Town boss Mick McCarthy hinted that his time in charge of the Blues might come to an end in the next few days following the 2-2 home draw with Millwall.

After Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Birmingham McCarthy seemed frustrated with the current situation where he is still in charge of the Blues for the season’s remaining fixtures despite having announced his summer departure when his contract comes to an end.

Quizzed on those comments, he responded: “I’ve just given the analogy to the club website, I’ve never been in a driverless car and I never intend in getting in one.

“But it must be what it feels like, the car’s yours and the responsibility still lies with you but you haven’t really got the control over it. And I’m not enjoying it, no.

“I’m just being honest, how I feel. So I’ll leave it at that, whatever happens. I’m not enjoying it because… but if there’s anything that would be my lasting memory would be the reaction of the players and how they’ve been with me all the time.

“And again, I’ve never left a job where the players have gone, ‘I’m glad to see the back of him’. And that’s the same again, they were brilliant. The second half response was terrific.”

McCarthy said he was glad fans, who warmly applauded his team off at the end, had enjoyed what was an entertaining game.

“I’m pleased the fans have enjoyed it today,” he added. “I think over my five and a half, nearly six years I think they’ve enjoyed more games than they haven’t.

“From selling Murph last year and not replacing him it’s just deteriorated but that was great the second half.”

As his press conference ended, a reporter said ‘See you on Thursday' (when the pre-Brentford media briefing would take place) to which McCarthy responded: “Good luck with that.”

Earlier, reflecting on the game, the Blues boss was asked who scored Town’s first goal with the identity of the scorer unclear at the time and on video.

“Waggy, apparently,” he said. ”Sky have given it to him and we know they’re all-powerful and everything they say is right, so I go with them. Waggy’s delighted, he’s thrilled with it.

“I thought the first half, or our first 20 minutes, we started really well and should have scored, but didn’t. Maybe it was their good defending or good goalkeeping.

“But I thought we had chances to score and then when they do score it kills it and the atmosphere went dead except for their fans, who I thought were brilliant and kept it going.

“In the second half, what a great response from the lads and from our fans as well. It was like days of yore, I enjoyed that second half.”

Told Millwall boss Neil Harris said his team should have scored seven in last 10 minutes, McCarthy snapped back: “He should be pissed off with his strikers then, shouldn’t he!”

Told Harris also had praise for Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, he added: “I have to say arguably because everyone else has got an opinion but he's the best keeper in the league, I’ll promote him.

“He’s got his year left and he’s getting into the international team, which is brilliant for him because he’s been brilliant for me.

“Yes, they had the chances. I’ll go down and see Neil, there’s no point in whinging about it, they should have put them in the net, shouldn’t they? But they didn’t. And by the way, when we had our chances to win the game and all, so hey ho.”

McCarthy said he was delighted to see 18-year-old Australian Ben Folami make his Championship debut.

“Of course I am,” he said. “We all see at times what he doesn’t do when he’s languid and doesn’t work hard enough, doesn’t react, doesn’t respond.

“I spoke to him earlier in the week or last week and said to him, ‘You should be in the team with you ability and don’t let it pass you by’.

“I asked him why he doesn’t think he’s not and he gave me all the reasons. I said, ‘Don’t let it pass you by because of all of that because you’ve got too much ability’.

“And I just had an inkling for him, he’s been training really well with the first team. Yes, I’m pleased. I keep an eye on all of them, they’re all in my charge.”

Has he been thinking that the Sydney-born frontman was on verge of breakthrough? “Not really, no. I always thought he had the ability, so he’s got to grab it himself. The responsibility is his.

“I thought he grasped it over the last couple of weeks. I think he’s seen Ben Morris get on the bench, Aaron Drinan as well, and I think his motivation in the U23s is not [the same].

“I’m not saying that’s right, you should be busting a gut but he has got really good ability and I think he showed that in the second half. I just had an inkling for him, so I put him on the bench on Saturday and he’s got his game today. I’m really pleased for him.”

Lions boss Harris admitted he was frustrated not to pick up all three points.

“I’m quite frustrated, I have to be honest," he said. "I think Ipswich made the game what it was, a counter-attacking game, very open, by playing the formation they did and leaving the players up the pitch at every opportunity.

“I have to be honest, it’s not a favourite game of mine playing like that but it was what it was.

“Sometimes the game is going to be like that and it’s going to be who scores the most then you’ve got to make sure you score more than the opposition.

“It’s hard to criticise my players because of the run we’re on and the form we’re in, but if I want to set standards as the manager of the football club, I told them after the game that that wasn’t good enough, we should have won that game.

“If it’s going to be who scored the most, we’ve got to score the most and today we’ve missed countless opportunities, I thought their goalkeeper was excellent, that’s why he’s one of the best in the division.

“We gave two poor goals away but we as an attacking team needed to get the defence out of a hole with that one.

“We should have scored seven in the last 20 minutes of the game and not to get one was criminal.”

Photo: TWTD

ivandeighton added 18:58 - Apr 2 Not Coleman he's useless
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madmouse1959 added 19:00 - Apr 2 The last few seasons have been pathetic. Why not use some of the youngsters instead of the fossils he has been playing every week. You were your own downfall MM.
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massivemole added 19:01 - Apr 2 It is a pointless exercise. But knowing Evans, he doesn't want to pay for another Manager yet. We as a club, should get a. New manger in, so we have a jump on other teams for the new season. No brainer in my eyes. But I'm only a numbskull.
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TractorBeezer added 19:03 - Apr 2 Are you seeking to break your contract Mick or do you want the club to break it? You should have that discussion with the boss (who is not a football man).
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lightingblue added 19:03 - Apr 2 I do have a degree of sympathy for McCarthy. TBH if your being made redundant, your heart is never going to be fully into the job in hand.
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poldark added 19:04 - Apr 2 More than likely he has been offered West Brom job but not man enough to say good riddance I say and take Chambo , Spence and Knudson with you bye
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bluerico added 19:06 - Apr 2 It would make sense to all cpncerned if he goes now. Should have happened when the announcement was made.
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muccletonjoe added 19:07 - Apr 2 Interesting week then ....perhaps
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blueboy1981 added 19:08 - Apr 2 ........ why pick him up on such a pathetic gaff ? - grow up kids. Having said that, I suspect that he is not as brash as he appears to be - maybe you should have seen the light earlier Mick, and shown some respect to the 'people' not 'person' who pays your lucrative wages. It's pretty obvious NOW - that for all your 'front' - you will be leaving with a somewhat heavy heart, and slightly bitter. ITFC and it's fans, probably meant more to you than you were ever prepared to admit - lesson learned I hope.

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GTRKing added 19:09 - Apr 2 MM Has done a very good job for us with a shoestring budget 14th 8th 6th 7th 16th I think time has run it's course and it's best he leaves His Tactics has been poor the last 2 seasons and the fans got fed up... We need to get a good manager in on a 1 year deal, with a transfer budget, Extend to for another 2 years if he does well.. If Evans don't wanna spend or get a good replacement in then he should leave

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blueboy1981 added 19:12 - Apr 2 ...... to be fair - WBA appointing him until the end of season is just about their only chance of staying up. At, and after which point the Club, as planned, need to totally re- assess their direction.
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H1960 added 19:26 - Apr 2 One thing I agree with Mick on, I wouldn't get in a driverless car either!!
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cat added 19:27 - Apr 2 ‘WARNING' Conspiracy theory post MM's stated on more than one occasion that he will be professional till the end and won't be walking away before the campaign is complete. If he was to go early then this suggests to me that it weren't as mutual as good ole Mick stated. My guess is he agreed to stay and is now having second thoughts, maybe souring or getting bitter towards the idea. It would also suggest that his replacement is committed to another cause for the remainder of the season, maybe he's got a cup final next week and possible playoff chance????? Who knows, and in all honesty who really gives one, cause either way his off.

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TimmyH added 19:28 - Apr 2 Great news...makes sense.
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Seasider added 19:28 - Apr 2 When I heard Mick was one of the favourites for the WBA job,I hoped he would get it,although don't want Pardew or McLaren.McCarthy is clearly not happy with the current set up,and neither are the supporters;as the club is in limbo. The manager had previously said this is alien to him,and is clearly not comfortable with it;so it would be best all round if he left ASAP. The match with 2 widemen,and young Folami up front 2nd half was entertaining,and gained a good response from the crowd;so this is the ideal game for MM to make a dignified exit,especially if he goes straight to a new club,keeping his huge ego intact. We can then look forward to a new manager,or failing that a caretaker. I was further pleased to hear that Mr Milne hinted that the replacement would not be one of the 'old guard'off the merry go round.I do hope that this is correct as feel a younger manager would be better.It could be that he is currently in post,hence the delay in appointing a permanent successor to the Yorkshireman.

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H1960 added 19:34 - Apr 2 Not so sure Bart would follow MM bearing in mind MM kept him out of the team when he first came to the club in favour of his top bloke Gerks when it was blindingly obvious to everyone that Bart was a vastly superior keeper
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Cheshire_Blue added 19:48 - Apr 2 Numbskulls. The truth always hurts.
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maninashed added 19:51 - Apr 2 I agree about the comment regarding loan players, but we only played one loan player today (Celena) who is probably the best one anyway. It could be worth trying to buy him, as he is ok at this level but clearly a million miles from the Man. City first team. Carayol and Gleeson are contracted to the end of the season. Hopefully Emmanual will have gained experience while on loan and could solve the right back problem.

6

barrystedmunds added 19:52 - Apr 2 The state of affairs currently blighting Portman Road just now surprises none of us. Embarrassing!
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MooseJuice added 19:54 - Apr 2 Sounds blatantly to me that he's already been offered the West Brom job, probably been tapped up in the last few days before Pardew got the sack. He always said he'd see out his contract (even up until his announcement) and now suddenly he doesn't like the situation he's in??? Just go, but don't you dare take Bart with you! I don't want a new manager in this season now I don't think. If we attract someone up-and-coming with progressive ideas and a modern football mentality then they will probably be doing well at their current club and not want to leave til the summer. Appointing someone now means we'll just pick up whatever's on offer, on the cheap... meaning McClaren or Pardew... and we'll be right back where we started! :(

1

blueherts added 19:58 - Apr 2 Nash and Klug on a temp and then look for a young manager who does not expect millions to spend - Jones Why we did nt just part ways last week made no sense to me - No other club would do it like this or even a company - if you are likely to go get another job in the same field as he is , just go . Typical bloody way we are being run at the moment - cant even sack someone properly

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muhrensweet4thijssen added 20:08 - Apr 2 I do think it's best if he goes now. Only because it's got to be in a successors favour to have an eighth of a season to make judgements. If this is true you I respect Mick even more as he believes best all round. I continue to have my concerns as to his successor
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blackcat added 20:11 - Apr 2 It's what we want so I will be surprised if he gives us an early exit but I pray he does and a man who cares can put some fire back into the team for the last few games. Let the fans enjoy some football win lose or draw We love you Ipswich!
0

bressinghamblue added 20:17 - Apr 2 I have no problem with MM going straight away - after all it was a bit odd for the fans as well as him. What would really upset me though is if we were to just fish for a new manager in the pond of out-of-a-job has-beens. McClaren, Pardew etc. are really NOT what we need. Let's have Gerard Nash for the next 7 games, and blood some young talent whilst sounding out modern, progressive, promotion-chasing managers such as Paul Cook, Darren Ferguson, Nathan Jones, Maurice Steijn etc.

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terryf added 20:22 - Apr 2 DRIVERLESS CAR!!!! We've been that for the last 2 seasons. At last two attacking wingers, although he could also have played Ward in centre midfield instead of one of the holding players. Lets face it for all his negative Team setups we always look capable of conceding a goal, so why not have been more adventurous over his tenure. OK we could have lost today but equally we had enough chances to win it and what a great game it turned out to be. Mr McCarthy that's all we have wanted from you...ENTERTAINMENT. And if your heart is no longer in it....BEST YOU GO NOW!!!!!!

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