Manager Mick McCarthy still believes one more win will be enough to confirm Town’s Championship status. The Blues are currently in 17th on 53 points, four from the drop zone, with four more games to play.

McCarthy said: “We haven’t got them yet, so I still think 56 points will be enough. But it doesn’t matter what I think, let me tell you. I don’t get everything right, I wish I did!”

The Town manager fully expects the relegation battle to go to the final day: “From day one I said I think it will.

“Another set of results which are a mixed bag, Barnsley, who have been beating everybody got beaten by six. Where’s that come from? I don’t know the circumstances.

“Peterborough just keep pulling results out of the bag. Wolves, I don’t know what’s happened there, but they got beaten at home by Huddersfield. Strange, strange league. It’s just bizarre.”

McCarthy switched his side to a 3-5-2 formation to match Hull on Saturday and felt that it worked for a time: “We worked on it on Thursday for a good while, playing against 4-4-2 or them playing 3-5-2 playing against our team and then us reverting to their shape.

“It nullified them for a while until we conceded the goal. And that was through letting somebody run.”

The Blues boss says his outlook remains the same, despite Saturday’s 2-1 defeat: “My attitude from November 1st has been ‘keep calm and carry on with it all’. I just take each game as it as it comes, I know it’s a bit of a cliché.

“That has been my attitude and nothing’s changed. It’s going to be difficult because Crystal Palace haven’t played today, they should have done. That doesn’t make it any easier. But I never seem to have done anything easy in my life.”

Palace were set to face FA Cup semi-finalists Millwall this weekend and given their additional rest, McCarthy is pondering whether to freshen up his side on Tuesday: “I’ll see about that on Sunday. We’ll see.”

Photo: Action Images

DanLyles added 14:43 - Apr 15 Interesting that Mick switched to a 3-5-2 to match them. I know he's a 4-4-2 guy but could wing backs work next season I wonder? It has obviously worked for Hull. We certainly have the personnel to play that way, with Cresswell and Hewitt almost tailor made for the roles. Stearman (if we get him permanently), Chambers and Smith would be solid at the back. Then we could play Hyam, Wordworth and another creative midfielder (key signing imo) in the centre with McGoldrick and Taylor up front.

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warktheline added 16:59 - Apr 15 MM and TC will grind the points out that's required.If M'boro lose again Tuesday, then we can add them to the relegation scrap.Without doubt we have the best manager in division to guide us to safety.
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jamesmostevens added 18:08 - Apr 15 Barnsley must have an even slimmer squad than we do and now have two players banned for 3 games. Huddersfield or Blackburn will be very worried after Tuesday's game. Wolves really shouldn't be where they are and will hopefully playing like rabbits in the headlights. Millwall have games in hand but may have had their confidence knocked by events at the weekend. So I guess I'm a little confident, but am not even convinced when typing that.

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h32 added 18:08 - Apr 15 .... I honestly believe the best chance we had of the 3 points we need (and 3 WILL be enough) was on Saturday - we had them on the rack in the second half - but AGAIN couldn't score. There was visible panic in there defence during this period - and we were punchless when we should have capitalised. These '3 Magic Points' are NOT going to be easy to get WITHOUT A WIN - and I am not at all sure we are capable of securing that win. Make no mistake - draws are no longer an option.

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h32 added 18:14 - Apr 15 .... all you dreamers who think Crystal Palace will roll over and be easy tomorrow night - prepare yourselves for the shock of your lives - because you may just be in for one huge one !!. It ain't going to be easy - rest assured.
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Guthrum added 19:04 - Apr 15 h32 - I don't think any of our recent games have been easy. It's extremely stubborn defending that's got us to within reach of safety, even games like Leeds where we've frustrated the opposition into an error or bad discipline. And it's been very hairy at times! However, it seems that McCarthy and Connor haven't allowed the players focus to slip and I'm sure that won't change these last few games. As long as we remain solid at the back, there's always a chance of winning.

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warktheline added 21:45 - Apr 15 Spot on Guthrum.People seem to forget how MM has achieved success to date.I for one,have total confidence in management.
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bobble added 04:02 - Apr 16 we should beat palace at home,i expect 3 wins from final 4 games
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