"Bitterly disappointed" Town boss Mick McCarthy felt his team were the better side for the majority of their 1-0 East Anglian derby defeat to Norwich City at Portman Road but were unable to take their chances. James Maddison netted the game's only goal in the 59th minute.

“I’m pleased with the performance,” McCarthy said. “When you concede a goal and you’re playing against a team which can become compact and sit in, it’s hard to play through them. They did it well, to be honest, they’re a threat on the break.

“I’m pleased with my team’s performance, I’ve got no qualms about that, I’m just bitterly disappointed with the result.”

Asked whether he felt there was a lack of cohesion to his side’s display after going behind, he added: “I think that they’re a good side and when they can sit in and become organised and leave Cameron Jerome up front they’re very hard to break down and that’s what we’ve seen throughout all their performances.

“I tend not to look at my team and think there’s a lack of cohesion but I’ll take your opinion. And we still had a chance when Waggy shot over the bar.

“They’re a good side, they’ve got good players and for the majority of that game we were the better side and we just haven’t taken our chances and they have.”

Neither side had too many chances with the goal Norwich’s only real opportunity, while Jonas Knudsen hit the post for Town and David McGoldrick headed over in the first half.

“[Finishing] was quite clearly [the difference]. They scored and we didn’t,” McCarthy continued.

“We started the season and we were scoring goals. Today we haven’t. They’ve had the one moment of quality with Maddison when he’s finished it, got himself in a good position and he’s managed to score which we haven’t done today.”

Regarding the McGoldrick header, he added: “It was a great chance, maybe if it was Joe Garner that was heading it it’s in the net.

“But it’s the hardest part of the game, that’s why they pay fortunes to strikers, to score, but it was a good chance.”

Asked whether he was concerned that when his side don’t win they currently lose - the Blues are yet to draw this season - he said: “We’ve had six wins, six defeats, I have to tell you at the end of it I’d take 23 wins and 23 defeats with the tally of points that we’d get.

“If we’re benchmarking in terms of what we’re going to get and it ends up being near the 70 points mark, however we get them.

“However we could manage to get 70 points, to that level, we’d have done really well and we would be borderline play-offs depending on how it all goes.”

Town have lost six of their last eight in the league, is he concerned? “Yes, of course I am. I’m concerned we’re not winning games any more.”

However, he says he’s less worried that the downturn in form will lead to fans returning to expressing their frustrations from the terraces.

“I’ve been fully aware that that would return or materialise if some stage if we didn’t win games, whether it’s the first game or if the run of form doesn’t [improve] that will be evident again,” he admitted.

“But that doesn’t concern me. The concern is that we’re not winning games, not what people might think of me or might say or might shout. That’s of no concern to me at all.”

Despite the lack of victories McCarthy says he’s been happy enough with his team’s displays, but says that ultimately counts for nothing.

“That doesn’t really matter, you’ve got to win,” he said. “A scruffy old win not playing well would suit me fine.

“As has been proven in the past, if you’re playing well then keep playing well and you’re more likely to win games than not. I’d like to play well in the next three games and I’ll take what we get out of them.

“They’re extremely tough games. Burton’s going to be a tough game, we saw that last year when we were there. They’re scrapping away, they’ll be competitive no doubt, then we go to Cardiff, who were the leaders, and then Preston here. Really big games for us.

McCarthy says he’s hurt by the defeat, although he knows it will be even more painful for supporters: “I’m not pleased about it. I’d love to have given them something to shout about, to have be happy about and I think I certainly did my best and the players did their best today, but it just didn’t happen for us.

“It hurts me to lose any game but it’s never, ever going to hurt me as much as it hurts fans who have supported the club for 30 years.

“But as a professional and somebody who is very proud about what I do and how I do it, then, yes, I’m extremely disappointed and I’m always hurt when we lose.”

Midfielder Cole Skuse added: “It’s a tough one to take. I thought we were arguably the better side and created the better chances so that’s frustrating.

“We blinked first so to speak and once they got their goal they sat back and made it very difficult. Now we have to bounce back and put things right next weekend.”

Norwich head coach Daniel Farke, whose team are up to sixth, enjoyed his first experience of the East Anglian derby.

“It was brilliant, I think the crowd was great for both teams, a brilliant atmosphere with lots of support," he said.

"The game was full of passion and full of emotion and that’s what you’re always searching for as a football player and even as a manager, you’re a competitor and you’re looking for such a big game.

“And when you have a win in such a big game it’s always the sweetest feeling, especially when it’s such a close game and complicated game.

“Sometimes you have an easy game wth a 5-0 or something like that but to be honest 1-0 after such a big fight feels even sweeter and it’s great today.”

Farke admitted he had concerns regarding the frequency with which Town created chances in the first half.

“It’s so complicated to play against Ipswich because they always use these long balls and are able to create really a good surrounding for the second ball and they have many offensive players on the pitch who are able to score, even on the wings. It’s so complicated to defend.

“You have to accept this style of football and you have to be prepared for fighting for the second balls and to track the deep runs.

“In the first half I got the feeling that we were a little bit too nervous in possession, we were copying their style using long balls and fighting for the second ball.

“We spoke about it at half-time we had to be braver in possession and play more ground passes and more with ball circulation and good positional play and better structure in our possession. I think we did that in the second half.”

Photo: TWTD

Butcherboy added 20:41 - Oct 23 Until the owner starts to give a damn nothing will change. If he cared about the club or the fans then McCarthy would have been released from his contract long ago. I'm so fed up with the whole set up I can't even be bothered to moan any more. I won't go again while that man is the manager: he's arrogant and stubborn and so disrespectful of the fans who were at the club long before he was and will be there long after he has moved on. Between him and Evans their lack of care for the club is astonishing and they both treat the fans as insignificant irritants. I admire the fortitude of those who keep going week in week out - the owner and manager do not deserve you.

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woohoo added 22:34 - Oct 23 It was wonderful to see the effort and passion displayed by the youngsters - really got the crowd going. Shame we only got to see that at half-time when the little 'uns were playing...
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Edmundo added 22:57 - Oct 23 Did you all see Skuse''s despairing look to the bench when he shot at the keeper? Obviously the senior pros feel they get f-all from management, and there's a massive lack of plan B. But I said this 3 years ago. Marcus Evans needs a one way flight to Rio. FFS we need change now!!!!
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woohoo added 07:07 - Oct 24 "we had to be braver in possession and play more ground passes and more with ball circulation and good positional play and better structure in our possession." Sign him up!
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Swn98 added 08:06 - Oct 24 Eh bluetit put money in Evans pocket ? I think he has pumped North of 10 million pounds into the club in the last 3 years.
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loudnproud added 09:15 - Oct 24 Everyone calling for McCarthys head...............No One offering a realistic replacement....Mabe thats the problem here.....ME believes his time is up too but is struggling finding a replacement that wants to work under his tight regieme......Just a thought
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BlueSmith94 added 09:18 - Oct 24 The first half he can be pleased with, as am I. We should have taken our chances, we hit the post and McGoldrick should have scored that header! Plus Waghorns attempt in the second half was close! But the second half was the exact opposite, it lacked passion and fight. We conceded and had no plan B, though most of the time we had no plan A. All I want is to beat Norwich, im sick of them beating us, especially at home! Listening to some of Micks comments before and after the game, I dont think he cares as much about the derby as the fans, and I think that rubs off on the players, to them its another game!

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brittaniaman added 09:56 - Oct 24 To think Dino was taking the P.... out of Wolves Management etc. when they went down to league 1, because he was bitter at being sacked again, well who is laughing now Dino as they sit at the top of the Championship and playing good football while we are mid table again ?? You have had your 5yr. stint here Dino time to move on now.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:40 - Oct 24 Loudnproud, whilst not ruling out that possibility, I think there people , that can work on a budget [McCarthy knew the score] ,and they could get more out of the players than MM is getting, Different style and playing players in right position, we DO have a decent squad [my opinion ] . McCarthy is dull, stubborn, and wont or cant change. I don't see him as a motivational manager at all, WE NEED someone who is sharp, who can get some life into the team, motivate them . The derby matches should always be passionate, give everything for the shirt affairs, we havnt had a derby match with any passion at all ,In McCarthy's time.

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midastouch added 10:48 - Oct 24 When it comes to the big matches that really matter we fail time and time again under Mick! The early season promise goes right out of the window for me because we've lost the match that means 10 times more than all the others put together as far as I'm concerned! He's never beaten Norwich and it's not like we haven't had opportunities where we could of. Last season he goes and plays Lawrence and he gets a card in the prior match meaning he' suspended. You wouldn't believe how many Norwich fans (as I live in Norfolk so it's hell on earth for me right now) commented to me that they were glad Lawrence wouldn't be playing! Just like the Aussies will be glad Stokes isn't playing in the Ashes this time around. Lawrence should of been wrapped up in cotton wool that match or preferably left on the bench, why take the risk rather and make him walk a tight rope 1 match before the big one!? I was furious when I heard he had picked up a card. It was so predictable and avoidable. I couldn't give a damn about the prior result to Norwich. Any key players facing a suspension should be rested in the prior match to Norwich to ensure they'll be available for the big one. And this time around we had another player with the potential to totally put them to the sword, and Mick in his failing wisdom leaves him on the bench for nearly the entirety of the match, it makes me mad! You only have 2 chances a season to beat them, so don't blow it and try and take them on with 1 arm tied behind your back! Jim Magilton or Gerard Nash for me... Time to go Mick, your time is up!

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midastouch added 10:52 - Oct 24 And I don't care if we win our next 3 matches on the bounce, even if we win the next 5 nil. I still want Mick to go. He blew it YET AGAIN against Norwich and I've had enough. Some of the Mick lovers should try and come over to Norfolk for a week and see what they think of Mick, they absolutely love him. That tells you all you need to know about Mick, I rest my case!!!

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blueherts added 10:55 - Oct 24 Mr Evans - You run a successful business empire built around sales focused targeted companies , entertainment and achievement In the 10 years you have owned us where is any of the above at ITFC Please enlighten me I am sure if one of his business had a manager not cutitng it he would get rid Why no different in Football ? If you look at every club around us in the league they have had the same approach . 10 years is long enough to have seem some success and 5 years with one man going backwards is not entertaining , successful or make any sense The only bright thing about our club at the moment is our academy and Gerard Nash and also Bryan Klug Support the u23s!!

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Rensham added 11:05 - Oct 24 its too easy to blame Mick for everything. Lots of things wrong with the club but MM is one person working to put things right. Our squad is the best since he arrived. Give him a chance to get them playing and top six is still not out of the question.
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midastouch added 11:06 - Oct 24 A new manager with Folami, Keiffer Moore, Danny Rowe, Celina some of the other young guns in the team. And how on earth can Monty Patterson be good enough for his country but not even good enough to get near our bench. He scored a hatrick and got loaned out to Braintree, I told my mate that and he wet himself with laughter. Sometimes they think I make it up. When Beckham scored a goal from the half way line it made him an international star. Well we have a lad who scored one from further out in Folami, what next for him, Braintree perhaps!? I'm furious! Anybody who doesn't get it come over to Norfolk for the week, try putting on your Ipswich shirt and see how it feels!!! They all love Mick so much here they may as well make him the Deputy Sheriff of Norwich and he can play Deputy Dog to Sheriff Bryan E By Gunn! They love him so much round here they may as well have him for keeps so they could stick him up high on that Cathedral of theirs so they can worship Mick the Messiah for miles around! He'd probably love it up there as he loves a bit of hoof ball high up in the sky so it would be a match made in heaven or hell perhaps! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! TIME TO EXPORT MICK TO NORFOLK FOR KEEPS!!!

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midastouch added 11:18 - Oct 24 I sometimes wonder what the score would be if the first team played the U23s, now that would be interesting!
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blueherts added 11:18 - Oct 24 'Our squad is the best since he arrived' yes that maybe true Rensham, but they are not playing to their potential , or even in the right places . The buck stops with the manager . Five years at a big salary . he aint doing it for peanuts . The football is not any better , the results over the last two years not either Five years and he is still 'putting things right' I think we expect abit more than that after 5 years ? No ?

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midastouch added 11:24 - Oct 24 When Norwich had Peter "Can't" Grant and Glenn on the Roeder to Nowhere I was made up. Well I can honestly say the Norwich fans are equally made up that we have Evans and Mick! I heard our fans singing songs about Delia, but sadly the truth is that while she's financially only worth a fraction of what Marcus is in terms of wealth, conversely under her ownership Norwich have achieved more than we have under Evan's ownership, FACT! The key difference? I would argue Delia cares a lot more deeply about Norwich City FC than Marcus Evans cares about ITFC, and all the money in the world can't make up for genuine passion and love for your team which I'm afraid the latter is clearly lacking!

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blueherts added 11:35 - Oct 24 When Mick joined in 2012 we were near bottom of Championship and he 'steadied the ship' In last two years we have not progressed In 2012 Bournemouth , Sheff Utd , Preston were all in Div One 2013 - Wolves and Bristol City - Div One They seemed to have progressed abit
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Rensham added 11:36 - Oct 24 once we get the injured players back, huws, bishop, hyam, smith , dozzell, adeyemi, rowe Mick will be able to get our passing game going that was successful at the beginning of the season. be realistic any manager with5/6 injured players is going to struggle with a small squad. and MM is here for the rest of the season so its a waste of time complaining on that front. you don't have to support MM to support the Town. get behind the team and things will improve. drop the negativity please

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blueherts added 12:11 - Oct 24 Adeyemi and Rowe are 'back' , Celina - is our one creative spark in final third but rarely gets a look in ( Not a Mick type player !) Sadly Dozzell is out for the season Bishop not been the same for afew years Hyam , as much as I like him is injury prone We have some great young talent coming through - probably the best in years You need the older players to lead by example and at a minimum that means putting a shift in Nydam and Downes being on the pitch was great - but where are the leaders on the pitch setting the example As a Manager it is Mick who motivates and sets them up and one area I would expect him to excel in defence Can you honestly say we have a god defence - a great keeper yes , but a very suspect back line We all want the best for the club but there comes a point where even the most die hard fan can see where the problems are - and it is not just the last 8 matches it goes way back

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Rensham added 13:25 - Oct 24 What a disaster, ITFC in top ten all season so far. With a game in hand. Sack the fans.
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itfchorry added 13:45 - Oct 24 McCarthy and Rensham OUT !
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:32 - Oct 24 in top ten all season, ! yes ,we were 2nd at one point but we have been sliding since, what will you say in a few weeks, we have been in top 14, then top 16,.............20. Rensham WE ARE HEADING IN WRONG DIRECTION, ITS WHAT MOST OF US PREDICTED , ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE !
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vanmunt added 14:49 - Oct 24 "To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction." - Isaac Newton said about Rensham's battle against the tide of negativity on TWTD.
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Ardentitfc1978 added 14:58 - Oct 24 This is one of the worst derby that I had ever witnessed in term of lacklustre pre-match atmosphere. It started with MM low keyed pre-match interview and at the end of the match MM body language had me thinking this might be his last season in charge. I really do think he will just walk out end season. Can't imagine he has no burning desire to win this local derby which really really means A LOT to the 22K ITFC supporters. So sad and depressed as an Ipswich Town fan nowadays.

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