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McCarthy: I Won't Be Driven Out By a Small Section of Fans Friday, 23rd Feb 2018 11:15
Town boss Mick McCarthy has revealed he expects to speak to owner Marcus Evans regarding his future over the next three or four weeks and says he won’t be “driven out” of the club by “a small section of fans”. He says he believes it's more likely that Evans will ask him to stay on rather than end his five-and-a-half-year spell in charge at Portman Road.
The Blues manager is out of contract at the end of the season but with Town having an option to keep him and his assistant Terry Connor for a further two years.
Despite celebrating his 26th anniversary as a boss next month, McCarthy says he still has the same burning desire he had earlier on in his career.
“I have,” he said. “And I look at my club, this club at the moment and I think about the players that are here and will be here next year if, please God for them as much as anybody, that they are injury free, and think that we’d have a good squad.
“I’ve still got to discuss that with Marcus but if Marcus wants me to stay then I’ll certainly consider that, and that’s where it’s at. Marcus has got to want me to stay, not anybody else, it’s got to be the club.”
McCarthy wouldn’t discuss what factors would come into his consideration if Evans were to offer him the chance to stay at Town.
“That’s for me and Marcus to discuss, not for public airing at the moment,” he said. “I’m due to speak to him. I speak to him on a regular basis but not about that.
“I spoke to him the other night about the game and how it went, but we’ll be sitting down to talk about that shortly.”
Although having been under-fire from fans for much of the last two seasons, McCarthy believes the club is in good shape going forwards: “Despite everything that goes on, I think it is and it’s managed well, this place is, the club is.
“I can’t always guarantee results or performances, nobody can no matter how much [money] you’ve got but it’s a good club and I’m particularly happy here as well.
“I’m not wanting to leave but - and I was asked about Luke Hyam, that’s the same, David McGoldrick as well, their contracts are up as well - there’s nothing you can do unless somebody wants you to stay.
“It’s interesting, I’m just reading Carlo Ancelotti’s book and it’s great, he talks about cycles and says that while ever you’re there you make sure you do the best you possibly can.
“But he also says it’s always nice to be loved and wanted and I thought, ‘Yes, well, it is’. Until we find out that’s the case I won’t know, will I?”
Speaking further about criticism from supporters, he added: “Listen, fans fluctuate on performances and results. And, by the way, it’s not all the fans, it’s a small section of them, I believe, that have decided that it’s me they don’t want, they want somebody else. I’ve had great support from the fans here. I’m not worried about that.”
Asked whether it would be good to get his future sorted before the club announces season ticket prices for 2018/19 at the end of March, he said: “That might affect how many are sold or are not sold! We might just keep that one in the balance, I don’t know.
“I’d hate to think me saying I was staying affected the season ticket sales. I’d like to think they went up. We’ll see.”
He added: “I’m due to speak to Marcus, I’ll be speaking to him over the next three or four weeks I’m certain. But I’ve said before, I’m cool with it.
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“For all the reasons I’ve just said, the players who are here, I like living here, I like doing the job and I’m certainly not going to be driven out by a small section of fans who are going to make my decision on that, let me tell you that. That’s not going to happen.
“I’m too long in the tooth and a bit too up to the fight for that to happen. If everybody else wants me around the place, then that would be the big decision for me.”
Whose opinions matter to him? “Marcus owns the club, his is the biggest one and I think you’ve got to have the support of him, you’ve got to have a relationship with the people above you, and I’ve got a great relationship with him.”
McCarthy reiterated that he is currently treating the situation as if he is going to be in charge next season with pre-season having been discussed.
“Yes, and talking about players for next season,” he continued. “I’m going ahead, as I said to you before, with the job of planning for it.
“I would never just down tools and stop anyway, even if Marcus came to say to me - and I doubt very much he’s going to - ‘That’s enough, we need to go’. I think it’s more likely it would be quite the opposite, ‘Mick, I’d like you to stay’, I think that would be the more likely scenario.
“But whatever one, I’ll continue doing the job until the end of the season as the good professional as I am.”
McCarthy goes through the full range of emotions on the touchline on a matchday - “I’m only 42 you know, look at me, I’ve weathered well, haven’t I?” - but says he still enjoys life as a manager.
“I still get the buzz from it, of course I do. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t,” he said. “The disappointments are horrible but the good times are great.
“I still get the buzz from coming in here though, coming in here and doing my job and going out on the training ground and managing the club and being part of it every day.
“And then the games, that’s the highs and lows, that’s the real stuff. But I get a buzz from it every day.”
He says he’s still got the addiction for football and for winning: “I have. It’s not just the games, you can’t have just the games, of course, you can’t just turn up and have the games on a Tuesday night and a Saturday or a Wednesday night whenever.
“You’ve got to go through all this, all the daily routine, but I don’t find that routine as such, I find that really enjoyable, I love that part of it.
“All it is is the build-up to the games and that’s what everybody else cares about and I’m still lucky enough to be stood on that touchline getting happy, getting sad, getting angry, getting emotional and fired up for it every time we play.”
Photo: TWTD
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The actual facts are that when we first dropped down to the second tier in season 2002/3 we had an average attendance of 25,455. By the time of McCarthy's first full season in 2012/13 that was already down to 17,525 - ie we had already lost 8,000 fans. We are now in Mick's 6th full season and our 2017/18 average attendance is currently 16,348. We have therefore currently lost just over 1,000 fans during Mick's managerial reign. And that lost revenue is dwarfed by the gains Mick and his scouts are making Evans in transfer dealings. Our average spend over each of the past four completed seasons 2013/14 - 2016/17 was just £0.5 million. Over that period, we received £16.7 million from player sales for the likes of Cresswell, Mings, Murphy, Moore. Evans is first and foremost a businessman and that is why he is likely to want to retain Mick and his scouts. The facts do not support the claim that the majority of fans blame Mick rather than Evans for the club's decline and are voting with their feet. Some are but most likely not enough to make any difference to Evans
There is no point in waving banners and booing - this man is impervious to such things - that's where he gets his small section comments as he knows that the people of Suffolk are not inclined to such actions. You MUST stop going to a home match to demonstrate how few fans really support him
There is no way McCarthy holds the same passion for job today in comparison to his initial first two seasons! Any ‘mug' can see that! He's ‘free wheeling, money for old rope' ! No ambition from the ‘top' filters it's way down.....which has eventually resulted in ‘discontentment' from the ‘majority' of fans! This scenario can't go on indefinitely and will ‘conclude' quicker if supporters continue with dropping attendance trend! Unfortunately what Sir Alf, Sir Bobby and the Cobbold brothers built now is being demolished ‘brick by brick' by a ‘gang' of !!!!!!!......wish I had the power to run em all out of TOWN!!!
The atmosphere is so flat at Portman Road these days, compare it to when Joe Royle was in charge, some of the games then were rocking in the ground. When Dale Roberts had just passed away and we came from 2 down with 10 men to beat Sheff Utd 3-2 the place was bumping. I miss those days. The second season under Mick (especially up till Xmas) PR was still rocking but whenever I go now (which isn't as often as I once did) it just always seems so flat which is very sad. We badly need somebody to reignite the passion and enthusiasm levels again which starts with playing more adventurous football. The question is though, who? Another 2 or 3 years of Mick could put us into the deep freezer (if we aren't already!) and even if Mick goes Evans could hand the keys to another PJ or Keane who could take us even further into the abyss! You need some hope in life but hope seems in such short supply at Ipswich these days with Mr Invisible Evans continuing to leave the fans guessing about his true intentions.
'The club is well run' is the bit that does it for me.
To coin one of Mick's phrases - cobblers.
The fact that nearly a week on from the unfortunate incident at Norwich [of all places] neither ME or his hapless sidekick IM have had a word to say on the subject underlines what a spineless, cynical organisation ITFC has become.
Where's the leadership?
Another one swept under the carpet along with falling gates, OAP season ticket prices and the 5 point plan.
There's so much under the carpet in Milne's office that the cleaner probably needs to abseil down it when hoovering.
I honestly am lost for words it proves 110% the owner really doesn't know jack about football and proves he never goes to games sad sad season ahead next season and we still not finished this one yet?
I feel for Mccarthy he has done his best and I ask who would do a better job if appointed with the lack of money for transfer fees and an unwillingness to break wage structure , I fear things could get worse if he leaves , its frustrating when we there is lower league players that are affordable at the right price could be the difference between mid table and higher, Mccarthy clearly has an eye for a signing, As fans what do we want to change? attractive football only comes with better players, more youngster playing? fair point but are they good enough? better results well our away form its pretty good its our home form which has lost support.
If he truly believes that it's only a small section of fans that want him out then he is deluded and out of touch. Every poll, every phone in, every forum, every conversation, more people believe he should go instead of stay. Just because there isn't mass protests or more booing doesn't make him right. In fact many fans have just walked away from the club which should be of more concern to the powers that be. If Evans seriously wants him to stay then he must be given more funds otherwise it will just get worse & we will end up in the position that the “careful what you wish for “ brigade warn us about, just a slower painful death
Think for me now it's time for Mick to go, however even more than that I also think it's time for Marcus to sell the club to someone who actually wants to run a football club, as he really does not seem to care what the fans Think! If mick stays i want him to be backed with at least 10 million in the summer for transfer fees alone, not including wages and the pathetic excuses we get told all the time. Supporting town at the moment is like being in a abusive relationship! Sick and tired of it now, get a new manager In who plays decent football and uses youth players (if good enough) or back Mick with money or your gonna lose more fans and that is a FACT!, the club really is at a crossroads now and if we bring a new manager In they need to understand the Ipswich way, get it sorted town as people are getting p1ssed off! Ahhh rant over!
Oh well if he does stay it will be another season of not attending PR, no merchandise purchased. Anybody who believes that with more money to spend MM would suddenly become an innovative coach and play the type of football we few dissenters ask for are as deluded as Mad Mick, a legend in his own mind.
Blue86... Well said mate. We the fans are not being listened to. How on earth can we get it through to our pathetic owner. His' business ' is failing badly. Our club is dying and the one person who can save it is hiding behind the anonymity! So so sad!
Like many others on this site I have had enough. I feel as if i've been ground into the mud by the club that I've supported for over 40 years. I just cannot face any more of ME, IM & MM destroying the last scraps of credibility that ITFC still has and will not be renewing my ST until MM has gone. Sad days indeed .
Having had to work Saturdays for all of my working life one of my wishes was to one day have a season ticket and enjoy watching the team I have loved since I was about 8 years old. My circumstances changed 3 years ago but as yet have not purchased one. This will not happen till this arrogant, tactically poor manager has gone, I have been to several games in the last couple of seasons and with a few odd exceptoons have found the quality of football and entertainment poor value for money, once McCarthy goes I will be one of the first on the queue to get a season ticket and so will many others,. If he thinks it is a small section of fans that are against him the man is seriously deluded.
........ I'm on good money here you idiots, that keep supporting me - I'm here until Marcus waves my P45 in front of me, and if I keep saying nice things to him, I know that won't happen.
Don't give a toss about you lot - or whatever you think - my Bank Manager loves me more each season. That's all I care about, and of course, Marcus.
You could never make this up at any other Club - because it just WOULD NOT happen.
@ itsonlyme, thanks mate, to be fair I think the only way is for town fans to organise a protest somehow, as the message clearly is not getting through. The gates at Portman road are in rapid decline, I can remember when magilton was manager we were averaging about 22000 at home week in week out, How times have changed! I'm not dead against Mick, but he isn't and never will be an "Ipswich manager" the worrying thing though is that there really doesn't seem to be a link between the fans and the club anymore, sad times. Marcus Evans needs to either sell the club or start running us properly, as Milne and co are just as clueless as he seems to be. But in all honesty think Mick has run his cousre here now, town need a new manager but that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Sorry is it April the 1st, can't beleive the arrogant manager believes he really is going to get a new contract.. Next home game just nobody turn up, and then the owner who ever he is will get the message loud and clear. It's flabbergasting we have to put up this awful rubbish any longer. Please both go, sell up Me and sack mc carthy.
Where the hell is this bloke they called Evans the owner then?? Has anyone got a photo of him cause honestly can't tell u what he looks like??? All I ever see is some SMUG IRISH FELLA SMILING TO HIMSELF EVERY DAY and accidentally showing the fans his middle finger? Those of you say we need investment will make us better?? So how come Preston have had no money just change of management??? Muppets!!!!
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