Town boss Mick McCarthy was pleased with his team’s performance as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Cardiff City but was unhappy that Kenneth Zohore’s 65th minute goal wasn’t ruled out for handball by the Danish striker. McCarthy also revealed that David McGoldrick could be out for the rest of the season having suffered an injury in training.

“I’m very disappointed, I thought the lads were excellent, they gave everything as usual. They were just very, very good,” McCarthy said.

“Having lost a few players in the last day, the lads that came in, I thought they were great.”

A game of fine margins? “Yes, and bad decisions. I thought the defenders were all right, to be honest. Playing against 6ft 5in tall centre forwards, somebody may well beat one of my players in the air.

“I didn’t think the freekick was a freekick to start with. It was Chambo and Gary Madine. I didn’t realise Madine needed any help because he’s a big old lump. I thought the two of them were just fighting for it, I thought it was a really soft freekick.

“And apart from him [Zohore] handling the ball with both hands which just allowed the ball to stay in the centre so he could toe poke it in, I didn’t think there was much wrong with the goal.

“I’ve just been to see the referee and he said it wasn’t intentional. I have to tell you, I gave some penalties away when I was playing that hit my hand and weren’t intentional. I never meant to handle the ball ever!

“It hit both his hands and it wouldn’t have stayed where it stayed unless it hit his hands. The referee’s seen it and deems it not a freekick, I think that’s a bit harsh.

“You’ve got to rely on people to give a decision. If he’s seen it and said it’s not a penalty then I can’t do anything about it, he said it was accidental.

“I think if you’re a striker and you’re running through and it accidentally bounced up and hit your hand and popped up in front of you and you volleyed it in the net, I think you might find he’s giving a freekick then. Hey ho.

“Listen, I’m happy with the way the lads played, I was delighted with the team, they gave everything.”

McCarthy also felt Town might have been awarded a late penalty: “I just asked the referee about that. He’s given a freekick against Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Halford’s looking at Cameron, he’s got both his arms around him. And, of course, Cameron is such a big fella.

“Look, he didn’t give [the decisions], so he obviously didn’t think they were [a freekick and a penalty to Town]. The fact that I think different isn’t going to make a blind bit of difference, is it?”

McCarthy says fielding Bersant Celina, Freddie Sears and Grant Ward as his attacking trio was partly due to injuries but also as a way of seeking to address Cardiff’s physical presence at the back.

“Of course, Joe Garner’s struggling, his knee’s been bothering him and Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday isn’t going to do him any favours at all,“ he added. “Waggy had run his race on Sunday

“Didzy was due to play, I have to be honest, and he’s damaged the tendon in his groin, he’ll probably be out for the rest of the season.

“Muzzy Carayol was suffering with diarrhoea and sickness today. It was going to be Didzy, Muzzy and [Bersant Celina] similar. But it turned out two of them weren’t fit.”

He added: “I was really pleased with the front three, even more so when lads get their heads up [late]. Freddie got it yesterday because Didzy did it in the warm-up, so I told Freddie then, but Wardy just got it tonight. I thought they were very good, yes. Very pleased with them.”

Regarding McGoldrick’s latest injury blow, he added: “He’s had some bad ones and they all seem to be long ones. And it was nothing, it was so innocuous really.”

Asked whether the Ireland international has played his last game for Town with his contract up in the summer, he said: “Let’s wait and see. I’m not going to give you that headline, or anybody else for that matter. We’ve got to wait and see, but it does look like a bad injury.”

Quizzed on whether there have been any talks with the 30-year-old regarding a new deal, McCarthy responded: “No.”

Despite putting in decent performances for the most part recently, Town are struggling for goals, particularly at home where they have netted just two in their last seven matches.

“You’re always hoping that they come, but you work hard on the training ground to try and make them come,” he reflected when questioned regarding the lack of goals, the Blues having been one of the division’s higher scorers in the early months of the season.

“No, it’s not been a good run of form. But we’re not playing any differently. I think I’ve probably used the fewest players in the league and one or two are just feeling it.

“Joe’s been going out there getting him out there to play, Didzy, is he picking [the injury] up because he’s played a lot of football? I don’t know. We’ve had a helluva lot of injuries and I think one or two of them are feeling it.”

Does he believe performance levels are different in this latest run to earlier in the season? “Without analysing it a bit more closely than immediately after the game I don’t know. I don’t think so, we’ve not tried to do anything differently.

“I’m pleased with the performance. I don’t think their keeper’s made many saves but I don’t think Bart’s had anything to do either. If we’d come away 0-0 I’d think it was a fair result.”

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock also had injury problems before the match and lost his skipper Sean Morrison in the first half.

“In terms of injuries, and then Morrison coming off, it couldn’t get any worse really. It’s like Emergency Ward 10,” he said.

“All credit to the lads, they have been fantastic. Some are playing out of position and others haven’t played for a long time.

“Gary Madine probably wasn’t fit to play and yet he had to come on. I couldn’t see us getting anything without him coming on.

“I thought he changed the game and it was a nice sweet strike by Kenneth to win it! It was always going to be a real awkward, horrible, bouncy thing — I love to see them go in.

“I think Kenneth enjoyed the pressure being off him with Gary playing up there alongside him. Hopefully we can get a few bodies back before we play Bristol City at the weekend.

“It was a horrible game, wasn’t it? But Mick’s lads really put a shift in for him and he should be proud of them.

“I said to the lads at half-time ‘You know what happens when Morrison’s not playing’, so why don’t we win tonight without him.”

Photo: TWTD

blythburgh_blue added 09:23 - Feb 22 His contract is up in a few weeks. ITFC fans don't care what Mick has to say anymore. Stop reporting on yesterday's man. What the fans want to know is who is the new boss and when does he start. Mick can F*** O**. Sorry it was the emotions and I was addressing that comment to nobody.
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baxter7 added 09:46 - Feb 22 Yes we played well only because Cardiff were p#ss poor and still couldn't beat them 7 defenders on the pitch says it all lowest league attendance for years but the happy clappers will still love you mcarthy hopefully 13 games to go before you go
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Radlett_blue added 10:01 - Feb 22 "Didzy, is he picking [the injury] up because he's played a lot of football?" McGoldrick has played 10 games all season!
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Premierbluez added 10:37 - Feb 22 White flag out against Warnock. A striker who hasn't scored since April. Radlett_Blue, are you talking about McGoldrick's starts? He has appeared in 23 games this season.
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bobbyrobsonisgod added 10:42 - Feb 22 Mick In..............sorry, i cracked my head last night and think i am a duck.
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itfcgene added 12:05 - Feb 22 Like a lot of people here I find it interesting to develop assumptions about MM based on what I see and hear. Obviously there's always a deeper narrative at play, beyond face-value stuff or what's there to read or see in the media, and I've really enjoyed making assumptions about Mick McCarthy, using the limited info at my disposal - it's a fun distraction, given his outbursts and the triggered reactions of some ITFC fans. He is a smart man - that's apparent to me. Based on what I've seen and heard, he's playing by Marcus' rules. He bought into it when he signed on, and he's followed it through to the letter. This is why he carries an air of satisfaction, even when results don't come; his post-match reflections indicate that he feels that he's doing a great job, given what he has to work with, and given (what appears to be) the overarching rule: for ITFC to become a sustainable, profitable business. He knows full well how this may come across; he understands that it pays to shake things up sometimes. Pain is a great motivator. By continuously stating the obvious - that the group he has to work with are doing a great job, that we are being beaten by better teams, that he's fielded the least amount of players in the Championship this season, etc. he's drilling home the message that you get what you give, and Evans is getting a more than fair return on his investment in players. Evan's teething process has been dragging for a long time, and I don't think I'm the only one who sees this - I think MM has used what he has to work with (loans and peanuts) well, but there's a limit to what he can achieve when competing with gambling tycoons and/or parachute payments. In this light, I find it hard to be too critical. I think MM's done really well, given the lack of investment, and I don't disapprove with the way he's treated anyone. However, I think it's time for a change. The energy seems static and while he's built a loyal team around him, they're just not doing enough. Maybe a young manager could breathe some life into ITFC; maybe an angry authoritarian could help to burn through any dead wood and light a fire under everyone's collective bum, or maybe next year, with some significant summer investment (if Evans finally comes to a conclusion on how to succeed), MM could get the job done. I don't have a clue really, but I will be enjoying the ride wherever it ends up.

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grumpyoldman added 12:13 - Feb 22 If Marcus opened the purse strings with MM in charge does anybody honestly believe that all of a sudden he will change his outlook and start to play open expansive football, all he would do in my opinion is buy more expensive good old blokes who put in a shift. Example is Celina, a talented player, we have him for the season does he start on a regular basis to show what he can do, no only when the good old blokes are not fit or need a rest. Connolly a player who gets forward and scores goals but as soon as Hyam, a grafter, is considered fit enough he gets in the team. Please stop using lack of funds as a smokescreen for our fantastic managers lack of tactical flair.

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Edmundo added 13:33 - Feb 22 Reckon Mickelson has been getting a nice pension from signing these Irish players that never appear for us. Time to retire, muck
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Sparky85 added 13:39 - Feb 22 2 wins in 11 games! (12 if you count the cup). Its a good job we had an ok start to the season or we could be in real trouble. Have to question what Mick actually says to them at half time. 2 games in a row we have been much the better team in the first half but not really started the second. Get to 50+ points as soon as possible then give these young lads some starts. Might as well use the rest of the season as development as there is literally nothing left to play for.......again!

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BobbyBell added 13:41 - Feb 22 Awful substitutions against Norwich and an awful team selection against Cardiff. I said at work that MM would made big changes after we nearly won at Carrot Road. MM does it to wind the fans up and leaving Waghorn out was typical McCarthy. Then he sends him out to warm up knowing that the fans want him on the pitch but holds him back for 20 minutes. McCarthy is far more intent on proving to the fans that he is the boss than he ever is in winning matches. Skuse will probably get dropped now for playing too far forward and actually playing some creative passes for once. MM just has to go as he has no intention of ever letting his squad become a good attacking team. Norwich away was a perfect example, we outplayed them first half and should have been ahead. Second have we drop back 10 yards giving their best players loads of space and we take the chasing, harrying Garner off to replace him with the wandering McGoldrick who just looked like a lost school boy and released the pressure off their back line. This is all so predictable and repetitive.

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PSGBlue added 14:00 - Feb 22 Mick - if you had a decency you would resigned having failed to beat Lincoln City in two attempts. How you are still here, I really don't know. Three wins in twelve having only scored 9 goals in the process. Two of those victories were against Reading and Sunderland and the other (Leeds) against ten men at home. I am fed with the same tired excuse of not having money to spend. I am sure a more proactive manager would have fared better in the last twelve games. Since game five of the season we have been little better than relegation form, those 12 points saved you this season! Are you so bitter against Ipswich fans that you only stay to infuriate them further. Surely you don't enjoy you job and really do you need the money. For everyone's sake please just go. Evans - sort this out, the last 18 months have been the worst in the clubs history and it's under your watch!

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kevtblue added 14:05 - Feb 22 Sorry but I don't post that often but can MM really think we are that stupid to think we believe that Didzy has picked up his injury because of a lot of football was he joking surely he must be? Whilst I am and always will be a true blue supporter I cant tolerate the complete BS this man comes out with treat us with some respect and at least have some honesty man. As some have already said on previous posts there seems to be serious problem with our performances in general but especially the second half how can we paly so badly after the break? Anyway change is needed the club is going backwards and I am deeply disappointed to be writing these negative things about my club a club I have supported sine I was a boy. Bring on the changes and next season assuming that MM isn't here of course.

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Radlett_blue added 14:17 - Feb 22 Thanks Premier - yes, McGoldrick has actually started 18 out of 33 league games this season. Still not exactly a lot of football, though.
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Pedlarjak added 14:43 - Feb 22 The only hope that a low-budget club has of getting out of the championship is to take risks. Typically the risk is by taking on an untried and innovative young manager, backed by a board who gives him the time and space to try new idea and new players, We've seen it in our history with in one way or another with Burley, Robson and Ramsey. But are we willing to take the risk that we might get out of the championship in the wrong direction?

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MicksZzzTactics added 14:46 - Feb 22 Muck: “It hit both his hands and it wouldn't have stayed where it stayed unless it hit his hands!" Muck: "I think if you're a striker and you're running through and it **accidentally** bounced up and hit your hand and popped up in front of you and you volleyed it in the net ...well I think you might find ref's giving a freekick then. Hey Ho!!! But I've just been to see the referee and he said it wasn't intentional" ALAS RIGHT OR WRONG OUR 'MUCK THE SCHMUCK' IS ONCE AGAIN SERIOUSLY PIZZED! NO NO THIS TIME NOT AT PART OF THE FANBASE (LUCKILY! LOL), BUT SIMPLY AT THE FACT THAT MR. ZOHORE, THE VERY MUCH ALIVE HÖMÖ SAPIENS, HAS HANDS???!!! IN OTHER WORDS PURE 'WISHFUL THINKING', AS IN **IF ONLY* * THE CARDIFF STRIKER HAD BEEN THIS VERY SPECIFIC TYPE OF "WALKING DEAD" (SEE PICTURE)... ...WELL THEN MUCK & THE LADS WOULD SURELY HAVE NICKED A POINT & WE SIMPLY WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION! :-) :-) LMAO :-) :-)

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Big_Steve added 16:35 - Feb 22 I don't think any of us can deny that the club is at one of its lowest ever ebbs and that the time has come for a change in not just management but ownership too. I'm seriously sick of being reminded that Marcus Evans was the saviour. Yes, he bought our debt to prevent the club from folding but boy did he know what he was doing. The saviour has truly become the crucifier, the club literally paying for it ever since, with substantial repayments to the owner and little to no investment in the playing staff. Since we sold Jon Walters 8 years ago we've seen the likes of Connor Wickham, Aaron Cresswell, Tyrone Mings and Daryl Murphy leave for what was then 'big money'. Our transfer policy has seen the club bring in over that time a PROFIT of just under 20m Euros. But what quality big hitters did we see come in for over £1m over the same time as replacements? Michael Chopra, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Paul Taylor! Wow! There's no doubting that Joe Garner and Martyn Waghorn have been good buys and it remains to be seen about Emyr Huws until he recovers from his injuries (though he showed promise last season on loan). But in the age of £200m+ transfer fees, how bad things have things got when as fans we're excited about signing players for £1m when most clubs aiming for the Premier League are paying at least ten times that. It's a joke. So the owners and the board have a hell of a lot to answer to. The buck doesn't seem to stop at them though, even if it probably should. No, that honour goes to the man in charge who even his biggest doubters have to accept that given the lack of funds he's had to work with he did a job in keeping Town first up in the Championship and then floating in and around the play-offs for a couple of years. I'm genuinely grateful for that. BUT my God man, the football we've had to ensure hasn't half been turgid boring dross most of the time especially in the past 3 seasons. I mean it's been absolutely terrible. The resulting continued poor displays and lack of goals and entertainment has made Portman Road a horrible place for home fans to come and watch their team. The place is dead. Even the North Stand don't sing anymore it seems. But it's hardly surprising when there isn't anything to cheer or sing about. Mick might say he's getting the most out his boys but we the fans are not getting anything out watching the match. It's dull, Mick. It's just not exciting. We're so busy keeping it tight that we never show any attacking prowess and though we won't get turned over by much more than the odd goal usually we're not scoring either so one mistake seals our fate and we lose again. Or survive with a 0-0 home draw against the worst side in the division. Yet, I have on occasions seen what happens when we attack (and not just with long balls over the top), we just don't do it enough. And it's not acceptable. Whether the reason is because the personnel are just not good enough or because they're being trained to play in a way to keep themselves in the game and maybe nick a win here, the rationale behind why we're so poor is clear. Things aren't being done right from the top to the bottom. So, I'm sure I'm showing my naivety about what it takes to run a club or coach a team. But what I do know is something has to change otherwise you might as well just lock the gates and turnstiles and call it a day because I for one (of many) don't want to waste my money on watching THAT rubbish. It'll be interesting though to see whether a change in manager would genuinely turn Town's fortunes around because if the purse strings continue to be kept closed then we'll still continue to polish a turd of an end product. Come on! At least roll it in glitter so we get to see it shine occasionally.

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SouperJim added 16:47 - Feb 22 McCarthy: Fine Margins and Bad Decisions - the name of his new book about his time managing Town?
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Gandj64 added 19:28 - Feb 22 A few years ago and somebody here will remind me of the game? Neil Warnock came off the pitch at Portman Road and we'd scored 5? And the quote was something like "I should have known better than to try and play football against this Ipswich team ! " Well how times have changed ? Now he must rub his hands with glee and bank the 6 points ! Thanks Mick we had one half decent season when Murphy took us to the play offs and isn't it ironic that if Mcgoldrick has stayed fit we might have achieve the dream at least for one season? Yes it's been difficult for you but PLEASE move on and give us a chance to try something different? PLEASE ???

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Bluroo added 10:12 - Feb 23 Is it just me or are the most surprising team selections always against the top teams we face (Palace, Wolves, Cardiff, Derby). I think it's obvious that Mick decides there are games we can't win. I find that unacceptable.
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Bluroo added 10:23 - Feb 23 @Blueblood the budget isn't a literal instrument of success or Leicester would never have won the title, Burnley would never have been promoted, Newcastle wouldn't have been relegated and Ipswich wouldn't have been playing in the UEFA Cup (Europa League) in 2002. I believe ITFC have sufficient resources to gain promotion under the right management. And until then we definitely have sufficient resources to produce talent, attractive football and maintain a positive atmosphere at the club. MM/ME can't hide behind budget when there is so much else wrong with the club. Currently the club is just existing in a negative and depressing orbit. We're going nowhere.

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