Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy says he does not fear the sack ahead of tonight’s crunch Championship clash with Burton Albion at Portman Road (7.45pm ko).

The Blues slipped to 17th in the table following Saturday’s goalless draw at fellow strugglers Blackburn.

They may have the joint-best defensive record in the league, but Town have now gone five matches – and more than eight hours of action – without scoring a goal.

Some supporters have begun to question whether the Yorkshireman, who is close to his fourth anniversary in charge and signed a new three-year deal back in January, is the man to take the club forwards.

Asked if he felt his job was under threat, McCarthy replied: “Do you know something I don’t? (Owner) Marcus (Evans), as I’ve said to you before, is always very, very supportive in what I’ve done and what I do.

“I think – no, actually I know – that he believes I make far more good decisions than bad ones. That’s why we’ve been 14th, ninth, sixth and seventh.

“We’ve had a fair bit of success in the transfer market when you consider that as well.

“I don’t worry about my job. If people start wanting me out the door, well there’s nothing I can do about that apart from keep working hard on the training field with the players.

“I prefer it when the fans are happy and they want to come to the ground. The only way we’ll do that is by scoring. Let’s home we can start that process against Burton.”

Tonight is the first-ever meeting between Ipswich and Burton, the visitors having been in the Northern Premier League as recently as 2002. Under Nigel Clough, they have enjoyed a solid start to their debut second-tier campaign following back-to-back promotions.

McCarthy continued: “I don’t think I have suddenly become a bad manager. Some people might think ‘he’s not the bloke I want here anymore’, but there’s not a damn thing I can do about that.”

Asked if he was thankful of Evans’ support, given that other owners around the Championship might be looking to pull the trigger in a similar situation, the Blues boss replied: “I don’t think like that at all. I go back four years. When the club was in a difficult position, whose phone did they ring?”

And the insinuation is that he’s still the same manager now? McCarthy replied sarcastically: “Apparently not. I’ve got lousy now and I’m no good at my job.”

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