Boss Mick McCarthy says he always expected the games against strugglers Barnsley and Blackpool to be just as tough as the previous games against the likes of play-off challengers Reading and Leeds. The Blues followed up the 2-2 draw away against the second-bottom Tykes by drawing 0-0 at home to Blackpool — who are now without a win in 15 — on Saturday.

“It was a home game against Blackpool and we’d had what apparently seemed the harder games against Reading, Leeds away and Bolton and took most of the points,” he said.

“I knew Barnsley and Blackpool were going to be just as difficult. They’re fighting for their lives. Blackpool have had a bad run, they need to turn it around and they’re no mugs. They had a great run at the start of the season.

“I’m disappointed but I’m always delighted with the effort the lads give. I think the circumstances and the conditions knocked the quality of the game for both teams. It’s another point, let’s keep picking them up and who knows.”

Blackpool interim player-manager Barry Ferguson says that despite the winless run stretching to 15 games, they last beat Sheffield Wednesday at home in November, he's seen an improvement in the side he took charge of five matches ago with their last two fixtures ending in draws.

“What we've started to see in the last two games especially is the quality, they’re starting to believe in themselves," he said. "That’s something that’s been lacking with the run they’ve been on.

“Obviously, it’s my job to try and bring that out in them and certainly [after] the last two games they’ve got to be [more] confident because Nottingham Forest are a right good team on a good run and the same with Ipswich, they’ve been on a fantastic run as well. They’re always a good team, Ipswich, well-organised under Mick McCarthy.

"So, they’re disappointed, and I like that, they’ve come in at the end and they’re having a wee go at each other because they’re not happy at not getting three points. That’s what I like — they’re not happy to settle for a point.”

Sixth-placed Reading are now five points ahead of the Blues in eighth following their 3-1 win at QPR on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Town's U21s are in action against Charlton at Portman Road this evening (KO 7pm). Speaking on Saturday, McCarthy said striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake would be amongst those involved.

The Blues' U18s lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Kesgrave High School on Saturday morning. Skipper Joe Robinson netted the Town goal from the spot.

Photo: Action Images

50yearsablue added 13:00 - Feb 17 Harry, I accept your very valid points and this is the first time I have taken issue with Mick because he has done an exceptional job with limited resources and I think getting near to the play off positions is still punching above our weight. Barnsley and Blackpool have strengthened but both are still mediocre at best. What galled me about the Blackpool games was that we matched them up when the onus was on us to give them something to think about. Our system did not work and we did not have the right personnel on the bench to change it. Despite my moniker, I could have kept a clean sheet against us on Saturday which puts our performance in perspective

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NoelTheDub added 14:22 - Feb 17 MM for godsake stop talking up teams that clearly have problems.I can only imagne what your going to say about leicester that they should be in the champions league.Do us all a favour and put a proper balanced team on the pitch ie some attacking players and say after the game win, lose ,or draw that we had a right go
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carsey added 14:50 - Feb 17 That performance on Saturday was about as bad as I have seen for a long time. Why do we, the home side, change our shape to combat the opposition, who are several places below us and on a poor run of form? Surely we should go after them and attack them and make them worry about us. I am beginning to think either our players are incapable of playing football on the ground or McCarthy is so blinkered in his approach they are not allowed to. Yes McCarthy did a great job saving us from relegation last year but this is now and we must move onto the next level or be stuck in the 2 tier of English football for another 12 years. And while I am having a rant a friend of mine who doesn't normally go took his son on Saturday expecting us to win. It cost him £35 plus programme, drinks etc and guess what - he won't be going again and his boy isn't interested either. Too much money for too little product.

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HarryfromBath added 14:59 - Feb 17 50yearsablue, thank you for your kind and very insightful perspective. I have struggled to understand quite why the response to Phil's story was so downbeat, but your post has been very helpful.
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NoelTheDub added 16:48 - Feb 17 50yearsablue... Fair post ,my biggest gripe is anyone brave enough to take their kids to PR lately and hoping to see our side trying to win are been let down big time.Clearly we have only 1 player that is entertaining the other 10 workhorses are there to stop the other team.This plan was right when we were getting battered every week but now that our foundation is good why bore the pants of the paying public or put the kids to sleep.I cant praise MM enough on the job done here but it has to be time to stop playing defensive players in attacking positions and look at lads you clearly dont play every week for some unknown reason.

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TimmyH added 17:35 - Feb 17 and now the post match excuses!!...come on Mick, how are we ever this season or possibly next ever going to achieve a play-off birth with this sort of mentality, you should be far more positive when taking on this type of opposition. No wonder there are some irate posters since Saturday (if not before).
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h32 added 18:41 - Feb 17 Every team we meet are 'tough' and potential worldbeaters - REALLY - not at all convinced.
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