If you still believe Mick McCarthy should be at Ipswich Town next season, then you obviously weren’t suffering with the rest of us at Portman Road on Saturday, writes Northstander Terry Hunt.
I am finding it difficult to recall a more wretched, miserable afternoon during my 50 years of supporting Ipswich. I’m sure there must have been one or two, but they have mercifully been erased from my memory banks.
We were so awful. Burton are the division’s whipping boys, and yet they were the better team and could - indeed, should - have beaten us. Thank heavens for Bart, yet again.
I know people will say the players are to blame, and there’s truth in that. Certainly they should be embarrassed by that utterly woeful performance.
- MORE: Stuart says - Observations from the dire draw with Burton
But the buck stops with the manager. It’s his job to pick the line-up, prepare the players, decide the tactics and, ultimately, send the team into battle fired up and motivated.
McCarthy, as always, heaped praise on the opposition in his post-match interviews. It’s true Burton looked good, passing the ball to feet and creating a few chances. But we should never have allowed that to happen. It was our shortcomings which made them look half-decent.
Actually, we all know Burton are rubbish and will deservedly be relegated. On Saturday, we were worse than the poorest team in the Championship.
By quite some distance. That’s how shockingly terrible it was.
- MORE: I’m cool with getting the stick for that performance
Marcus Evans needs to understand the pain that we, the loyal, paying supporters, are feeling. Yet another pathetic crowd, and numbers will sink even lower if McCarthy is still our manager next season.
The atmosphere on Saturday varied between funereal and toxic. Not a happy combination. Not a good place to spend a cold, damp February afternoon.
So, Mr. Evans, the ball is in your court. In some ways, your loyalty to your managers is admirable. No-one wants to see the revolving door policy which some clubs seem to adopt - almost always with disastrous results.
But, Mr. Evans, please believe me, for our loyal fans to regain their passion for this once-great club, Mick McCarthy simply has to go.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here