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

blue75 added 18:33 - Feb 18 Swn98 thought you were done posting or do you think you can save Mick?
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Swn98 added 18:37 - Feb 18 Go Now.
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bluemike1969 added 18:38 - Feb 18 Swn98......most of us wish for a new manager. I don't want to argue with you but clearly this is what we need and as to bring careful? Well....cant think how it could be worse. He is a has been and has no clue. End of
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Swn98 added 18:41 - Feb 18 We shall see.
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realipswich added 18:42 - Feb 18 So just let me get this clear, it's fine for the 2000 fans to swear abuse at McCarthy but when he sends one Back he's a very naughty boy. It appears that some on here will pick up on anything to have a go at him. Strange that the majority of the football world hold him in high regard but the experts on here know better. Sure the football isn't great but we are a bargain basement team fighting well above our weight. Did you see how happy the Norfolk mugs were to just get a draw with us. Rather than encouraging fans to stay away why don't we pick a game to fill the f#£ing place and see what a difference we can make. Rant over......... K

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dirtydingusmagee added 18:46 - Feb 18 Swn98 '',the deluded one '' , dosnt really go to matches, probably not even on holiday either. still snugging up to his bedside pin-up poster of Mick the Mouth .
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toxtethblue added 18:46 - Feb 18 Gutless lying sh itbag. It's obvious who it's to, from where the camera was positioned this could be proven beyond doubt.
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therein61 added 18:47 - Feb 18 Vancouver blue, I will not put up with foul language directed at me in a stadium by an idiot sat next to me let alone a man who is the so called manager of the club that I have supported since 1958 end of!! this man has shown his true feelings this afternoon when he misguidedly thought one of his under performing favourites had had won us the game hence his vitriol towards us in the stands, but hey ho when you think(arrogant pillock that he is) you have cracked it and give us some you get bit on the rear end by a late equaliser making you have a very fast retract into( "this was not directed at the fans" )a job saving crawl you are a foul mouthed disgrace and should be ashamed(not that you will be as you are a great manager) of your wealthy failure at our great club!!! now do the decent thing as a so called honest yorkshireman and BEGGAR OFF NOW.

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blue75 added 18:48 - Feb 18 realipswich did to watch the Burton game that was McCarthy at his best I believe Burton had a smaller budget than us and were able to pass to each other. Fans have a right to vent their frustrations at the manager he can have a go back just not in that way. Imagine you're in a restaurant complain the foods crap it gets changed you're happy the chef comes and laughs in your face not the done thing is it?

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Dissboyitfc added 18:49 - Feb 18 No realipswich retaliation is not ok or acceptable! Never has been and never will be! I just hope we wake up to the news tomorrow McCarthy has gone!
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Swn98 added 18:50 - Feb 18 Go Now give them what they deserve.
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BlueParadigm added 18:53 - Feb 18 We suddenly appear to have lots of righteously indignant fans taking the moral high ground about the sort of language and abuse that they regularly dish out to MM on this Forum. I don't condone the Manager's abusive language, regardless of where it was directed, but if it was aimed at ITFC supporters perhaps he is simply displaying what's known as “reflective behaviour”. Cue insults....

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Dissboyitfc added 18:56 - Feb 18 yes give us what we deserve, a manager who will try to win games, not stifle and hoping to hick a point but a manager who wants to entertain, a manager who is proud to be at ipswich and cares about the fans. A manager who will play our own youngsters and not see the Fa cup as an inconvenience! yep we deserve all of the above!!!!
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Dissboyitfc added 19:00 - Feb 18 "nick"
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OohArrPaulGoddard added 19:00 - Feb 18 Of course it was aimed at ipswich fans. What could he say? Yes I do hold All ipswich in the lowest regard. He is the face of the club and should be a unifier. He treats all ipswich fans as the lowest of the low not just today but often. I rate him as a manager but this is a disgrace to the club it's history and all the great people who love and have served it. I would rather have a less successful manager who loves the club and it's people than this guy who treats us all with such disrespect.

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realipswich added 19:04 - Feb 18 Blue75 If in complaining about my dodgy meal I have been foul and abusive then I think the chef has every right to laugh in my face. I assume you are the sort of person who is happy to use a position of power to there advantage when you know the recipient can't fight back - big man.
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warktheline added 19:05 - Feb 18 What 'shores' are you posting from SWN 😂.....I can only assume you and McCarthy finally found your way back from France! What can I say, Mair....duuhhhhh!
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Swn98 added 19:10 - Feb 18 Please go now Mick so we can hear the moans this season before we are in a relegation battle next year. By the way thanks for what you've done over the last 5 years.
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Swn98 added 19:12 - Feb 18 Wark the line they do have Internet connection in ..?......
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blue75 added 19:13 - Feb 18 realipswich what I say from the terraces I'd say Mr McCarthy's face have no worries about that. Managers don't get told their football is sh1te after a few games or a couple of season it has to build up to that. Don't you think it's reached a tipping point?
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realipswich added 19:17 - Feb 18 Blue75 who's your replacement?
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thechangingman added 19:17 - Feb 18 Just spotted this. Rather amusing, to be honest. Also, very, very sad... https://www.joe.co.uk/football/watch-mick-mccarthy-tells-own-fans-to-fck-off-aft
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MonterreyBlue added 19:26 - Feb 18 Putting the game aside, which ofcourse was a devastating blow, MM should be sacked 1st thing in the morning. I base this on the following facts: - He is not meeting the stated objectives of the 5 point plan, set out by his boss (give youth a chance and play attractive football) - He is not meeting the expectations of his boss re league position (nowhere near the play offs) - He has just told his customers and the people who pay everyones wages, to (very clearly) “f&ck off” - He is then arrogant enough to deny what is there for all to see. I have been an Ipswich supporter for the best part of 40 years and never, ever have we witnessed anything like that, on today of all days, Sir Bobbys birthday. Strongly suggest now we need to take action, either an in-game protest (seasons over so results are irrelevant) or boycott games. Ipswich Town FC is a Club that is family orientated, has a close connection to the community and Town, plays attractive football and gives youth a chance (amongst many other points) None of this is currently applicable. Lucky for MM, his contract is up at the end of the season. As diehard fans, our contract is up when we die. One very pi55ed of, but loyal supporter

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Lightningboy added 19:30 - Feb 18 @thechangingman Some of those comments beneath that story are hilariously accurate..the one from the Norwich tweet saying McCarthy hates us as much as Norwich supporters is dangerously disturbing. I for the life of me cannot understand why he's still here? #bonkers
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coolcat added 19:30 - Feb 18 I agree with that. I was at the game. Down at the front when we scored. Was total chaos . Was obviously just responding to the moment. What hard evidence is there that he actually intended it for fans? Did a reporter rush up to him with a microphone straight after he said that & ask him if that was intended for fans? Of course not. It's obviously a heat of the moment reaction. Some just prefer to moan instead of being presented with the facts, to further perpetuate 'the rift'. It wld be totally out of character for some in charge to go around shouting & swearing at ppl. Wld then question why they are in charge. In the heat of an intense Derby ppl react different ways. Until there is evidence this is the case which I strongly suspect there isn't I would go and find something else important to worry about.

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