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

GFH added 20:28 - Jan 19 Mick and Terry have both been around for a long while and that is the problem an old fashioned system which just doesn't cut it nowadays. I was in the pro Mick camp when he joined us because I really believed he could take us to the brink of the premier league with all of his year's of experience and I have to be honest that if he had more money available to him I'm sure that's where we could be. However we're not and Mick is struggling with the team he has, the game against Lincoln showed that in abundance no confidence and no direction, I hate calling for the managers head but if there is no improvement whatsoever once we have a fully fit squad then he has to go.

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TimmyH added 20:49 - Jan 19 Comparing himself to Kendall and Ferguson after they had unexpected cup exits and 'all of a sudden people want you out of the door'...well your neither of those managers they actually won cups (your record is pathetic in comparison). Have to disagree with the people want you out of the door all of a suddern too...I've wanted you out the door a few months back. Arrogant man.

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Cloddyseedbed added 20:51 - Jan 19 You really are taking the 'p' now!
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madmouse1959 added 20:55 - Jan 19 Now talking about throwing the youngsters in. What does that tell you about the crap players he bought here and the crap team he played at Lincoln. Evans is making a mess of this club big time and the manager now dictates what happens. .
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bobble added 21:03 - Jan 19 Mick cannot deliver what town need.
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BlueArrow added 21:09 - Jan 19 I'm a newbie to this so bare with me. Best comment MM could have made for me. Unfortunately already got my ticket for the Derby game but now I can budget for the rest of the year. Won't be going again until next August and that's only if he's not there
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2_Goal added 21:10 - Jan 19 Selfish. How selfish can you be? Mick - it shouldn't be about you, it should be about the club. Mick - please resign and then you'd get some respect back in your favour...
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MicksZzzTactics added 21:13 - Jan 19 We all should all know by now, (and to those that still don't because they are are living 'In Denial' regarding pretty much everything MM I can assure you it can certainly be backed of with lots and lots of evidence!), that the dreaded Dino literally ****excels**** in: "Doing the same things over and over again, expecting different results" .... also known as no other than the scarcely heard of Mr. Einstein's 'Definition of Insanity' of course! :-) But to those looking for something refreshingly newer but similarly shrewd to hit the dreaded Dino over his thick Irish head with I can offer you Steven Denn's very fine & admissible: "You can NEVER really make the same mistake twice, because the second time you make it it's no longer a mistake.... but a CHOICE!" (Hmmm having 'What's My ExSkuse' + 'Snooze Doggy Douglas' playing in the same unispiring midfield springs to mind, as just one of many such tactical "CHOICES" by our very own Dino! LOL) So Mick says he will make his decision regarding his future with ITFC in the summer will he?! .... Personally I would not wait that excruciating long! but since it's blatantly obvious that your phantom-like employer is both so clueless and so strapped for / tight with his Pesos that he simply won't sack you, I ehmm wish you Good luck with that apparent soul-searching dear Dino cause as I alluded to above you sure as heck have plenty of experience in making the wrong "choices" and "decisions"!!! :-) LOL

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warktheline added 21:14 - Jan 19 Mick's a proud man, blah blah blah! He's a bloody ignorant and arrogant man, that's for sure! You damn well know who you are, McCarthy's apologists! ANSWER THIS: Check the stats, without Douglas,Skuse combination, we score goals and guess what, win a game or two, and vast majority go home entertained. WHY DID MCCARTHY revert back to 442 with his gang of cronies? This bloody game was live on TV, what the hell was he thinking? I can only assume some on here like Milne and Evans really don't understand football, maybe capable of scratching the surface but little else! It's totally unacceptable to just say " Mick knows what he's doing " without backing your case! SHOW SOME BALLS and explain McCarthy's selections and football ethos. WAITING!!!!!!

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BlueFinn added 21:18 - Jan 19 Mick is a decent man and manager, very much so. Be careful what ask for with these finances. I can't see many who would do better with a purse as tight as this. Without him we would be probably trying to get out from League One.
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MickCuresInsomnia added 21:21 - Jan 19 HE'S LIKE 'GLEN CLOSE' IN FATAL ATTRACTION......WONT EVER ADMIT IT'S OVER 💏😬
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warktheline added 21:32 - Jan 19 BlueFinn, "Be careful what you ask for". PLEASE elaborate, are you really saying that your 'happy' with selections, because of our financial position? God give me strength!!!!
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warktheline added 21:35 - Jan 19 We've just been soundly beaten, YES both games, by a CONFERENCE side!!
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Facefacts added 21:39 - Jan 19 I feel sorry for the players who are just the pawns on the McCarthy /Evans chess board. There is an injury crisis and Hudders are getting players like van la Parra back. Another backs to the wall game on Saturday. £20 on the gate I might go and give them what support I can. If I do I'll write a proper match report. Don't like the fact that the McCarthy out chants and social media gibes seem to be hindering the traditional support we owe the players who wear the shirt. I've been one of the worst offenders in lazily knocking McCarthy on TWTD but it's way out of our control what happens off the pitch. I still want the team to do well and the way to encourage that is to turn up and support the players where possible. Away games yes most are still going to support the team whereas home games I can only see becoming more atmospherically toxic.

0

leahcar88 added 21:40 - Jan 19 Burley
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warktheline added 21:41 - Jan 19 Rewind back 4 years ago, McCarthy would have been hopping mad Tuesday evening, not so now! WHY? Because he's gone soft on a core of players at the club. There's no fear factor now, what ever happened to unacceptable 'milky performances' , we don't lose two games on the bounce, Portman Rd has to be our fortress. All gone, just like my faith in MY FOOTBALL CLUB!
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Warkys_Tash added 21:53 - Jan 19 Personally I think he will see it out until the summer then get paid off and walk. He has had enough t be talking like that. The only thing he can do this season to make up for Lincoln is get his first win against the scum.
1

busterjames added 22:00 - Jan 19 Why prolong the agony He has taken us as far as he can .time for a change .
4

dirtydingusmagee added 22:21 - Jan 19 the GOOD NEWS 1 million pound bids in ! the BAD NEWS they are for players that are 2 millon plus . NEXT.
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Lightningboy added 22:31 - Jan 19 I've already written this season off,it's all about staying afloat now. The problem is Mick that you just look at results - we could play utter sh1te for 89 minutes and nick it in the 90th and you'd take that every single time - this club of ours has always strived for better than that,good football win,lose or draw..not the garbage we had to endure the other night and for most of the last 4 years. I hope you're gone by the middle of May (2017) at the very latest.

4

itfchorry added 22:33 - Jan 19 Absolute shame on you McCarthy - You have embarrassed our club, our once great name in football and have lead the Club to the brink. Yet you still won't do the honourable thing. With 80% not wanting you here - please explain to us why you are still here ? You hide behind the apron strings of Evans and that twerp Milne. You are destroying everything that this wonderful club is all about - Please leave - or you risk causing even further damage - Bring in Burley/Butcher until the end of the season until we can regroup and hopefully sell the club to a fit and proper owner. If you stay on, you will only cause further rift and divide the Club. MCCarthy OUT

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armchaircritic59 added 22:50 - Jan 19 carlo88, i think you may have hit the nail on the head. I've been wondering if MM has reached that stage that we all will (or in my case in some respects, have already!) when new ideas and new ways of doing things, just seem to pass you by. It does seem to me that MM is positioning himself for an end of season exit, trying to read between the lines. Fair enough. My only worry given ME's (assuming he's still here, that is!) track record in employing managers, is what will he come up with next? Personally, i'd favour taking a (calculated, as opposed to pin sticking) risk with a young, up and coming manager/management team, somewhat like those who enjoyed this tuesday's night out! Yes, there are no guarantees that success can be replicated at a higher level, but if you don't give it a chance, you'll never know!

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Umros added 23:42 - Jan 19 and that's a two way process..............I will wait to make a decision on my season ticket renewal when I know your decision.......early bird or not!.
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Miles added 00:00 - Jan 20 Not sure what the issue is with this article? Asked the question and I like the answer. Clearly Marcus doesn't want to get rid either. The smart thing to do is to wait until the end of season. We won't go down with Mick in charge and that's probably the biggest thing in our current position.
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arablue added 01:17 - Jan 20 Walk the Talk, MM, on giving that fair go for the youngsters... Saying is one thing, BUT doing it is the other... Enough of these so-called straight talking, non-nonsense speak - instead, DO.
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