Town MD Ian Milne has urged fans to “stay with” manager Mick McCarthy and his team, despite last night’s humiliating FA Cup exit at Lincoln City.

Supporters have reacted angrily to the 1-0 defeat at Sincil Bank, only the Blues' second FA Cup defeat to non-league opposition since they joined the Football League, Peterborough United having won 3-2 in the third round at Portman Road in 1960.

In a statement to BBC Suffolk, Milne said: "Over the two matches Lincoln City were clearly the better organised team. That resulted in them deserving to win and we should, and have, congratulated them.

"We clearly did not perform to the standard we can do and an example of that is the good win we got against Blackburn last Saturday.

"However, nobody in the squad takes any pleasure in producing that type of football in front of our great away fans or indeed to the wider television audience.

"As usual Mick had been honest in his after-match comments and I have nothing to add to that regarding the game.

"I would add that over the last few days we have added players to the squad and we have bids in for others.

"So in these difficult times we would ask our fans to stay with Mick and the boys as we make improvements to the squad and get our injured players match fit, as our aim is to return to winning, entertaining football as we started to do against Blackburn."

Photo: ITFC

itfcgene added 16:19 - Jan 18 Who is he speaking to? This is about a year too late to make any kind of positive impression.
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Daleyitfc added 16:37 - Jan 18 I agree with those that say they will not attend any more games while McCarthy is manager, a position I adopted some time back ; however, to really get to the nub of the problems, the policy needs to be one of not attending any more games WHILE MARCUS EVANS GROUP OWNS THE CLUB. It is the faceless corporation that makes purely technical financial decisions on what happens, as is obvious from the clueless Milne's drivel today, and it needs to be pressured into selling up. As one of only 2 shareholders that voted against the takeover (the late Bryan Knights being the other) , I take no pleasure in being proved right : the club was already on a sound financial footing by 2009 and the early Evans money simply damaged us, it seems maybe irreparably.

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WestNorfolk_Blue added 16:38 - Jan 18 The great result against Blackburn - tw*t, they are sh*te and only slightly more sh*te than us. Strengthened the squad, no disrespect meant to the new guys but they are back-up / support not improvement. I give up!!
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yorksblue added 16:42 - Jan 18 Do one Milne
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grumpyoldman added 16:53 - Jan 18 For what good reason would we all stay with Mick, people are judged on results and these are not good enough, attractive playing style would be acceptable, this is missing. Players in the team on merit would be an idea, no favouritism could assist. Not talking down to supporters could help. I actually watched a live Ipswich match for the first in over eighteen months last night I must say there was a change since the last time, they are a lot worse. So no Mr Milne I for one will not get behind MM, if you believe he is the right man for the job you are probably as deluded as he is.

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tractorgrl added 16:54 - Jan 18 I'm sure I heard someone once say, 'foxtrot oscar'?
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62WasBest added 17:06 - Jan 18 Mr. Milne, you ask for support. What then is the reason for the ineptitude and unprofessionalism of last night's display? Please explain. Pub teams have played better. These are highly paid professional sportsman we are talking about. Forget about form, forget about confidence, where was the pride? Where was there any leader on the pitch to galvanise the players into adopting the right attitude? Are the players incapable of understanding the game to the degree that they cannot think for themselves and adjust their attitude and tactics to the situation? People may believe players are fitter with better skills and technique today, and that might be so, but in application , grit , morale, attitude and pride they bear no comparison to players of even 20 years ago. The manager should be bawling these players out, not cutting an abject figure of helplessness. Is there anyone at this football club serious about achieving anything? It strongly looks like only the fans have that, but it is out of their hands entirely.

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happybeingblue added 17:09 - Jan 18 Right so who the hell is this Milne character oh right an MD !!! so what exact knowledge of football does he actually have or more importantly apart from the £ he is earning in his role what affiliation allegiance pride hurt passion etc does he truly have for ITFC OUR ONCE PROUD GREAT CLUB , i suggest very little so in good old fashioned non bulls.it terms DO ONE !

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tallguy6767 added 17:14 - Jan 18 How dare some zombie fans on here have a go at some of us for using expletives in our comments . It's Bourne out of passion and frustration and the utter disgust in which true fans are being totally mugged off by the ITFC regime. As for expletives Mccarthy uses plenty in his press conferences and I don't see anyone telling him to rein it in .there's a thing called a freedom of speech !!

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NoelTheDub added 17:16 - Jan 18 Proves its rotten to the core at this club,this is clearly a penny pinching exercise just like the recent so called signings no disrespect to the lads involved.We have heard some much bull support from a long list of players now the MD is rolled to bull sh't talk to us stupid people how any half brain can go to PR any more to see that tripe of football is beyond me.STAY AWAY ITS THE ONLY WAY..

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happybeingblue added 17:22 - Jan 18 I suggest its time an Actuall president or whatever buzz word you wanna call it is appointed , Mick mills, John Wark Terry Butcher Matt hiolland THE LIST IS LONG of ex superb servants of ITFC that fans can A listen and relate to B Could explain the footballing philosophy/coaching/fitness approach Bobby Robson AND Sir Alf and many town fans no longer with us would be turning over in their graves! the current staff in the privileged roles they have within OUR club are clearly not up to the task in hand and need to go as well , mass clear out of all the dead wood in the summer manager players coaches the lot all an absolute disgrace RANT OVER

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schenkermental added 17:34 - Jan 18 Judging by comments on BBC website MM wants out.
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Scuzzer added 17:49 - Jan 18 Is Milne actually a Budgie agent...secretly trying to undermine the foundations of our club? OK Mick has not done himself any good with some dodgy team selections and substitutions but he is trying to keep our holed ship afloat with a string vest. He badly needs some help from the owner but instead we are forced to get a 10k forward from non league footy and a guy who nobody has wanted since May last year! Poor Mick he hasn't a hope in hell of getting us to be competitive.

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krizz00 added 18:00 - Jan 18 Michael11: While the comments posted in response to this article are perfectly understandable I do take exception to your comment about 2 joke players being signed earlier in the week. Yes, it's a punt by the club and not the proven signings that many had hoped for but if your gripe is with McCarthy and Town's owner and management, don't take it out on 2 new players who haven't even had a chance to prove themselves. I was encouraged by the warm welcome comments directed towards them in response to the story of their arrival. That's just the generosity I expect from Town fans. Calling them jokes sends out entirely the wrong message to two new guys. Don't take it out on them. This situation is not their fault. It lies elsewhere.

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blueboy1981 added 18:04 - Jan 18 A comment from nothing other than a complete Clown. Maybe Milne and McCarthy should join a Circus.
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blueboy1981 added 18:06 - Jan 18 ........ the whole Club is just taking the proverbial p-ss.
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norfolkbluey added 18:08 - Jan 18 I AM BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THIS CLUB JUST DOESN'T GET HOW BADLY THE FANS FEEL ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF THE OF THE FOOTBALL THEY SEE WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT. WATCHING SIMILAR MATCHES AT OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP SIDES MAKES YOU REALISE HOW AWFUL IT IS HERE. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THERE IS EVEN 15000 FANS STILL ATTENDING. WE USED TO HAVE 36000 TRYING TO GET IN. LOOK AT THE STATS MR MILNE AND THIS PAGE. SLEEPING GIANT! DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH MORE LIKE COMATOSED DINOSAUR. NO HOPE, NO END IN SIGHT, NO CONFIDENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS.

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Gavin46 added 18:11 - Jan 18 If this is aloud to carry on much longer there a crowd under ten thousand before the end of the season.If Evans really cared he would have sacked Mick this morning
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Kuqicoo added 18:18 - Jan 18 No I will not. I'm sick of seeing dreadful football, aimless hoofing and negative tactics. It's about time fans were listened to now. To be outplayed by a non league team twice is unforgivable I'm afraid. You're losing me Mr Milne. I'm starting to fall out of love with my club. And it's so sad. But do you listen? Nope you give out more nonsense and fobbing off. It is simply not good enough. We are drifting, treading water. And the football we play is absolutely appalling. But hey I'm meant to be patient. He's only had 4 years to sort things....

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woohoo added 18:21 - Jan 18 Well, he would say that, wouldn't he? All boards back the manager up to the day they sack him. And they all get sacked, eventually.
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HackneyBlue added 18:22 - Jan 18 Now hear this Milne,my 11year old son a season ticket holder since 5 who like myself said no more last season has decided he no longer wants to support ITFC as on too many occasions he has been laughed at on a Monday morning.He begged not to go to school today and will from now tell his friends he supports West Ham his second club and has asked me to buy him their shirt for his birthday.I was so proud to take him to his first ITFC game and now it clearly will never happen again.ITFC you have a lot to answer for.

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Seasider added 18:27 - Jan 18 This statement sounds about as sincere as a politicians. This is coming from a man who is an employee of the corporate Marcus Evans empire,who I believe is an Arsenal supporter. His main job is to be the ventriloquists dummy, mouthing Evans words.The man who pulls the strings;but hasn't in this crisis,for the club he owns got the guts or decency to address the fans ie his customers directly. Disgraceful,as many on here like myself have been supporting this club for decades. Shades of the Venky's I fear.

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SpiritOfJohn added 18:30 - Jan 18 Stay with Mick, you make me sick, who could do better? Take your pick. Rowett or Mogga - but make it quick. Anyone else would do the trick, except you Milne, you silly man.
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Pip50 added 18:31 - Jan 18 A recurring theme on here and the club need to take note. My 7 year old settled down with me to watch the first 20 minutes as a treat before bed. After 10 he said. "Dad do I have to watch this" many a true word.
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Lukeybluey added 18:33 - Jan 18 The club is aimless, just like the football we play.
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