Jonathan Douglas was ‘easy to pick on’, says Mick McCarthy

Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy is glad that veteran midfielder Jonathan Douglas has seemingly won over ‘fickle’ fans.

The Irishman scored eight goals, was a virtual ever-present and captained Brentford on their way to a fifth-place finish in the Championship table last season.

And yet still his free transfer addition in the summer left many Blues supporters underwhelmed, with his unadventurous early displays doing little to change that opinion.

The 33-year-old has been given the licence to get forward more in recent weeks though and goals against Rotherham and Wolves have done his status on the terraces a world of good.

“Let’s clear that up,” said McCarthy. “He was an easy one to pick on because he was new.

“Kevin Bru got injured, he’s a fans’ favourite, and then suddenly we weren’t winning so Dougy was getting it in his earhole.

“Let’s clear that up. Let’s not beat around the bush. That is just the way it was.

“Then Dougy scores up at Rotherham, he gets another goal against Wolves and suddenly peoples’ opinions change.

“We’re a fickle lot, all of us, aren’t we? Now it’s going well he’s great.

“Let’s hope that continues.”

The Blues boss, whose team face MK Dons away on Saturday (12.30pm Sky Sports), continued: “Dougy’s been excellent from the day he walked in the door.

“He’s a really good character and low maintenance. He comes in, does his job and does what it says on the tin.

“He’s old enough to really understand the game and, at 33, he still outruns every player, every week according to the distance stats.”

Douglas, who one day hopes to become a manager, said: “I feel great and honestly feel as if I’ve got another couple of good years in me. I’m not worried about individual running stats though, I’m more worried about if we’ve won or not.”