Boss Mick McCarthy felt that a draw was a fair result after the Blues’ opening game of the Christmas period ended 1-1. Derek McInnes, his opposite number, thought his side ought to have won and should have been awarded two penalties.

McCarthy said: “I think it was a fair result. I didn’t think we played particularly well, but I think they did play well and we should congratulate them, actually.

“I was glad to get in at one-each at half-time, to be honest. It wasn’t [anywhere near the Forest and Millwall performances], it would be lovely if we could get that — from the bottom of the league to every single week playing like that, it would be great. But it wasn’t going to happen, it’s never going to happen.

“Maybe these are the hardest games, against sides playing for the same thing. Expectation is high against the teams around us, but seeing the results today the league’s just bonkers and it’ll continue to be, right to the very end.

“I’ve never said anything other than that it’s going to be a bitter scrap right to the end, and that’s the way it’ll be.”

Asked whether the wet conditions reduced the quality of the match, the Blues boss quipped: “I think the two teams played their part in reducing the quality of the game!

"I thought they played well in the first half and we maybe struggled with their shape a little bit.

“In the second half we got to grips with it and I thought we had some opportunities that we could have done better with, but we didn’t.

“That’ll be the difference. The teams that finish in the top six as opposed to the ones that finish in the bottom six, they’ll be the ones that put the ball in the net. I guess they could say the same. They could have been sat here with the victory.”

McCarthy says he withdrew DJ Campbell just before the hour mark to try and make more of an impression on the five-man Bristol City backline, confirming that the on-loan QPR man hadn’t suffered an injury: “I just freshened my strikers up.

“I had Michael Chopra on the bench and I think he’s a worthwhile sub, he’s a good player and I don’t think it was happening for us up front.

“That’s what I do, change it, try and freshen it up, as it happens it didn’t particularly work that well. Daryl got a nasty knock on his knee at the end and I’m hoping that he’ll be OK.”

The Town manager, who says no one else picked up niggles, says there were positives to be taken from the match: “We took a point from a game we could have lost, we’ve not been beaten twice on the bounce, which we could have been and didn’t crumble when we could have done and we’ve got better in the second half. I think we were slightly the better side in the second half.”

Regarding midfielder Cheick Kourouma’s exit yesterday, McCarthy said: “He’s not good enough for us. I can’t dress it up any more than that.”

Robins boss Derek McInnes was disappointed his team didn’t win: “I’m a bit frustrated, truth be told, I thought we were a far better team. I thought we were very dominant in the first half.

“I thought it was a bit more even in the second half, but I still think we played with confidence and when you play as well as we did in the first half and create as many chances, there’s a frustration that we haven’t picked up all three points.”

The Scot also thought his side should have been awarded two penalties, the first when Luke Chambers blocked a shot from Paul Anderson early on and the second when Guirane N’Daw stopped a Jon Stead strike.

“My biggest frustration other than the fact that we haven’t taken some of our chances came from two really strong penalty claims,” he said.

“I thought there were two handballs, I’ve watched them again and we got punished against Blackpool a few weeks back for something which was nowhere near as evident as out there today. We’re disappointed with that.

“But you always know when you play Mick’s team that you’re going to have to battle and scrap for everything you get, and that’s what we had to do today.”

Photo: Action Images

IvorFeeling added 23:43 - Dec 22 Remember this is PJs team and not MMs. We always struggle with teams the we expect to beat and BC are scapping fo their lives. Not many positives on the pitch and whilst the 3 other teams below us won, we are still unbeaten at home under Mick and we are still one win away from passing Birmingham who are getting dragged into it. Huddersfield & Charlton too are not safe! 10 games into the MM era and his record of w5 d2 l3 is good enough to see us rise up the league, especially as Jan will be the first time he can add to he squad. It won't be a straight upward curve of performance and results but we are heading slowly in the right direction.

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jas0999 added 09:03 - Dec 23 A very disappointing result. Two poor teams, difficult conditions and perhaps a fair result in the end. Bristol were better in the first half - thought we edged the second, but frankly lacked quality. However, we shouldn't be too harsh. If everyone is honest, we would have taken the points tally since MM took over as most of us knew he inherited an extremely poor side. Let's not forget we are also unbeaten at home since he took over - so frankly he has worked wonders. Still concerned about the loan situation and also concur with Garv's comments the other day that the midfield needs attention. Martin continues to flatter to deceive, whilst although I can't fault his effort, for me Drury is a back-up player at best (speaking generally, as he played okay yesterday). We lack real creativity. Having said that, I stick by previous comments that the defence looks poor. Hendersons future is clearly up in the air (is he good enough?), ditto Orr's, whilst I still don't rate Chambers. Cresswell is still out of form, but Smith looks decent. Up front, having two loanees is not at all ideal - with DJ departing soon (an assumption, as can't see him staying) - will Murphy score enough goals? Overall, there is still much to do - but am very pleased with MM reign to date. In my opinion far better than under Jewell.

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brittaniaman added 09:36 - Dec 23 We now have 3 games in 8 days coming up,, so we must raise our game and forget yesterdays game , otherwise we will be back in the bottom 3, which is a big NO, NO. After all the hard work which has been put in over the last month !!! So COYB show us all you can do it and prove that yesterday was just a blip ???? I am sure MM. will watch that video again and get it right next time... Happy Christmas to every one !!!!!

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Keaneish added 15:06 - Dec 23 Important we get off to a good start against Charlton. Too many games we've started sluggishly. With no goals and 2 heavy defeats in our last 3 away trips, the first 15 and 20 mins are pivotal for us in this game and the rest of the Christmas campaign for me! Agree we badly need some goals from the midfield.
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Elizabeth added 16:52 - Dec 23 Bring on January ! Mick Mills commentary summed it up yesterday. Some of the players are obviously leaving and not worried about our results. We certainly need to get points over the Christmas holiday as the teams around us are closing in again. Please bring in some quality MM. Happy Christmas and 2013 to all our fellow supporters!
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Tractastic added 18:54 - Dec 23 Obviously a disappointing result but on the positive side i thought Smith and Chambers looked fairly solid at the back particularly in the second half and Smith is looking stronger and more confident in each game. The Bristol success seemed to be in attacking our left side and i thought Cresswell was very poor and he wasn't helped with Martin going on walkabouts giving him no protection as well as constantly giving the ball away. I can't believe Martin actually stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes.Yes lots of effort but no end product. Having said that the whole midfield was poor.Awful passing and no creativity. I thought with Edwards moving into midfield he could use his trickery and pace to attack defenders yet he like most of the team he seemed to look for the side or back pass rather than going forward. Once we actually decided to have a go in the last 10 minutes by running at their defence we looked odds on to score and created numerous chances but what the hell was that free kick at the end all about.Sums up Martin and Drury for me. Not good enough. I think MM has done a great job with the squad he inherited from Jewell / Keane. I just hope he has the contacts and funds in Jan to strengthen key area's which means most of the midfield, another central defender and a goal scorer if DJ goes back to QPR. Finally ending on a positive i thought Chopra looked sharp and hungry and if we can supply the ball to him he will score. Happy Christmas and here's to two good away performances.COYB.

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bluey123 added 20:26 - Dec 23 I think this just shows what an awful squad exception Chambers,Hyam and Smith the rest rubbish goodness MM has his work cut out now the honeymoon period is over, rubbish with no resale value for anyone who on earth would pay money for the likes of Thomas and Chopra
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Keaneish added 21:16 - Dec 23 Couldn't disagree with you more about Chopra bluey.
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