Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted it had been a frustrating transfer window and a frustrating night having been unable to make a permanent addition to his squad - although striker Dominic Samuel and midfielder Emyr Huws joined on loan from Reading and Cardiff respectively - while the Blues were been comfortably beaten 3-0 at home by Derby County and man of the moment Tom Lawrence suffered an ankle injury.

“Yes, it has been frustrating,” McCarthy said regarding the transfer window in which he had hoped to make the permanent signing of a striker to replace Daryl Murphy and had a number of bids of more than a million pounds turned down.

“It’s been a frustrating old day and a frustrating night as well, even more so.”

Regarding the match he was disappointed with his team’s performance: “We were beaten by the better side but we certainly helped them along with the first two goals that we gave away.”

Were there any positives he could take from the display? “Not really, I would say the positives were Grant Ward coming on and how well he played in the second half and I thought Kieffer Moore played well when he came on, he affected the game. Apart from that, no, I don’t see too many positives out of it.”

He added: “Everybody wants a reaction to it [on Saturday against Reading], it’s been a bad night for us, we don’t want another one like that.”

McCarthy says he doesn’t yet know the extent of Lawrence’s injury: “I’ll know better tomorrow, he’s rocked his ankle, how bad it is I’m not quite sure yet.”

“He was the only one carrying the threat at all in the first half and it was a blow to lose him tonight and it would be a huge blow if we lost him for any length of time.

Huws and Samuel are McCarthy’s sixth and seventh signings of the window with McCarthy believing the squad needed freshening up.

“I think we all need a bit of a livener, fresh faces and hopefully they’ll liven the place up,” he said.

McCarthy confirmed that skipper Luke Chambers was the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest: “He wasn’t talking to Nottingham Forest but they were interested in him.”

How far advanced did that get? “It got knocked back [by the club]. How far it got with anybody else, I don’t know.”

You weren’t willing to let him go? “No, not at all. With the position we’re in with our defenders, yes I know I’ve got Tommy Smith maybe coming back and Steven Taylor, but it wouldn’t have been right, just for tonight and Saturday’s games.

“Whatever they do, Tommy might come back on Monday and play [in the U23s] but he’s been out for a long time.”

Did it get to the point of Chambers talking to Forest, where he played before he joined the Blues in 2012? “I don’t know.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk, he added: “There has [been some interest in him from Forest] but we weren’t prepared to do it, simple as that.”

Might it happen in the summer or would you like to tie him down on the one-year option or beyond that? “Well, that’s the contentious issue because they’ve come in and offered him a contract, I believe, and we’ve not yet done that yet. We’ll have to wait and see.”

According to the Nottingham Post Forest had agreed personal terms with Chambers, whose contract is up at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option to keep him for a further year.

After their home game against Rotherham, which they won 2-0, Forest's interim manager Gary Brazil said: "Luke was somebody we tried very hard to get."

TWTD understands the Blues were eyeing Celtic centre-back Efe Ambrose - who subsequently joined Blackburn on loan - as a potential replacement for Chambers had he moved on.

McCarthy says his list of strikers who he wanted to add on a permanent basis was exhausted so he moved onto his loan list and signed 22-year-old Samuel.

“We couldn’t do anything permanently so we took a loan and hopefully he’ll bring something to us.

“He’s had loan spells one at Coventry, one at Gillingham, scored on both occasions and did really well, so hopefully he’ll do that here.”

The Blues boss says his team will have to be much better in the run of very difficult fixtures during February.

“Exceptionally tough, very, very tough, it’s a tough month for us,” he admitted. “We’ve got to play better than that, that’s for sure.

“We didn’t play well tonight, I thought Derby did and that’s a recipe for disaster if you don’t play well or defend well against a good side.”

Derby manager Steve McClaren was delighted with his team’s first-half display and felt they might have added to their lead after the break: “I think the second half could have been even better as well, we missed opportunities.

“But I was delighted in the second half that there was no complacency, we kept a clean sheet. I could see them wanting to fight for that and I think that’s important, not to get sloppy, complacent and to keep going all the way, which they did.

“I’ve been disappointed with the starts in recent games but I was delighted with the start in this game, and I think that’s important.

“A good message to the team that if we are on the front foot and aggressive you can win the game in the first 20 minutes, which we did.”

Photo: TWTD

runningout added 09:11 - Feb 1 at least Roy Keane had morales while here
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hampstead_blue added 09:33 - Feb 1 That says it all. The good players won't come here because of the manager and the only ones we can attract are from the lower leagues because they have nothing to lose. It is a sad state of affairs. I truly believe that MM and TC must be dignified and accept they cannot improve the club's position. The last minute loan signings are, no disrespect to the players coming in, shocking. What on earth are they going to do? Is MM going to play the Reading lad ahead of Sears and Pitman? Is he heck. The other lad will just warm the bench. Utter despair.

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philpott2 added 10:04 - Feb 1 'A frustrating transfer window'.....& he's surprised why? Why would ANY footballer want to come to Ipswich....we don't play football, we can't pass, control, shoot to any degree....we don't pay the wages.....we have no clue tactically! But the statement Evans came out with on the 31st of December that we can't and won't pay silly money, that things were going okay and by all accounts MM was doing an alright job. That made us all aware of the situation, that there wouldn't be big money spent, and that it would be the same whomever the Manager is. So the signings were as expected in my book, disappointing, but as expected. I expect relegation - simple as - as the team simply does not look well enough organised in attack or defence, which was something that Mick and Terry DID bring to the table when they first arrived, but now the players don't appear to have an ounce of gel. Maybe it's the constant stream of loanees, maybe it's a confidence thing and an additional new coach with fresh ideas is required alongside them. That Lincoln game showed the nation just how poor we were, which was the Championship Club, they scored a fabulous goal, two players who understood each other and what they were going to do next, read it, had confidence in what was going to happen next, AND were flipping well able to execute it!!!! And if we are relegated, I sincerely do fear oblivion....... And I too no longer waste my time and money going to games. My hard earned money, and precious joyous time with my kids does not and will not include our trips to Portman Road anymore...it's depressing, embarrassing and is far far worse than going to the bloody dentist!

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poldark added 10:15 - Feb 1 The reason no money spent is simple Evans doesn't trust McCarthy we will not get into playoffs he doesn't think we will be relegated so why on earth spend money .
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jackkiley2017 added 10:16 - Feb 1 I have given up with this poo team now, surport them for 30 years. Time to change to Norwich, they will be always be better than this poo club.
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runningout added 10:18 - Feb 1 Stop it :-)
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Bildestoned added 10:30 - Feb 1 I can only imagine Evan's plan is to hope the club hangs on in there with these make-weight signings and loans then clear the decks in the summer. Different Class Dougie for player coach!
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I_AM_GOD added 10:34 - Feb 1 I'm afraid things are very bleak right now. I don't even have the motivation to look at the results any more I am sorry to say. Gone are the days that even after a defeat you could still look forward to the next game, but now, you just cannot get excited about the next game, the next news announcement, etc. ME has put investment in but it did not pay off with earlier managers, and prices are so inflated now that unless we get a very wealthy owner, I don't see anyone putting in the money required. I don't see the youth coming through and treated properly, and even if they are, they are going to be sold pretty quickly to minimise loses the club will inevitably continue to make. I have no doubt the manager will change this summer. Lets not look for a big name who has done it all, but for a young, upcoming, enthusiastic manager who will bring some passion and desire with them. Someone who can bring the youngsters in and get us playing football again. I just hope that is still in the championship, but even that starts to feel like it could be at risk very soon.

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busterjames added 10:42 - Feb 1 Another team better than us ! They are all better than us . Time for a new manager . Bring in Nigel Pearson asap or you go for an up and coming guy like Danny Cowley (would he come ? )Chuck in Patterson Morris Emmanuel and give them a chance .Put Klug in tempory charge with mick mills over him !! Just do something .
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Lightningboy added 10:48 - Feb 1 I think the fact that we've spent virtually zero means that Evans did not want to give an outgoing manager any valuable funds to waste. No point in looking for a new "permanent" manager now cos all that's about is everyone elses dregs. Firstly we need to stay up - we maybe need another 15 points?..can't see us getting many this month though..relegation is looking a real possiblity at the moment. A new beginning is needed during the summer - McCarthy needs to leave on Monday 8th of May at the VERY latest (if not sooner). Then we need to bring in a young,fresh manager with positive ideas and someone who understands what this club should be all about - I would love a dream team of Holland & Burley if they're interested - ok Holland maybe doesn't have the experience but McCarthy's got tonnes of it and look at the absolute shambles this club is in...Eddie Howe had no experience when he took over at Bournemouth. Finally Evans needs to back the new manager with decent cash or sell up and get out.

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brittaniaman added 10:57 - Feb 1 How the hell can Sheffield Wed. afford to lay out 10 million for Rhodes ??????
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barrystedmunds added 11:13 - Feb 1 Wolves splashed 12 mill!
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martin587 added 11:16 - Feb 1 EVANS OUT.You have not the slightest interest in this club now.!!
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Razor added 11:32 - Feb 1 I have to say that I am now of the opinion that MM is just lazy and arrogant and can not be bothered when it comes to transfer windows----bit like cup games. I tipped off the club about a young dutch striker who has already got 18 goals this season and when I see Luke Freeman,a player I have flagged up on this board several times, go for just £300000 to QPR it makes me weep. Big changes are needed soon.

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brian_a_mul added 11:51 - Feb 1 http://swissramble.blogspot.ie/2017/01/ipswich-town-stuck-in-moment.html
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woohoo added 12:32 - Feb 1 Losing the will to live now....
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madmouse1959 added 16:40 - Feb 1 Something wrong when you can not mark players ....I learned that on the school playing fields. Pathetic defending. These senior so called professional footballers in our team do not have the legs or the motivation to keep up with play. When you have a manager who is just hanging on for the pay cheque then who will be motivated to perform ? Put all new 7 players in the team ASAP. .....Evans needs to start getting rid of our tired footballers before we lose even more supporters. Every game we are losing supporters.

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therein61 added 16:43 - Feb 1 This window like the season so far was a disaster!! with the awful mess that our club is at present which decent player in his right mind would come here, we are fed spin of 7figure bids to cover up what we are actually doing (eff all!!) lets hope we stay up with what we are left with then pray for big changes in the summer(bye bye Mick)to get this club moving upwards, the rot that mick has caused is stinking the building out and there is no way he should be given any more time to create even more damage JUST GO AWAY

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StavangerBlue added 17:08 - Feb 1 What has happened to my club? We used to be well run on the pitch and off it. We lack leadership on and off the pitch. We lack clout on and off the pitch. Indeed we lack everything both on and off the pitch. NO IMPACT. NO PRIDE. NO PASSION. NO COMMITTMENT. NO RESOLVE. NO FIGHT.
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grubbyoik added 18:18 - Feb 1 I think McCarthy is suffering from Dunning-Kruger effect... 😉
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juniorblue added 18:58 - Feb 1 Please have some dignity and go. If I performed this badly at work I would be shown the door. I would also be hugely embarrassed and resign before I was asked to leave.
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Brownie added 19:05 - Feb 1 I don't get the sentiment he will go in the summer. Why? Is he doing that great a job we can't let him go until then. I've said before he is too proud to resign. Which leaves us awaiting some leadership from the board and the owner. And there is your problem. Is says something when the level of hostility & resentment is where it is now. The majority on this site and supporters in general of ITFC are loyal people. They are not fickle & to be honest not always the first to complain. But they are now because the situation has to change. New manager please & if this owner doesn't want to take us forward sell to someone who will. COYB!

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Seasider added 19:45 - Feb 1 I agree with Mick McCarthy that it was a frustrating window and night.Blame has been apportioned two thirds the Dino and one third the ticket tout here on TWTD I feel that David Sheepshanks should take a share as well.He said he had done due diligence on Evans, when Sheepy persuaded us shareholders to endorse the then Chairmans choice of owner. I know that he had upset the Tennis authorities prior to the take over;but possibly the Rugby and Olympic Boards had yet to condemn him over his sharp practices.He has been circumspect with the Football bodies however but has managed now to upset the fans,by promising funds and not delivering in 2 of the last 3 transfer windows. To his credit he no longer tries to hide behind FFP, probably because the rules have been substantially relaxed so that losses of £39m are allowed over 3 yrs;and I wonder if he now has the money to support this football club. It would be good of him if he had the decency to attend the AGM,held in the Autumn,which normally a Chairman would do;and answer questions as to where he is taking this once great club. As he didn't attend last night I wonder if he is aware of how bad things have become,as knowing Milne he would put as positive a spin as he could on this dire situation. I think Grubbyoik previously suggested that the promised transfer budget which was not used should be allocated as a pay off to McCarthy,who clearly has now lost the plot,as the club sinks towards the abyss and 1st Division.WHAT A GOOD IDEA. Most of the apologists have now faded away but SWN98 has bravely come out and said it is time for a change.He is quite right to say that a lot of the blame rests with the owner;but at the moment we are stuck with him. I am so glad that IBC refused to sell the Portman Rd ground to Evans as otherwise Guentchev,wayway and Wheres Counago's fears of ending up like Coventry City could have been realised.He has bought the training ground on the edge of Ipswich which no doubt he will try and sell in the future as building out there has been mooted. I am sure that if McCarthy goes,not in the summer but now;that the poor attendances will increase immediately,and the response to the season ticket offer,which is not that far off,will not plummet, as it is going to if Evans maintains the status quo.Especially as next season we could be in the 3rd tier for the first time in 60 years. To finish has anybody else noticed that recently our esteemed manager doesn't walk directly to the dugouts along the touchline;but ambles several yards onto the pitch away from the West Stand lol.!

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blueboy1981 added 20:40 - Feb 1 ........ seems all to familiar that it's always frustrating for us - where others achieve their objectives ....... it just doesn't wash anymore with most people. So shut the fcuk up McCarthy.
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rickoshay2 added 21:55 - Feb 1 What a mess ITFC have become, and it all began 10 years ago when Marcus Evans was allowed to buy the club, a mistake that I fear will now haunt ITFC for some years to come. Evans has gone from the saviour in some peoples eyes, to an owner that wont show his face, or show any sort of leadership, and after the respected gentlemen that were the Cobbolds, we have now slipped so low, we have an owner who has a warrant out for his arrest in Brazil, and appears to care nothing for the supporters . ITFC are now unrecognisable from the one I started to support all those years ago in the sixties when I would stand on a stool in the old Churchman's. The team is now full of players ,the majority of whom I wouldn't recognise in the street, we have a manager who gets increasingly incompetent as each game passes, and cant seem to go through a press conference without expletive's. As I said I fell in love with ITFC all those years ago, but the ITFC that exist today are a million miles away from the one I have cared for and loved all these years. If it was a marriage I would be asking for a divorce for very unreasonable behaviour!as the object of my passion has become all the things that I dislike in the world,,,,,but supporting a football team is not a marriage,its for life, but since Marcus Evans took over my beloved club the last few years have been like a life sentence and not a lifetimes passion,,,

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