Town boss Mick McCarthy apologised for his use of bad language during Saturday’s controversial post-match press conference at Burton, but had no regrets regarding his overall message. McCarthy told fans wanting his departure that he’s going nowhere until at the summer at the earliest and warned them to be careful what they wish for with a switch of boss unlikely to change the resources made available to whoever is in charge at Portman Road.

Despite beating the Brewers 2-1 via Bersant Celina’s brilliant penultimate-minute freekick, McCarthy’s press conference at the Pirelli Stadium was a spiky affair, large sections of the Blues’ support having chanted abuse at their side’s manager for long spells during the game.

Asked what he feels his relationship with Town fans is like, McCarthy said: “I think with the vast majority of them it’s pretty good, actually. But there are a fair vocal few and I don’t think I’m ever going to change that now, that’s [always] going to be the case.

“All I’ll do is continue to do my best. Whatever is said, and that’s always been the case, that never changes with me. I come in here, get the lads going, get myself going and we’ll continue to try and win games.”

Would they ever force him to depart or owner Marcus Evans to sack him? “No, no chance. Whatever I do will be of my own volition, as I said [last week], unless somebody decides differently and was to sack me. I don’t see that coming.

“I think we’re two points out of the top six at the moment, so I think there’d be a few who would swap places with us at the minute.”

The press conference was a negative way to end what ought to have been a positive afternoon for Town, who came from a goal down to claim all three points having lost their previous three matches.

“And it appears I’ve offended one or two,” McCarthy continued. “Strange that, isn’t it? How sensitive people can be. I can stand there and listen to it for pretty much 90 minutes.

“My job is to manage the team, to coach the team, me and TC, and get points and results, and that’s just what I did and what I’ll continue to do.”

Does he regret what he said? “Apparently I’ve upset somebody by swearing. If that’s the case, then that’s right, I shouldn’t have used bad language and if they’re that sensitive and the ones that shout at me, I’ve upset them, then I apologise for that.

“But I won’t apologise for my comments. There’s a big difference. I shouldn’t have dropped the little swearwords in there, I thoroughly apologise to the sensitive people I’ve upset by swearing and anybody that doesn’t, so that’s fine.

“But in terms of what I said, not a chance I regret what I said. I meant every single word of it.”

Asked whether he is always going to be a manager who divides opinion, he added: “It’s funny, I didn’t split people down the middle when we finished sixth, did I? Not really. It’s funny how my comments split people down the middle.

“You [the media] got what I felt on Saturday and if people don’t like me, unlucky. If they do, well great. If they don’t that’s me, that’s just how I felt.

“I could come in and put a nice wooden press conference on if you like, smile at you all. You get what you see and if you like it, great. If you don’t, I’m not really bothered.

“And I doubt that’s going to change at this stage. It’s been like that all through my career. Shall I just come on and be pretty saccharine sweet? That’s not going to happen, is it?”

He added: “There’s only one way [for me to change fans’ views]. I’ve told you that since I walked through the door five years ago when I first met you. And my opinion on that’s not changed.

“If we hadn’t got results in my first season I’d have been on my pedaller, you’d have been talking to somebody else now. It’s always, always about results. And I’ll continue to try and get them.”

What about style? In the summer there was much talk about a change to a more possession-based game, is that still the aim? “When we won five games I didn’t hear one little word of it, to be honest. We’re having a tough time. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that support then?

“What saddened me is the reaction. Seriously, saying it to me, singing it to me, all the stuff. I came off on Saturday and I hadn’t enjoyed one bit of it, only the result. I didn’t enjoy the game, I didn’t enjoy the performance, just the goals, the result and the fact that we won the game.

“All that shouting at me, it isn’t going to drive me out. But it’ll affect the players. Eventually it will affect the team.

“And they might get their wish in May and they’ll have somebody else and you know what, be careful what they wish for as well, by the way, because I don’t know whether they think if I’ve gone suddenly there’s going to be an injection of 20 million quid to the new manager, who is going to spend it all and they’re going to run up the league and get promoted.

“Somebody might come in and do a whole better job. Sincerely, if I’ve gone, good luck to them, let them crack on with it. But you’re going to be getting me, that’s it.”

Did the players say anything to him about the crowd's chanting towards him on Saturday? “No, not at all. They’re all playing for me and for TC and for the club, and for each other. But it will not help. That will not help, it’s not going to help the players at all, we need that support.

“I think you’ll find if you spoke to Santie, Bersant, despite the fact that he scored the goal on Saturday and he celebrated with the fans, he celebrated with the fans because he appreciates the support they’re giving him.

“But he’s with us, he wants to be part of a team that’s successful and we’re not fractured between us and the fans. He wants to be in a successful team.”

Despite the fractiousness of the weekend, McCarthy celebrates five years in charge of the Blues on Wednesday and says he has “enjoyed every single minute of it”.

Having led both Sunderland and Wolves to promotion from the Championship, why does he believe it’s been tougher to reach the Premier League with Town? “Teams that go up tend to come down with a chunk of money and there’s a fair gap between what the top teams have spent and the players that they have, the squads that they have, so that’s probably made it a bit more difficult.

“It’s changed over the years since I won the league, certainly with Sunderland, and with Wolves.

“But it’s not easy just to bounce back and do it. Sunderland are struggling now, they’re in the bottom three, Wolves have been in League One. It’s not always easy to manage a club that’s got expectations.”

Can he achieve promotion with the Blues, does he have to tools and the finance to be able to do it? “I will continue to do my very best.”

McCarthy laughed off suggestions that his position at Town will be his last in football: “You’re having a laugh, aren’t you? Not a chance is it my last job. It might be my last season here, but it’s not going to be my last job, no. I want more of it, no doubt.”

He says he’s as hungry as ever: “For sure, yes. I don’t want to be here and being ordinary, I want to be successful and hopefully get promoted again. I’d like to be in the Premier League, have another chance at that. And I don’t see why that shouldn’t happen.”

Does his wife or children ever suggest that it might be time to bring his 25-year plus management career to a close, that at 58 he doesn’t need the hassle?

“I keep doing it so I don’t go home and annoy them for the rest of my life!” he joked.

Photo: Action Images

dugoutdave added 17:43 - Oct 30 Its not just the swearing, its his whole demeanour towards the fans . If he's a spokesman for the club in any shape or form then he should behave like one. Even he is sworn and shouted at he has to realise that goes with the territory and not respond likewise. The thing i hated just a much was his comment in respect of Celena's tweet : “He's factually correct, isn't he? He's a f–-ing brighter lad than I thought he was! I'm sure Celina really appreciated him suggesting that he's thick. Then today he praises him. He simply cannot be trusted - he's not a person who deserves respect.

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Che added 17:52 - Oct 30 He can only manage the team the best he can with the resources given. As fans we need to be careful about what we think is happening elsewhere? If you read other forums from the premier right to what I call the old fourth division unless a team is winning everything they say very simular things. A few exciting highlights of a game are not the full picture. There are certainly teams with more money then us but it's not a given they are top. Money bags wolves lost in to no money QPR on Saturday. Sunderland Borough Norwich Villa all have parachute money but nether are running away with it. The championship is a tough gritty league to get out off and if we have any chance ourselves I would prefer a bit of MM arrogance guiding the team.

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gazzer1999 added 17:58 - Oct 30 Some of you who think Joe Royal was great, moaned about him as well. Can you imagine what it would have been like for Sir Bobby if these forums were around when he first joined the club and spent several seasons until it finally clicked. Mick may be a 'dino' tactically but he does what he does with what he has at his disposal. Think back to the dark knight, he is responsible for all we are experiencing now, save you venom for him. Mick may also be right be careful what you wish for. Who wants to be promoted and become the whipping boys.

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casper16 added 18:02 - Oct 30 The man hasn't got a clue about what the majority of fans want. We all know a new manager is not going to get an improved budget. For me it's not about the money it's about the entertainment level. I believe a new younger manager will use our players better thus providing more entertainment. The spin off from this will be improved crowds, better atmosphere & maybe more revenue available to spend

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shakytown added 18:09 - Oct 30 i actually think he would be great to have beer with but the football his teams play is just bloody dire. No amount of financial constraint can stop a whole team of professional footballers from be able to put two simple passes together. As the travelling fans were singing at burton mcarthy your football is s..t.
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howdonblue added 18:16 - Oct 30 MCARTHY OUT EVANS OUT ACADEMY STAFF IN
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Pilgrimblue added 18:16 - Oct 30 I agree let's give him until January and then see where we are. If we're better than 10th then he may have a point but drift towards 15th then maybe he'll have to explain. For me he's got a good team capable for top ten but his tactics and style aren't good enough to achieve this. He's still putting round pegs in square holes so just give the players a chance by putting them in their best position. Plus he hasn't answered why he's putting on four forwards on at the expense of proper midfielders!

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happybeingblue added 18:19 - Oct 30 so he said a few swear words BIG DEAL i think fans need to remember that he has had zero £ to spend and to his credit gets on with the job and we are creating more chances and looking better this season, you only have to listen to the likes of moanrinho conte etc complain when they have a few injuries and say the squad isnt big enough... imagine how they would cope with EVANS lack of funds

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johnno added 18:34 - Oct 30 He is a total disgrace and embarrassment to this football club and his entire family . The buck falls with Evans has he not heard or read about ITFC being a warm friendly family club that he with mcarthy in charge is falling way below the belt of our well respected beliefs on running a football club . Any other owner of a football club would for the good of his club investment and overall portrayal within the community would've ‘realised‘this man cannot be tolerated .We all know of his arrogance and outdated management but this outburst and pure content of those paying his wages is the last straw . Wake up Evans do something right for once Sack Him

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carlo88 added 18:57 - Oct 30 I think he's a very angry, sarcastic man at the moment who clearly doesn't think much of the club or the fans, and possibly thinks he's better off somewhere else. Doesn't seem a particularly good fame of mind to be in and manage productively to me. Quite sad really. I've always thought he's a good manager but he just sounds bitter now.
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:58 - Oct 30 I have never met Mr McCarthy and so I have nothing against him personally. I don't mind him swearing (we all do it) and I don't even mind if he has a bad attitude to us the fans. What I do mind (in no particular order) is; The results The playing style (I know that the Robson teams would play long on occasion, but they never played hoofball) The strange selections, particularly with regard to youth and some odd transfer decisions (e.g. signing two right-backs, sending ours on loan and not signing a centre-back to replace Berra) the Lincoln debacle

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NBVJohn added 19:02 - Oct 30 There's no chance whatsoever of IM/ME sacking him for lack of class - they simply don't care enough about the image of the club to do that. MM has had dogs abuse but often doesn't help himself. I don't think the swearing is necessary, but equally there's a cross section of supporters that eagerly await the next opportunity to be offended by his remarks. He's not the sort to back down, and we end up with this laughable vicious circle. I quickly realised that Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton are the most brain dead radio pundits around, so instead of phoning 6.06 to encourage them, I switch the radio off - if everybody did the same, they'd quickly be gone. If MM upsets you so much, stop listening, stop rising to the bait, accept that he won't change, and turn your attentions to the real problem; the apathetic Evans and his pointless yes man Milne. I hate this impasse that we find ourselves in - owners with an appalling attitude to the local community, the club and to supporters. A manager that deflects attention from them with his remarks, and unfortunately, a vocal section of supporters whose witless abuse just drives our standing as a club further into the dirt. I feel ashamed, MM justifies his methods through being starved of resources and IM/ME go merrily about there business without a care in the world. As we saw the other night, it looks as though our biggest problem is the price of a pint.

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joepublic added 19:07 - Oct 30 We have the best away fans going. I wouldnt swap them for anything. They are a credit to our club and deserve better than being slagged off by an extremely well paid representative of our club. A Manager suddenly upset by terrace chants but happy to keep a player on the bench because the nasty fans want him on the pitch. Sad times.
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Sospiri added 19:08 - Oct 30 What is clear from all of this is, despite his protestations, he is really affected by the criticism and the abuse. But rather than take it for what it is - discontent amongst the fans at the style of football - he gets defensive and angry, and just makes things worse. He needs to change, but he is too old to change. His body language, and his words, in these interviews suggests to me he has had enough, and will leave at the end of the season. Which will probably be best for everyone. I think his time has passed, as it has for all of the old school managers. Its a different game name now.

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hampstead_blue added 19:20 - Oct 30 Watching his press conference I respect his apology. Whilst I wasn't offended y his poor use of words, I felt let down by him feeling hr had to resort to use of swearing in a public pres conference. Speak your mind MM. You've earned that. I respect that and find that to be one of his most endearing qualities, half of my family is from Barnsley, but I do not feel you need use swearing in a press conference.

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matthewwylds added 19:21 - Oct 30 club Has gone to rat S H I T MM out ME out think we need to start from scratch
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Swn98 added 19:29 - Oct 30 Shakytown there were 500 supporters around me and not one of them was singing your football is ..... only the usual suspects behind the goal.
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BanksterDebtSlave added 19:32 - Oct 30 Prebbs007......that sounds pretty accurate to me but maybe I'm DELUSIONAL !
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Swn98 added 19:36 - Oct 30 sospiri Warnocks not doing to bad at Cardiff
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Westy added 19:37 - Oct 30 I attended the Supporters' AGM on Thursday of last week and was expecting Mick McCarthy and Terry Conner to be there to take supporters' questions as in the past. Neither were. Apparently they both had prior engagements. Whether they did or not, there was nothing to stop them issuing an apology for absence and writing a short address to the fans that put themselves out to attend. As for his comments about putting on Celina because he thought it the correct decision and had nothing to do with the fans calling for it, that I can accept and would tend to believe him. However, to suggest that if the fans call for a particular player to be introduced that he would delay it even though he may think it the flight thing to do, to the detriment of the team if necessary, is totally unacceptable and small minded.

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TimmyH added 19:43 - Oct 30 Warnock has spent LESS than us over the summer AND how long has he been there? - food for thought! swn98 - so no budget moans please Mick!
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cat added 20:10 - Oct 30 10th in league, 2 pts off playoff with a game in hand, and the clear majority of fans still want him gone. Sometimes in life you have to look in the mirror and come to the conclusion it ain't always ‘them others' If MM ain't getting it then here's a quick reminder, your brand of football is sh!te, unadventurous, boring and resembles something they played on the arc, or at plough lane back in the day! Maybe after the weekend responses to him he might grasp the fact you can't get the fans on side by winning alone, maybe the majority of ITFC fans ain't as fickle as he thinks.

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grubbyoik added 20:16 - Oct 30 Mcarthy threatening not to bring a player on just to prove a point at the potential expense of the team not being given every opportunity to win the game is beyond contempt. Who is running our football club.. Because from where I sit it sounds like it's Mcarthy Town F.C. He literally knows no bounds..
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Lathers added 20:46 - Oct 30 He is an arrogant man, that's for sure. He's done very little at Town, unless keeping us in the 2nd tier is an achievement? His swearing is symptomatic of a man who knows his days at PR are coming to an end and he can't handle the fans not being 'grateful' for having such an amazing man in charge! Be careful what you wish for? Well... I wish for a manager who can get the current squad to play more pro-active, attacking, entertaining football. It's a decent squad that's not being allowed to fulfill its potential under McCarthy. Taxi for Big Nose.

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Ipswichbusiness added 20:47 - Oct 30 I wonder whether Mr McCarthy's behaviour is driven by a simple realisation; if he wants his (lucrative) contract to be extended then he has to deliver a top six finish (perhaps he knows that it is beyond him).
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