Dozens of pundits, ex-players and opposition fans warned Ipswich Town fans to ‘be careful what you wish for’ following Mick McCarthy’s departure this week. For a nuanced guide on what’s led us to this point here are STUART WATSON’s verdict pieces from 2017/18.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mick McCarthy was in charge of Ipswich Town for almost five-and-a-half years, overseeing Championship finishes of 14th, 9th, 6th, 7th and 16th. The Blues are currently 12th. Photo: Steve WallerMick McCarthy was in charge of Ipswich Town for almost five-and-a-half years, overseeing Championship finishes of 14th, 9th, 6th, 7th and 16th. The Blues are currently 12th. Photo: Steve Waller (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

END OF 2016/17

‘Fans silently turning their back on Town after boring home campaign’

‘Thank goodness that’s over - little light at end of tunnel after worst season in 58 years’

SUMMER

‘Golden chance for a fresh start at Ipswich Town’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

‘Fast start is crucial if Town are to change the negative narrative’

START OF 2017/18

AUGUST

BIRMINGHAM CITY – W 1-0 (h)

‘Blues look a team we can be proud of again’

LUTON - W 2-0 (a) & BARNSLEY – W 2-1 (a)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

‘Fans reconnecting with club after summer of reconciliation’

MILLWALL - W 4-3 (a) & BRENTFORD – W 2-0 (h)

‘Stop picking at the scab Mick and let old wounds heal’

PALACE - L 2-1 (a) FULHAM – L 2-0 (h)

‘Reality check, but still plenty of reasons to be cheerful’

SEPTEMBER

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

QPR L 2-1 (a)

‘Perspective required, but Ipswich Town must not fall back into bad old habits’

BOLTON – W 2-0 (h)

‘It’s unfair to label Ipswich Town fans implacable’

LEEDS – L 3-2 (a)

‘That’s how Ipswich Town will truly win back hearts and minds’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

OCTOBER

SUNDERLAND - W 5-2 (h) & BRISTOL CITY – L 3-1 (h)

‘Progress for Ipswich Town, but hard to know just how much’

SHEFFIELD UNITED – L 1-0 (a)

‘Forget about form – Ipswich Town can beat Norwich City’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

NORWICH CITY – L 1-0 (h)

‘Town fans bored of hard luck tales and false dawns’

BURTON - W 2-1 (a)

‘Is it really necessary to swear Mick? Fans have a right to an opinion’

NOVEMBER

CARDIFF – L 3-1 (a) & PRESTON - W 3-0 (h)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

‘The best thing about Ipswich Town’s start? A sense the best is yet to come’

HULL – D 2-2 (a)

‘Town in tune with their belligerent boss again’

SHEFF WEDS – D 2-2 (h) & VILLA - L 2-0 (a)

‘A week which suggests Town are heading for mid-table mediocrity’

DECEMBER

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

DERBY - W 1-0 (a) & FOREST - W 4-2 (h)

‘Stayaway fans can fall back in love with this Ipswich Town team’

MIDDLESBROUGH - L 2-0 (a)

‘Counter kings to counter chumps – Town must refocus on maintaining fun factor at Portman Road’

READING – W 2-0 (h)

‘Why Ipswich Town are just like Indiana Jones’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

WOLVES – L 1-0 (a)

‘Ipswich Town’s half-term report should be stamped with a B+’

JANUARY

QPR – D 0-0 (h) & DERBY – L 2-1 (h) by Andy Warren

‘Big decisions could shape Ipswich Town’s 2018’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

FULHAM - L 4-1 (a) & SHEFF UTD – L 1-0 (h)

‘Just how to do Ipswich Town break this Groundhog Day cycle?’

LEEDS – W 1-0 (h)

‘Town always find a way to prevent pot boiling over’

BOLTON – D 1-1 (a) by Andy Warren

‘Ipswich fans know the Sir Bobby era is long gone... but that feeling of togetherness must return’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

WOLVES – L 1-0 (h)

‘Come on Ipswich Town, make us truly buy into the plan’

FEBRUARY

SUNDERLAND – W 1-0 (a)

‘Clear that cynicism is deep-rooted when not everyone can enjoy wins’

BURTON – D 0-0 (h)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

‘Increasing lack of ambition filters down from the very top’

NORWICH CITY – D 1-1 (a)

‘Mexit’ looks inevitable now – and no-one knows quite how that’s going to pan out

CARDIFF L 1-0 (h) & PRESTON – W 1-0 (a)

‘Marcus Evans needs to speak up and fast’

MARCH

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

SHEFF WEDS W 2-1 (a) & SHEFF UTD – D 0-0 (h)

‘McCarthy badly misjudges the mood as judgement day looms’

HULL CITY L 3-0 (h) & BRISTOL CITY – L 1-0 (a)

‘Politics of fear doesn’t wash when it feels like there’s little to lose – Town fans are fed up of being patronised’

MCCARTHY EXIT ANNOUNCEMENT

‘Love him or loathe him – McCarthy certainly did it his way’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

BIRMINGHAM CITY – L 1-0 (a)

‘With potential for a messy break-up, why delay operation win back hearts and minds?’

APRIL

MILLWALL D 2-2 (h) & BRENTFORD – L 1-0 (a)

‘Take a calculated risk Marcus – it’s in Ipswich Town’s DNA’

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18Ipswich Town verdicts 2017/18 (Image: Archant)