Town boss Mick McCarthy says Claudio Ranieri’s sacking by Leicester only nine months after winning the Premier League title illustrated how quickly fortunes and expectations can fluctuate in football and the fickle nature of the game.

“If I needed any reminding about that they’ve just sacked Claudio Ranieri, for God’s sake,” reflected McCarthy with Town going into the back-to-back home games against Brentford and Wolves in a more positive collective mood after an unbeaten February. “There’s going to be a protest, then everything’s golden again. Fickle?

“I want us to play the way we’ve been playing. I can’t do anything about the result. Play the way we’ve played. Just perform the same way, the same level, the same energy levels, the same intensity, the same football that we’ve played over the last five weeks and I’m going to be happy.”

Going into what was billed as a tough run of February fixtures McCarthy predicted that his side might fare better when up against the division’s top teams.

“I think it’s probably more the fact that I wasn’t resigning myself to the fact that we were just going to play badly like we had been doing,” he said.

“And that playing those games would inspire the lads. I just know what the lads are like. That’s not to suggest that the rest of the games aren’t going to inspire them because that’s wrong.

“And also just the way the players that had come in had helped, the players we’d got back from injury had helped.

“And there was no point in me coming in here and saying ‘Well, we’ve had a bad time, we’ll probably be s--t against the good teams as well’ was there really? ‘Oh no!’”

Having been on the end of jeering and boos during January, does he believe the February form changed a few people’s opinions? “I’m not bothered. It’s more about how we feel about ourselves.

“When you’re stood on the side of the pitch and there seems to be a lot of people, not everybody, [giving it to me] you think just get on with it, do what you do.

“And actually don’t bother what anybody thinks about you. I much prefer it when the fans are enjoying themselves, for sure.

“But I get a bit apathetic towards it all if they’re giving it to me and they should leave the lads alone.

“I said at the time I’ll just continue doing my job, trying to find a way to win games and that’s what we’ve done. Whether it’s changing the shape or changing personnel.

“It’s not some magic formula that’s just turned up, it’s us doing what we do. If we have, great, if people are thinking better about the club and the team, I much prefer that. Me personally? I’m not bothered.”

Speaking after the Norwich match McCarthy said he hoped the performance and the 1-1 draw with the Blues’ greatest rivals would have helped to mend what he admitted had been a “broken” relationship with fans. He says that’s something which is an ongoing process.

“It is all the time,” he added. “But we had lost it badly, we certainly had. Fans pay their money to come and watch a good team, their team win, their team play well.

“And if they don’t win at least play well and think ‘Oh well, they got done by a great goal or and offside goal or it was a great game’. That wasn’t happening. It’s important that the fans feel good about the club, absolutely it is.”

Photo: TWTD

hoppy added 07:08 - Mar 3 Whilst we've done a lot better in the last 5 weeks, and played a number of good teams, remaining unbeaten against them, we now need to start getting a few back to back wins to really see that we've improved. 3 draws on the trot, although decent results against that particular opposition, is still 6 points less than were available from those 3 games. Wins against Brentford and Wolves, to my mind, are a must.

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SpiritOfJohn added 07:40 - Mar 3 @hoppy I partly agree with you, we do need to pick up some points, and 2 wins would be most welcome. However, the main complaint before the recent upturn concerned the entertainment and quality of football on offer. If Mick sticks with the players and formation that have brought an improvement in performances, the points should follow.
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MooseJuice added 07:45 - Mar 3 “It's not some magic formula that's just turned up..." Errmm, yes it is Mick!... It's you finally playing players in their natural positions and not picking your favourites and shoe horning them into to a system that doesn't work regardless of form. And please give the fans a bit more credit, we don't pay our money just to see our team win. We pay our money to support the team but also to see them give it a go and play some decent football. The negativity over the last 18/24 months hasn't primarily been about results, it's been about the lack of positive play and aptitude. It still seems like he doesn't quite crasp that. Anyway, looks like a win on Saturday is a serious possiblity with this current ressurgance. Keep it up boys! COYB!

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Len_Brennan added 07:46 - Mar 3 But you had to change it Mick, you had to & were somewhat forced into, doing some of the things the fans had been calling on on you to do before putting the good run of performances together. It's all well & good to say you're apathetic when fans are giving it to you, but the quality was awful, the results were dreadful & the crowds were dwindling. At least now we have some hope of progress thanks to the new formation, use of players in their proper positions & the addition of positive minded talent in midfield. Leicester were brilliant last season, but Raneiri had lost the dressing room & they were dropping like a stone while those below/around them were getting results. They looked doomed to many as they weren't playing as a team & had no spirit. If they stay up it was the right decision to sack him & they can sort themselves out for next season as opposed to going down, losing most of their best players & wondering what just happened. Sentiment does nothing for a club in the modern game. Similarly, doing a great job in keping us up 4 years ago should not overly influence a decision on Mick's future when/if the team is getting poor results & playing rubbish football.

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Penguinblue added 07:59 - Mar 3 McCarthy is no Ranieri. McCarthy should not even be mentioned in the same breath as ex- Ipswich managers save for those appointed by Evans. We used to have a proud tradition There is nothing fickle in seeing that McCarthy is a poor football manager, and full of contradictions, excuses and contempt for supporters
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muccletonjoe added 08:27 - Mar 3 Such a poor manager that he has remained unbeaten against teams who have invested at least 10 times the amount of money in their players. If you want to vent your anger at least choose the right person. : )
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hoppy added 08:40 - Mar 3 SpiritOfJohn... I quite agree, and that's what I was meaning... we've had the improvements in performance, which I've been pleased with, and now hopefully for the 'the points will follow' part to kick in... starting tomorrow...
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TR11BLU added 08:42 - Mar 3 Sick of hearing the same $hite.....Just go
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mathiemagic added 10:21 - Mar 3 As stated by a few on here, February form against better opposition was great, but will count for nothing if we cant string a few back to back wins against teams around and below us. Fingers crossed #COYB
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Beattiesballbag added 10:36 - Mar 3 muccletonjoe , His forte is being hard to beat, it wouldn't matter how much money you gave him it wouldn't return us to a team that plays attractive football that is respected for the football we play rather than being a team that's hard to beat. The recent changes that have improved the performances recently are what the fans have been crying out for, for way to long & a less stubborn man or more astute manager would have done this long ago..........& that had nothing to do with lack of finance.

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cday908 added 10:36 - Mar 3 Whether you agree or disagree, there's a lot to be admired about Mick when you hear interviews like this. McCarthey has often been accused (and rightly so) of being a bit brash towards the fans. However, one thing I've found time and time again, is that he'll always defend his players. As he says here, he's happy to take the abuse - he doesn't care - so long as it's not directed at the team. I think this says a lot about him - something I really respect. Mick is right about football - it's fickle. And it takes someone like Mick to be the scapegoat at times. I like to think (and hope) our club would never have sacked Ranieri had we been in that position. Ranieri was another that deflected attention from his players - and look where that got him. You need a leader that will defend and stand by you no matter what the cost. It takes a lot of guts to do that, and I'm thankful we have it.

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Edmundo added 10:49 - Mar 3 Having said a lot about the situation above MM's head being the problem, it's confirmed that ME adhering to the FFP rules is not going to get us anywhere: Leicester City: Premier League champions fight Financial Fair Play breach charge - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39134128 Wake up ME, back MM this summer or he'll walk but we'll get nowhere with the next man in the door unless you open your eyes.

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TimmyH added 11:22 - Mar 3 He's not bothered (Mick) about the supporters opinions and it's about how the players feel...about says it all, what's the point of going to club AGM's then Mick? Be nice if he ever gets to anywhere near the pinnacle Ranieri reached just in this league other wise can't see the point in the reference.
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Swn98 added 11:36 - Mar 3 As usual forthright comments from MICKMA I hope we don't get to the situation where another manager has to perform as he has I think the result could be catastrophic, could possibly make this season look a success.
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bluey123 added 12:02 - Mar 3 Read the EADT this moron says he isn't concerned what supporters think this just shows his arrogance McCarthy out
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jas0999 added 12:30 - Mar 3 I disagree with the Raneri sacking,but football is a results driven business. Only unambitious Evans continues to support average results and performances. At any other club, 16th in the league when the objective was play offs would rightly see the manager sacked.
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Superblue95 added 12:36 - Mar 3 Lower mid table with largely poor performances could be seen as a successful season? You should be on the stage Swn98
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tempzzzz added 13:15 - Mar 3 Superblue95, I wouldn't pay attention to comments from Swn98. Dino could take a dump on the pitch and he/she would still think he's a tactical genius. (Queue the down ratings lol)
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jjhbruno added 13:26 - Mar 3 “There's going to be a protest, then everything's golden again. Fickle?'' Maybe you believe it to be Golden mate but i don't. YOU PROMOTE BORING FOOTBALL!!!!! And don't you need to change your mind to be fickle, don't see many changing their mind on here. Deary me. Club needs a change and you should be able to see that. Just like Arsene Wenger. Let go, you can't hold onto past achievements forever.

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Superblue95 added 13:59 - Mar 3 Tempzzzzz McCarthy has already left a dump in the middle of the pitch countless times, I think he affectionately names it dougie. And I wouldn't normally pay attention to swn but even by his standards that was a bizarre statement
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muccletonjoe added 14:13 - Mar 3 Beattiesballbag ; you and your back slappers on here might like to kid yourselves that you are going to get some tactical genius to come to portman road with virtually no transfer pot and a wafer thin squad once the loanees have returned. But in the real world we have once again shown up well against teams who are totally out of our league financially and if you ever do get your wish and mcCarthy does go i will be on here reminding you of the fact when we are in division one.

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Superblue95 added 14:30 - Mar 3 Muccletonjoe I agree there are many managers out there that would do a worse job than McCarthy but there are plenty who could do at least just as good a job results wise while also playing better football so you proclaiming that we will get relegated no matter what if he leaves, which is what you seem to be insinuating, is frankly a stupid comment
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cat added 14:30 - Mar 3 Superblue95- your on good form today fella, 😂😂😂 nothing like a Friday afternoon chuckle to lift the GLOOM!!
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muccletonjoe added 14:35 - Mar 3 superblue ; i am not really bothered wheather you think it is a stupid comment or not ; lets just see what happens when he does go
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cat added 14:36 - Mar 3 Tempzzzzz, last post applies to you as well. 😁
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