Town boss Mick McCarthy denied that he told the Blues’ travelling support to "f*** off" when celebrating skipper Luke Chambers’s goal during the 1-1 derby draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

TV footage appeared to show McCarthy gesture and shout towards the away fans in the Jarrold Stand after Chambers had given the Blues the lead in the 89th minute. Timm Klose equalised for the home side in the fifth minute of injury time.

Earlier fans had been chanting, "Mick McCarthy, your football is s***" following a 79th minute substitution.

Asked whether his reaction was aimed towards supporters, he dismissed the suggestion: “Just celebrating the goal.”

Pressed further on it looking like he was telling fans to ‘f*** off’, he added: “You’re putting words in my mouth. No, just the game, celebrating the [goal].”

So it wasn’t a reaction to fans’ earlier chants aimed towards him? “A reaction to the game, I want to win the game and we didn’t.”

Was he frustrated by the fans’ chants when he swapped Dominic Iorfa for Jordan Spence rather than making a more attacking change?

Safe to say Mick McCarthy enjoyed that goal.... pic.twitter.com/ZGoFMr4r7q– Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) February 18, 2018

“Jordan Spence came on because Dominic Iorfa was cramping up,” he said. “That’s my tactical substitution and making the subs we have to make, I do my job as I see fit.”

Does he think fans didn’t appreciate the situation of needing a defensive replacement at that point?

“Well, it’s funny that I’m answering questions like that. If we’d come off and we’d won instead of them equalising it would have been so different, wouldn’t it? It’s sad that you’re having to ask me those questions. I’m not bothered, I do my job as I see fit I think and I do it particularly well actually.”

Asked whether he is concerned that his relationship with supporters is permanently fractured, he added: “Not really, no. I keep doing my job and doing it as best as I possibly can.”

But once a rift of that type appears it’s difficult to turn around, isn’t it? “Winning games overcomes it, so we’ll see what Wednesday [and the home game with Cardiff] brings, shall we?”

Asked again whether he told the fans to f*** off, he reiterated: “Just emotions at the game.”

As for the game itself, McCarthy was pleased with the display if not conceding the late, late equaliser: “I thought we did well. It was a really good performance and we’ve just let our guard down in the 95th minute, wherever they came from.

“Of course [the goal] could have been prevented. We might have blocked the ball in the box, we might have won the first header, we might have followed him out instead of Bart following him, I think that was just a bit of confusion.

“That’s how goals come about. I’m sure they’ll look at ours and think somebody should have been marking Chambo closer, no pun intended.”

Did the game go to plan? “I thought it was a really good performance in the first half as an attacking threat, as an offensive threat.

“And I thought in the second half when it got really tough those players were blocking and tackling and working hard, and Bart made a couple of saves. And I knew that would be the case. I was delighted with my team’s performance today.”

Reflecting further, he added: “I was pleased with the team’s performance, all of them. Stephen Gleeson has not played that much football so that’s why he was replaced with Lukey Hyam who, to be fair, has probably got more legs than he has and we needed that in the midfield. I was pleased with them all, I think they played well.”

He was pleased with the way Cole Skuse too care of James Maddison in the first half, although the Canaries youngster made more of an impression after the break.

“I thought in the first half certainly,’ McCarthy added. “Second half, he’s a very good player and you’ve got to take care of him.

“And pretty much we did, he had two freekicks he hit the target with but overall, up until the 95th minute, a job well done.”

Regarding the change to a 3-5-2 system, he said: “It was for today, might be for Wednesday and it might be for Saturday, but the system and the tactical changes worked today.”

The switch allowed him to get both Adam Webster and Cameron Carter-Vickers into side but equally means other players have to miss out.

“It does but it gets Santie out and it gets somebody else out, so there are the dilemmas. You can’t play everybody.”

Despite the criticism aimed towards him by Town fans, it was pointed out that the Blues are still ahead of Norwich on goal difference.

“We are, I think if I’d been given £100 million over the last three years I think I could have been languishing in 13th as well,” he added.

Norwich manager Daniel Farke felt the match was “a typical derby”.

He said: “Much aggressiveness, many duels. Some crazy things happened and then a lot of emotions with conceding what looked a determining goal and then the celebration in the 95th minute. There was an explosion at Carrow Road.

“To be honest, after this second half normally it is ridiculous to have one point. I thought it was a close first half but in the second half we had 75 per cent possession, we had 13 shots on goal to their one shot, one header that went in for them.

“We had James Maddison with two freekicks, Nelson Oliveira with three shooting chances, Timm was two metres out and missed his kick. Normally you must be sad just to have a draw.

“Sometimes small things make the difference. We gave away a freekick in the 88th minute with a young player who was a bit naïve. Ipswich is the best team on set pieces in the league. From the freekick came the corner and from the corner the goal.

“I just can’t praise the reaction and the mentality of my boys enough. It feels like a bit of a winner. So important for our club and supporters and us as a group.”

Photo: TWTD

tomitfc added 16:31 - Feb 18 Take your own advise Mick.
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Skip73 added 16:32 - Feb 18 I dont blame him one bit. I'd have done exactly the same thing if I got the abuse he got. He has a right to stand up for himself you know.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 16:33 - Feb 18 See all the Mick-lovers are out in force this afternoon! “Be careful what you wish for?!” Why should I not wish for a manager who shows respect to his fans?? Should I not wish to see quality, attacking football?? - for all you McCarthy lovers, have you not noticed from your arm chairs how our attendance is dropping week by week?? I honestly will not attend again until this poison has left my club

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warktheline added 16:34 - Feb 18 From someone who defended McCarthy throughout his first two and half seasons! McCarthy you "f*** off"! Get out now! Foul mouthed 'professional'.....really! Surely gone by Monday morning! Evans??????
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Davidwb20 added 16:35 - Feb 18 We cannot believe a word that comes out of his mouth! You need to grow some ME and sack him! scottyitfc125 if you think McCarthy has done a good job you must enjoy boring football week after week! Obviously one of the few happy clappers! Fact more McCarthy haters out there than people who will defend him.
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beerhelps added 16:40 - Feb 18 If anyone goes to that place and chants against our team, it's manager, staff or anything to do with our club, they are no supporters of ITFC. No true supporter would air there dirty laundry at a Town game, let alone AT THAT PLACE!! Shocking.
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therein61 added 16:40 - Feb 18 Manners maketh the man Michael!!!!!!!!!
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Bert added 16:40 - Feb 18 There is no conclusive evidence that the insult was aimed at Town fans. However, if it was then Evans has to speak out and rebuke him. Fine him and come to an agreement that he will go very very soon. The game in which we bossed it in the first half should be the talking point but sadly it will not be now.
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warwickblue added 16:40 - Feb 18 Andy32Cracknell - Not just national TV either. I was watching the game in a bar in the Canaries, with fans from Sweden, Germany, Scotland and Middlesbrough. Believe me, "F**K OFF!" looks pretty clear in every language. Beyond embarrassing! This contemptible display of petulance by a professional manager was broadcast around the world. Regardless of the result (which I actually thought was fair, though disappointing), this is a new low-point for the club.

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hancockingoal added 16:45 - Feb 18 The big Mick lovers defend him by siting emotion as an excuse for his foul mouthed gesture to the fans who spend their hard earned cash week after week watching the dreadful football HIS team serve up. Why do they criticise him? the answer is in the previous sentence, dreadful football! How did the late Sir Bobby react to criticism? Not abusing the fans but by working harder and producing great entertaining teams. Oh before the lovers react with Sir Bobby's 'zombie' jibe' it was not abuse but a provacative remark to get the fans to show some emotion to a great team! McCarthy has not earned the right to be compared to the great Sir Bobby!

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blue75 added 16:48 - Feb 18 Shows how low we've sunk to abuse the manager on derby day!! Used to be positive chants for the whole game even when Andy Marshall was in goal he was treated as one of our own!! But not today winning games won't win fans round Mick we're too far down the road of you doing as you told our 2000 fans to do. I spotted on the live footage and the replays make it look certain you knew what you were doing. That's gross miss conduct instant dismissal no need to pay him off. I'm looking forward to the Cardiff game if you're there expect to hear us we'll let you know what we think of your management style!! #Mccarthyout

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gazhill100 added 16:48 - Feb 18 Personally I don't care who Mick directed it too. If it was to the fans so what most of you deserve it. I am a season ticket holder and go to some away games that's called supporting your team. Most of the muppets on this site wouldn't know the word support. Just remember where we are now because this time next year we will be in the bottom 3 absolutely guarantee it

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warwickblue added 16:54 - Feb 18 gazhil100 - Why?
4

Carberry added 16:54 - Feb 18 This is another new low point. There is no doubt what he was doing and yet people defend him. He is our manager and should act like someone who has been given a responsibility to represent our club. If Evans does nothing we will know that he has no moral compass, no understanding of corporate responsibility or plain good behaviour. No action will signify he condones it and is not fit to run any football club let alone our once respected bastion of integrity. As for 'be careful what you wish for', even Keith Andrews in commentary said it. What are we meant to have as an alternative,16 more years of no entertainment leading to mid table mediocrity, is that what we should be thankful for? The owner is the biggest problem.

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MicksZzzTactics added 16:58 - Feb 18 Dear Marcus Evans Mick's second gesture (0.04 sec on the excellent TWTD clip above) where he not merely raises his right arm & hand upward but simultaneously uses his left arm to drive down (around the elbow area) on the right arm (a.k.a. "The Forearm Jerk") only has ONE, repeat ONE purpose & meaning in this country ...and many others around the Globe as well as you can read about here for instance: https://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielakruschewsky/simple-gestures-that-might-be-highl where it's listed as no. 8 Not only is Van Bommel's infamous gesture (aimed at some the Real Madrid players & fans after having scored for Bayern Munich in the cl) 100% IDENTICAL to Mick's, but worse Mick's is also 100% IDENTICAL to the illustration of the "Forearm Jerk" Desmond Morris's famous 1979 book "Gestures" as seen here: Ohhh and in case you still wondering what the meaning of this particular gesture means dear Mr. Evans ... it simply & unmistakably means: UP YOURS!!!!!!!!!! This foul gesture was blatantly obvious aimed by Mick at a portion of the away fans in the stands at Carrow Road today, and without being a professional lipreader myself (but you are welcome to hire one or find a free one yourself. i.e. there must be plenty of deaf people in Suffolk and they are usually very good at this!) it was almost certainly ADDITIONALLY accompanied by the equally foul word "F@CK" -- and then some else, which might very well include the word "YOU" or similar -- but in any event both gesture & tirade is completely UNACCEPTABLE coming from an employee of yours at Ipswich Town FC aimed at a portion of the very life-blood of your club, namely the paying customers of your awesome "consumer product" here that is ITFC!!! So please do the honorable & only fan-redeeming thing Mr. Evans ....relieve Mr. McCarthy of his duties at once! Thank you in advance. Sincerely Yours A FED-UP LONGTIME FAN

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rainbowman607 added 16:59 - Feb 18 So, McCarthy says “F-off” to the fans...and why wouldn't he?...I've been on this forum long enough, and I've read the vitriol spewed at him week after week - by the same armchair generals...I don't believe for a second he aimed that at fans who haven't abused him or disrespected him - but I do believe he aimed it at the many who consistently do... and he's right - if I had to listen to some of you week in, week out - I'd also tell ye to F-OFF!!!

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Kuqicoo added 17:00 - Feb 18 I can't say I hate Mick. Hate should be reserved for people who truly deserve it. But I am finding this whole thing and his comments tiresome. He used to entertain me with his comments. He saved our club from certain relegation and got us in the playoffs for the first time in what seemed like an age. I could overlook the somewhat 'basic' football style. And I was grateful for all this. But it's clear this cannot go on past the end of the season. There needs to be a change. Things are stale. Supporters are divided. We will only head one way if this carries on. I wish the ' be careful what you wish for' nonsense would cease to be quoted. It's a daft comment. Without Mick we may do better, we may do worse. But there are other people out there that could do the job, people who would be proud to manage our great club. To say Mick is the only one that can manage us is untrue. And having not much money doesn't mean you have to play dire football. That's a poor excuse. Sure it buys you quality, but it can't be hard to get players to pass the ball on the ground. The combination of his 'basic' football and no progress is losing a whole generation of young fans. That is my major concern out of anything else. Who knows what long term damage is being done. I find this incredibly sad. The club is drifting. It needs a freshen up. This bitterness going backwards and forwards is unhealthy.

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superdicksy added 17:04 - Feb 18 I am not a lip reader but it was there for all to see Time to go dinosaur Give us our once great club back Burley till end of season
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Swn98 added 17:05 - Feb 18 Well all i can say is thanks Mick and i feel soory who has take your place.
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Dissboyitfc added 17:06 - Feb 18 In what other industry can a manager tell the playing public to F... off! and in front of the world, disgraceful, simply has to go! Answer is none!!!!!
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Lightningboy added 17:07 - Feb 18 Zero class from McCarthy on what would've been the 85th birthday of a guy who had more class than anyone in the game. Not trying to sound over the top but the club is becoming unrecognisable from the one I grew up supporting. More “dead time” ahead while we wait for things to be put right at itfc. Our clueless owner is not helping matters...maybe someone could ask Marcus why he was so quick to fire Magilton after actually winning this fixture but is so reluctant to do the same to McCarthy after that today?

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Dissboyitfc added 17:10 - Feb 18 kuqicoo and lightningboy.... both great posts!
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ChestnutSe added 17:15 - Feb 18 Good performance today and great to see the emotion from MM when we scored, almost as emotional as me. Get in there
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grubbyoik added 17:15 - Feb 18 I wish this clown hadn't saved us from relegation when we were bottom.. and that we'd had no choice but to hire a young bright manager from the lower leagues and had no choice but to rely on our academy for players to try and climb back up.. Its about the journey.. and this 5 year journey has been poor.. life is about taking risks.. Mcarthy wasn't a risk.. neither was Jewel or Keane..

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Surco72 added 17:16 - Feb 18 You are an arrogant big head who basically picked 8 defenders and a goal keeper , whose tactics were for your team to foul , cheat , dive your way through the game constantly fouling the best footballer on the pitch . You almost got away with it which would have been great against that opposition but is killing the club and our football heritage and certainly turning away a generation of supporters

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