“Careful what you wish for,” was QPR boss Ian Holloway’s message to Mick McCarthy’s detractors after the Blues’ 3-0 defeat of his side at Portman Road on Saturday.

Having lamented his team’s second half collapse after conceding Luke Varney’s goal nine minutes after the break, which could have resulted in a defeat by a significantly bigger margin, Holloway turned his post-match press conference attention to the criticism his friend McCarthy has faced this season.

“I’ve got to go back and try and deal with how bad we were after we let the second goal in,” Holloway said following his second game back in charge at Loftus Road.

“But I’ll still remember what we were like before that and I’ll try and help them and I’ll stand there for them and I’ll be strong for them and at the end of the day they’re still the fundamental things.

“I’ve had about six training sessions since I’ve been here with all of them, I’ve had people away on international duty but we’ve got to be mentally tougher than that as a group because I’m pretty disappointed with the finish of this game and last week I wasn’t very happy with the finish of that game [the 2-1 home win against Norwich].

“But that is the vital thing. Can you all be as consistent as the teams at the top, and if not why not because everybody thinks they should be at the top of the table now, particularly here, don’t you?

“I would just like to remind all of you, where were you when Mick McCarthy first turned up?

“How short memories you have. With the greatest respect, it’s not the best thing to actually sell your best players all the time, is it?

“Seven points you had [when McCarthy took over in November 2012]. Never mind about going up, what about not going down, [never mind] about keeping building, what about selling? It doesn’t make sense for me, sorry. And he’s a good mate of mine.

“I’m only being realistic. Don’t bring your own woes and chuck it at someone, that’s how I feel, and ask why you keep having to sell all your best players all the time.

“You got someone from non-league [Tyrone Mings] , you sold him for about £8 million [to Bournemouth], is that what Mick wants to do, is it? Really? I doubt it. Would he like to keep them and keep working? I don’t know.

“Just have a bit of a thought sometimes, that’s all I’m saying and then you might get what you want for Christmas.

“I hope you don’t mind and I hope you don’t think I’m making a big story of it, all I’m trying to say is just sometimes have a little look where you were and have a little think about who you’re having a go at. That’s all I’m saying. Because some of us are alright. Some of us.”

Reflecting on his recent visits to Portman Road, he added: “I don’t like coming here now, that’s twice you’ve beaten me 3-0.”

When it was pointed out that at least the game hadn’t ended in a 5-0 defeat as Mick McCarthy’s second game in charge of Town and Holloway’s first as Crystal Palace boss had four years ago, he said: “It could have been. Believe it or not you had 58 per cent possession that day and we scored five goals.

“Three penalties we had that day, but they were all fouls,” he added with a wink.

Photo: Action Images

Lightningboy added 10:22 - Nov 28 Ollie - what I wish for is a team that's a joy & pleasure to support & watch (like we used to be - far too long ago) Not the odd decent performance once every blue moon. You concentrate on QPR's problems.
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GoldieBlue added 10:34 - Nov 28 F**k off Ollie and the majority of the other championship managers / pundits for that matter. They don't know or understand the real situation.
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Miles added 11:09 - Nov 28 Mick has got us closer to promotion than any of the previous 3 managers with no money. I honestly believe if Marcus is patient then we will achieve promotion with him. Always going to attract negative criticism but for me as long as we're towards the top end of that table in May I am happy
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DirtyOldNodger added 11:09 - Nov 28 GoldieBlue - Whats the real situation? Please do tell...
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Karlosfandangal added 11:16 - Nov 28 Funny........as football fans if someone does not have the same point as view as us it F@@k off you dick etc...... if a play is not scoring and the team not winning they are crap and a bit of a t@@t.... Douglas was in for stick even when injured and yet we won with him in the side and lost to Forrest with the side the most fans wanted........Douglas is not the best of players I agree but the criticism he has been given on here is diabolical. MM is a dinosaur and get out of our club......yet Holliwell makes a valid point..... Jewell, Keane,MAgilton and even Burley was told they were killing the club, come to think of it so was Lloyd o yes and even the great Sir Bobby when he started here. Support the club as all the get out of our club is really not helping the team at home. Hit the minus button guys

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Surco72 added 11:32 - Nov 28 Ridiculous comments from Holloway , just because he turned a side around who were to good to go down anyway we should be thankful for ever ? Who is to say a different manager could not be doing a lot better with the squad we have now instead of MM , new managers not working for Leeds , Derby , Huddersfield , Reading or Villa is it ?
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runningout added 11:37 - Nov 28 Wish I didn't have to wish for decent results every week, when we have the squad to achieve promotion for sure...
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Palestine added 12:06 - Nov 28 Glad to see at least half the commentors above get the most salient point Ollie made: Why would you expect to get promoted if you sell your best players and don't reinvest?? Yes, most are sick of Mick's terrible football that is barely worth watching, but should we be doing better when we don't reinvest? Hard to see why. Would take an exceptional manager to succeed under such cicurmstances. Evans deserves easily as much criticism as MM does. Evans sets the tone, and the level of ambition. Very sad state of affairs.

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Keaneish added 12:10 - Nov 28 You just plummeted in my estimations Ian me ol' Bristolian cocker. 5 season is a long time to get things right and i'm not sure "selling our best players is an excuse" unless Mings became that within one season while i was busy despairing over long ball football? If MM turns it around this season, good on him but Holloway's little hissy fit harping on about a mate's achievement nearing half a decade ago is pitiful.

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TOWIITFC added 12:38 - Nov 28 ITFC is a failed business bailed out by Marcus Evans, who is the chairman of a plc without sole autonomy for business decisions - this is presumably down to the board. Consequently any purchases would need to be made from additional funds, again likely to be made available by Marcus Evans considering ITFC has only had one profitable year since ME invested. I personally think supporters need to support rather than trying to oust anyone who has done anything favourable for the club in recent years. The toxic atmosphere ultimately doesn't help and is visibly affecting the team and will lead to further poor results, as it did last year where our away record was better than home probably due to the less hostile environment. Baring this in mind, McCarthy is doing a good job with the resources available. We need some additions but again this going to be constrained by finances, of which the sale of Murphy, who has been injured all season, will contribute.

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peteswindon added 16:07 - Nov 28 Love how all the haters cant take the truth.
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SanDiego added 16:15 - Nov 28 It seems to me that he is trying to say we should pointing the finger at Evans rather than Mick. Two or three times he mentions best players being sold. I reckon those two had a chat after the game and Mick has told him that he's being hamstrung by the owner. Still, not his business though.
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Swn98 added 18:42 - Nov 28 Ribbon 1966 massive thumbs up
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bluesince76 added 19:10 - Nov 28 Who is mick going to wheel out next to say hes a good manager,if your 14th in the chapionship after 4 years incharge of a club, who once mixed it with the best, you should be sacked and the owner should go for not sacking you. Evans out first then mc carthy.
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Brownie added 19:17 - Nov 28 Ipswich Town is not a failed business. They are a business that doesn't make a profit- there is a difference. They have sold players to balance the books. Presumably ME bought the club to make a profit? He is not a fan so why else would he buy it. To make a profit he needs to reach the PL. Does anyone think this squad or manager will achieve that? I don't.. MM did well to get us to the playoffs. Since then it has been 18 months of purgatory. That's not a knee jerk reaction or one of a hater. Well done Ollie backing your mate up which is admirable but not sure he would be saying that if he was paying to watch every week. COYB!

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TOWIITFC added 20:12 - Nov 28 When ME invested plus an eighty million plus loan, they were a failed business. They have since not made a profit except one year following the sale of cresswell and mings. Any money spent on players would therefore come from MEs personal wealth as ITFC is unable to sustain itself based on existing cash flow. The books are certainly not balanced according to the ITFC annual financial reports. Would you invest further? I wouldn't. I agree to get out of this situation would be to get into the premier league. However, we aren't going to suddenly inherit millions of pounds to buy new players so think we should get behind what we've got and support the club. The 18 months has been purgatory as you say but has been plagued by injury, hopefully there is now a light at the end of a bleak tunnel with a further additions in January.

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grumpyoldman added 20:38 - Nov 28 Why are people prepared to settle for mediocrity? "Oh I always go to PR no matter what the game is like". "MM Jewell, Keane, Super Jim,(you delete) is the best manager, you lot who complain are not true supporters, he is doing a good job. This will continue as long as I have a whole in my arsenal. Those who think the incumbent is doing a good job and those who think differently, name calling from both sides, more entertaining than the football on display IMHO

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Brownie added 21:11 - Nov 28 Not sure the light at the end of the tunnel is a very large train approaching! I hope I'm wrong but MM is not going to take this club up. And without investment in the squad of a decent level - not like Derby have it Forest did but some decent players to add to the spirited & in some cases talented ones we have - to be honest no manager will take us up. This league gets harder every year and we stick the current plan we the same regime of free transfers & loans we will not be anywhere near good enough to go up in the near future. I'll be the first to buy a beer though if I'm wrong! COYB!

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GoldieBlue added 21:30 - Nov 28 DirtyOldNodger - the situation in regards to the quality of the football and general entertainment. Us fans are in a far better position to comment than anyone else, pundits being the worst example judging us on 30 seconds of highlights. Fans opinions seemed to be dismissed, and not just by MM, the vast majority of us do know what we are talking about.
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bobble added 21:47 - Nov 28 Much ado about nowt..
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TimmyH added 21:49 - Nov 28 They are bum chums say no more!!!!!!...getting sick of that phrase now.
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TimmyH added 21:57 - Nov 28 @surco - good point re: new managers coming in, the pro MM backers on here should digest that!
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DinnernotTea added 23:02 - Nov 28 Oi Ollie have a look at some of this- -despite selling players Evans has backed him by bringing in more than 50 playes in 4 years, loan fees wages etc etc add up to a tidy sum -I've been watching Ipswich since 1991 and have never been so bored with what is served on and off the pitch. How long have you been watching us? - McCarthy still hasn't found a single right back in 4 years - Getting blokes to smash it into channels, run around a lot and put in a 'shift' isn't talent, making what you have better and teaching young players to play football is talent -You two are very similar. McCarthy too loves to be in the media (see his perfectly timed rant after the scum game towards the fans whilst the national press were there)

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Tomairyn added 10:26 - Nov 29 My issues with Mick McCarthy as manager of Ipswich Town; Continually plying players out of position. Refusing to replace players that consistently underperform, then tell us how fantastic they are. Different class !! Top bloke !! Pointing out that the more fans call for a player to be brought on as a sub, the less likely that will happen. Pathetic reasoning. Always preferring to worry about how to set up to stop our opponents playing, rather than trying to play ourselves and make them worry about stopping us. And finally, the saddest thing I've ever heard a football manager say. We actually let a young player go because "He can actually play a bit." What must Josh Yorwerth have thought, being released because he ca actually play football.

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sidtheswan added 10:31 - Nov 29 Millwall got what they wished for and now have a young manager who plays football. The previous incumbent was rubbish as I'm sure QPR will soon realise !
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