Town boss Mick McCarthy says the atmosphere during Tuesday night’s 3-0 home defeat to Hull City was “a disgrace” and that it will make it “incredibly difficult” for his players to perform if repeated at the Blues’ four remaining matches at Portman Road this season.

Fans aimed derogatory chants towards McCarthy, who they booed off at the end of each half and sarcastically cheered the players completing run of the mill passes during the second period.

Asked if the evening was difficult to get over, McCarthy said: “It’s not one of the most enjoyable experiences but, no.

“I went and played in the club golf day yesterday and I loved it, I had a great day, thank you. I’m able to [get over it], I’m looking forward to Bristol City.”

He says the players gave him their backing and he talked to them this morning.

“Yes, I got my call yesterday and I’ve spoken to them today, just to make sure that they’re aware that we’ve all got to be professional and whatever’s going on we’ve got to carry on doing the same things.

“Speaking to the press, speaking to the radio, speaking to the public, going on the golf day when it’s there and the players did, there were a lot of youngsters actually because of the workload the first team have had. And it was a really enjoyable one. To continue doing the same and we don’t change.”

Has he had a call from owner Marcus Evans since the events of Tuesday? “I wouldn’t talk about that. My relationship with Marcus has always been win, lose or draw I’ll get a call at some stage and he’s the very same person at any performance level, result level. Whatever’s happened, he’s always exactly the same.

“And that’s what I’ve always really admired about him, that’s very supportive that, he’s not up and down, he’s very consistent.”

Will he know all about Tuesday even if he wasn’t there? “I would think so. Marcus is probably one of the brightest fellas I’ve ever come across, intelligent and knows what’s going on without having to be speaking to [me] every day. Yes, I think he’s fully aware of that.”

McCarthy says now it’s a case of moving on, although he reiterated that he doesn’t believe the Blues’ situation and performances warranted Tuesday night’s protests: “I spoke to them all this morning about continuing and being the same people.

“I don’t think we played particularly well but it certainly wasn’t as bad and the situation were in isn’t as bad as the reaction.

“But I do think the reaction was to me and not to them but they have to play in it.

“And the atmosphere was a disgrace on Tuesday night. And it will make it incredibly difficult to play if that’s going to be the case for the remaining games at home.

“And if it is, it’s ridiculous because it does affect the players playing in that and whatever I do, come and support the team, support the players.

“If they all want to stand afterwards and boo me and jeer me, fine. If it was to try and get me out and me to walk out it’s not achieved anything because I’m not going to.

“If it’s something to provoke Marcus into sacking me, well I’m still here doing the press conference for Bristol City and I’m certain I’ll still be here doing the press conference for Middlesbrough at home. So, we’ll see.”

He added: “The players had to play in it on Tuesday night. It’s not doing anybody any good. It’s not doing them any good, it’s not doing the team any good, it’s not doing the club any good.

“I’m here talking about it, it goes national and worldwide about about how people feel about it.

“And, you know what, perhaps I don’t want it to ruin my ‘brand’, how I perform and what people think of me, but I think that’s restricted to this area at the moment in terms of Ipswich fans about the job that I’ve done and how it’s been done here.

“But, as I said, don’t let it affect the players. The players are trying their legs off and running their socks off for everybody. It might not be good, it might not be great but they’re trying their best.

“I only ask is to give them the support and if then they want to give me grief at the end and boo me off, cool.”

McCarthy is aware that the frustration doesn’t just relate to current form or fans’ thoughts about him, but with the overall context of the Blues having been in the Championship for 16 seasons with little realistic prospect of promotion as things stand presently.

“Of course, I understand that,” he admitted. “Maybe they feel the need or what they want to see as change.

“Myself and the players can’t really affect all of that, we turn up and work hard in training and in games and try and do our best for the team.

“From coming in here, every year I’ve tried to get into the top six. I’ve been in it once and done my best, and all the players have.

“All the other stuff, I can’t affect. I’m dealing with the things on the pitch and with the players, so that’s what I’m saying it doesn’t reflect.

“I’m talking from my point of view from this training ground and the players, I’m speaking on behalf of me and them, not on behalf of how many managers were before me and the fact that they got relegated when they did and crowds are going down. We continue to try and do our best for the club.”

The impromptu post-match on-pitch meeting with players after the Hull match was illustrative of a siege mentality developing among the management and players.

Asked whether he felt that was healthy, McCarthy responded: “Have I created that? I take it always that if you’re inside this building you are inside peeing out, whether you’re at the top of the league or you’re bottom of the league, that’s the way it is.

“If you’re outside, you’re peeing in because that’s the way it is as well. And nothing’s changed with me, nothing at all.

“The only thing that’s changed is probably the amount of aggro I’m getting personally, and if that’s because we’ve been in the league for how many years or because the pitch is not great or the stadium’s not great or my football’s [not] great.

“They thought it was brilliant when I got them out of the dirt when they were seven points adrift, and they thought it was brilliant when we finished in the top six.

“And I haven’t changed. The only people who have changed are the people who are watching. If they’re getting bored of everything and I’m getting the flak for it, well so be it because I am the figurehead and I’m quite happy to take it.”

Is it easier when fans are among those inside the tent peeing out? “I think I give that message always. When I came to the club that was the case, that was my message and nothing’s ever changed - that we hadn’t got the best budget, I’ve got these players, I’ve got seven loan players and by the way we’re going to go out and give absolutely everything and do the best we possibly can.

“And that was accepted then because it was seen as a success finishing, what was it, 14th? It was accepted the following year because it was ninth. It’s really accepted and I’m ‘Dick S–t’ all of a sudden because we finished sixth.

“So I haven’t changed and I would love the fans to be on [side] but I can’t do that, I keep trying it.

“We go away and we win two away games, we’ve had two great results, we should have beaten Norwich, that would have been fabulous.

“So, I’m still doing my part of the bargain, absolutely 100 per cent doing my part of the bargain and if I can’t get them to buy into the way I do it on my part of the bargain, well you’re going to have to tolerate me for nine games at least, unless Marcus offers me to stay.”

McCarthy has previously said he doesn’t care what fans might think but clarified that position slightly: “Of course I care what fans think. When I say I don’t care, I don’t go home and lose sleep, I don’t go home and cry myself to sleep and I don’t lose sleep over it.

“I want to be with the fans, of course I do, wherever I am. It’s about the fans, they’ll be here when I’ve long gone, they’ll be here when all the players have gone. I would love the fans to be back on side, I’ve enjoyed my relationship with them.

“But, wow, I think I’m pretty much getting the thin of the wedge at the minute, I have to be honest.”

Last season McCarthy ruminated on fans becoming bored with managers after they’d been at clubs for long spells. Does he feel his time at Town is just coming to its natural end?

“Maybe, but the natural end will, of course, be at the end of the season when my contract runs out,” he added.

“So, I wasn’t walking away from my contract last year when I’ve got a year’s contract. Why should I walk out of work and go looking for something else?

“So, as I said, I’ve completed my end of the bargain, and I haven’t changed by the way since we win the first five games of the season when we were scoring goals for fun.

“I haven’t changed at all and I’m still completing my end of the bargain, which is my contract and unless that changes, there’s not a lot I can do about that.”

Does he believe there’s a lack of understanding among fans about how tough it is to compete in the Championship these days on the budgets he has been working with?

“I think there’s an understanding that fans want their team to be winning and to be playing well and to be a happy atmosphere and to come and socialise and be at a nice environment on a Saturday and we’re all in it together,” he reflected.

“We’ve had that for a long time, it’s not at the moment. However we get it back, that might mean me leaving, or might not be. That might mean me leaving and then you’re top of League One in a couple of years or something, that would be fabulous.”

He also said last season that he’d “hate to be coming in here with 12,000 or 10,000 season tickets or something when we’ve been used to far better if that’s down to me”.

Reminded of those comments, he said: “There’s a lot of support for me as well. There is a lot of support for me and for the team and not all negative and I don’t think that’s the case.

“And, yes, I’d love them to be back on side because I really enjoyed, certainly my first three and a half years here, four years, more than I’ve enjoyed this season. But that still doesn’t mean to say I’m not going to continue and be professional and do my job to the very bitter end.”

Has he experienced a similar schism with fans at any of his previous clubs? “I think at the end when it ends, I guess. I won the Championship with Sunderland and spent a year in [the Premier League there] and with Wolves and I think when it starts to come to an end you start getting a bit of grief.

“But I’ve had nothing like that [on Tuesday], I’ve had nothing like that atmosphere. I’ve had more hostile atmospheres, but I’ve never had that. That was like complete apathy and I don’t think there was any respect for the players actually, which is sad.

“Giving the manager stick is one thing, I think giving [it to] players is another thing altogether.”

Is he happy in his work at present? “I love my job at the moment. I come in every day and enjoy it. And pretty much as I walk out on a game day I enjoy that because I always think we’re going to get something out of it.

“And when we do it’s brilliant and when we don’t I just have to suffer the consequences, which I did on Tuesday night.”

Photo: TWTD

BluePatriot added 23:00 - Mar 15 Kuqicoo I ain't saying I'm better or worse Read what I said... The fans will come back, nobody is happy with this right now when the club does better more come that's a fact What happened Tuesday does nothing to help
0

BrettenhamBlue added 00:32 - Mar 16 Another two years.
1

beornioblue added 06:03 - Mar 16 Anyone defending dick McCarthy at the minute is simply insane. He has somehow drummed any attacking intent out of a bunch of players who do possess it. I don't buy that the atmosphere on Tuesday effected the way they were playing, they were doing the same before it and Saturday and Burton. Ineffectual passing, tapping it around like we're 3 up not 3 down and no one willing to drive forward with the ball to create. All he has got them doing is one touch and hoof up front or play it sideways. He has made us toothless and unimaginative but the players are still supposed to be competitive professional sportsmen surely they could have a word with each other on the pitch ?? He needs to go because if he doesn't rate the simple things like running the ball into space and pushing up especially on weaker opposition at home!! He doesn't know what he is doing!! Get out !!

8

Spanishblueblood added 06:48 - Mar 16 I thought Swn98 was a plonker but along comes Blue Pratriot and takes trolling to a new level. Run along budgie boy, your sister is missing you!
0

bobble added 07:02 - Mar 16 mick is the man who could change it all if he wants...
0

bressinghamblue added 07:10 - Mar 16 This is so typical McCarthy, blaming the fans. We don't pick the team. We don't set it up to play boring anti-football. We pay money to watch, not earn £1m per year to turn out rubbish year on year. Headline should be: McCarthy is a disgrace.
6

blue75 added 07:18 - Mar 16 The atmosphere has been created by a gradual build up since McCarthy saved us from relegation, the play off year we played exactly the same tactics as now. The only difference that season was Murphy had the season of his career, that season we only scraped into the play offs on the last day after other teams losing. From that season on it's been false dawn after false dawn, everyone wanting McCarthy to succeed but as the years have gone by more and more have seen that we're not going to become the entertaining team we all want to see. Really last January was the time for McCarthy to go I'm impressed that's it's taken until now for fans to start voicing their discontent, I'm guessing the the start of the season made most think we'd turned that corner yet another false dawn. So Mr McCarthy this disgraceful fan behaviour as you call it has been caused by utter disregard for us fans and our club!! I don't think Evans has helped you much but I think you knew that he wouldn't.

7

thundercat600 added 07:34 - Mar 16 Fans of Ipswich Town Football Club, most of the people commenting on here are not "fans" if they were they would get behind them team and manager through think and thin. They complain about the way the team and MM are performing then go back week after week so that they can come back on here to complain some more. If you don't like what you are seeing why are you going back. Strange is it not that we rarely if ever see any of the proper supporters who travel to the away matches coming on here moaning. Why is that I wonder, its because they are true supporters

-5

blue75 added 07:55 - Mar 16 thundercat600 I stopped going away as I won't pay to watch my team try to defend a point from the kick off. I believe the amount of away fans has decreased as well as the home ones. I keep going to home games in the vain belief that it might get better I now treat it as a social day out, generally I spend most of the game at the bar. So yes I will moan about the state of the football at my club as I've paid my money and when the club was in the sh1t I stupidly brought shares too try to help our club. Why should I be forced out from the club I live by the incompetent people that are ruining it?

8

dirtydingusmagee added 08:42 - Mar 16 BluePatriot, so we stay away [hopefully] and the few thousand happy clappers that would be left attending would boost the players morale would they you share the same logic as your idol, '' Belligerent ''McCarthy.
4

dirtydingusmagee added 08:44 - Mar 16 Edmundo ,don't get too excited ,I marked you up by mistake sorry .
0

Northstandveteran added 10:50 - Mar 16 Being a true fan IS about supporting your club through thick and thin. Let's face it. Over the last 30 years we have hardly been surrounded by glory. However, there is a very thin line between loyalty and stupidity which myself and clearly thousands more refuse to cross.
6

terryf added 11:56 - Mar 16 McCarthy just doesn't get it. Sure we are pleased he saved us in his first season and finishing 6th was commendable, if not fortuitous due to Derby combusting at the last moment. The reality is that irrespective of the opposition he is incapable of changing tactics and Team selection. His mindset will always be safety first. Lets be honest if we looked at every home game for the past 3 seasons out of 65 league matches to date there wouldn't be many where we came away thinking that was a great match. We will always support the Team but tuesday night was the straw that broke the camel's Back and all the frustration of no game plan or entertainment came out.

6

Kuqicoo added 13:33 - Mar 16 Thundercat600. People have every right to question what they see. We pay a lot for the privilege. And as I've said we don't even do the basics well. We have a negative mindset as a team, scared to think about winning. As I've also said do not make yourself out to be a better person than others, when you seem happy that crowds are diminishing, little kids are getting bored, older fans have given up. To tell people not to go is bizarre. I'm not going to argue with you and your likeminded posters. But we have every right to question how things are. And I will stress again I did not boo or chant on Tuesday. Something needs to change. A fresh start. Otherwise the gradual decline will continue and we will find ourselves sliding into division one regardless of what happens.its a risk I know. But isn't football meant to be exciting and about having some ambition? That needs a degree of risk. I've supported Town for 35+ years. So please don't question my loyalty.

7

NBVJohn added 19:26 - Mar 16 Well I certainly agree on one of MM's points here: ME is definitely consistent. He consistently disregards the club,it's supporters and other than his toothless minion Milne, it's employees too. A good point well presented.
0

harlingblue added 03:33 - Mar 17 Yes the atmosphere on Tuesday was not the best, BUT neither was the team selection/formation put before the long suffering Town home supporters. I stood in disbelief as I read that team sheet. Good home support was given a few days earlier against Sheffield, but a dour Town performance ensued, and now we have 6 changes to the team for the Hull game and a change of formation for what Captain Chambers declared was a must win game. What chance did we have? A constant long ball from defence to a midget front three, a midfield that would only make the bench, and even our best Bart, beaten by two long shots and at the near post. Sarcastic cheers from the fans...well deserved on the night, 'hoof' greeted hopeless long balls, can't call them passes, 'we've got the ball' when we did try to play, but that was when the game was already won by our opponents. A very bad day at the office MM, I guess your team huddle at the end was (f..k them lot, who needs them if we win our away games).

4

Oxford_Blue added 22:06 - Mar 19 He's right. It's disgraceful to jeer and sarcastically cheer your own players.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls