Mick McCarthy bullishly insists he’s done a good job as Ipswich Town manager and believes he ‘deserves’ the backing of supporters during this ‘tough time’.

The Yorkshireman initially rescued the club from relegation in 2012/13 and subsequently oversaw Championship finishes of ninth, sixth and seventh on a restricted budget. Last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United saw the Blues drop to 17th in the table though, with criticism surrounding team selection and style of play intensifying throughout a dull 2016.

McCarthy has now had 200 games in charge of the club, while this coming Tuesday will mark the fourth anniversary of his appointment at Portman Road. He is the 10th longest-serving manager in English football’s top four divisions.

“I take huge pride in that, because, quite clearly, I’ve done a good job over the four years,” said McCarthy. “There’s no doubting that. I don’t want you to say that, I’m telling you I have.

“We’re just having a bit of a tough time at the moment. The last four years have maybe given me a few credits and that means I deserve a bit of support when I’m having a bit of a tough time.

“Anyway, the team is having a tough time, not me. I’m not going home crying about it. But I think about it all the time.

“I’m thrilled I’ve had four years. I’ve not been given those four years though, I’ve earned those four years from what I’ve done. Marcus (Evans) hasn’t just kept me because he likes me, he’s kept me because I’ve done a good job. That’s why I’m still here.”

Town host rock-bottom Rotherham at Portman Road today. After boos greeted a 1-0 defeat in this fixture back in March, McCarthy questioned whether some supporters were getting ‘fed up’ with him. Does he sense that’s still the case now?

“A very small section of them, but I do think that’s a very, very small minority. And generally the small minority make the most noise unfortunately. All I can do is try and win games to stop people being bored with me and unhappy with me and some wanting change.”

Struggling Championship clubs Cardiff (20th), Aston Villa (16th), Derby (21st), Rotherham (24th), Wolves (18th) and Wigan (23rd) have all sacked managers this month.

“I think 12 months is the average tenure,” said McCarthy. “Simon Grayson (Preston) is just behind me on almost four years, the next is Gary Rowett (Birmingham) on two years. Then I think it’s Chris Hughton (Brighton) on one year, nine months or something. You don’t get long.

“Look at some clubs over the period I’ve been here. They have had six, seven, eight managers and they’re still not doing any better.

“Change gives you a fresh start. People get happy about things for a short while, it all looks rosy and different and fresh and shiny. Whether it has a long-term impact is another matter.

“It’s a ruthless old business and I’ve survived pretty well in it so far.”

– Follow @chrisbramms on Twitter for live match updates.