Town boss Mick McCarthy said he apologised to his players at their impromptu post-match on-pitch meeting as he felt it was his presence which led to the toxic second-half atmosphere during the Blues’ dismal 3-0 defeat to Hull City and impressed upon them the importance of sticking together.

Asked what he said at the meeting of players and staff after the final whistle at an again fractious Portman Road, McCarthy said: “That we’ve got to stick together, absolutely. You just make sure everybody knows that. I don’t doubt that for one minute, they’ve got my support and I’ve got theirs.

“And it was a tough old evening but it really is a matter of sticking together and not fragmenting because if we do then it’ll really go pear-shaped and I don’t the atmosphere represented the way we’ve been playing, to be quite honest.

“A bad night tonight, but we’ve played against a bad team with good players. And fundamentally it’s a disgrace that they’ve been down there all season long with those players, so fair play to Nigel Adkins, he’s finally got them going and he’s got a good team.”

McCarthy said his side started well with Jordan Spence hitting the post in the eighth minute: “We did. We conceded a soft one but it looks like a good strike but I don’t think he should have got a shot as free as he did on the edge of our box.

“[Allan McGregor] made a good save from Wardy and I think it was from a goalkick which should have been a corner that they scored their second from.

“We just got out of shape, to be quite honest, and they picked us off. And they were a good side then, they were better than us tonight.”

The Blues boss explained his six changes in the third game of four in 12 days: “And we’ve got Saturday to go. Waggy and Callum were probably the bigger changes but both have played the games, both are on nine bookings, if they get another booking they’d both be suspended for two games.

“They’re the squad, the squad I’ve got and I made the changes and I thought that we could compete with the players I put on the pitch.”

Asked about the toxic second-half atmosphere, McCarthy said: “It was horrible. It was awful.”

Did it make it difficult for his players? “It’s dreadful, as I said to them at the end. To their eternal credit they kept going actually, not one of them stopped. The heads didn’t go down, they kept running, they kept tackling, they kept chasing, they kept trying to play.

“And I thanked them for that and I apologised because it was probably my presence there that caused that atmosphere and they shouldn’t have to play in that.

“But that’s the way it is at the minute. I just thanked them for their efforts and made sure they all stick together and that everybody saw that we are as one, which we are.”

How does it feel on the touchline when chants are being aimed in his direction? “It feels lovely, of course it does. It’s a lovely feeling.”

Does it get to you? “It’s not nice but I can stand that. I can stand it so long as the lads are with me I can stand anything.”

Does he feel it’s undeserved? “I don’t think it represents how we’ve played recently and the results that we’ve had.

“But it does seem like unless we win that’s always going to happen now. Not a lot I can do about that except win, try and win.”

Is winning now enough to get fans back on side? “You tell me, you’ve got the ear of them better than me because I don’t listen to them or take a great deal of notice.”

After the opinion was offered that it probably wouldn't be, given the impasse has gone on for so long, he responded: “If that’s the way you think. But that might not change my opinion.”

Hull manager Nigel Adkins was delighted with his side's victory which sees them move nine points from the relegation zone.

“It was an excellent away performance from the players,” he said. “That’s back-to-back victories. We’ve come away from home, got a clean sheet and three goals.

“We did all the things you’ve got to do to win a game of football. Our performances have been consistently good.

"There’s no flukes when you get the result. Yet, you take nothing for granted, we have to keep building.”

Photo: TWTD

Pencilpete added 23:06 - Mar 13 So ... whats it going to be like when it REALLY goes pear shaped then Mick ??
21

blueconscience added 23:06 - Mar 13 And people still want this attention seeking clown in charge!!!!!
18

iaintaylorx added 23:08 - Mar 13 Not scoring at home for 4 games and he drops our top scorer... Just want this season to end. Another mid table finish with very little entertainment. Please leave at the end of the season!
21

Mark added 23:08 - Mar 13 Don't blame the fans, we are a patient lot and appreciate the efforts of the players. We do not appreciate the negative tactics (Sears on his own up front?!), long ball style (was never going to work when Hull have taller players), and one goal at home in 2018. That is on the back of 16/17, the lowest league finish in most of our lifetimes. It is time for change. Take action Marcus Evans!

28

Talbs77 added 23:08 - Mar 13 Time to get your coat............ P*ssed off him telling me we play Real Madrid every week! If we played Whitton Utd and lost he would come out and say they have good players can't believe where they are in league blah blah Still your team huddle up your rusty sheriff badge!
17

Paulc added 23:10 - Mar 13 "I don't think it represents how we've played recently and the results that we've had." Incredible! how delusional are you man, we haven't scored in 5 matches at home, how where are the "results" in that stat. roll on May
29

Rammo added 23:12 - Mar 13 “But it does seem like unless we win that's always going to happen now. Not a lot I can do about that except win, try and win.” Well that would be great if you didn't put out teams where the majority are defensive minded. Some kind of creativity helps when trying to score!!
22

floridaboy added 23:12 - Mar 13 He has complete contempt for those who help pay his huge salary. Ian Milne needs to come out and put things straight re new manager now not in a few weeks!
25

Carberry added 23:13 - Mar 13 It went pear shaped a while back. This sounds like you stick together because I'm off.
3

Len_Brennan added 23:15 - Mar 13 Unbelievable. Reporter:"2 + 2 = 4 Mick", MM: "Well if that's what you & the mathematics community believe that's fine, but I'm entitled to my own opinion, based on delusion and belligerence".
22

LonE17Blue added 23:15 - Mar 13 Along with your nose Mick, it went pear shaped a long time ago!
4

DoseOfReality added 23:15 - Mar 13 Having a party when McCarthy resigns we're having a party when McCarthy resigns
9

bluey123 added 23:16 - Mar 13 Milne sat in directors box laughing with one of his pals shows what it means to him
11

TimmyH added 23:17 - Mar 13 Fancy that 'bigging' up Hull with their 'good players' and a 'disgrace' they've been down there all season...laughable. Re: the huddle at the end “But that's the way it is at the minute. I just thanked them for their efforts and made sure they all stick together and that everybody saw that we are as one, which we are.” - that to me sounds like he's off!...please god let this be true.

13

howdonblue added 23:17 - Mar 13 This club is an absolute joke ! Like Mick or not he should be gone long since . Evans Milne and co grow a pair and relieve the guy of his duties and rebuild or Fxxk off
12

J45 added 23:18 - Mar 13 I wish he would try and help himself he just doesn't say the right things. I don't believe for one second he doesn't want to win every game and that he doesn't try his best and give it all he has but sometimes that's just not enough. He has done a good job with the budget he has had but it's beyond what's happening on the pitch now the club has lost its way and mick has become a big part of that. Time to go now Mick just so the club can try again, my biggest fear is that we will get rid of Mick but we will still have the faceless Marcus Evans at the controls of the club. He is the biggest problem don't forget that. Mick is a man who cares but has lost his way but Evans couldn't care less about us fans or our club.

17

TractorBeezer added 23:18 - Mar 13 Is winning now enough to get fans back on side? “You tell me, you've got the ear of them better than me because I don't listen to them or take a great deal of notice.” Told probably not now, given it's gone on for so long, he responded: “If that's the way you think. But that might not change my opinion.” Arrogant and stubborn to the end. Six changes and changed system is ridiculous....three at the most to start would suffice. And what does he do to win over the fans besides telling them to FO?

13

ScottCandage added 23:19 - Mar 13 Can I go to sleep and wake up for the start of preseason?
7

adeblueboy added 23:20 - Mar 13 Rests Connolly and Waghorn just in case they get booked and miss two games, well mick they are missing one game by you not picking them you clown!!
24

algarvefan added 23:21 - Mar 13 There is no doubt that tonights result, at home, is a very poor one. I think it's time for a change BUT I cannot stand supporters who are just waiting for an opportunity to get on the lads backs. They kept running and competing & no it wasn't enough tonight but a toxic atmosphere at home will not improve results. We need to get behind the lads for the next game and try to lift them.

-9

itfchorry added 23:25 - Mar 13 Finally lost the plot ! Resign
7

Notts_tractor added 23:27 - Mar 13 "I don't listen to them or take a great deal of notice.” Imagine that being said about customers in any other business. This is why McCarthy has to go: his appalling disrespect for the people who pay his wages. Yes, throw in the unwatchable football, but ultimately it's his arrogance, rudeness and contempt which are the most unacceptable aspects of his tenure that we've had to endure.

27

Lightningboy added 23:35 - Mar 13 Q. Why did he feel the need to have that chat with the players on the pitch and not in the dressing room? A. So he could make a point of blaming the supporters for an atmosphere he has created. Whatta guy.
37

multiplescoregasms added 23:35 - Mar 13 Cock
10

beornioblue added 23:36 - Mar 13 Get out of our club..get out of our cluuuub , dick mcarthy get out of our club There are so many points in that interview that show why you are not the man for this club , and no they are not all with you , maybe Chambo and Knuddo and skuseyo because they wouldn't get a game anywhere else ... Ward gets it that's why he was still applauding the north stand tonight because they showed him they appreciate effort. Just go because you haven't got a clue who or what ITFC are !!

14

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls