Last August I wrote a blog suggesting that Mick was the wrong man for the job, despite the fact that he had just signed a new three-year deal.

I criticised his negative style of play but recognised that he may get us to the edge of the play-offs (which wasn't too far out at the end of the season).

I singled out Dean Gerken for criticism from the playing staff (and Anthony Wordsworth) and highlighted the general lack of both creativity and goals from midfield.

I felt that Luke Hyam and Cole Skuse didn't complement each other and felt their regular pairing by Mick was adding to our overall lack of creativity. I also questioned why we constantly played 4-4-2 and why we never tried different formations as I was keen to see us try 4-2-3-1.

By the time the season was over I felt vindicated. Despite finishing in the play-offs the style of football had been very direct and entertainment had been on short supply. The squad looked thin (not necessarily Mick's fault) and few of us believed we would progress against the much stronger-looking Budgies. Most fans were more than happy and I was certainly in a minority in wanting to see Mick replaced.

During the summer our squad was improved but a number of us felt that neither of our goalkeeping options were the answer. Only Mick came be blamed for this. It was his decision not to improve this area of the squad and I was one of those saying regularly that I thought this was a mistake. Despite this potential shortfall the rest of the squad looked ready to progress beyond what had been achieved the season before.

As the season kicked off with Bart as our number one, our new wingers bringing a more attacking style we reached an elevated position despite a number of injuries to key players. Brighton turned up at Portman Road and most of us expected to see us collect three points and sit top of the table. It didn't go that way and we seem to have been on a downward spiral ever since.

So where do I think Mick is getting all wrong? In goal I think he couldn't have got it more wrong. The ongoing selection of Gerken above Bart is a joke but neither are good enough to get us promoted and hopefully our next manager will make this an early priority.

In defence there are very few who believe that Luke Chambers at right-back is the answer. Its been done to death. I try to understand why Mick picks three centre-halves every match (with one playing at full-back) and the only answer I can see is that the three big lads did all scored a few goals for us last year.

This year that hasn't happened so much and while it will undoubtedly improve I'm just not sure it's enough to compensate for the defensive frailties it brings. Blame Gerks, blame Chambers being selected at right-back or Parr not being selected at left-back but at least recognise that we concede too many goals and that ultimately team selection comes down to Mick.

In midfield so far this season the biggest criticism remains of the middle two (until yesterday Skuse and Jonathan Douglas). When Douglas was signed I said I was underwhelmed and in return the negative arrows went off the scale. Right now I think my assessment was fair.

Admittedly Mick has been unlucky with injuries with Hyam, Teddy Bishop, Kevin Bru and Tommy Oar all yet to make an impact this season but it was Mick who decided to sign Douglas, Giles Coke and Larsen Touré so only him to blame for the fact that the midfield just hasn't been able to compete in recent weeks.

Up front I am more than happy with the options we have but do question why Murph is getting the nod over Sears as Murph is yet to find form and his inclusion does encourage that direct style of play which so far this season hasn't seen him recapture last year's form.

I like Mick as a bloke but as I said in my previous blog Paul Jewell was a nice fella too. Mick did really well to keep us away from relegation but we don't owe him the freedom of the city as a result.

Many on here having him at almost legendary status for that feat and talk about his amazing man management skills but I'm not buying it. Many want to talk about us no longer being a big club but it's that sort of self-limiting belief that will keep us below much smaller clubs like Bournemouth the whole time that view dominates the support.

Some want to criticise ME and say Mick is a genius to do what he has done with no budget but this is all smoke and mirrors. Mick has a budget. He has a mid-table budget and he has produced mid-table results playing a style of football that keeps gates at Portman Road at a disappointingly low level and therefore provides no boost to the budget.

The next two games are home fixtures and undoubtedly we'll go on a run and very possibly even get back into a play off spot so the 'In Mick we trust' brigade will have plenty to cheer about but I suspect a growing number of us will remain unconvinced and calls for change will grow.

Mick reminds me of Sam Allardyce and many West Ham supporters were pulling their hair out over his hoofball style of football. Many pundits scoffed at those supporters and said there is no 'West Ham way' and that it's only match day results that count.

The board at West Ham though were more swayed by the supporters than the mates of Allardyce in the media and they made a change which at this stage at least looks like a roaring success.

So let's not get bogged down with who should replace Mick because the point is that nobody comes with any guarantees but a good few at least come with a track record of playing football on the green stuff.

And for those that say that anyone who criticises Mick isn't a true supporter and that we are ignorant and uneducated in football matters just because our view is different to yours I invite you to conduct a more adult debate about why you feel Mick is the man for Town.

From my point of view you support your club on match day but away from that you debate the issues and on some points we agree to disagree without the need for the keyboard warriors to start hurling insults just because someone dare say the emperor has no clothes.

Bob7881 added 13:42 - Oct 27 Windsorblue, home supporters what would they know, Mick Mills what as he ever done for our club ? so you are saying by far the largest chunk of supporters should have no opinion and you insult ITFCs greatest Captain. Your opinion is like MMs Football complete dross.
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WindsorBlue added 14:44 - Oct 27 Bob7881, I think you have extrapolated what you want to read, rather than taken the comments as a whole. It doesn't once comment on what Mick Mills has done for the club, but it is not in question that he conveys his opinion over the radio. No insult was made, you inferred this incorrectly. By not watching the game, the only opinions you can form is of what you hear, rather than formulating your own opinion without bias by witnessing it first hand. That is a point not difficult to agree with if you adhere logic to the argument. My point taken into context is that an opinion is better formulated if you witness every performance, not say 50% of them. I would suggest that someone who watches every game during the season will have a more VALID opinion, based on his or her's empirical evidence. That's not to say they are right or wrong, but will clearly weight heavier in an intelligent argument. Again, my point in context is that Mick watches not only the matches, but the training, and any off-field interactions to decide on his selection, and has a more valid opinion on who to pick. This is coupled with years of experience in different leagues, and on a national level, something that, we, as fans, clearly lack . I also have not insulted the opinion of the OP, but questioned its motives. This is something you have lacked in response, which in my OPINION invalidates it. My response clearly call for fans to unite to support Ipswich rather than to divide us. This can only have a positive affect on the performance. We have our part to play as well as the management team. There is a wider issue in relation to fans, that I can criticize ITFC on. I don't think it does enough to market occasional supporters nor the community in general. I would love to see greater local engagement, irrespective of manager or performance, but that is off topic. I have even written to the club offering my services for free in order to help increase this. By simply calling the football (or indeed my opinion) dross, provides no backup or grounding. We as supporters need to create a positive atmosphere for our players to play to their potential. That is our duty. Negativity only creates a negative response.

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Bob7881 added 22:59 - Oct 27 Mm is paid to pick the team of his choice and play the football of his choice. I as a fan dont have to like or watch that chosen style of play. If every seat was filled in Portman Rd with positive cheering fans do you think the team would start playing an on the ground passing game. Winning is important but how you win and entertain is right up there too. Or shall we do away with the football and just have penalty shoot out instead. You mentioned Roy Keane and Paul Jewell their correct names, I take it you didnt like them and what they achieved. I have a schoolboy nickname for Mick McCarthy I respect him for what he tries to do but just don't like the style of play he prefers. You mentioned Wolves and Ireland and how they played well why not Town then?

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Bob7881 added 23:04 - Oct 27 I meant to say I have no schoolboy nickname for MM.
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WindsorBlue added 10:41 - Oct 28 Never mentioned how wolves or Ireland played? I never watched Ireland or wolves unless they were playing us, so can't comment on their style. The comparison between Jewell and Keane were commitment related. I think the team would be more positive and attacking if there were 30k people cheering them on, getting behind town. A perfect recent example would be SWFC, last night. My opinion is that tickets sold vs performance can be correlated to a certain degree. Football more so is correlated to finances. The two are inextricably linked. More fans, more money, better players, better football. I do believe that we should support town irrespective of style or results, if only for that reason. The thing that hasn't been mentioned is a solution. This for me is a far greater conundrum. Let's say we get rid of MM tomorrow, a) who would replace him b) how much time would you give him c) how much would he have to spend (considering we would have to pay out MM's contract to the detriment of ITFC). Remember people were calling for Duncan Ferguson and Iain Holloway before MM. I think Warnock would be the only person currently able to get us out of the league, if it is possible...not sure his style is any better.

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Fatcatevans added 20:02 - Oct 28 Very disappointing blog. Not the least bit even handed and the second attempt to divide. By all means express opinions , I'd agree that the entertainment under MM needs to improve but no where here is there any attempt at balance?
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Bob7881 added 06:51 - Oct 29 Why do we have to look at promotion managers? a name that springs to mind is Sean O`Driscoll respected in the game served his time at a lower club brings on players and plays a passsing game im sure if we look theres more around. I would rather take a chance on a lesser known manger as apart from Joe Royal all managers since Burley have not really improved our position. In MMs defence he has been an improvement on the previous 2. I know the Loan system is part of the modern game but what message is sent out to our players when we bring in loaned teenage talent. I would love to see the stadium full every home game and yes it will have a positive affect on the players will it get us playing a passing game attractive on the eye some how i doubt it. If you are happy with a team winning with route one football then i have to respect that. I would like to see my team play entertaining football and win of course. I have not got the answers im only a paying customer who at the end of the day is paying for an experience. Thankfully I have many many great memories of ITFC of years gone by im so sad for the younger fans, these last 10 years have been mostly painful. Looking back being a lot younger i took it for granted that little Ipswich Town was a top team how lucky was I. Oh i think you meant Darren Ferguson and to him no thanks hes not his dad.

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PYBlue added 15:11 - Oct 30 Really good blog
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BlueBadger added 17:36 - Nov 7 So, we're a week, seven points and 8 goals down the line. Oh dear.
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26_Paz added 13:05 - Nov 12 You Sir, are an idiot. Mick McCarthy is our saviour, if not a human embodiment of God, then certainly some kind of deity. He was sent to save us and save us he will
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