The play-off dream is all but over for another season, but Mick McCarthy doesn’t sense a change in mood amongst the Portman Road faithful.

For so long, McCarthy has been lauded for transforming the fortunes of Town from a side that were bottom of the Championship when he took over in November 2012, to one that reached the play-offs last term.

Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham was the latest in a string of under-par performances the Blues have delivered in recent weeks and, sitting eighth in the table, eight points adrift of the top six with just three games to go, they are set for a 15th successive season in the Championship come August.

Their task does not get any easier tomorrow, the Blues travelling to league leaders Middlesbrough – the Teesiders unbeaten in seven, with the league’s best defensive record, and having won their last six on home soil.

A large number of fans have raised their concerns over the Blues’ results and playing style in recent weeks, while many season ticket holders are deliberating over whether to renew for another season.

Despite that, McCarthy was in positive mood at yesterday’s press conference.

He said: “There is a lot made of the criticism and I’m not quite sure that there is that much of it going around towards me or the players.

“I might be being naive because I don’t seek to read it, listen to it or watch it. I didn’t get that feeling on Tuesday night.

“I get that people want to come and watch their team win and want to see their team play well and we have not done either of those for a while.

“I can’t affect what people say or think after the event, all I can affect is getting the team playing well and winning games and you know what, over three-and-a-half four years, I have done that particularly well.”

Striker Brett Pitman yesterday highlighted the 2-2 draw at Bolton as the game when the Blues’ play-off dream turned a little sour, and McCarthy added: “Up until the Bolton game there was not one complaint.

“Results determine peoples’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction, but there’s a few would swap places.

“Fulham would swap our position, Leeds, I guess would swap, Wolves would, all who have invested.

“Sometimes it’s a case of be careful what you wish for.”

Inside - Big match preview