Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy says he’ll continue to pick whatever team he wants.

The Blues boss was heavily criticised following the limp 1-0 home defeat to Rotherham, prior to last weekend’s international break, with many unhappy that he left all of his creative players on the bench.

McCarthy admitted afterwards that he had been wrong to stick with the same team which had ground out an unconvincing 2-0 home win over Blackburn four days earlier, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is going to suddenly change his pragmatic approach for the final eight games.

Talented duo David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop are both available again for tomorrow’s game at Wolves, while the likes of Liam Feeney, Ben Pringle, Kevin Bru, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Kevin Foley would all add more positivity to a midfield which has consisted of Cole Skuse, Luke Hyam and Jonathan Douglas of late.

Asked if he’d pick that team again if he felt it was the right circumstances, McCarthy simply replied: “I’ll pick whatever team I want.”

When asked if he felt that team had a good balance to it or whether it was time to play one or two flair players, he said: “We could have gone out against Rotherham with all those flair players and got beaten 3-0, who knows? If it had been nil-nil after 50/60 minutes it wouldn’t have bothered me at all because I had players I could bring on to get something out of it.

“I didn’t think for one minute that we’d have loads of space and room to play in their half, which turned out to be the case. Unfortunately, we gave a goal away which was awful.

“I don’t hold it against my players as I would hope they don’t hold anything against me. I took responsibility for it, as I always do I might add.”

He added: “I’ve said this before. We are not the best team. We’ve spent about 500 grand over the last four years. I think the lads are brilliant. I think every one of them who has come in has really bought into anything I’ve asked them to do. They are all so diligent.

“We’re not the best team, but I love them for it. I still think we’ve got a chance of getting in the play-offs.

“We had a golf day this week and only one person passed critical comment thinking he was funny. I ignored him because it was either that or give him a slap! Most people were just pleased with what myself and the players have brought to the club and how well we’ve done rather than being negative.

“And if anyone feels any worse than I do about that last performance then I’m sorry, because I’m feeling pretty lousy about it.”