The current midfield are incapable of scoring goals on regular basis. They rarely even look forward as a first option, so wont even know where the goal is!

@oldelsworthyfan, spot on.

Think this would be a perfect addition at right-midfield because abdo is miles off. This guy fast, tricky, can get goals, young, needs game time and if he succeeded on loan would maybe be able to sign permanently.

Also need a replacement for tabb who is shocking, might sound far fetched but surely Matt Jarvis would be perfect at LM on loan, getting no games in a very good west ham team, not to old, out and out winger, lightning quick, two footed with an excellent delivery. If derby can bring the like of darren bent and tom ince in, surely we can get Matt Jarvis.

Really don't think the team is too far off, just got to replace ando and tabb, and stop accomadanting Chambers at RB, play him at CB and drop Smith!

As for attacking options, maybe look at bringing sick ham in on loan, or Steven fletcher, both very good strikers especially at the championship level.

We should have spoken to a lot of clubs about a lot of players in the January window. Players should have been signed on a half season loan, thus being available for key games in February and available for the play off final without needing a break in the loan. I feel last weeks deals were a panic buy due to the lack of options. January should have been spent sourcing quality players for a final push for promotion. Still disappointed. It could now be too late.

Those saying if we had have strengthened in Jan the player wouldn't have been available for the playoffs. Wrong. We could have signed them for the remainder of the season. Also, daft comments about waiting a month until now to sign players. Why wouldn't we sign them in Jan? Would have been available for key games before now and time to bed in.

Some on here need to take stock!!
As soon as we lose a game, all the negativity comes pouring out, we've been found out, really?poking fun at certain players and McCarthy....what was it like on here when Keane and Jewel, fiddled as Rome burnt!
Dissatisfaction is often more vocal than satisfaction,and critics are often better at providing insight into events!

Bobby Petta - on what do you base your comment on Stewart . Just wondering when , if ever , you last saw him play . If so please update us all !!

i'm still a little worried over the form of Mings and I think he ought to be rested, but if Parr is to come in to allow Chambers into the middle then we've lost our experienced cover at left back. Parr seems to play better at right back than left back in my opinion, although he's a left footer. I would like experienced cover for left back as well as a winger, attacking midfielder, but it will be March before long and the players need to settle in. If the owner/manager want to run the club on a shoestring because of the Fair play rules or in some opinions hide behind them then that's fine, but you get what you pay for in regards quality and are players that have come in recently moving us forward on quality or just making up the numbers in a cheaply put together squad. I'm afraid I am one of the supporters who wanted better reinforcements signed in January because that was the time to do it. It's not long ago that we were flying high and feared no one in fact a few of us, me included were looking forward to playing Southampton to pit our wits against them and maybe, just maybe have beat them. What with injuries and the lack of confidence that has now arrived,our small cheap side is now looking rather lacking in the vital quality that is needed to push on and our league position is now not looking so positive. I am one supporter who has been taking stock and getting worried about the cheap option, it often brings cheap returns.

I have been saying exactly the same as Toronto and Surco, yet i am talking rubbish? we should and could have strengthened the squad but we did not, now we havea sick bay full of injuries, the squad are running on empty and the results are proof!
I fear a complete drubbing come Sunday, if we had played them in November/December we could have really done them big time!

It's all about what we should have done what we have done on here and everyone(Town supporters that is not crap comments from fans north of the border!!!)have their views! let's not detract from the position that we are in(you would have given your eye teeth for it in August?) with such a small squad who have and are doing genuine fans proud onwards and upwards you blue boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....... warktheline ....... I am sure you will agree with this.

Some people, myself included, pour hundreds of pounds into ITFC EVERY SEASON - some of this being thro' Season Ticket purchase, but not at all - all of it. Therefore we are there at Portman Road most / all of the games (other than unforeseen circumstance) - therefore we see it all 'in the flesh' - not just from TV clips, here and there.

My point is therefore:- Don't you think it is far easier for people (for whatever reason) that do not put such money into the Club, and do not endure,first hand, the dross that we have at times sat thro' - to have a far more relaxed opinion of how well we are doing, and what's going on. ????

I have much respect for ALL ITFC followers, irrespective as to if they agree with me and my opinions, or not - and I totally understand that there are many, many reasons why people cannot attend matches in person.

BUT - the fact remains that without money going into the Club thro' Season Tickets or otherwise - and indeed attendance - we would NOT have a Club.

I think I would have a different opinion if I didn't plough money in, and sat thro' the frustration that some of us have, and currently do. For the reasons explained above.

I repeat - this is a BIG WEEK - otherwise 'karl's dad's' prediction could be absolutely right.

I don't know why Mick thought our small defensive squad would be able to carry on through the whole season. They've done an amazing job to get us where we are but I'm baffled as to why either ME won't spend anything or Mick doesn't think we need to. Either way at least Mick is making a move now which is better than not at all and we still have time left. While I don't like how we play MM is the right man to get us up. Smith and Mings need a rest and a revamp could get us going again. Stay in good cheer!

blueboy.....it's a real shame that you get so little enjoyment from it all.

karls_dad - you're quick to go against your own argument!!

'Season over i,m afraid' - post one
'Playoffs maybe' - post two

If season was 'over' then we'd have no shout of the playoffs!!

I agreed we have punched well above our weight, the question is what weight is correct? There have been a whole host of teams that have gone up without spending too much money, rather relying on team spirit. I agree it would be great to have spent millions on a new player (s) but we are not in that financial position. We've had declining crowds for years and finally we are on the bounce. When crowds come back we will be able to justify more spending, its not just baout ME putting his hand in his pocket.

I for one am incredibly excited to be where we are. The season is no way over as its all decided on the last 15 games.... We may not make auto promotion but with playoff football to aim for its been a great season so far....

Blueboy agree with your current post, but unless I misinterpreted your last one, you implied that anyone that went against lastest negativity, must be the fans that didn't attend games at Portman Rd?
I tip my hat off to you, your loyalty is most commendable, but I also have no doubt at all ,that there are fans on this forum, that like your good self, are season ticket holders, and totally see the current situation in a different light.
Last Saturday was a massive 3pts lost, and believe me, I'm not trying to divert away from us, but let's not forget, Boro and B'mouth also lost. We are not an attractive side to watch, don't think many would argue this point, but if McCarthy makes the changes many of us are crying out for, we are not far away from going toe to toe, with the likes of B'mouth etc. Results prove this, don't they?
If I misinterpreted then I apologise.

Blueboy, dross! We are 4th! on another note, how do we know stewart is any good, what u mean like Taylor :-). Coyb

How many more times? Not Evans at fault. It's MM who won't do the obvious. Stewart probably doesn't scuttle around like Tabb in training but has more talent. Why buy him MM and give him a four year deal (?) and not play him. It's a nonsense. And don't get me started on back four.

Ipswich58
Wonder where we would be if, as you stated, McCarthy always done the obvious? 4th in table at moment......I'm wondering!!!!!
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?

Can't help thinking that more than the Brummie game, the derby match will represent the watershed game in ours and MM's season and it will define exactly what we will be doing for the rest of the season. I imagine Norwich must be fired up knowing that with their attacking weaponry and with MM's inflexible sterility in tactics, then we are there for the taking. Blistering counterattacks against hoofball...not much of a choice really.It would be wonderful if we could confound our critics but seeing as MM has faltered at the line every time we had the chance to go top, I must presume he will play his usual defensive game and try to contain and hope to nick a draw. I remember a similar game back in 1984 when the Blues were facing almost relegation and we had to play Man Utd at Old Trafford and Bobby Ferguson surprised everyone by playing a very young team and set them out to attack from the off. This caught Utd on the hop and we won 2-1 and set up a fighting end to the season which brought us safety and it was hats off to the Blues. It would be great if just for once MM could break out of his defensive dogma and play to win against all odds and bring home a wonderful result. Sorry to be pessimistic but Norwich must be chomping at the bit and already have MM's game plan covered....But just for once...

Let me state a few obvious points!
Who signed Mings, rated at how many million?
Who signed Berra, arguably the best CB in Championship!
Who turned Smith's career around?
Who signed McGoldrick, wanted by Premiership clubs?
Who turned Murphy's career around, aided by TC?
Who has stabilised our club, from cannon fodder to promotion chasers?
Who hasn't had a pot to p** in, but still puts out a starting 11 that more than competes?
I sure know it wasn't WINDY! That would be to obvious! So don't get me started!

Agree Parr will start tmrw ,mings is out of sorts and has been sussed in terms of defensive naivety which is not a shock given its his first full season at this level ,give the kid a break

warktheline 100%.

These facts are often simply ignored.

The only thing I argue for with people who have a different opinion on MM than me is for context.

Slate MM all you want. Demand any player who isnt starting to start (lately Stewart for some reason when it's clear there is something about the kid thats not working, perhaps literally). Sears was another - so many DEMANDED that he start whether or not Didzy was back on Saturday - he started it he didn't play so well. Parr is another one. If he doesn't start you would think we were leaving Messi on the sideline with some of the shock/horror reactions. Look, if people don't like MM they are entitled to their opinion. But IMHO not one other manager in our division could have gotten our team/club from where it was to where it it under the same financial restraints as MM, and that must be considered before anyone has a pop.

Who said this knockaert lad is not micks type of player and doesnt work hard enough for the team..... He runs his socks off and is pretty decent at defending too! Along with his technical atrributes he would be a great signing and could well be the missing link we need in the creatuvuty department. Would also allow for bishop to go back in the middle...

@bohslegend
Many move from one player to another, and of course, with that lovely thing called hindsight.
They also conveniently forget about the times they crucified McCarthy about 'top players' such as Taylor and Wordsworth. Can you see the queue of clubs eager for their services?
Fickle they are, and fickle they'll stay!