Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with Town’s four-point haul from their two Christmas away fixtures after his side followed up their 3-0 Boxing Day win at Doncaster with a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth.

“I’m delighted, we travelled to Donny, travelled to Bournemouth and we got four points from two away games,” he said. “I’d be delighted with that whoever we played but we’ve just played a really good team.”

The Blues started the game strongly before the Cherries got on top midway through the first half with the momentum continuing to fluctuate throughout the rest of the match.

“I thought there were spells in the game when they dominated,” McCarthy said. “I thought there were spells when we had it and momentum was gained and lost by both of us.

“They gained it at the end when they got the goal and we’ve had to defend. It was a really good defensive performance in the end.

“I think they’ve got good footballers. They keep playing, whatever’s happening on the pitch they keep passing it.

“They’ve got a really outstanding footballer in Matt Ritchie, and Andrew Surman, I signed him at Wolves and he’s a terrific midfield player. Lewis Grabban was a handful. All round they’re a good side.”

McCarthy says he wasn’t concerned about tiredness with the same XI starting the fifth successive game: “I knew how Bournemouth would play, they wouldn’t be playing 4-4-2, so I would have had to have played a variation on 4-3-3 or one up front.

“The game at Doncaster, without being comfortable, I thought it was one after which we could go again. That was a much harder game today.”

The Blues manager was delighted to see Murphy get on the scoresheet and with Frank Nouble’s contribution to the Irishman's goal.

“There were chances at both ends in the game,” he said. “It was a really good goal, a great ball by Frank. I was giving out to him at Doncaster because he smashed one round the back of the goal. He put a real quality ball in.

“I thought Murph was outstanding, his whole performance. He’s another who goes back and defends that six-yard box for us at corner kicks.

“I’m delighted he got the goal. It doesn’t matter what else centre forwards do, if others keep scoring goals they get the plaudits, so it was nice for Murph to get them today.”

McCarthy was pleased to see keeper Dean Gerken make another vital save when he blocked from Lewis Grabban in the first half: “He’s terrific, isn’t he? He’s been a really good signing. I’m delighted with him.”

As for Bournemouth’s disallowed second-half goal, he thought the referee got it right: “I’m the manager of the team that’s had the decision given in his favour. Stock answer, I haven’t seen it again. I thought he’d given a foul straight away, I don’t think there was any doubt about it.

“I just thought Gerks was going to get it. Did he throw his arm at him, did he knock his arm? I haven’t got a clue. It makes no odds as it was disallowed and we’ve drawn one-all.”

The two Christmas away results have seen the Blues hit sixth spot at the season’s midway point, but McCarthy is remaining typically grounded.

“I never get wrapped up in all that nonsense,” he insisted. ”Let’s see where we can end up in May.

"Let’s try and get into the top six, let’s try and win the league, let’s try and be as good as we possibly can, and then be realistic as to what we can achieve. But we’re on a good run and let’s hope that we can keep it going.”

The Blues are now unbeaten in seven overall and without a defeat in eight games away from home and the Town boss is pleased with that sort of consistency.

“I like to be consistent personally, how I deal with people, my personality, not that up, not that down. On the touchline that’s somewhat different, of course, but in general life,” he said.

“If you’re consistent with people and you put in consistent performances you’ll end up doing consistently well, strangely enough. We’ve just got to keep it going.

“I said to the guys, one bit of brilliance or an outstanding individual might win you a cup competition, might win you a game.

“But all the stuff our lads do gets you points and gets you up the league and keeps you competitive all the time, which sometimes means having to do all the dirty jobs, the professional jobs, the hard work and it was a hard game today, they played well.”

The Town boss confirmed that midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe will be remaining on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season and will be available for the New Year’s Day game against Charlton.

“Tunners is staying,” he said “He wants to go back and speak to David Moyes and see what his future is and where it lies, but he wants to come back and play. We’ve agreed the deal until the end of the season.”

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe thought his side just about deserved to win: “We’re really pleased with the performance. Again, it was a very high level like the Birmingham and Yeovil games.

“I can’t fault the players in any way. I felt we deserved the three points, I was disappointed we couldn’t force the second goal, but full credit to Ipswich for how they defended the last period of the game. But we’re slightly frustrated.”

Was the referee right to rule out Matt Ritchie’s second-half goal? “My initial reaction was that it was a goal but until I see it again I can’t really give a full opinion.

“I thought the referee had given handball to start with, which I couldn’t understand. But he’s told the fourth official it was for a foul, so I’ll need to see it again.”

Photo: Action Images

oscarwhiting added 19:13 - Dec 29 We got lucky to get a point today. We sat back on a 1 goal lead again which was frustrating and we didn't look composed in possession, every time we got the ball we gave it away cheaply straight away. Ow well though. That's a good point against a impressive Bournemouth team. Bring on charlton COYB!!!!!
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jas0999 added 19:17 - Dec 29 8 unbeaten away from home is a great achievement. Well done to Mick and TC. We are very lucky to have them. Even if we don't finish in te top 6 in May ... With the money mick has been allowed to spend, it's been remarkable to do so well half way through the season. Very pleased. Happy New Year to all.
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Michael11 added 19:34 - Dec 29 Very good result. I keep looking at the league table as it's so nice to see us in the play-off zone!! Disappointing to draw after taking the lead, but would have snapped your hand off for a 1-1 after they equalised. Good news about Tunnicliffe staying too.
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HALLSJ added 19:50 - Dec 29 Happy with the point, only good though if followed up by three pts at Home to Charlton. Especially looking at the fixtures that follow in Jan 14
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Facefacts added 19:57 - Dec 29 Great result today. In a way, it's a shame the FA Cup is coming up. £15 half-price part timers like me losing hope for a strong selection against Preston North End, who apparently defend well, in the FA Cup - although the priority will understandably be trying to stay in the top six. Can we stay there? I'm pretty sure Ebanks-Blake isn't the answer - quite a few years since he was regularly scoring goals at this level. Win, lose or draw against Charlton, I can see 'half a team' being put out against PNE, whose manager Simon Grayson has a great FA Cup pedigree, remember Man Utd 0 -1 Leeds Utd (when in League One). Prove me wrong, but that same 0-1 result is a good FA Cup bet. The crowd, paying £15 each, for PNE, may be big if we beat Charlton. Or, it will be interesting to see just what the crowd is, bearing in mind the so-called decline of the FA Cup in importance. Well done Mick McCarthy and backroom staff, I haven't been this hopeful for the Blues for a long time. But I'm greedy, I want an FA Cup run AND top six.

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TimmyH added 20:09 - Dec 29 We all know what the 'bread and butter' is for this club and it's not the FA Cup, be great if we had a run but I'm sure MM/TC will put out quite a few different faces from the recent starting 11. Agree with Mick re: the Xmas haul of points - 4 points from 2 successive away games is good who ever you play, important now we get 3 against Charlton.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:29 - Dec 29 Facefacts- not sure about your SEB comment. 15 in a struggling Wolves side last season! , and he missed end of the season through injury.
12

portmanteau added 20:41 - Dec 29 I also want a cup run. it seems years since we had one. come on town, forget all this boloney about concentrating on etc etc. we need some of the Cup's glamour, gates, morale boost and publicity (and dreams of wembley) that will make this season stand out from the tedium of the last few years. come on players manager and backroom, put out our best team and dont forget, PNE will up their game as they always do against us.

7

LiamCP123 added 20:45 - Dec 29 7 games unbeaten? is this really ITFC? I'm so proud to be a blue. Keep it up MM<3
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blueherts added 21:26 - Dec 29 Just back and gotta say Bournemouth have 3 or 4 excellent players !!! Ritchie really got better of AC to be fair Totally agree with MM that Murphy was good and DG had a great game He kept us in it It is great to not play well and get a point - last year this would have been a loss Bournemouth are a good team and great addition to the league - loved day out with me lad Well done to MM and TC on an excellent 2013 - real progess on little resource and added to the squad with quality and experience Teams around us have pots of money and overseas owners - we are in a good shape going into the new year !! Happy New Year !!!

9

DeanCourt added 22:09 - Dec 29 What a great game by both sides, both playing football the right way. We've got so used to teams bullying their way into a goal lead at Dean Court and then packing the defence and hoofing it any where for safety this was a nice change. Hope you continue to keep up there in the play offs, or better. Top man in McCarthy, best of luck.
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Cakeman added 23:21 - Dec 29 My first visit to Bournemouth and I enjoyed it. The ground was small but full with a good atmosphere and the game ebbed and flowed. A good tactical battle between two very good managers ensured the game was never dull. Pleased with a well earned point. We now have to make sure we capitalise on the two last fine away results by beating Charlton. Very well done to Mick, Terry plus the back room staff for an impressive 2013.

7

Blue041273 added 08:52 - Dec 30 We don't need a cup run but a home game against a top Premiership team in the 4th Round would be good (provided we get past PNE of course). The aim, surely, must be to stay in or around the top 6. No distractions required although, that said, we should try to face every challenge in every game positively. As fans we want the team to win every game and that includes the cup games.

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Surco72 added 09:13 - Dec 30 Big Mick , I sometimes wonder about your selection policy buts hats off to where you have taken us with limited financial backing it is remarkable . Very positive end to the year and great position to be in ,great job by you and TC , thankyou and a happy new year to all
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Paulc added 13:25 - Dec 30 Fair play to you Surco72 for wondering about MM's selections and taking off your hat. I think if most people on here are honest with themselves, they will recognise that feeling. Probably why MM is the manager and none of us are. Being in a play off spot is a great feeling, I still take a top10 finish as progress from the turgid PJ era.
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essextractorboy93 added 13:28 - Dec 30 4 points from Doncaster and Bournemouth away is a good return. Team could do with freshening up but the players in the side have defended so well, just need that extra bit upfront which SEB can provide. It was a great day out and Bournemouth are a welcoming club. Hope they do well this season, good set of supporters it seems.
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rhybeaniho added 18:04 - Dec 30 Wel I dunno whats going on.... Has mick got rid of that white facial hair yet?
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Letchworth_Blue added 18:38 - Dec 30 I thought Bournemouth were very good indeed and would probably feel they deserved all 3 points. Speaking to a few back at the hotel after the game though they were pleased with the draw. What's more pleasing for me is getting the draw playing average against a good side. Again what we were lacking was something more creative in midfield, and why do we have to play so deep all the time. This just invites pressure, and Berra must be knackered this morning as he was run off his feet all game. Brilliant to see us top 6, now let's beat Charlton. COYB.

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Jackie added 19:50 - Dec 30 Hi everyone!
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