Draw Specialists Ipswich Town Glad Of Point

That is four 1-1 draws in succession and perhaps at Portman Road on Saturday we were rather fortuitous to even get a point!

Town were off colour and although the pitch can be blamed to some extent for misplaced passes, the quality of football on display from the home side was disappointing to say the least.

Manager Mick McCarthy says he can relate to supporters frustrations and why many may be seriously considering not renewing their season tickets next term, given the results and performances this time around.

It has been 18 months of steady stagnation for the Blues and McCarthy outlined his mindset as the season winds down with little to motivate the fans.

‘I don`t want to be walking up the track next year and there is only ten thousand fans for the first game of the season. If that`s a reflection on me, I don`t want that. I want the fans to be proud of the players, proud of the club and proud of their team they are supporting.’

The trouble is that his loose words are often latched upon by the media who are looking for a headline and he pointed out that even the BBC are not immune from this sort of behaviour.

‘I saw a BBC piece the other day and he said ‘Mick McCarthy says he is not bothered what people think of him`. What a complete untrue reflection of what I said. Yes, I said it, but I also went on to say I do want the fans to be proud of the club and the players. I extended what I said. It`s not about me and being personal.’

Drawing games is all very well but it won’t take us much further up the table and if our manager really wants bums on seats next season, then he really has to address this problem quick.

Once we saw Cole Skuse back on the team sheet, we sort of knew what to expect. He stifles midfield creativity and his only real purpose is as a holding player to support the defence.

When we are playing at home, McCarthy needs to be much more positive and not always air on the side of caution.

We are up against his old club Wolves at Portman Road tomorrow night and he really has to select a side that makes fans excited – even before a ball has been kicked!


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich