which showed by getting three goals.

“It was naïve of us the way we conceded. We lost possession and I perhaps should have brought the lad down and taken a yellow card but he got into the box. For the second it is always disappointing to concede from set plays or restarts.”

Town end their season at Derby next Saturday and Skuse wants to finish 2015/16 on a winning note: “Derby are in the play-offs and we have nothing else to play for but we will respect the league and look to get three points as we did here.”

Former Blues striker Dean Bowditch, 29, was disappointed that his MK Dons side left Portman Road having been defeated but was pleased to have received a warm welcome back from his old fans.

“To come away from the game when we have lost and be happy is hard but coming back was very good,” he said.

“I didn’t think the fans would remember me never mind give me such a warm reception. It was lovely.

“I’m disappointed for the gaffer, the lads and our fans but personally it was special to come back to such a great place where I have so many happy memories.”

He added: “When I left Ipswich I had to re-evaluate my career. I dropped down a level and started again with Yeovil, which was a fantastic time for me there.

“I have been with MK Dons for quite a while now and it has been brilliant. We have won promotions, our standards have been very high and I have learned so much. These are times I will cherish.

“I have a year left on my contract and I will stay and do my very best, which I always have done, and we will look to get promoted straight away.”

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 13:18 - May 2 MrSkuse returns to mediocrity this season after playing well at the end of last season, he doesn't create well, pass well or score goals, another defensive midfield player that shouldn't automatically be on the first 11 each saturday! Have we lacked amition this season...answer yes!
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midastouch added 13:22 - May 2 All this "careful what you wish for" is getting disrespectful. If fans are complaining it's generally only because they are not happy with the overall quality of the football. I think ExSkuse can do a job, but it won't be a very exciting job. Plus his goal record is woeful. I couldn't care less if he went on a free transfer. Bristol City weren't bothered about him going, and neither should we be. He's bang average! And average aint good enough to get you out of this tough league, not unless you've got some other stars to carry you but there's little room for passengers in this tough old league! Bowditch comes across 100 times better in his interview than ExSkuse. And I recall Bowditch scored as many goals in his home debut for Town than ExSkuse will get in 2 or 3 seasons!

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ITFCRealist added 13:50 - May 2 ExSkuse should be forced out the club after disrespecting the fans who pay his wages.
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Mullet added 13:59 - May 2 Being lectured about "disrespect" by a bloke with that avatar..... priceless.
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midastouch added 14:07 - May 2 I'm not lecturing anybody. Just stating an opinion. I could argue that Mick hasn't exactly showed the fans total respect this season with his woeful team selections (especially during the second half of the season). Some believe he is a stubborn manager set in his ways. I don't think I'm completely alone in holding such a view. Mick happens to divide opinion, just like Wenger does Arsenal.

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bohslegend added 15:08 - May 2 All the self righteous critics on here. Skuse is right, the players always go out to do their best - I think that's the one thing you can't have a go at them about - but some times you have a bad day at the office - all the self righteous critics here NEVER have a bad day do they? Seems like there's a handful of noisy neighbours with £20 of smart phone credit and by God they're determined to use it! Social media gives a voice to those who like to have a say on everything.

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midastouch added 15:25 - May 2 Here is a definition of an online forum for those that fail to understand the concept (i.e. bohslegend): "A meeting or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged." I respect your right to voice your opinion bohslegend. Perhaps you could give others the courtesy of doing likewise whether you happen to agree with what they have to say or not. Thank you.

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essexboy added 15:33 - May 2 boys legend,I think you'll find a good majority of posters on these pages want the best for THERE club and therefore are free to voice there opinions on what they think,and feel would be better for the club.Remember,WE the supporters pay there wages.Con you honestly tell me the players have played well all season.I don't think so,otherwise we would and should have bettered ourselves from last season and cemented a top six spot.You cannot put all the blame on injuries like some keep saying.There was we are told by the CEO money available should MM require it,but he chose not to saying his squad was good enough.They did so we are informed try to sign a player in January but it fell through for some reason or another.we will never no who it was,just guess work from some.It seems to me and many others that we have had a great deal of bad days at the office,OR are you just happy with what you see.Please don't criticise people for there opinions.we all what is best for our club.

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essexboy added 15:35 - May 2 Sorry should be bohslegend.my mistake. 👍
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grumpyoldman added 15:42 - May 2 Well said midastouch, Skuse says all the right things in following the club line, whether the fans believe it is another matter. Players say that there is no better manager in the championship than MM, if they honestly think that good for them. Some could argue if he were that good why didn't anybody else go for him before us, he was available before Burnley appointed Dysche, they have had two good seasons in championship and one bad season in PL, if they had gone for MM would they have achieved more.

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Dissboyitfc added 15:54 - May 2 Bohslegend...Skuse has made some statements. If people didnt have differing views there would no need for the forum. Buy a newspaper and there is no need to come on here and listen to peoples opinions. The truth is they are very well paid and they in the public eye. People pay the money and are entitled to share their differing thoughts. Many fans are now not happy and they should say and the club should listen. One word sums up our season, "WOEFUL"

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blueboy1981 added 17:15 - May 2 ....... the time of year for 'spin' from players and club unfortunately. All said, and done - disappointing season - entrenched yet again in the Championship.
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blueboy1981 added 17:24 - May 2 ....... I'm not hopeful of it happening - but let's hope, maybe above hope, that McCarthy has learnt a lesson in showing (particularly long term) supporters the respect they deserve. His obvious disrespect has been all too evident on several occasions this past season - he maybe needs reminding that these people indirectly pays his wages. This will have been an issue will many - I would think, and justifiably so.

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midastouch added 17:25 - May 2 We're called "impatient and simplistic" for daring to criticise Mick Almighty. Yet we've been stuck in the Championship for how many years now? If the rose-tinted Mick loving brigade can't comprehend why some fans are getting impatient at being stuck in this league for what seems like an eternity I'm a little shocked to be candid! How many more seasons before your patience starts to wear thin with endless mediocrity? Do you suggest those that are unhappy give it another 10 years, or perhaps you would prefer that we wait 20 or 30 years before voicing our frustration? Personally I want to see us win something, or at least seriously challenge, or get to a final before I kick the bucket! If Bradford can make it to a final, why can't we have a crack at the prize one year?

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Bob7881 added 17:26 - May 2 Bohslegend you are so right you must have unlimited credit the dribble you post on here.
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Michael11 added 17:58 - May 2 The only thing the owner has been "very, very, very generous" with is paying a bang average footballer like you thousands of pounds a week.
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HackneyBlue added 18:00 - May 2 If i thought that next season would be any different i would have renewed ,its not going to so it remains in the bin
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SpiritOfJohn added 20:34 - May 2 Mr Skuse is a good pro but not very inspiring on the field, or off it if this interview is anything to go by. One hopes that MM can make a signing or two in the close season and shake a few of the regulars out of their complacency as we have witnessed little in the way of excitement this season since Fraser's demise.
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therein61 added 07:40 - May 3 If all micks favourites played 1/2 as well as they creep then we would have had a better season
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blueboy1981 added 18:39 - May 3 ......... it's all going to be different next season - for the umpteenth time.... !!!
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blueboy1981 added 18:41 - May 3 ....... well, at least until people have renewed their season tickets.
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Surco72 added 17:36 - May 4 bohslegend cannot comment on any games as he never attends to watch just loves whatever MM does as he once managed a bog standard irish team full of English players and manager who over achieved for a bit but was then found out , sound familiar ?
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bohslegend added 23:30 - May 5 Hey Surco, how's your cricket team doing mate? Or your rugby team? Or do I need to mention our own Terry Butcher or Colin Viljoen, or Owen Hargeaves () or John Barnes, or Raheem Sterling?????? Give me a break with the tired old mocking of Ireland teams - you English lads wrote the book on recruitment overseas
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