Under-fire Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll get to the end of the season and then “make a decision” on what he wants to do. McCarthy has another 18 months left on his Portman Road contract with the club having an option for an additional two years.

With the Blues currently in mid-table and looking unlikely to either get involved in the relegation battle or the play-off fight, McCarthy was asked what he would see as success in the final months of the 2016/17 campaign.

He says getting more youngsters involved and those currently in the side established is his priority.

“There are a few of the young lads that are coming into the team at the moment and I hope they end up being regulars in the team, that would be nice,” he said.

“I would like to finish the season as well as we possibly can, with as many points, obviously.

“Kundai Benyu’s doing all right at Aldershot, have him back, have some games out of him, get Bish back in the team. I’d still like to get Myles Kenlock back in and around the team, and get some younger players, so next team we can start afresh with some of the younger ones.

“And get to that point in really good condition when then I’ll have a year left on my contract and I’ll make a decision on what I want to do.”

He says it’s about looking to the future and developing with promising youngsters coming through from the academy in numbers at present.

“That’s always been the case but we’ve not had any,” he added. “The younger players have not really been ready to play.

“Dozzer’s in now and playing, we’ve got Josh Emmanuel if he can stay in the team and we keep Myles and Bish and Kundai and get the young lads in the team, I think, in terms of next season, that would constitute success. If they all stay in the team. And, like I said, then I’ll decide what I want to do.

“I’ll decide what I want to do. I’ve got everybody telling me I should be sacked or going, I’ll be the master of my own destiny almost, unless Marcus, unless the club sack me. I can’t do anything about that. Other than that I’ll be the master of my own destiny.”

What might make him opt to move on? “I’ll find out when the season finishes, won’t I? If those players are in the team, if we finish well, if we’re in good shape. I may well want to stay on and continue doing it. If not, we’ll see.”

Despite continuing fan pressure in the wake of Tuesday’s FA Cup exit at Lincoln, McCarthy says he isn’t doubting his own ability.

“If Howard Kendall had packed it in [at Everton] when they went in that Oxford League Cup tie that they had [in 1984] and if Sir Alex had packed it in [at Manchester United when he was under pressure in 1990], I’m not putting myself up with them, but they’re the results when everybody wants you out of the door all of a sudden - you’re hopeless, you can’t do it.

“That was my 900th game as a manager. I’ve had pretty good success, me. I’d never doubt myself. I’ll leave that to other people.”

But he admits it’s hard to change fans’ minds when they decide a change is required: “Not to get results, to turn people’s opinion around, that’s always difficult. But I’m not going to stop trying.”

Photo: Action Images

cat added 18:46 - Jan 19 With attendances falling and the style of football on offer, I'm not so sure it will be in Mick's destiny come what May. My last outing was Leeds away last year and I will not be attending again until Dino has gone. I can accept we are not promotion material with our limited budget and imo we are to good to go down. What I can't accept is the lack of entertainment. I am ashamed to say I was almost pleased when Lincoln scored on Tuesday for 2 reasons, A/ another nail in MM Coffin B/ I did not have to endure another 30 mins of complete and utter garbage.

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mickeyjb added 18:50 - Jan 19 I guess I won't be watching town this season then. Someone says you'd be an idiot to walk away from a contract. Yes most of us would as we would not then have any money, I'm fairly sure he will be a millionaire and still to be able to work in the media and the after dinner circuit spouting about how he saved Ipswich in season one etc etc etc. So not really a comparison. What we need is some quality additions. I'm also struggling to think the last time we actually sold one of our own for big bucks. Dyer, bent??? I mean someone who had had most of his training in our academy. Bush needs to do a hell of a lot more to get Liverpool or whoever it was looking at him again and apart from that??

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Swn98 added 18:58 - Jan 19 Because a man stands up and speaks his mind he is arrogant very strange. I feel sorry for the next manager whenever and whoever that may be.
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thechangingman added 19:00 - Jan 19 The definition of delusional? Putting yourself in the same group as Howard Kendall and Alex Ferguson - Howard the Duck and Massey Ferguson might be more appropriate... :0(
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Mark added 19:01 - Jan 19 Oh well, maybe he will go in the summer then. My worry is that uncertainly won't be good for performances or signing new players, and we may be walking into the season ticket renewal plunge. I find it odd that Mick talks now, when on the brink, about fielding youngsters when young players have had scarce opportunity over the four years of McCarthy's reign. Maybe the academy players just haven't been good enough (although Kenlock, Emmanuel and Dozzell look promising) but he also has signed older players rather than youngsters most of the time. Partly lack of cash no doubt, but still.

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leahcar88 added 19:02 - Jan 19 He used them two as examples because these examples are well known. Hell decide not to renew the additional two years after next summer still got a season and half folks
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ChestnutSe added 19:13 - Jan 19 Good old Mick. Despite all the brick bats on here he is obviously a good proven football and man manager. We are lucky to have him and he is doing a good job on limited resources. ME spelt out the strategy a few months ago, bringing youngsters through from the academy and investing in younger promising additions who can progress at Town. It's boring hearing people going on about MM only picks his favourites. He picks the team he has available to him and that he thinks will do the best for Town. I am sure he would love to have Bish, McGoldrick and Jonny Williams available as well as Myles. I seem to remember a lot of bile directed against Tabby, a nailed on MM favourite. So why is this favourite not here and in the team every week? MM is a professional and knows what he is doing. Just because we are not walking the league does not mean he is not a decent manager. I think if they were all available we would have the strongest squad we have had for ages. MM could also have used the example of Bobby Robson who was not sacked by the zcobbolds when the fans were calling for his head. And lastly OMG, we are like Norwich out of the FA cup, what a disaster as I thought we had a really good chance of winning that this season!

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Vizslaraner added 19:14 - Jan 19 Sounds like he will go in the summer then, can't come quick enough. Still as arrogant as ever and he isn't capable of turning it around. We've heard this about the kids before! Even if he was brave enough to do it, one defeat and we will have different class Dougie back. He's done nothing for the youngsters so far. When they have got in he takes them back out. Emmanuel has only recently managed to stay in as he realises its last chance saloon. When the kids are near the first teamBrian Klug must tell them to forget everything I've taught you. Just build your leg muscles up so you can launch it into outer space. He's never doubted himself - well if I'd been humiliated in front of the nation by a up and coming coach from non league I'd have a bag over my head. What makes it worse is he had the chance to put it right after the home leg. May I suggest to you Mr Arrogant you ought to try rugby, as the amount of times we put the ball out of touch the other night you may have found your true vocation in life. Still seeing his mug with our badge on his jacket makes my blood boil

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sirmichealmills added 19:17 - Jan 19 The only way to get MM out, and the club to listen to what I believe is the majority of supporters, is to not go to matches, end of, right or wrong. Anyone who steps foot in that ground on a matchday, you've done your money, scream and moan as much as you like NO ONE WILL LISTEN,NOTHING WILL CHANGE. I'll give him his due, he's got a big pair of balls, I certainly wouldn't have gone down that route. It's all I'm this, I'm that, I'll do this, maybe, we'll see. MM-"Stop being nasty to me, or I'll leave" ME-"I don't really know what I'm doing"

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runaround added 19:18 - Jan 19 I admire his honesty but feel his comments will have a detrimental effect on the club. It will lead to more uncertainty for the players who will not know whether he will be there in June or not, which hardly likely to inspire or motivate them. After all they looked leaderless & directionless against Lincoln & not for the first time this season! It strikes me as an obvious back me or sack me to Evans, but for him to go public with those comments could harm the club & are a selfish act. It's almost a phoney war between MM & ME with neither willing to blink first. All this will lead to is more uncertainty, more fans giving up & possibly a slide into a relegation battle. For the good of the club the decision needs to be made NOW. Leaving it till June is no longer a sensible option following his public comments

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Rammo added 19:22 - Jan 19 That's a fair and honest assessment from MM, if he goes then the summer is the best option for us now as it's too far through the transfer window for any new manager to make a difference unless he's an immediate appointment or throws stupid money at players (which we all know ME won't do). Lets see if his plan of pushing the youngsters bears fruit or we're back to the "old guard"!

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ITFCGloryDays added 19:25 - Jan 19 A shame the owner hasn't got the gumption to make the decision now.
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DoseOfReality added 19:25 - Jan 19 Starting to make more sense. MM aloof and above criticism from fans (or so he believes) also knows ME won't dare sack him because if he does he will tell a few home truths about lack of support from the owner and will have to be paid out. Starting to think ME is not the business guru he thinks he is, he's got himself in a position he won't dare sack MM & MM knows it.. Even has the audacity to dictate when he might or might not go..!!! He will go in summer & leave us in deeper sh1te with a new manager having no time to recruit. Truth be known MM can't wait to get out and will do so when his money is sorted & ME will carry on bleeding anyone daft enough to pay to pay the interest on his internal loans. TIME TO SHOW SOME BALLS MARCUS HE IS TAKING THE P1SS OUT OF YOU & YOU OUT OF US

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carlo88 added 19:28 - Jan 19 Having said all that we have over various recent threads, it is rather startling that our last three managers have together managed six promotions from this league, yet all three have failed dismally at our club and look like all three are set to have ended their careers here. Coincidence? Or are we just getting them when they're past it.
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Jonnosdreadlocks added 19:43 - Jan 19 Staggering Arrogance.
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brittaniaman added 19:46 - Jan 19 Your success did not help you a lot in your career then McCarthy with the Sack from Sunderland then the Sack from Wolves, and just about hanging by a thread here, because we have an invisible Chairman who knows nothing about Football !!!!!
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spanishblue added 19:55 - Jan 19 At least i know why hes going to use youth now its cus he cannot get any old has beens in,so go enjoy it MM have a new outlook lets play positive enjoyable football on our way down,thanks for you great effort before Evans let you down
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Bluetone added 19:58 - Jan 19 Could there be a dim flickering light at the end of this long black McCarthy tunnel.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:59 - Jan 19 My main worry this season is avoiding relegation. After that I'll worry about the future.
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blackcat added 20:00 - Jan 19 Of course there is danger if he leaves we could go down etc etc However there is a lot more chance a new manager would bring freshness and new ideas, kinda like brexit any one with sense knows we will be fine but some like to stay where they feel secure, fear of the unknown!!
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Suffolk_n_Good added 20:01 - Jan 19 Let me interprete this for you: Evans doesn't want McCarthy to go, firstly it will cost him money, secondly he's got no idea who to replace him with, McCarthy knows this. Evans has told McCarthy (IMO) that the club cannot afford to lose anymore fans, so he's giving him to the end of the season to sort things out, this includes how many fans buy season tickets for next season, so it's not McCarthys decision at all if he stays, it's dependent on the state of the club & the football on show as to whether Evans lets McCarthy finish the final year of his contract. Evans is making it look like he's giving McCarthy an "OUT" so he can save face, but realistically it's Evans decision. The sooner he goes the better

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backwiththeboysagain added 20:13 - Jan 19 How is he so confident we aren't going to be involved in a relegation scrap? Next six games I'm struggling to find us getting a win from that lot. As for arrogance of MM, he knows he's finished here so why not walk now, hopefully we're already on the lookout for his replacement
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Carberry added 20:15 - Jan 19 It is the height of arrogance to believe he is in charge of his own destiny. Mick, you are a football manager, one thing is certain you will get the sack. That's what happens. You're deluded if you believe you can decide. Do you think Evans is telling you the truth, of course he isn't, he's out there now trying to work out who to replace you with. But sadly for us he doesn't have a clue. There is further to fall.

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dirtydingusmagee added 20:18 - Jan 19 just stay away from the place and perhaps Evans will act, McCarthy dosnt give a toss about criticism,he will always think everyone else is wrong.He will probably play the youngsters now,REGARDLESS of capability or reason, then if that goes t#ts up will say he was trying to please the fans, and he knew better. He is becoming more single minded and arrogant every week .

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Ipswichbusiness added 20:28 - Jan 19 Allegedly, we have million pound bids in for various players. Then our manager says that he may chuck it in during the summer ... or maybe not. Are the players that we are bidding for going to want to come here with that level of uncertainty? Evans should get on with it and fire him.
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