Mick to make decision in the Summer.

[Bluemike]

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’ll make a decision on his future in the summer with his Blues contract up at the end of the season. McCarthy signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in January 2016, which also included an option for the club to keep him for a further two campaigns.

Next Wednesday is the fifth anniversary of the 58-year-old taking over at Town. Asked whether he sees that as an achievement, he reflected: “I would say in this day and age it’s a good achievement to be anywhere more than 12 months, bearing in mind the managers that get the sack.

“I won’t be looking upon it [in any particular way], I’d like to be looking upon it that we’ve won a couple of games between now and my fifth year anniversary. Just another milestone.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, some more than others, I might add, but nevertheless I still come in here full of enthusiasm and vim and vigour to do my job on a Monday morning, whatever it is, whether win, lose or draw.

“And I still come in here and do it exactly the same as I’ve done it for five years with you guys [the media] as well. How much longer it goes on, we’ll see.”

He says he’s not yet talked with owner Marcus Evans about his situation come the summer: “I’ve not sat down [with him], I don’t look beyond it. It’s not my intention to be looking beyond it or even worry about it, or to be here next year. I’ll finish my contract and I’ll see what happens.”

Asked to clarify what he meant, he added: “I’m not assuming there’ll be an offer and I hope anybody’s not assuming that if I’m offered anything then I’m actually going to accept it and stay because that’ll be dealt with, but I’m not assuming anything.

“It’s my decision, nobody can sit me down and make me sign something whether I wanted to or not. It’s my decision, my contract will be up in May and I’ll decide what I want to do.

“It’ll be my decision what I want to do, I’ll have been here just the guts of six years [by then], if I get to the end of May, of course. And I’ll decide what I want to do. Isn’t that a nice position to be in?”

McCarthy has enjoyed a good working relationship with Evans with the pair remaining similarly grounded regardless of Town’s position.

“He’s very consistent because I hear exactly the same and exactly the same amount if we’re top of the league or bottom of the league and he always has a very consistent demeanour, which is why we’ve had a really good working relationship over the last five years,” McCarthy said.

“I guess there are not many owners who have been fortunate enough to have a manager who has spent £3 million over five years [on fees] and taken £14 million, by my reckoning with Murphy, Mings and Cressy, although I didn’t sign him, but I still sold him, and still maintained promotion pushes and stayed in the league and not had to sack three, four, five managers in the meantime and had to pay them off.

“So maybe we’ve both been fortunate. Me to have a guy that’s trusted me and let me do it and for him to have somebody that when you do trust them he can do it.”

Reading that what does everyone think, it comes across to me as if he may be on his way when the season ends, lots of fans could be getting their wish.......

[charlton837]

I remember hearing very similar soundbites last year, difference is its come earlier this year. He only ever talks about himself and how good he is, I think he lost any love for the club last season. As I have said before I just can't see why he hasn't walked away if he feels Evans is not giving him a realistic chance of moving us forward. I'm sure someone would have given him a job

[hallamblue]

I think two things

1. Evans can't possibly offer McCarthy a contract extension because the attendance will drop below 10k

2. McCarthy has had enough and will more on.

3 ( bonus thought). Evans won't want to shell out any compensation so won't sack McCarthy before end of season.


Big problem looming for Club.

1 uncertainty in summer regarding Many players who are now at the end of their contracts, Bart , McGoldrick, Skuse, to name but three.....


2. Uncertainty over the summer , as Evans decides what to do .


3. IF new manager comes in, he has a hell of a job on his hands in a short space of time, regarding who he keeps , who he allows to go.

Essentially this Club will be in bloody limbo again , and in a state of further flux, whilst yet another re building programme lies ahead yet AGAIN!

[Ricco]

I think two things

1. Evans can't possibly offer McCarthy a contract extension because the attendance will drop below 10k

2. McCarthy has had enough and will more on.

3 ( bonus thought). Evans won't want to shell out any compensation so won't sack McCarthy before end of season.


Big problem looming for Club.

1 uncertainty in summer regarding Many players who are now at the end of their contracts, Bart , McGoldrick, Skuse, to name but three.....


2. Uncertainty over the summer , as Evans decides what to do .


3. IF new manager comes in, he has a hell of a job on his hands in a short space of time, regarding who he keeps , who he allows to go.

Essentially this Club will be in bloody limbo again , and in a state of further flux, whilst yet another re building programme lies ahead yet AGAIN!

Bialkowski leaving would be a big blow, but Skuse leaving a bad thing? I don't ever really see McGoldrick as being part of a top team either, he's too 'I'm God and I can't be arsed'. I don't think it would be a huge rebuild personally (without knowing which other contracts are up). I have high hopes for Webster, Huws and Waghorn, injury ifs and buts perhaps, but that's a core of a side, we now have a young squad with promise, no more Bullards and one last pay check has-beens. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm far more optimistic than I have been, I'm not strongly shouting McCarthy out, but I think come the end of the season it'll be a case of enough's enough.

[Bluemike]

I agree Ricco, i think we have the nucleus of a very strong squad going forward, Bart, Webster, Chambo, Huws, Adeyemi, Garner, Waghorn, Downes, Nydam, Dozzell, Bishop.

Losing a few needs to happen, Sears, Hyam, Smith spring to mind. Didsy, Skuse, Ward are decisions that have to be made but for me it wouldn't represent a major rebuild.

[ashfordblue]

I agree Ricco, i think we have the nucleus of a very strong squad going forward, Bart, Webster, Chambo, Huws, Adeyemi, Garner, Waghorn, Downes, Nydam, Dozzell, Bishop.

Losing a few needs to happen, Sears, Hyam, Smith spring to mind. Didsy, Skuse, Ward are decisions that have to be made but for me it wouldn't represent a major rebuild.

100% agree BM time for a shuffle, don't forget the ones we have out on loan, Moore is doing a bloody good job at Rotherham, he's come on leaps and bounds and banging in the goals for fun, will need him back in the squad ASAP

[hallamblue]

He wouldn't get the service here that he does at Rotherham Ash. And I doubt he'd be scoring man goals from his new position of defensive midfield!!

[marko69]

He wouldn't get the service here that he does at Rotherham Ash.

That's because he'll be playing much better opposition though back at Ipswich Town. Rotherham may be stroking the ball around like Brazil at the moment but let's not forget........ They were rank bad last season in the championship. Had a keen interest due to Alan Stubbs...... And they were sh1t.

[charlton837]

Your right Marko, this is kind of my point though in other threads. I bet Rotherham are enjoying this season more than last, seeing some goals and some nice play. I wouldn't mind that here regardless of league and when people say we could never do well and come back stronger from a possible visit to league 1, if Rotherham can then we can.

Obviously id prefer to stay in this league and build a nicer style but if we change things and it gets worse and we did suffer relegation it may not ve the end of the world that people think.

Back to Moore, we could give him another shot but he did look woefully out of his depth last season when he played

[arana peligrosa]

Did not McCarthy say last year he would think over his future during last summer ? Lo and behold we didn't hear a damn thing coming out of the club and appeared once again in August to continue team affairs. Bottom line it's all conjecture and if's and maybe's. Until there is an actual announcement from within the club that they have parted ways then won't subscribe to a damn thing that may be presented. Lo and behold rumor or talk about potential leaving in January, chances appear between slim and zero. Marcus Evans won't lift a finger so it's down to the individual himself to move on, by some chance at time of end of season the realization that you can take us no further will have hit home and finally McCarthy will seize the chance to find employment elsewhere. Got something of a unique job here : perform regularly to sub-standard effect, safe in the knowledge that the higher authority will turn a blind eye or find no error in your ways.

Some response on TWTD today that the victory over Burton Albion saves the manager's as* for a while longer, but in truth win lose or draw would seem to make little difference. Yes they both need to vacate, but the more realistic alternative is what we need to set focus.

[marko69]

…...so it's down to the individual himself to move on, by some chance at time of end of season the realization that you can take us no further will have hit home and finally McCarthy will seize the chance to find employment elsewhere.

Yep. After todays presser, that realisation may be arriving quicker than end of season.

[Dubai Blue]

Cardiff away is the key. If we get badly beaten things might get interesting. I'm not hoping for it thought, I still have faith in McCarthy's ability even if he is a stubborn and unpleasant old mule in pressers. As always I think the time for making sweeping judgements is while eating curry made from Christmas Turkey leftovers. But a bad defeat at Cardiff might be one failure too far.

Also I don't see an exciting appointment but who knows........

[Bluemike]

Mmmm curry from Christmas Turkey leftovers....now you're talking, sod the football.

[Dubai Blue]

Indeed so. Although Christmas in Dubai isn't quite the real deal

[hallamblue]

Cardiff away is the key. If we get badly beaten things might get interesting. I'm not hoping for it thought, I still have faith in McCarthy's ability even if he is a stubborn and unpleasant old mule in pressers. As always I think the time for making sweeping judgements is while eating curry made from Christmas Turkey leftovers. But a bad defeat at Cardiff might be one failure too far.

Also I don't see an exciting appointment but who knows........

Don’t expect us to win Tuesday DB but knowing how football goes , wouldn’t put it past us!! However I think the home game next Dat vs PNE is likely to be a fiesty one and if MM decides on his usual four tactics the Home crowd ( which I’m personally expecting to be below 15k ) will make their feelings heard especially after his attack on the fans post Burton interview.

[Dubai Blue]

As always I'm hoping that we raise our game for Cardiff, but games against the top sides have not gone well this season and I think now the table has settled down in the sense that we know who the top sides are.

I'll be expecting the usual tactics of trying to stifle their game and hit them on the break and who knows.

Preston yes, two sides very evenly matched. To get into the playoffs this season these are the games we have to win, defeats against the top 3 sides are not so crucial. PNE must be thinking exactly the same.......

Funny this year isn't it, we are beating all of the bottom sides, that's something new for us

[Bluemike]

Funnily enough I would take a point from a scrappy, tight, stifling kind of game at Cardiff, been there Twice before and both times we have been crap, hoping it's third time lucky Tuesday evening.

[hallamblue]

As always I'm hoping that we raise our game for Cardiff, but games against the top sides have not gone well this season and I think now the table has settled down in the sense that we know who the top sides are.

I'll be expecting the usual tactics of trying to stifle their game and hit them on the break and who knows.

Preston yes, two sides very evenly matched. To get into the playoffs this season these are the games we have to win, defeats against the top 3 sides are not so crucial. PNE must be thinking exactly the same.......

Funny this year isn't it, we are beating all of the bottom sides, that's something new for us

As long as we can take points off those below us we shouldn’t get drawn into a relegation battle any points from teams above us will be a bonus

[charlton837]

We don't have a bad record at Cardiff over the years. Cant see anything but a defeat but crazy as it sounds wouldn't surprise me if we did win. That's the championship for you. I looked at league table earlier and thought if I hadn't watched any games and didn't know club as I do then of course I would have taken this position and points total but I think its everything else and the way we are doing it that upsets me.

Also those thinking MM will leave before end of season, I cant see it. Remember it did get like this from Jan onwards last season and he made comments against fans then. However the club let him get away with it so nothing will happen.

If fans turn on him he will just stay out of spite, that's the sort of nasty piece of work he has become

[marko69]

Could this be the scenario, Charlton......

Mevans at his desk.

Mevans: Yes, so how much were the tickets?
Voice on phone: bla bla bla .
Mevans: Really? Slap 48% on those.
Knock at door.
Mevans: Oh wait, there's the door. COME IN.
Milne opens door, pops head in.
Mevans: Yes, what is it?
Milne: it's mick again, Sir.
Mevans: Mick?
Milne: Yes, Mick. Mick McCarthy. Ipswich Town???
Mevans: OH YES, that Ipswich Town thing. Yes what about it?
Milne: Well he's been mouthing off again in the press room.
Mevans: Oh dear. Was my name mentioned?
Milne: Err......., no......., why?
Mevans: No, it's ok nothing, forget it.
Milne: What will we do?
Mevans: I don't know. Maybe go get a loanee? Ask that Klug guy to say things are rosy in the academy?
Milne: Rrrrrright. Ok then. I'll go do that then.
Mevans: Excellent. Get me a coffee first though. Thanks Simon.
Door closes.
Mevans: Did you hear that conversation?
Voice on phone: bla bla bla....,,
Mevans: That McCarthy bloke is rocking the boat at the Ipswich place thing we own. The attendances could drop. Slap 54% on those other tickets I was talking about!
Voice on phone: blah blah bla.....
Mevans: YES, definitely. Tee off 2pm? See you there.
Voice on phone: bla bla bla.....,
Mevan: No, fk them all. I'll see you on the course. Cheerio.

[Bluemike]

Brilliant Marko, the sad thing is you may not be too far off with it !!!

[charlton837]

Nice one Marko, we joke but it may be closer to truth than you think!

[Dubai Blue]

Hallam it's a bit depressing that you are thinking about relegation battles, even now as we sit 1 point out of playoffs and with certainly a drawable game in hand.

It's a funny thing but what we really miss this season is the ability to grind out draws against sides above us. How would the table look if we had drawn ugly with Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield U?

We didn't actually draw a game yet and the season's not far short of 1/3 of the way through.

Would be happy to see a draw on Tuesday night.

[hallamblue]

Watching Town play under McCarthy is like watching paint dry DB. It is for the most part mind numbingly boring, uninspiring and usual a battle and defending very deep, when have the players to take teams apart! The problem is McCarthy is tactically devoid of attacking know how and we spent most of last season in a relegation battle due to his abysmal tactics.

[Charnwood]

Whilst I’ve never liked McCarthy much other than appreciating his first season when he saved us from relegation, I have a massive concern over who Evans would replace him with. I have no confidence in who our owner would bring in especially if he wants to continue running the club on a shoestring budget. Maybe I’m being overly cautious and the risk is worth taking, but get it wrong it wouldn’t take much to see us drop into the relegation arena, and one thing for sure this current squad doesn’t appear to have the self motivation to get themselves out of trouble.

[barmy billy]

Whilst I’ve never liked McCarthy much other than appreciating his first season when he saved us from relegation, I have a massive concern over who Evans would replace him with. I have no confidence in who our owner would bring in especially if he wants to continue running the club on a shoestring budget. Maybe I’m being overly cautious and the risk is worth taking, but get it wrong it wouldn’t take much to see us drop into the relegation arena, and one thing for sure this current squad doesn’t appear to have the self motivation to get themselves out of trouble.

Very true Charnwood, but nothing is forever. I share your concern about a replacement, but if the current toxicity continues (which I think it will) the club can only go one way anyway.

Interesting times ahead and we may be pleasantly surprised.