Tractor Boys may go slow without Mick

SO, MICK McCarthy is to leave Ipswich at the end of the season. The relationship between McCarthy and the Tractor Boys’ fans had broken down and, in reality, there was nowhere for him to go.

Trying to ‘do an Arsene Wenger’ and continue would surely only have led to more criticism and abuse, so it’s better to part company now before things completely disintegrate.

Even those Ipswich fans unhappy with the functional style of football played under McCarthy will probably have a begrudging respect for the job he has done over the last six years.

He took the Blues to the Championship play-offs in 2014-15 and has made them a solid, if unspectacular, side in the second tier.

In essence, he has got the most from the resources at his disposal. There are plenty of clubs in the Championship’s lower reaches who would love to be where Ipswich are.

The former Republic of Ireland boss hasn’t had the budget to match clubs like Wolves, Aston Villa or Middlesbrough.

That means it won’t be an easy job for the next man to occupy the hotseat, whoever that may be. Former England manager Steve McClaren has been linked with the post, as has Lincoln City’s up-and-coming boss Danny Cowley.

But whether you are an experienced manager or a novice, the truth is that money often talks and Ipswich owner Marcus Evans hasn’t shown a willingness to shell out in recent times.

Our guest columnist Adam Virgo said a couple of weeks ago that it was time for Evans to front up, communicate with the fans and let them know his plans.

He labelled him the invisible man and ended by saying it was time for him to speak up – or pay up.

Otherwise, that Ipswich job that McCarthy’s giving up could become a poisoned chalice – and that’s sad for a club that used to be one of England’s finest.