Fan View: Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town fan, John Howell, speaks to Rob Wildey ahead of the clash between Ipswich and Blues tomorrow afternoon.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT MICK MCCARTHY?

I think he is a decent bloke with a good Championship pedigree. He has been dealt a difficult hand on the recruitment side of things so in that respect I feel for him. The style of football we play under him has become a bit tedious though. People describe us as ‘ugly but effective`; I dispute the effective part most weeks. He`s done a good up to now but I wouldn`t mind a parting of the way in the summer.

WHAT WOULD REPRESENT A GOOD END OF SEASON FOR IPSWICH?

Plodding on – getting over the line. We have been a Championship side for too long but of course we want to preserve our status in this division for next season. That is the aim right now.

HOW CAN IPSWICH PUSH ON IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

A new manager with a fresh approach. McCarthy has done an admirable job since taking over and we respect him and thank him for his work. But even he`d probably agree that we`ve gone backwards and he may feel he can be more effective away from Portman Road. We also need to build a solid squad and look to push up the table over the next few years. It`ll take time.

IPSWICH WERE THE LAST TEAM TO PLAY AGAINST BLUES UNDER GARY ROWETT. WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HIS SACKING AND ZOLA`S APPOINTMENT?

Firstly, I thought you were very lucky to win that game. Towards the end after we`d pulled one back, I thought we`d nick a point. But Birmingham hung in there just like they did so often under Rowett. I kind of understood the want of a better brand of football but didn`t understand the timing of it at all. Why not wait until the summer, see if Rowett can deliver what the new owners wanted, if not, part company. Madness.

WHAT IS YOUR PREDICITON FOR THE GAME?

We are both neck and neck in the table so I think it`ll be a close game. My head says a 1-1 draw.