Ipswich Town boss still irked by referee Jeremy Simpson, after Reading defeat

Mick McCarthy admitted he was in a “murderous rage” over the weekend as he came to terms with Ipswich Town’s controversial 2-1 defeat at Reading on Friday night.

Having seen Brett Pitman cancel out a debatable first-half penalty, converted by Garath McCleary, McCarthy was furious when referee Jeremy Simpson awarded a last-minute spot-kick after Jonas Knudsen grappled with Joey van den Berg in the area.

“I gave Jonas a big man hug on Sunday, he was fine,” said McCarthy.

“He is alright, he is like me, he was upset and angered, but he is a real winner and scrapper. There’s no chance he was ever going to fall over (with van den Berg), because he is too much of a competitor for that.

“He got mugged, but it was almost orchestarted when I watched it again, it was like putting a play on. I could see it coming without a doubt.”

Asked if he spoke to the referee after the game, McCarthy responded: “Oh no, no, no, no.

“I will never speak to him again I don’t think.”

He added: “Whatever I thought I certainly wasn’t going got let it cost me money as well.

“It really was annoying beyond belief, I was in a murderous rage over the weekend.

“We drew at Wolves and had a goal disallowed and drew against Norwich and had a goal disallowed. Let’s hope we can get three at Derby, but I’ll still be raging over that (Reading) decision.”

Asked if his side were due a slice of luck, the Blues boss said: “There have been some pretty awful decisions that have cost us this season so far.

“I am of the kind that thinks it will turn around but I am starting to wonder when.”