Boss Mick McCarthy felt the Blues’ 0-0 stalemate with Sheffield United was a “right royal scrap” lacking in quality with his side having played well in the first half and the visitors on top in the second.

Town were again unable to match their away form when back at Portman Road, where they have now gone four games without scoring.

“I thought it was a right royal scrap from two teams that commit themselves to everything they do,” McCarthy said.

“Was there a great deal of quality? I’m not sure the pitch gives us the ability to have that quality, either team, to be quite honest. It’s not wearing well.

“I thought we were good in the first half, in the second I thought they were better than us, but I’d take a 0-0 draw. You can’t take it off us that point.”

Asked whether he gave credit to his defenders for remaining resolute when the Blades were peppering the penalty area, he said: “They were peppering the penalty area not the goal. That requires effort from all the team. I think the defenders have been great, the back five.

“I could cite Santie, who tracks back always. Their centre-halves go on the overlap, it’s bonkers at times and they all put a shift in so I think they all deserve credit.”

Satisfied with a point? “Yes, because if you’d asked me a month ago when we started playing the games that we’ve had and the games that we’ve been unbeaten in and another clean sheet, I always take the positives out of it, I leave you guys [the media] to take the negatives.”

McCarthy was pleased the crowd stayed behind his team despite the disappointing result unlike other recent home matches.

“They did," he added. "It’s pretty sad that I always end up talking about the crowd. The crowd come to support the team and pretty much over my time five and a half years they’ve been brilliant.

“They’ve had a little bit of a spell where they’ve been bored or whatever. I don’t know where we are off the play-offs but we’ve had a pretty good season and maybe they’ve all realised that and they’ve come and I think the majority of the voices have started to support us again rather than the minority for some reason seemed to turn against us.

“They’ve got to want us to win. I thought they were good today and I thought they were good against Cardiff as well, they were great.”

The Portman Road pitch looks ever more threadbare after a difficult couple of months with the weather having hosted plenty of games, for the U18s in the Youth Cup and U23s as well as the first team.

Asked whether that came into his pre-match instructions with the Blues playing little football throughout, he said: “Well, neither team [did] because it’s not a great pitch at all, it’s in poor shape at the minute. And they locked us down with their three midfield players and it was a bit of a scrappy game but it was a tough, ferocious game.”

While Town picked up another clean sheet they once again failed to score at home, having been more successful on the road in recent games.

“As I said the other day, I don’t have the answers for everything,” he said. “Let’s get Sheffield United here and let’s go gung-ho and let’s create loads of chances, make it an open game and get beat.

“I’m not really into that, that’s never going to be the case. They are a good team, they are a good side, who have had two good seasons and they’ve still got that momentum from coming up.

“I think they matched us up today and gave us a fair bit of respect. We don’t set out for a 0-0 draw. We set out not to concede, but we don’t set out for a 0-0 draw.”

In the second half he substituted Jordan Spence, who had only come on as a sub himself at half-time. A difficult decision to sub a sub? “Yes, it is. He was different class on Tuesday and I wonder if you think you’re ever going to go on as a wing-back, I think they caused them problems.

“I actually subbed the sub because I wanted to try and win the game. I went with the back four and went with Waggy, Joe and Bersant up front and still matched them up in midfield. So, that was in my vain attempt [to win], it ended up in vain but I tried to win the game.”

Does a manager put an arm around a player in those circumstances? “Could be worse, could be injured and couldn’t play for six months. Come on, worse things happen.

“He’s been brilliant, he came here on a free transfer and he’s been different class. But I have bad days, we all do, it just doesn’t work sometimes and I’ve spoken to him already and you get on with it. I might need him again on Tuesday night, he’s been playing.

“I always say, when something goes wrong with players and anybody who wants to come in on a Monday morning shake my hand and give me a piece of wet fish because I’ve taken them off or haven’t picked them, I haven’t done it.

“What about all the times I did pick you, what about all the times I’ve patted you on the back, what about all the times I’ve given you a hug and said, ‘Well done’ and supported you? Sometimes it just happens, you’ve just got to get on with it.”

Spence had replaced Dominic Iorfa, who had gone off at half-time with an injury McCarthy expects to keep him out of Tuesday’s match against Hull City.

“He was injured, he’s got a sore thigh,” he explained. “I would imagine [he’ll be a doubt for Tuesday]. I tell you what I’ll be pretty pissed off if he’s not - if you come off at half-time and you roll out on Tuesday, that doesn’t get you in my good books I can assure you.”

He says Callum Connolly was taken off as he was tiring: “Cal’s been brilliant, he’s had a great season. He had a fair bit of football at Wigan last year, but I don’t think as many as here, certainly not at the intensity he’s had to play at. Just goosed, just took him off.”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder thought his team should have claimed all three points.

“We should have won that game," he insisted. "They were two honest teams, the wicket wasn’t the best, it’s not been great for a little while.

“But two honest teams going for a result. We’ve had four trips on the bounce away now. The division is uncompromising and relentless. I thought my players in the second half really dug in and were positive in trying to win the game.

“And I think we’ve spurned a couple of golden chances really to win it. I think if we’d have got our noses in front I believe we would have won.”

Photo: TWTD

J45 added 20:56 - Mar 10 press conference has to be more friendly it's the new contract he just signed.
0

jas0999 added 20:58 - Mar 10 ... and there you have it. Manager happy to take a 0-0. Destroying this once football club. Everything about it is dire. Boring manager. No entertainment. No goals. Bore draws. An owner who doesn't care. Shameful pitch - no doubt due to little investment. Very little positives.
23

Dissboyitfc added 21:13 - Mar 10 i listened to Shefki Kuqi on lifes a pitch. He gets the fans and what the club is about, actually i will reword that, he knows what the club used to be about! would be a gamble but Kuqi back as manager, couldnt be worse could it!
14

oldegold added 21:13 - Mar 10 Took my son after a long while, who used to support Town but gave up 2 years ago due to the dreadfull football, and he realized with his own eyes that the style of football is still dire. How on earth can he speak about making Portman Road a fortress and in a must win game, he packs the team with midfielders and a defensive formation...he really doesn't help himself, does he ? We had 5 loanees out there and only one youth player in the starting lneup ( and even Kenlock only because manager's fav Knudsen was injured ), so much for our vaunted youth system as the youngsters are discarded for flabby loanees who shouldn't be near the first team. Iorfa for Emmanuel...scuse me. Downes plying his trade at Luton and he brings in Gleason, who couldn't get in relegation-threatened Birmingham's team..are you joking ? It's all gone to cock and rumours abound that Evans is ready to offer a new contract to McCarthy.Is he having us on ? It is quite clear that McCarthy should walk and we need a new and tactically savvy manager who actually cares for the club as we are going nowhere. A media mogul for a president who would make Howard Hughes look like a roudy and boisterous party crasher. Today through the eyes of my son was a warning sign that things must change as the situation requires major surgery.

24

heathen66 added 21:15 - Mar 10 Why is it NEVER your fault Mick Its the pitch, its the fans. Today...again it was your lack of ambition and tactical nous. Set up yes again not to lose with 8 defensive minded outfield players. Is the pitch the reason why Chambers CCV, Skuse, Connelly and Gleeson hoofed / hooked the ball forward aimlessly...right down the throats of the SU defenders and no where near our attacker (singular). You were very lucky to get something out of today SU ran us ragged second half. We always start off so lethargically allowing SU 2 shots on target within the first 3 mins. Set up to win a game, and get on the front foot from the off PLEASE !!! We have nothing left to play for except pride...let us see if we can get some pride back

22

heathen66 added 21:26 - Mar 10 Also why did you have Garner stripped and ready to go after 63 mins and then not bring him on until 81 mins You seem to have no plan or any idea of how to win a game. It was only poor finishing by Sheff Utd that stopped the score being 0-3. but still you persevere think you are right and everyone else is wrong
12

blue75 added 21:33 - Mar 10 We always support our team it's just you that doesn't get support!! You're time is up as again you proved you can't change your team with your subs to win a game.
9

Taricco_Fan added 21:35 - Mar 10 Remind me why he loaned-out Flynn Downes when our midfield is so turgid? Remind me why he loaned-out Josh Emmanuel when all our full-backs (Knudsen included) are hopeless? Why are none of our promising young players getting a sniff of the first team? "Careful what you wish for", lads. /sarcasm
18

SheptonMalletBlue added 21:38 - Mar 10 You can't take that point off us. What a w@nker!!!!!!!
10

Norwichbeater added 21:46 - Mar 10 I take my 3 young kids every home game. Today was probably the lowest I have felt. We had no intention of trying to get 3 points but to stay with any chance of the playoffs we had to go for the win. His vanity of keeping a clean sheet is more important than us actually trying to get in the top 6. I thought today's performance was a complete disgrace. MM totally inept but yet to stay next season as it suits both him and Evans to languish in the championship. Bring on 11000 average attendance next season. Look at yourselves in the mirror and give yourselves a big clap. RIP Ipswich 😕

19

Norwichbeater added 21:55 - Mar 10 Us fans to blame as well. Would any other club tolerate this shxt. 2 away wins and suddenly we stop protesting. Now we will be left with this crap for at least another season. Evans won't leave until we are down another league. He has no interest in Ipswich apart from hiding tax.
11

blueboy1981 added 22:00 - Mar 10 ........ he always sets out to preserve the point we start with. I've always said it, and it will never change. In so doing if we nick a goal and win it - it's a bonus.
12

prebbs007 added 22:46 - Mar 10 Fark off you dinosaur tw&t. 8 at the back at home again. 4 home games zero goals. You set up in every game not to lose rather than to win. We're bored with. We're bored with you. We're bored with your tactics. We're bored with your pre match drivel. We're bored with your post match BS. Now just fark off. We don't want you here. Give us back our glorious ITFC COYB
7

Bert added 23:02 - Mar 10 No wonder there are few female posters on here when you get posts from James Bond. Grow up.
-6

BlueMachines added 23:03 - Mar 10 The crowd ‘for some reason turned against us'. I think we all know the reason as does Muck
8

Safetyfirstmrwark added 00:15 - Mar 11 Evans out
7

clint_eastwood added 01:16 - Mar 11 Gleeson is Douglas in disguised.
5

ChrisFelix added 08:40 - Mar 11 Did consider returning for this game. Jolly glad I saved my £40. The snake Milne indicates there will be some good news on the season ticket front. Heard it all before !!!!! Tuesday night again I'm stayang at home but let's see some youth on the bench. We aren't going to make the top 6 with the starting line up from yesterday
9

roytheboy added 09:47 - Mar 11 Simply not good enough Mr Evans, start investing otherwise you will lose virtually all support.
4

Seasider added 10:12 - Mar 11 First thing Evans should do is sack or demote the head groundsman,and try and get back Alun Ferguson,then Mccarthy couldn't use the state of the pitch as an excuse for such an insipid display. Mick likes a scrap which he described this game as,happy to take a point;and thought the team played well.Had a bit of a dig at Iorfa and Spence,which is unusual for him;and would leave the press to extract the negatives from the game. Well Mick there were plenty of those, which no doubt others on here will elaborate;but I wont bother this time,because as Carl Fuller(EADT columnist) said to me after the match that its a cut and paste job;because he could use the same narrative time and again this season at home,and I agree. BORING BORING IPSWICH

9

MicksZzzTactics added 10:50 - Mar 11 So for the umpteenth time darnit: If you really seriously want a a change of football and thus a managerial change ASAP -- and thus not in 2023+!!! -- consider going ONLY to away games & stay they fooook away from Marcus Evans's beyond breathtaking (read: inherently wimpy & insomnia curing) dino led 'consumer product' at home at PR!!! (*EVENTUALLY* ultra indifferent 'Marvelous Marcus' & his snake oil selling mouthpiece ultra clueless 'Immaculate Ian' will get more than just the so called "Message", incl. about there being much much more than merely a quote "rift" between quote "some fans" and the manager and his archaic & deterrent football philosophies!, and simply be forced to react accordingly!) Aye no matter how much staying away from PR might hurt your likely mostly NOSTALGIA controlled longtime itfc fan feelings ....and ehhhhh how much it makes you a "untrue" supporter in the extremely vision impaired eyes of the ALLEGED & very very MYTHICAL sounding: "My-life-is-soooo-full-and-anything-but-dull-that-I-really-can't-be-BOTHERED-to-participate-with-voting-in-any-of-the-five-local-managerial-surveys-within the-last-year!" & besides "I'm-a- complacent-Suffolk'er-by-nature-&-thus-too-much-of-a-sissy-to-even-contemplating-rocking-the-boat-in-ANY-way-or-form!" and ohhh last but not least "Everything--with-Micks-itfc(including-starting XI-subs-tactics-and-entertainment)-will-be-just-peeeeachy-AS-LONG-AND-AS-SOON-AS-Mick-just-gets--some-$$$$erious-funds-from-tightaZzzed-Evans!"so called 'Silent Majority' of fans ....and at that thus very inferable more or less sparkling 'Happy-Clappy' & POINTS FIXATED ONLY! 'Silent Majority' of fans! :-) :-) ROFL :-) :-)

5

blueboy1981 added 10:57 - Mar 11 Seasider - the pitch problems go far beyond the Groundsman ... !! - to apportion blame there is incorrect. Why did Alan Ferguson leave ..... !!! ???
2

blueboy1981 added 11:03 - Mar 11 I've said it so many times, it will never change - CHAMPIONSHIP MID TABLE MICK - all he is focused on is defending, and scrapping for a point. Don't expect more - it ain't gonna happen. And Evans is happy with that.
4

Lightningboy added 11:43 - Mar 11 The fact that he was talking down the play-offs a few weeks ago with still about 15 games to go sums up his negative attitude.
2

H1960 added 12:07 - Mar 11 You may describe it as a "right royal scrap" Mick, I would describe it as another boring 0 -0 draw, mainly as a result of your negative tactics, Milne please take note because season tickets will continue to plummet if he stays
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls