Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has described the atmosphere during Ipswich Town’s home loss to Hull City as ‘a disgrace’.
The Blues were well-beaten as Hull left Suffolk with a 3-0 win on a night when the hosts were booed off at the end of both halves and were subjected to ironic jeers throughout the evening.
Much of the supporters’ frustrations were directed at McCarthy, though, with the Blues boss holding a team meeting in the middle of the pitch at full-time where he apologised for his belief that his presence had brought such an atmosphere to the game.
While describing it as a ‘disgrace’, McCarthy insisted playing in such circumstances in their four remaining home games this season will ‘make things incredibly difficult’.
“I don’t think we played particularly well, but the situation we are in isn’t as bad as the reaction.
“I do think the reaction is to me and not to them (the players). The atmosphere was a disgrace on Tuesday night. It will make it incredibly difficult to play if that continues over the remaining three games at home.
“If that does continue it’s ridiculous because it does affect the players playing in that.
“Come and support the team, support the players and if they all want to stand afterwards and boo me then fine.
“I don’t know what they were trying to achieve. If it was to try and get me out then it’s not achieved anything because I’m not going to leave.
“If it was to try and put pressure on Marcus to sack me, well I’m still here doing the press conference for Bristol City. And I’m certain I’ll still be doing the press conference for Middlesbrough at home (final game of the season). We’ll see.”
McCarthy was particularly frustrated young midfielder Tristan Nydam, making his first appearance since November, had to play in such difficult circumstances.
“I thought that was appalling and to those who did it, I think they are a disgrace. He’s a young kid and he’s a good player for the club.
“I asked him how he was this morning and he said he didn’t hear it. I don’t know.
“I don’t think they singled him out, but they should be giving him more encouragement.
“It’s sad actually that he had to come into the team in those circumstances. It’s sad for Ben Morris that he made his (league) debut in that.”
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