Manager Mick McCarthy felt Saturday’s 3-0 victory over his former club Millwall was a solid performance but warned his players that there's a lot of hard work to come between now and the end of the season.

McCarthy said: “It was a solid performance, 3-0 probably puts a gloss on it over and above what it was and suddenly all our players start looking good.

“They’ve all done well, but they’ve all got plenty to do because there is hard work ahead for all of us.”

The Town boss felt the home fans played their part, showing little sign that the Blues had lost their first two games: “I think they all contributed to be honest, it was just a good day.

“I said in my programme notes that I hoped that because we’d been beaten at Reading and at Stevenage whatever wave of optimism that was sweeping around the place hadn’t been dampened, and I don’t think it had.

“They came and supported us and it’s always nice when you can give them a win, a 3-0 win glosses it a bit, but heigh-ho.”

McCarthy's summer signings were in action in front of the Portman Road faithful for the first time and were received warmly by their new supporters. McCarthy singled out midfielder Cole Skuse for particular praise: “The fans would have taken to anything at 3-0 coming off the pitch.

"I’m pleased with [the new signings]. I thought Cole Skuse was excellent, he really is a good player.

“And I thought Ryan Tunnicliffe coming on [did well]. I think the keeper made a good save from him. He didn’t clear his feet, but he made a great save. They’ve all done well, I’m pleased with them.”

The Town boss was glad to see Aaron Cresswell return after two games out with a thigh injury, the ex-Tranmere man creating the first goal: “I said I think Cressy is the best left-back in the league.

“Someone said I’d put a million quid on him [by saying that]. I’m not trying to do that, I’m not trying to sell any of my players, I’m just stating what’s probably obvious to most people. If there’s a better one, I’m yet to see him.”

McCarthy, a former Millwall player and manager, still has his main home in south-east London and having beaten his old club joked: “I might be safer on Ipswich high street than Bromley’s!

“No, they’re fine, Millwall fans. I get large portions twice a year from them, but I’d expect that. That’s par for the course, I’m not with them any more.

“I think they really liked me when I was there and I think they still like and respect me as a manager, except for twice a year.

“Well, I can tolerate that, let me tell you. I’ve got loads of mates who are Millwall mates and good luck to them.”

Photo: Action Images

Farmers_Union added 06:31 - Aug 12 A three nil win and gaffer says we have work to do. I'll take that all day long. Tip Top Mick Mac...
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BlueMachines added 06:33 - Aug 12 Solid not spectacular is fair comment. We did look better after the subs. We had a more forward thinking midfield and Anderson's delivery seemed like real quality. Something we have lacked for a while. Mm said last year he wants more from Hyam going forward. If he continues to partner Skuse in CM then this really needs to happen. Didn't realise how good Cresswell was until he wasn't there.

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RegencyBlue added 07:20 - Aug 12 Fair comment from MM once again. We did enough to beat what was a poor Millwall side but much harder tests to come. Skuse looked a very good buy on that performance and Cresswells return highlighted just how crucial he is to the team.
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Keaneish added 07:25 - Aug 12 Agree blue machine - not sure whether Hyam is tactically being told not to get forward or if he's just not doing it. He started to hit the box a lot more last year but in the first two games I've seen he's played the same role as Skuse. Interesting to see how this pans out especially seeing as tunniclife labels himself as a box to box midfielder!
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Mark added 07:48 - Aug 12 As usual, I agree with Mick 100%. The next match will be very tough with QPR's multi-million pound talent, but I think we may well worth harder than them, be more organised, and have better team spirit, so maybe we can come away with something.
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stevelincsexile added 07:49 - Aug 12 I agree with all comments but Ian not going overboard as Millwall were poor but there were signs of the team starting to he'll. We need either Hyam or Tunnicliffe to play the Wark role to get us 10 goals a season. I think Mcgoldrick will come good not sure Murphy will be a prolific scorer would prefer Taylor to start.
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Mr_Evans added 08:05 - Aug 12 3-0 certainly flattered us, we never really dominated any part of the game but we stuck out out and got our win. Working through our team; I'm still not 100% on Loach, a good shot stopper but must be more commanding, Cressy was class, very calm and composed. Smith & Chambo swept everything up and never really looked troubled, Hewitt showed what a good attacking RB he is but looked rushed and nervous defensively, he's though, it'll come in time. Edwards didn't seem to push forward too much but seemed to be on the side of caution with young Hewitt behind him. Skuse looked very neat, game went through him, passing and touch was immaculate, looks a very shrewd signing. Hyam was quiet, not his best game, Derry made him look like a boy sometimes, I'd prefer Wardsworth when playing at home as he's more attack minded. Tabb didn't shine but, didnt put a foot wrong. McGoldrick looked very dangerous! A killer touch and maybe should have scored early on but its early days. Murphy worked very had and won

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Mr_Evans added 08:06 - Aug 12 .. us plenty in the air, looks like he's she a little weight too and was surprising pacey on saturday.
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NSL added 08:43 - Aug 12 I dont understand how 3-0 flattered us when it could have easily been 4-0 if Tunnicliffe had put away his 1v1! Wha are people on about? Millwall were really really poor and we had the majority of possesion. 3-0 was about right I would say.
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:45 - Aug 12 fair comments from Big M.There is a lot of work to be done,it was great to get that result and it put the smile back on Town faces, but that was just one game, consistancy is what gets teams promoted,[and goals] Both have have been missing in past few seasons.If Mick can crack those problems we will be there. I would like to see another decent striker brought in albeit on loan .COYB

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Stato added 08:46 - Aug 12 we looked a lot stronger defensively when hewitt and loach were back up players to stearman and henderson. I still think/hope Mick might go back in for those 2 but think he'll have to swallow henderson on loan with recall. Wolves are struggling to sell the players they have transfer listed and seems Mick might just have to remain patient before they are forced to off load him.

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alanmason added 09:27 - Aug 12 Cole Skuse - the new Legwinski - a big welcome from me! Well done MM - again!
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itsonlyme added 09:35 - Aug 12 Funny old game, in a way. First half was poor from both sides but after the break we seemed to step up a gear and deserved to win - not sure if 3-0 was a fair reflection? However, I still worry about our midfield and we still need another striker. Hewitt was ok going forward but defence wise looked a little shaky which was why Carlos did not support the front men enough. But maybe I am nit picking because a win is a win!

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Sospiri added 10:11 - Aug 12 I think Hyam will have to show more, and soon, or he could find himself replaced with the more robust Tunnicliffe. I agree that it would be nice to see Taylor's pace and aggression, but neither he not McGoldrick will be able to get the 75% of the long balls that Murphy does. Would be nice to see balls on the deck to out strikers, but it would be a big change in strategy by Mick. Welcome, perhaps, but risky also.

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Jimmy86 added 11:06 - Aug 12 I think 3-0 did flatter us somewhat and whilst we had 2 really good chances to take the lead in the first half we lacked that bit of composure to take the lead. We played a lot of long ball football which milwall's 2 big centre backs gobbled up every time. The goal settled us down and altho we were lucky to get 2 own goals if ya dont put the ball in those areas you dont score. Skuse was fantastic and is a better version of hyam. Hyam is a good defensive holding midfielder but nothing more. People who want to see hyam pushed forward are asking him to do something he is not comfortable or capable of doing, not knocking the lad, just is limited in my view

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chevvymalc added 11:37 - Aug 12 A good workman like solid team performance as long as every player does his bit in their correct positions we will compete with anyone. One slight off the pitch gripe whats happened to our programme sellers the few i saw had long queues and the fans i spoke to did not bother to buy one so would be interested in how sales went. Any experiences on this from anybody else.

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Solman added 11:52 - Aug 12 3-0 DID flatter Town on Sat, few positives there but still a great deal of negatives. I think i must of been at a different game from a lot of people out there given there praise of various players. Lets put things in perspiictive here, Millwall are one of the worst teams in the league and a lot of people are expecting them to be in the mix for relegation this season. When Tabb went off for Tunnicliffe we lost the shape, he's not a wide player and was caught far to often in the middle of park . The out ball for our team has always been the ball into the channels for the strikers to chase, Cresswell is fantastic with his delivery to this area, Hewitt i'm not so sure about, distribution was not great and looked very nervy, hopefully get better in time but in my opinion Stearman has to be the way forward. AS Jimmy said in his previous post, Hyam is not an attack minded midfielder and trying to make him more attacking would just completely nulify his reason for selection in the team, if you yearn to be more creative get a competent left midfielder who has pace and delivery into the box. I honestly think McCarthy has it right playing Skuse (quality) and Hyam in the middle, it gives the wingers more freedom to bomb down and support the front 2.

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Stato added 12:18 - Aug 12 You make a good point Sospiri but what I felt was that even when Murphy won the ball we weren't winning the flick on so seemed kind of pointless to me. I'd swap Murphy for Taylor and accept that we would need to play a less direct style of football. Early doors Taylor looks a bag of tricks and I reckon him and McGoldust could leave a lot of championship defenders chasing shadows. Bring Murphy off the bench when a different approach is needed or to help protect a lead which might prove a smart tactical play if Mick decided he wanted to do that.

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MathieandMarshall added 12:30 - Aug 12 I thought the back four looked solid and I personally was very impressed with Hewitt. No problem with him starting at RB each week at all. He will only get better with games. Would like to seem more of Anderson. Maybe due a start in place of Edwards? McGoldrick showed some lovely touches and great hold up play. Maybe could have done better when through in the first half. Skuse was MOTM for me. Kept play ticking over, kept things simple and looks so comfortable on the ball.

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