Striker Freddie Sears admitted he’d never heard home fans berate their manager in the manner that sections of the Blues support did during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with bottom of the table Rotherham and says all the players are firmly behind boss Mick McCarthy.

Some supporters in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand sang, “Mick McCarthy, your football is s–t” during what was a frustrating second period until David McGoldrick’s late, late goal which salvaged a point.

“I have never heard home supporters have a go at a manager like that, to be honest,” the striker, who opened the scoring in the third minute, said afterwards. “It is disappointing but that is up to the fans. Everyone in the changing room is behind the gaffer.

“If you’re winning games then they will be singing the gaffer’s name. He won’t be worried about that, he is big enough, old enough and been round the block enough to cope with all that.

“That’s football, one day you are a hero, the next you are not. It is difficult but it is down to us to put in the performances and play for the manager.”

He added: “The gaffer sets us up to win games, he doesn’t set us up to lose games and we are behind him and we go out there to win.

"We had a right go and it was a shame we could not get more goals in the first half.”

Regarding the boring football claims, the 26-year-old said: “I’m not going to stand here and say the football is boring because this is the team I play for and I’m enjoying it.

“There was a lot of good stuff in the first half but obviously in the second half the football was not as good so fans could say it was boring.

“We have some really good players here with the likes of Bishop and McGoldrick, so the fans expect better football sometimes and we have to try and do that. It is not always easy against teams in the Championship because everyone is fighting for points.

“Rotherham were gobbling up time as early as the first half and you can’t blame them. They have a new manager and are going again. We have to forget about this and go again against Sheffield Wednesday.”

McCarthy reiterated that he had no plans to move on following the game and owner Marcus Evans is currently unlikely to be considering making a change.

Reflecting on the way the game progressed, Sears continued: “We started well. The gaffer wanted us to have a fast start and we did that. We got the early goal, but it was a shame they equalised straight away.

“We played really well first half but they got a goal quickly in the second half and we struggled.”

Sears's third-minute goal was his second in three games following on from his 38-match run without finding the net.

“I was always confident I could score goals,” he said. “Sometimes your confidence is not sky high but I played up front and scored a goal. So it shows if you play up front you will score a goal because you get more chances.

“I felt I linked well with Didzy and enjoyed playing up front. We changed the shape second half and so Didzy came from deep and it was a great strike. We know what he can do and he saved us.

“We have shown great character to come back against a team with a new manager who are scrapping away. I’m not sure how long they will be bottom.

“It was tough to break them down, they got in front and defended deep so it was a massive relief to get that goal and get a point.”

He added: “We are feeling the pressure at home, you can see that. We scored two and did well against Burton recently and we got the early goal this time and everyone was up.

“But they scored and the fans weren’t happy. They came here expecting us to beat Rotherham and it just didn’t happen for us.”

MIllers' striker Danny Ward, on target twice for the visitors, admitted that McGoldrick’s late goal was tough to take.

“It feels like a defeat, although the overall performance was solid, it was gutting to see that goal go in at the end,” the 24-year-old said.

“It was a great strike and it took that to beat us. It was a much better performance from us, and the manager [Kenny Jackett] has made a difference in a short time. We have been far more solid and compact and we have dealt with second balls better.”

Despite Rotherham remaining bottom of the table, still eight points from safety, Ward has already taken his season’s total to eight.

“My job is to keep scoring goals so I’m happy to be doing that,” he added. “I know if I keep working the chances will come and I need to be there.

“I said at the start of season I was capable of getting 20 goals and I now have eight before November, so I have to be happy with that. I have to keep working hard for the team.

“Things have not clicked for the team but things are starting to and personally I feel capable of scoring more.”

Had things panned out differently, Ward could have been wearing a Town shirt on Saturday, Blues boss McCarthy having targeted him in the summer of 2014.

“It was a while ago that McCarthy and the gaffer [Jackett] tried to sign me while he was at Wolves and I was at Huddersfield,” he recalled.

“Neither materialised for one reason or another but now it is good to be able to work with him. I like his style, it suits me and I’m looking forward to it.

“Nothing got agreed with Ipswich or Wolves but I have no regrets. I’m happy because I know we have plenty of good players at this club and we can turn things around.”

Meanwhile, Town's U23s are in action against Watford at Vicarage Road this afternoon (KO 2pm).

Photo: TWTD

TR11BLU added 09:16 - Oct 31 Dino out NOW
5

TractorBoy666 added 09:21 - Oct 31 I find it incredible how long it has taken our fans to turn on MM. When you put things into perspective, many other fans from other clubs wouldn't have taken anywhere near as long as we have to turn against a man whose football has been woeful for some time now. Things are not going to improve and can only see it ending badly if Evans continues to back MM. Fans are fed up, winning a game here and there isn't going to change that. The atmosphere at the end of the match on Saturday reminded me the end of PJ's era at the club, but I suppose MM is seen as some sort of messiah by Evans.

17

jonbull88 added 09:25 - Oct 31 It's a shame the north stand can't be that loud when they sing positive songs. The ground as a whole has been quite for some time. Tbf the line up was attacking but for me a combo of drained confidence and a poisonous atmosphere made the second half difficult, especially after falling 2-1 down. We all know mm is not going anywhere, definitely not before Christmas anyway, so it would be nice if the whole ground could get behind the team. If people don't want to, to show mm they are not happy please don't turn up, that's the best option, vote with your feet, don't add pressure to the boys, they look scared enough not to make a mistake as it is.

-13

brittaniaman added 09:29 - Oct 31 What has happened to Ward by the way ???? he was so good when he first came here, and played his natural game ??? but it seems that the training has knocked the Flair out of him ?? McCarthy wIl not let the players have any Freedom, he has to direct every movement for them wether it is good or bad ?? Mick Mills also said this, without trying to condemn McCarthy. BUT THE USUAL PHRASE OF McCARTHY IS MY WAY OR NO WAY !!!!!!

23

OldClactonBlue added 09:56 - Oct 31 So jonbull88 crowds dropping beyond 10 000 is the only valid protest. Then the only ones still left in the ground will be happy with the dross served up. I suspect the players would be affected by that too. Needs more than that if the regime can't see it for themselves I'm afraid. Evans should go too in my opinion, it is not ITFC anymore.
8

Bluejake added 09:56 - Oct 31 I don't agree with the opinion of some that if you're not happy with the football you should just stay away. Many of the unhappy fans who sing/chant their displeasure are season ticket holders who have paid in advance for the "privilege" of watching games and are justifiably expecting to be entertained. If what they see is boring, turgid and ugly football, their vocal opinions are, in my opinion, quite rightly expressed in the ground, whether the players or management or indeed some supporters like it or not. Rant over.

23

Tony88 added 09:56 - Oct 31 MicksZzTactics Thanks for your comments I will save this to read when I can't sleep it will send me off before I get to the to the end.
2

essextractorboy93 added 09:57 - Oct 31 Was really disappointing to hear the SBR stand chanting in that way on Saturday. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but to do that during the game isn't going to help in any way. Wish we could just get behind the team instead and not add pressure onto the team as it no doubt has an effect on the players performance.
-10

Geoff added 09:57 - Oct 31 The only way to get change is protest at the games,look what has got the publicity and even on radio suffolk. This has gone on in silence for to long and why fans are voting with their feet.We want entertainment again you will not get this from MM you should not dread going down on a Saturday or Tuesday night as i was last season. I agree we all want our club back MM must go and more pressure on Evans please.

12

Gazelle added 09:58 - Oct 31 Can't blame the manager for the two terrible goals we gave away.
-9

Michael11 added 10:00 - Oct 31 Well it's pretty clear that McCarthy wants his pay off. Until we're hopeless and in the bottom 3, Evans won't even think about sacking him. Long term I fear massively about the state of the club. The past 4 years we've been better than the RK/PJ days, but at the minute we're only very slightly better off than back then. We're going backwards all the time and I can't see where any success will come from until both Evans and McCarthy leave. Evans does do a lot financially with the debt but he's absolutely clueless about Football and a pushover to the managers he appoints.

4

suffolkref added 10:13 - Oct 31 Problem is they count season ticket holders whether they turn up or not, so never a true reflection. Excluding away fans it would be interesting to know how many tickets they sell before each game, that would be a true reflection, my thought here is that it is minimal and declining. I wont go again until MM is gone that is for sure.
11

alljezer added 10:20 - Oct 31 The best way to get rid of this guy is to open up a donation page and pay his contract off. That way, Evans and his merry men will see how much this means to us all, and how serious we feel about. Who knows, Big stubborn Mick might even take notice
1

NSL added 10:35 - Oct 31 Feeling the pressure at home?? What in front of 15k fans in what has been a library of late?? There's your problem ladies and gentleman.
0

BrettenhamBlue added 10:38 - Oct 31 important thing is we need a point at Wednesday to aid in our massive battle against relegation....yet again
1

Lightningboy added 10:56 - Oct 31 We've got a very decent squad (when all fit)...we're just being held back by an uninspiring manager & an uninspiring central midfield (Skuse/Douglas). Sears,Ward,Bishop,McGoldrick,Grant,Dozzell,Lawrence,Jonny Williams..some great little players there but I have zero faith in McCarthy getting the best out of them. McCarthy managing the above is like bringing in a cowboy builder to sort out the Sistine Chapel.

14

BackTheBlues added 11:04 - Oct 31 The only thing I'm going to say is... fans are entitled to boo and shout at the team! But please don't do it to our younger players like Kenlock - who had a relatively good game but ran out of steam! He got some rough stick when a misplaced pass went out of play in the 2nd half based on the seasons frustrations from the fans... it isn't his fault and it's only going to make him nervous! Boo Mick, Boo Chambo, Boo Berra - Boo any of them that have been around the block - but Kenlock, Emmanuel, Bish and Dozzer - give them a break - they won't ever have played in this environment before!

11

vulcher1 added 11:46 - Oct 31 players noticing the chanting! congrats to the fans behind the chanting, keep it up then it will only go one way, it will be the fans relegating us! not McCarthy!
-15

evansblue added 11:55 - Oct 31 So 5 hours after asking who should replace Mick the 2 suggestions are Burley and Di Matteo. Interesting. We may as well throw Ron Atkinsons name in the mix whilst we are at it. When people slate every little thing Mick does I do wonder what they expect from a club who spends peanuts on players. We are a mid table team based on finances yet Mick has kept us in or around the play offs in his time here. Not sure what else people expect.

-4

grubbyoik added 12:15 - Oct 31 We have been patient, polite and well manored for far too long.. He gets what he deserves.. The style of football he forces on us week in week out deserves a reaction and he is now getting one.
11

Mick_Mills_Tache added 12:41 - Oct 31 Evansblue....here's a few more names for you: Paul Cook (Pompey) Darrell Clarke (Bristol Rovers) Graham Alexander (Scunthorpe) Derek Adams (Plymouth) Keith Curle (Carlisle) All young-ish managers who play football the right way and have built teams on a budget (particularly Alexander). If none of those will come straight away (seeing as they're excelling in their current jobs) then we sack Mick now and bring in an interim coach until January/the summer.

7

vulcher1 added 12:51 - Oct 31 mick mills tache, they have built teams on a small budget but they are also surrounded by teams in their league with a small budget! we are not! massive difference in the championship
-1

dangerous30 added 12:58 - Oct 31 Haha the fans who stay away will be moaning next season when again we have no transfer budget. If you bring in cheap and free players then what do you expect for us to play like. With what has been spent we should be fighting relegation. Blame the owner for not investing don't think if the owner said to mick you have 5 million he would say no thank you I am happy with my squad. As for Saturday most fans was pleased with the starting line up, but the team could not deliver as for shouting abuse it just means the team will hate playing at home and play worse. i don't support the manger I support ITFC.

-8

NoelTheDub added 13:05 - Oct 31 Well Freddie thanks for your PR stunt that was well prepared my McCarthy.As we are going to Sheff Wed you are going back on the wing to begin your goal famine again because Mick is going to be even more defencive after that rubbish on Sat.Injuries are the one and only reason he makes changes as another poster said any young player with a bit of flair will be tuffed out of this squad.I have said for a long time are sinking fast but my real gripe is going down playing this way god bless our club if we try play this tripe of football in league 1 because we have to be the only ones out there doing this garbage week in week out.Ive said 3 years ago this hoof football will have us were we are today and the moaning on sat has been brewing in supporters for a long time and if supporters applaued the team om sat Mick might think his style and tactics are working they never have in my view.All I want is my team to play bloody football the way it should and if that takes us up or down so be it yes we are poor with no money,small squad,out dated players BUT with raw tallanted youngsters rotting on the sidelines that is our future right there not what we have watched over the last few years.Ifor one was not jumping around when we were in playoffs yes s##t football got us there but its not for me because it was always was going to come back and haunt us as we see today.

9

docsavage52 added 13:08 - Oct 31 The players dont pick the team, they are told they are playing, might not be to the stanard we expect, but its what we have been stuck with. Its management that needs to be moaned at.
-2

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls