It’s time for Ipswich Town fans to stop moaning and get behind Mick McCarthy and his players, according to Blues legend Kevin Beattie.
McCarthy’s side sit just two points outside the play-off places following a mixed start to the campaign, which has seen the Blues rack up eight wins against sides below them in the standings but struggle against those above them.
Despite the Blues being in the thick of the promotion hunt, sections of fans remain frustrated by a lack of progress, McCarthy’s playing style and his relationship with the club’s support. The Blues boss has also dropped hints suggesting this campaign could be his last at Portman Road, with his contract up in the summer.
But Beattie, considered by many to be the club’s greatest player, believes the McCarthy and his team need the full support of the club’s fans during the final two-thirds of the campaign.
“To be quite honest I’m getting a little fed up with the fans moaning,” Beattie said.
“We’ve played 15 games, won eight and lost seven so I think to have done that and be eighth in the league is a great start.
“You are going to get fans moaning week in week out, but if Mick is going to leave in the summer he’s going to leave. Let him run out his contract and see what happens.
“Fans have the right to have a say but we’re not doing too bad at all and I would much rather be in our position than some of the other clubs.
“My message to fans all the time, because I love Ipswich Town and I love the fans, is to get behind the team. It definitely helps and if the fans are cheering it’s an extra man on the field.”
Beattie has been impressed by some of the attacking line-ups selected by McCarthy this season, which has seen four strikers starting games on occasions, with the former defender reserving special praise for Bersant Celina and David McGoldrick.
He said: “Playing the four forwards means we have been scoring goals, which had dried up a little until last week, but we didn’t concede against Preston and that’s great. We’re tight enough at the back and when you see David McGoldrick back in his own half tackling players then that’s great. You can see he’s willing to work.
“Celina has got a lot of ability. Unfortunately he’s not ours but we have him for the season so let’s use him and enjoy him.”
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