Town boss Mick McCarthy believes any club would suffer from having four of their best and most creative players unavailable for long periods of the season, as the Blues have during 2015/16.

Teddy Bishop made his first senior start of the campaign during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the MK Dons having suffered with a series of injuries, while David McGoldrick only recently returned to action after the torn hamstring he suffered in December. The Republic of Ireland international's goal during Saturday's game was his first since August.

Ryan Fraser - who was back at Portman Road to join the end of season lap of appreciation following the MK Dons match - has been with his parent club AFC Bournemouth recovering from a hamstring problem since February, the loanee's second stint on the sidelines.

Latterly, Daryl Murphy has been out with a calf problem, having never hit the same heights this season as he did during his remarkable 2014/15 campaign when he top scored in the Championship with 27 goals.

“What’s he scored 10? He got 27 last season. I think missing 17 goals speaks for itself, doesn’t it really?” McCarthy said.

“He is such a difficult player for the opposition to deal with. He not only scores his goals, he creates goals because he is such a threat with his power and pace.”

The Town boss says any team would suffer from having so many of their key players missing with his old club Wolves - who are 14th this season having finished seventh a year ago - having similarly lost players this season.

“It would have an adverse effect on any of them,” McCarthy added. “If you look at where I came from, Wolves, they lost Nouha Dicko [injured], Bakary Sako [joined Crystal Palace], Jordan Graham [injured] and Benik Afobe [joined Bournemouth].

“They’re a similar team and I know their fans aren’t happy and they’re getting a bit of grief.

“Losing those four, they can’t get like for like and I’m afraid I can’t get like for like in terms of loans or signings for Ryan Fraser, Teddy Bishop, Didz and Murph. It’s just not going to happen.

“But I’ve not complained about it because there’s no point. We always make do with the best we’ve got and make the best of it.”

McGoldrick and Bishop have given glimpses of what Town fans have missed while they have been out of action and will hopefully see more regularly next season, but McCarthy says their ability is allied with hard work, which he feels is a sometimes underrated quality.

“When you’re not playing well hard work gets so undermined and it’s almost like it’s a dirty word,” he said.

“I was discussing this earlier. Didzy gets his chances and he plays better when he works hard.

“I was talking about the Bayern Munich team that had the two wingers, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, and their coach who won the treble [Jupp Heynckes] left them out.

“When he was asked why he said, ‘Because you don’t track back and you don’t do all the dirty stuff’.

“And we’re talking about Robben and Ribery, who are arguably the best wingers in the world, certainly two of the best.

“What is wrong with it? They have got that sprinkling of stardust, but unless they work they don’t play in the team.

“And I loved that, that a top coach, a top manager who has won everything says to two of them, ‘You don’t run, you’re not playing’ in no uncertain terms.

“And do you know what they did? They started running around and tracking back and doing all the dirty work.

“So, if we can add Didzy and Bish doing all that and their sprinkling of stardust, which they quite clearly have - and we had Ryan Fraser doing it as well, it was lovely to see him today, he’s another one who worked his socks off which was probably why he ended up tearing his hamstring as badly as he did - they would add that but they don’t add it unless they’re running around and working hard like everybody else.”

Photo: Action Images

sixtyblue added 10:23 - May 2 Part of the problem is some members of the team are just not fit.Forwards from other clubs with a bit of pace just seem to ghost past them.RRegarding Fraser getting injured it was Micks fault playing him when before his last game he was already carrying the injury.Twice getting the same injury Bournemouths manager obviously decided we were not looking after him properly.There is obviously something wrong with the training for so many players getting calf and hamstring injuries.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:40 - May 2 Because other players that would have been just as good grow on trees don't they? And they don't cost a lot, having kept quiet since xmas this was a theme that I hope to expand on in a loner blog about where I am with Mick (who still retains my support for the.time being) but if we came in just within the FFP rules (righ on the margin in fact, again.) Where do the funds come from to pay/pay for.these additional signings? We could breach FFP and cheat but that for me is certainly not the town way and that QPR case is still dragging I note, QPR who now can't pay Reid first choice keeper having over extended themselves. What depressing is Norwich will be rewarded for failure with another 90 million if they go down. Look at any club, would Leicester be on the verge of history had they lost Vary, Mahrez, Drinkwater and Kante for the season? Would spurs be 2nd had they missed Kane, Ericksen and Ali? Look what happens to Arsenal every year when there team starts picking up injuries, City are barley 4th having missed Silva, Sterling and KDB for much of season and that with Aguero having had a reletively good sea on injury wise. As for Utd imagine where they would be had they lost Martial and Mata long term this year? This is not an excuse it's a reason and whilst I agree we could.have added in Jan we never had the budget to Cover all those missing players and we did add Pringle and Feeney. Yes the style of play was pretty awful this year but when you lose your four most creative outlets (perhaps 3, not sure Murphy is creative) then it is only natural that the instrument of the team becomes blunter. I found it deeply ironic that those who were up in arms when it was suggested that MCG might be sold, using capital letters to sound of about winning and ambition suggested when he got injured that we should have sold him when we had the chance. That to me sums up the though process of some on here. We go again next year, let's hope with a fully fit squad for once, a witch doctor to do something about the Portman Rd winners curse might be a worthwhile investment overy the summer too.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:43 - May 2 *wingers curse
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SingBlue added 10:44 - May 2 Reading between the lines MM must be worried for next season if he is saying we rely on these 4 players - The odds are at least three of them are going to be as ineffective again next term: History tells us McGoldrick is going to be injured again for long periods, This season tells us Murphy has been found out by defenders, can we rely on him for 27 goals in a season again? Fraser isn't ours! Hopefully Bishop isn't injury prone and we can get more out of him. MM doesn't appear to be a huge gambler so is he willing to gamble on the 2 DM's? and we have to assume we won't have Fraser - therefore, if he's saying the other regular team players plus these 4 is the least we need to get into the play offs, the club must surely spend big on a young fit strong 27 goal a season striker and a classy winger........Good luck finding that with your la di da £1 million offers Mr Evans! MM states he's too old to change his style now (hence the reason I won't part with my tuppence ha'penny till he's gone!) ignore the teams he's picking now for these dead rubbers, he must want that reliable big man up top otherwise his game plan is knackered......if he's not found this rut we're in can only get deeper with MM at the helm. Just reading between the lines of his words!

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warktheline added 11:12 - May 2 Funny how Mr.Capitalist and McCarthy are singing from the same hymn sheet! We missed him, and him, and him ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz! The facts are as follows: IF funds are available why do we continually sign cast offs and freebies? Why hasn't McCarthy recruited from lower division, there are players there with potential, please don't tell me otherwise! Another fact, we now have proof, we maybe prepared to pay 1 million for a player, as such we definitely not competing financially with several clubs in Championship! My perspective is this, McCarthy has become complacent, sticking mainly with his tried and tested 'true pros'. This happens in all walks of life, and if that person can't stand back and analysis ' their performance ' you have a problem. Now then, if this 'problem' isn't rectified, the whole environment becomes stale. Unfortunately I believe Mr Capitalism is unable to spot a winner when it comes to football, if he could, he would of 'demanded' McCarthy to improve squad when we were ' flirting ' in and around top 6, a season ago! Let me pick one man who has energy in abundance and works tirelessly to produce the 'goods' for owner and fan alike...... GARY JOHNSON, Christ the man walk all the way to Portman Rd to sign a '1 year contract ' just for the privilege of being in our great club's 'hot-seat'. The man knows the lower divisions inside out, and give him 'our modest kitty ' and he'll without doubt would produce the 'attractive football ' MOST of US CRAVE '. You never know, he may prove McCarthy isn't the only man who can 'save ' our club!

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 11:31 - May 2 I wouldn't mind if MM was to stay if we played decent football on the floor and we weren't so negative, particularly at home, and set up to draw/not lose/sitting back and trying to stop the opposition from scoring. Pretty much how we started the season playing. Also for him to drop his favourites (Douglas/Skuse/Berra) if they're not performing and to stop dropping in form players for the said favourites (Pringle and Bru come to mind). Also, if he didn't hold us fans in so much contempt. But can I see Mick doing that, no, I can't.He has to go in my opinion. Having those injuries would be detrimental to any teams season, I can see that point, it doesn't, however, make you start playing two, sometimes three, defensive midfielders to teams in the bottom 8 at home. Doing that when you're chasing the playoffs is just suicidal as a manager and just makes you wonder whether they have any idea as to what they're doing.

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grumpyoldman added 11:47 - May 2 Mullet no not theinjured players, Douglas, Scuse, Hyam. If you read my original post I said he could and should have tried to replace the long term injured players, but stated he was happy with what he had, now he is saying he missed the injured players, double talk, BS, making excuses whatever you want to call it, but not consistent, only consistent is the crap on display.

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brazilblue added 11:49 - May 2 Cant quite believe people are calling for Mick to go. The man has had no money whatsoever, assembled a team that is more than capable of finishing in the top 6 but has been hampered by injury. How many more points would we have with a fit Mcgoldrick, Bishop, Fraser? Remind yourselves where we have come from under Mccarthy
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superblue70 added 12:00 - May 2 More excuses from mm, there is no way he would have played all 4 in the same team any way
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blueherts added 12:10 - May 2 For me as I have said previously when it mattered we lacked both ability and mental toughness after January Last season we lost last game of season but got into play offs thanks to derby imploding MM uses wolves as a comparison but we were in contention but he failed to both replace obvious short comings as 'there was no one out there better' and since January we have simply been shocking 5 wins and poor poor football I defy anyone to come on here and say this is acceptable ME REWARDED MM with a nice contract in January for what exactly Strange that since he signed that our form AND performances were poor Coincidence ?

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blueherts added 12:13 - May 2 Add to that we have a very well paid squad I think we have become just too comfortable
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brazilblue added 12:16 - May 2 Superblue70: http://www.worldfootball.net/report/championship-2015-2016-preston-north-end-ips disproves your argument
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Gcon added 12:16 - May 2 Criticising MM for not having the strength in depth to allow for injuries, not signing quality players in January, not taking on creative loan players in January and refusing to accept that injuries to our key creative players was an issue are such lame and unintelligent comments. Just to spell it out for you - A manager requires funds from an owner to overcome these hurdles.

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blueherts added 12:53 - May 2 Gcon unfortunately we never really hear what is and isn't available According to.Milne there was and is Until we get some real communication from 'Mr Evans' no one really knows Club direction etc some sort of plan Is that too much to ask?
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Superfrans added 13:06 - May 2 Christ, BattyBlue. Batty by name, batty by nature...
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SingBlue added 13:10 - May 2 I agree with you Gcon - My lame unintelligent comment above is saying exactly that, that if ME doesn't spend huge (not big) McCarthy is knackered because there is no plan B for him with the current set up. Personally I'd prefer to go down fighting and have a bit of fun with it instead of gauging out this boring rut for years to come....and who knows maybe another manager would have talent too and get us up playing football.....it has been done!

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essexboy added 14:12 - May 2 Gcon,and Milne said there were funds should he need them,they even tried to sign somebody.Correct me if I'm wrong.From an unintelligent town supporter.!!
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midastouch added 14:18 - May 2 Here come the Ex-Skuses!
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bohslegend added 14:57 - May 2 This website used to be such a great place to interact as supporters of Ipswich. Unfortunately it's now a haven for impatient, unreasonable and simplistic criticisers of the manager, the players, the owner and just about everything else to do with the club.
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essex57 added 15:22 - May 2 Mick mill's tache um see you are making defences for your stance next season already We all know it's 99.5% certain that Mick will be with us next year so the man's not a fool,Dino, or whatever you want to call him he will do the best he can with the youngsters coming through plus the addition of one or two signings plus the best of the current squad so let's get behind the club and do what we do best Support them.

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Gcon added 16:36 - May 2 Blueherts & Essexboy - I think by now it's pretty obvious that MM has not had funding, and it's too convenient for the haters to latch on to some tenuous comment made my Milne a while back rather than look at the big picture. I would say that it's becoming pretty clear that MM is getting increasingly frustrated by the lack of support from above. His post match interview spoke volumes on Saturday where he said it's all very well ME writing in the program notes that he is up for discussing buying in players with him but that's not the same as committing money to him. Fair enough if you don't like MM, that's your opinion but base your arguments on the right facts, please. It's so easy to point the finger at MM but matters such as budget, bringing in new players, achieving strength in depth etc are all matters out of his hand. How he can be demonised on those points makes no sense. Saturday's 'no ambition' banner is fair enough but it has to be aimed at ME. Following it on with 'MM out' makes no sense as the points have no relationship.

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essexboy added 16:48 - May 2 Gcon,read my post,I have not said I don't like MM.And tell me if we cannot believe what the CEO says,then who can we believe.If you choose NOT to BELIEVE then that's your perogotiv,but not mine or many others.Dont forget we are all entitled to opinions and because we go against what you say or think it does not mean we are haters.Just a little more thought in your posts would go a long way to give you credibility.Remember that.

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blueherts added 16:51 - May 2 Gcon you say it is obvious , how do you know that No one has ever given us a clear indication or vision of what is the fact Having an invisible owner is half the problem but so is having a manager devoid of competing against nearly every team we have played in the last 4 months Maybe u have some inside track who knows ?
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superblue70 added 17:05 - May 2 Brazil blue how does that disprove my argument where are bishop and Murphy? Think it actually proves my point.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:49 - May 2 Given when he bought the club Evans had a clause inserted that says he cannot be repaid any money until Town reach the PL how anyone can even suggest we lack ambition? Evans is, like it or not, into the club for tens of millions (if not hundreds) of pounds. He will never see a penny of that back until we are in the top flight. Do you seriously think he wants to write off that kind of cash and at the same time continue to plough money into (and therfore effectively through it away) a loss making enterprise? If you do its up there with man not landing on The moon and the Royals being reptiles in human skin, no one would ever choose to lose that kind of money. Evans through money at PJ and RK sanctioning big wages for flop players like Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland. The budget reduced only when it was evident FFP would arive, the club tightened it's belt accordingly. The fact that other teams have disregarded it and the fact that Football authorities refuse to properly enforce either the rules or the punishments is not the fault of Marcus Evans or the club. We, and fans from all clubs who are playing by the rules should be demanding proper action is taken against clubs who flout the laws until the learn. It is football that has to address the issue but the club should be making more noises itself. Our expenditure is now linked to turnover, if you want to know why Derby have a bigger budget it's because they get 30k a week through the gate, and they do regardless of league position or playing style. There board sacked a guy who had them on course for promotion because he wanted promotion to fast, IE showed ambition. Imagine it on here had Evans done that? Yet still 30 k pour through their gate to watch Darren Bent, Tom Ince etc chocke every year for 25 grand a week. We should all note ME utelises the full amount owners my invest (£3 million a year?) Season in, season out. I would all suggest that compared to nutters like Tan, Cellinio, the hire em fire em specialists at Charlton, Karl Oyston and the Venkys were still doing ok in the owner department. Do I think everything is rosey? No. Do some of the decisions made at the club baffle me? Sometimes. Is there more the club could do? Definitely in my opinion but in terms of the finances I think it's a rock and a hard place for all concerned. Sorry, that's has turned into an essay, I was only going to write 3 lines but I think it's too black and white to level everything at the club and manager when football has created this ridiculous scenario. In the old days owners could spend what they wanted so we all knew how deep the hand went into the kitty.

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