With eight games to go, Ipswich Town are still not safe from relegation to League One, following a tough season in the Championship, and lost 3-1 at Cardiff City at the weekend.

One win in 12 in the league, has seen the Blues slump from a position of relative mid-table mediocrity, to a position too close for comfort at the bottom, just five points clear of the bottom three.

Naturally, given the team’s plight, manager Mick McCarthy – who has confirmed he will make a decision on his future as Town boss in the summer – has faced severe criticism from supporters, who believe now might be the time for a new face and a new direction.

His tactics and team selection have been heavily scrutinised, as have some of his transfer market dealings, and while the finger of blame can be pointed firmly at the ex-Wolves manager and his coaching staff for the first two issues, his hands have been tied somewhat when it comes to recruitment.

The Blues boss has never been afforded a big transfer budget at Portman Road, compared to the majority of the Blues’ Championship rivals, and his record in bringing in a plethora of free transfers and loan signings has been mixed.

But is this McCarthy’s fault?

Surely owner Marcus Evans has played his part in Town’s drop down the table, given star striker Daryl Murphy was never suitably replaced and the fact that McCarthy has had to rely on veteran free agents such as Luke Varney and Leon Best this season.

One of McCarthy’s strengths, prior to this season, has been his ability to get the best out of his squad, no matter how big or small, how talented or not.

With this in mind, should the performances on the pitch be directly down to the manager, or should the players, many of whom featured in the embarassing FA Cup exit to Lincoln City, be the ones shouldering the blame?

Take part in our online poll and give your views on the Town boss, the team and his future.