Ipswich Town’s season started with promise but has ended with frustration. Mick McCarthy has addressed a range of topics ahead of this afternoon’s dead rubber of a final home match against MK Dons.

McCarthy on the traditional ‘lap of honour’ that follows the final home game of the season...

“Our fans have been fabulous and I hope they do stay at the end so we can show our appreciation to them and they can show their appreciation to a group of lads who have put a great effort in, but have ultimately not been good enough. I think there is a lot to be proud of.

“People are gloomy about the way the season has ended and I don’t blame them. What they have had though is a team that scraps for every single thing.

“The one thing that was said to me when I walked through the door was that the team had downed tools and nobody was bothered and there were players who didn’t care about the club. There was apathy surrounding it.

“That can’t be said now. It certainly can’t be said about the squad of players here because they do care about the club. They care about the support they get and the work they do in the community.”

On maintaining perspective...

“We have had some key injuries, not spent a lot and are still eighth. That is a matter of fact, but fans don’t want to hear that.

“I keep saying that I’m disappointed, upset and angry that we’ve not done better. I’m irked that we haven’t played better than we have.

“I think there have been a lot more positives than negatives this season, but it doesn’t feel that way because it’s finished pretty poorly with the performances and results at home.

“I bet Brentford fans are flying at the minute and think they’ve had a great season. They had an awful time, but they’ve just won six on the bounce and will be feeling great. They’re still four points behind us though. Fulham and Leeds and Wolves and a lot of others are behind us too.

“If we can do well in our last home game then it can renew everyone’s faith and optimism ahead of the summer.”

On style of play...

“I think the criticism and moans and groans have come because of results, not the style of play.

“Everton are playing wonderful football in the Premier League, they nearly got to the final of the Cup and they want to sack their manager because the results have not been good.

“Man United keep the ball for fun and Louis Van Gaal has got pelters this season because they are not winning games. Arsenal play the best football and Arsene (Wenger) faces criticism.

“Actually, the team that plays the worst football and have the best defenders and hit the most long passes are winning the league! Leicester play 4-4-2 and they get the best out of their players.

“Each and every team has got their identity and we all like that identity when it’s winning games. When it’s not then people stop liking that identity.”

On MK Dons playing attractive football in the reverse fixture...

“Yeah, they did, they’re a good football team that is getting relegated.”

On his future...

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for two years. I’ll be back here next season looking to get the team revitalised and up and at it like we were at the start of this season.

“You can rule me out of anything, I’m staying here.”

On Emmanuel and Kenlock starting today...

“They both can cope physically with the Championship, but I think they’ve got a bit to do technically. They are still babies really.

“They’ve got to get in the first team and once they do they will need to learn on the job. They’ll make mistakes, but they’ll continue to learn from playing against better players.

“I’m hoping (Paul) Digby can be one of those, I’m hoping Matt Clarke can. Then there’s Bish (Teddy Bishop), Adam McDonnell, Doz (Andre Dozzell) obviously.

“There is a good nucleus of youngsters here. Whether they all come through and become good first team players on a regular basis I don’t know. Let’s hope so.”