Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy hits back at Leeds United counterpart Steve Evans

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy issued a withering put down of Leeds United counterpart Steve Evans today following the latter’s derogatory comments post-defeat at Portman Road on Tuesday night.

Town went behind after just 13 seconds, but grew gradually dominant as the game wore on, equalised through Luke Chambers’ 50th minute header and were full value for Brett Pitman’s stoppage-time winner. It was arguably their best display of the season.

Evans then had to be calmed down in the tunnel by security staff afterwards, labelled the referee ‘garbage’ and dismissed Ipswich as a team that ‘play no football’ in a staggering display of sour grapes.

McCarthy said: “He can talk can’t he? He certainly gives his jaw some exercise... I don’t know what else.

“I thought we were excellent on Tuesday night and all the stats point to that. I don’t understand why people do it. Self-publicists talk a good game.”

He continued: “We played Portsmouth on Saturday and they battered us. I’m honest about that. I’m not happy to say that, I’d prefer not to be saying it, but they were great.

“If we get beat and don’t play very well I’ll say that. Why does it have to always be some outside influence that is the reason why you lose instead of the opposition being good?

“It’s great when you’re on a good run. You can be really magnanimous in being undefeated and winning games, that’s great, but a little bit of honesty and integrity, I find, is really welcome. Not everybody is that way unfortunately.”

Town captain Chambers has already said that he felt Evans’ comments were ‘disrespectful’.

– Chief Football Writer Stuart Watson has his say on Evans’ ‘classless comments’.