A DECADE or so ago, when they were in what’s now the Championship, Grimsby fans used to take a great deal of Schadenfreude-fuelled fun from the number of opposition managers who were sacked after a poor result against them.

George Burley’s years in charge of Town, for example, came to a sad end following an ignominious 3-0 defeat at Blundell Park.

It seemed there was something about poor results against the Mariners which tipped opposition fans and chairmen over the edge, whether that was due to them being a relatively small club at this level or because the word ‘grim’ appearing in their name had added psychological impact.

These days, Burton Albion are probably the equivalent of Grimsby.

They may not have the linguistic quirk of having a word with negative connotations within their name - although the expression ‘gone for a Burton’ isn’t exactly positive - but disappointing results against the Brewers seem worse than most.

That’s no disrespect to Burton, even though they’re currently bottom of the table it’s a remarkable achievement for them to have got to this level for (at least) two seasons, bearing in mind their wage bill is probably around a third of Town’s, which in turn is around a third of the richer clubs’ in the division.

Given the opposition and their current standing, a Blues win was the only result which would have been viewed as acceptable on Saturday.

Instead, Town fans had to endure a 0-0 draw at the drearier end of the 0-0 scale.

Town never got going and the visitors were largely in control.

Only two excellent second-half saves from Bartosz Bialkowski - who will have impressed watching Poland boss Adam Nawalka - prevented the afternoon from ending in an even more dispiriting defeat.

Another thoroughly disappointing home display and result once again laid bare the now long-established schism between fans and manager Mick McCarthy.

Boos rang out at the end of both halves and sections of the support again made their thoughts regarding his perceived preferred style of football plain.

Last Friday, after distancing himself from links with his hometown club Barnsley, McCarthy suggested there is a “good chance” he will still be with Town next season which led to a predictably aghast reaction from many fans desperate for change.

The current feeling among supporters was illustrated by Saturday’s crowd of just 13,815, the lowest for a home league game for almost 20 years.

Season-ticket sales fell by 15 per cent last season and a further significant drop seems certain if McCarthy remains at the helm.

From a purely budget-to-league position angle that’s harsh on the Blues boss.

For most of his six years he has kept Town relatively competitive on a comparative shoestring in what’s now a much tougher division, having initially pulled off a miraculous escape from near-certain relegation.

But the breakdown in relations between him and fans is now irreparable and the situation being allowed to persist isn’t healthy for the club.

Owner Marcus Evans will never be one to rush to a ‘Grimsby’ style sacking, of course. He has shown what these days is unusual patience with his managers and talks with McCarthy regarding his future are already underway.

However, as I’ve said before, a parting of the ways in the summer is probably best for all concerned, McCarthy, the fans and the club.

While a long-awaited win in Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich at Carrow Road would be celebrated long and hard by Town fans, even that would probably make little difference to McCarthy’s overall standing.

It’s now nearly nine years since the Blues last beat their greatest rivals at home and 12 since they won on enemy turf.

The sides go into the match as closely matched league position-wise as they have for some years in 12th and 13th separated by goal difference alone.

At Portman Road in October Town were the better side but failed to take their first-half chances and were made to pay when James Maddison netted the game’s only goal after the break.

They say form goes out of the window in derbies, which is fortunate for the Blues after the parlous display against Burton.

Although at the same time Norwich’s home form - five wins, five draws and five defeats, scoring and conceding 16 goals - is also unimpressive.

Can the Blues finally claim a victory over the Canaries?

Town’s, ahem, grim derby record surely has to come to an end soon and a win on Sunday would at least temporarily lift the cloud which at present seems permanently hanging above the club.