Boss Mick McCarthy says it’s important that his side keep their run of good home form going as they look to climb away from the relegation zone. The Blues, who have won three and drawn one since the former Ireland manager took charge, take on Bristol City at Portman Road this afternoon.

McCarthy said: “It’s hugely important because that’s where most of our fans come and watch us. And in fairness it’s usually the home form that decides the outcome of the season.

“So, it wants to be good and it has been good in the main. We’ve got a really important game come up against Bristol City and it’s how we play. Don’t focus on the result because if you do you forget to play, focus on the performance.”

The Town manager felt his side played well enough in last week’s 2-0 defeat at Leeds: “I came away feeling disappointed. I thought the game started fairly evenly, I thought they got on top, they were the home side, and having scored they were on top for a while.

“I thought we ended the half all right because we had a really good chance that the keeper saved and we broke on them a few times.

“In the second half I thought we were better and conceded when we were on top. It was a bit of slack play by us, but a fabulous goal by them. If we’d scored that we would be waxing lyrical about it, so give credit where it’s due.

“Even then we had chances and were looking the team more likely to score at the end, but sadly we didn’t. But overall, it wasn’t a performance where I thought ‘We were rubbish today’, the performance was OK.”

McCarthy says he enjoys the Christmas fixtures: “Of course I do, if I say anything else I’ll be getting dog’s abuse, I’ll sound like Ebenezer Scrooge! Bah humbug!

“I love this time of year, the football doesn’t bother me, I’ve been doing it for a long time, 37 years we’ve been training Christmas Day, playing Boxing Day, playing on the 28th and I do enjoy it.

“There’s been a discussion about the middle game, when there’s a game on the 26th and New Year’s Day, whether there should be a game in the middle, if that dilutes the other games.

“But overall the fans enjoy it, it’s tradition and should be left well alone and let’s play on it. I get my Christmas Day from May to the end of June when I’m on holiday.”

Photo: Action Images

Rentaghost added 06:14 - Dec 22 Well done MM. Getting on with the job and not moaning about the amount of fixtures at Christmas.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 06:55 - Dec 22 How refreshing to hear someone NOT moaning about the Christmas fixtures! Really looking forward to today match, don't get to go on a Saturday much due to work :)
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Morgan added 06:57 - Dec 22 I am going to have to miss today sadly but beat of luck. Should be a home win, and if it is I'm going for a massive punt on a draw away at at Charlton to pay for Xmas as we are over due one. Come on Town
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