Boss Mick McCarthy praised Paul Taylor for showing application as well as his ability during Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Birmingham. The 26-year-old was widely viewed as Town’s man of the match having been added to the side at the last minute when new loan signing Jonny Williams suffered a minor hamstring injury.

“He did the other side of the game, which is not always his best,” McCarthy said. “He worked very hard, he was unlucky not to score actually.

“I thought he grew and got better in the game. I don’t think he started particularly well, I don’t think it was a game in which any of us did, it was just a scrap. But I thought he got better and I’m delighted with him.”

He added: “I thought he was considered in his play today. I know he can do the maverick bit and boom one in from 40 yards, but how often does that happen? Very rare, maybe once, maybe twice a season.

“You have to track back with the full-back every single game. You have to hold it up, you have to find a pass and you have to do all the stuff that sometimes is a little bit boring. But I thought he did all that really well, I was pleased with him.”

McCarthy also had praise for Frank Nouble, who, along with Taylor, created Daryl Murphy’s winning goal, and was Town’s biggest threat in the first half before making way with a hamstring injury just after the break.

“I thought he got better further into the game as well,” the Town boss said. “It suits him playing 4-3-3. It suits him playing in that right-hand channel, he’s a handful there.

“He’s still learning the game, Big Frank. He’s just a very young lad, who has been farmed out on loan everywhere and he did great for the goal.

“He was unlucky with a left-foot cross from a similar position on the other side. He did all right, I thought the three of them up front did.”

McCarthy felt midfielder Jay Tabb deserved the ovation he received when he was replaced in the second half: “He was terrific, he just ran out of gas, Tabby.

“Whether he plays wide left or plays tucked in, I guess he epitomises what I want from any player that’s playing. He’s good.”

The Town boss, who spent yesterday covering the Capital One Cup final for Five Live having beaten the Wembley crowds by arriving on the back of a motorcycle, was also impressed with Christophe Berra’s display at centre-half and believes the Scotland international isn’t always given the credit he deserves.

“I don’t think he’s appreciated as much outside the club as he should be,” he said. “I’ve heard one or two disparaging ones when I’ve been on the bench saying ‘Get at him’. Get at him? He’s as quick as anybody.

“He’s a fantastic defender and he’s playing on the right-hand side which is not his favoured slot but he’s had a great season, he’s been terrific.”

Berra will be with Scotland this week for their friendly with Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday, while Daryl Murphy and Paul Green will be with Ireland for their friendly against Serbia in Dublin on the same night.

Jonny Williams is due to meet up with the Wales squad for their friendly against Iceland in Cardiff, also on Wednesday.

Photo: Action Images

tractorintheloft added 13:38 - Mar 3 Football is all about opinions but it's also about results. When we were staring down the abyss under Jewell there was a lot chat on here about a 5 year plan a la Burley / Sheepy. We have made real progress this season and built a sound foundation. Mick finished about where we are now in his first full season at Wolves and went on to win the Championship the next season despite only tinkering with his squad. We finished one point below them that year and spent a small fortune that summer, which has triggered this run of mediocrity. We also have this obsession about being a “footballing club”, what even that means, but I for one would trade success for pretty passing triangles. The game moves on. The Championship is brutal and there's not a lot sides that win promotion playing “sexy” football. Burnley are second and they are doing what we do, only a bit better at the moment. Ask any Burnley fan what they'd prefer?

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theobald1985 added 13:43 - Mar 3 SouperJim i suppose it depends on what you content with from your club. i love ipswich town and have supported them since I was a kid and I absolutely hate that my club has become a team of defensive long ball merchants managed by a dour old yorkshirman who makes comments in the press about how a team that play like swansea could do with some of his qualitys. swansea got promoted with ordinary players playing excellent football under the influence of a forward thinking young manager. I would kill for us to be where they are in terms of league and style. he has no excuses this is just how he thinks the game should be played. he has been able to bring in some good players so the no financial backing argument does not add up. some supporters only care about results and thats fair enough its up to you but lets not pretend we have seen good football-we try and nick a goal and defend the game out. we never really get at team even poor teams like bolton and blackpool and we would be slaughtered under mick in the premier league so we may as well start building for the future now with a more progressive manager implementing a more fluid passing style from the kids through to the first team. mick said a few weeks ago that workrate was the most important thing and if you can play a bit with a football thats a bonus! a bonus! I respect your right to an opinion SouperJim but for me this bloke is not suitable for our great club. and if we are going to say he is ok because hes better than keane and jewell we may as well say id be ok playing for town as im better than my mum and my grandma

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jwalker added 13:47 - Mar 3 Like many have done before me I would like to reiterate what some fans are expecting of Mick. This is my first post and I read TWTD religiously every day, every comment to try and glean extra information about our team. I am not fortunate enough to live anywhere near Ipswich (I've only ever been to Portman Rd once) and therefore have to be satisfied with a few away games a season. I am also only in my twenties and therefore can't claim to have experienced our rich history and achievements. I don't have to pay the extortionate amounts of money some of you do to follow the team and I understand that my viewpoint may well be different if I did. However in my eyes these are the facts: 1. Ipswich were absolutely DIRE before Mick McCarthy 2. Mick saved us from a near impossible position 3. We are now roughly a top 10 team 4. This has been achieved with little money (since when did we get fee agent players of the calibre of McG, SEB, Berra, Hunt etc etc) 5. Don't judge his dealings with the youngsters while they are still here!!! Next year marriot and hewitt could be back in the first team ... hold judgement until we actually lose them and they make it elsewhere a la jordan rhodes 6. To get promoted you have to be one of the three best teams in the division - If Mick fails this season it is NOT a failure. If he fails next year it is NOT a failure. With clubs coming down from the prem with cash, getting promoted is nigh on impossible. Please lets give Mick time. I don't mean 1-2 years. I mean 4-5 or more! Let him develop a squad that is completely his own. Where he has time to make a few purchases a season and invest the cash slowly rather than in one panic window. As I got older supporting town I realised that winning cups and leagues were dreams to aspire to. When it comes to promotion, lets keep buying a ticket (be in and around the top 6) and one year it'll be our year.

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marco007 added 14:32 - Mar 3 The impression that I get from PT is that although he is not the brightest spark, he is a player that thrives on freedom and being able to express himself on the pitch. This conflicts with MM structured play and team ethos. Like any team, it is a mixture of personalities and traits that ensures the success or failure of the side. Our current squad is desperate for some flair so, somehow MM needs to find a way to get the most from PT. I live in hope :)

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brittaniaman added 14:58 - Mar 3 We all live in hope that Taylor does play in the next game and carry on to have an extended run in the team ???? I hope that Williams is fit for the next game, BUT not at the expense of Taylor !!!!!! He deserved his MOM and the 9pts he got with it, because he did worry the Birmingham defence most of the afternoon ????? So come on MM and do take some notice of the fans and not to be so stubborn !!!!!!!!!!!

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Sindre94 added 14:59 - Mar 3 If Tayls doesnt start on saturday I will lose alot of respect for Mick, and that will tell the entire story about his relationship with our skillful scouser. I will be there and saturday, cant wait!
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blueherts added 15:07 - Mar 3 Good to see some reason on here and and tractorintheloft you are spot on We can all look back and reminisce about our great team in the late 70s early 80s ( which I enjoyed back then!) Bobby and the Cobbolds having a couple of bottles of red if we had won a game and maybe afew more if we had lost Football in the by gone era was great - yes ! but 1992 onwards the world of football has changed .Sky and now BT have put football beyond the reach of alot of fans .and reality! It is a business ( like no other )where massive financial gambles may or may not pay dividends - abit like our great banking system ..It will work for some but for those that gamble badly it is a slippery slope - Cardiff, Birmingham , Leeds , Portsmouth , Wolves , Blackburn , Bolton.to name afew .... Parachute payments ,Prem worldwide global audiences billionare foreign owners and players have changed the way newer fans look at football Yes sure I would wish to see Muhren and Thijssen , Brazil and Mariner carving up United etc ..but that was in a bygone era The last 10 years - give or take the odd bit have been DIRE ON AND OFF THE PITCH We are doing much much better under Big Mick and the sooner people realise what a great job he is doing and people look fwd to next season We are investing in the Academy and I , for one , am glad we have some reasoned approach to the division Ten years in this league we cant expect anything now - I am rather enjoying looking down and not up for a change !! COYB !!

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JWM added 15:24 - Mar 3 @ Theobald You paint a lovely picture about Swansea and wanting to be like them but just answer me this simple question. It took 3 managers and 7 years for Swansea to fully adopt that style of football starting with Martinez then Rogers and finally Laudrup, so how is Mick going to suddenly replicate this within the space of just 1 season?
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Superblue95 added 16:25 - Mar 3 People on here who are criticising MM about how he isnt doing a good job need to look at the facts. We are incredibly lucky to even be in this division as i still cant work out how we didnt get relegated under Keane or Jewell, We are working with an average (at best) championship team and yet we are sitting pretty just out of the playoffs. I agree our style of play isnt pretty and I dont like some of MMs decisions regarding team selections but overall he has massively improved us and set up great foundations for a promotion push next season

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TimmyH added 16:36 - Mar 3 No surprise there then that Mick also gives praise to 'Tabby and Big Frank', fair enough that Mick actually says in this post match interview what he wants PT to do (the boring side of the game and to track back with the full back) as well as his attacking side but why doesn't then say what 'Big Frank' doesn't do as well and that's score goals? oh I forgot he's still learning the game! perhaps he should be doing that in the U21's and not in the first team.

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Seasider added 16:36 - Mar 3 JWM-Mick will never replicate Swansea as its not his way,and judging by his remarks the other day holds them in contempt even,not thinking to mention that they are struggling in Prem so he was making an unfair comparison. Mick seems to think that Tabb got an ovation,and Bohslegend thinks he had a good game.Well our little group thought although he ran about a lot,was about as effective as a chocolate tea pot;but as usual Mick had to single him out for praise. Bill Blue virtually all the team are nailed on to start next game I think,and it will be interesting to see who MM drops to accommodate Jonny Williams provided of course he is fit after his strained bum! If he drops Paul Taylor and retains Tabby as he calls him,then he will go down in our groups opinion of him, and I suspect a lot of others as well.

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theobald1985 added 17:59 - Mar 3 loach was man of the match the week before and he dropped him
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SouperJim added 18:25 - Mar 3 @Theobald a reasoned argument, fair play to you. I do understand the criticism of our playing style and I would rather we played more attractive football than we do. But I also think it is relevant to look at what we've had under our previous two managers when saying "I'll take this, at the minute". If Mick can steady the ship and improve us, then who is to say we won't attract a Martinez in the future? And if Mick can get us up, while I wouldn't enjoy seeing us get spanked every week, you can't overlook the fact that the money would put us in a strong position for years to come and give us a real chance to be a force again at this level and above.

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blueboy1981 added 18:59 - Mar 3 .......... a bit of 'humble pie' on MM's plate perhaps - not sure he likes the taste - but there he has it !!! Taylor is the spark / catalyst available to us - and must be used.
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htb added 19:04 - Mar 3 Jwalker a very good post and one that I agree with the sentiments, however I do think it helps if you actually don't or can't watch Ipswich every week. Whilst I cannot argue with the results that MM has achieved and in no way feel it could be justifiable to consider a change of manager I do question if MM will be the right long term solution for this club. I will be happy to be proved wrong but there is nothing in his history to suggest that he will ever develop a free flowing passing team that I believe we should aspire to be. He may have been the right man to take over when he did as we absolutely did need a hard working team ethic instilled in the side. We have suffered two disastrous management appointments, RK who also played a poor negative style of football but without anywhere near the obvious skill MM has in organising a team, and PJ who I believe had the right intentions but was too short termist filled us with loanees and was basically incompetent. I do believe some clubs have history of playing a certain way, and I believe we are one of them and if we really want to see the crowds back at Portman Road we have to play this way, that may not mean promotion any time soon, but there are a number of examples where it can be succesful such as Wigan, Swansea and dare I say even Norwich. I currently am lucky enough to have three season tickets, but it is tough to keep my kids interested in going, the last six years have been bad and despite the better league position this year has been no better because the football we have generally had to endure has been negative and boring. I do not think it is wrong to want better.

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bohslegend added 19:05 - Mar 3 When MM took over as manager of Ireland from Big Jack Charlton, he immediately attempted to change the style of play we were used to. As everyone knows, Big Jack played directly from back to front - the 'Put em under Pressure' approach. MM was merely a novice manager back then having been only manager of Millwall previously. His naivety in the early days caused an already shaky team to leak goals and lose games. But with reconsideration and a bit of time he sorted out the defence, made us hard to beat and with good young players like Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Gary Kelly, Matt Holland, Jason McAteer and few older heads for balance such as Niall Quinn and Stephen Staunton we played possibly the best real football ever as an Irish team under MM's management leading to qualification for the WC in Japan/Korea. There are so many similarities now in his time at Ipswich. I'm convinced that he is taking methodical steps to addressing the problems we have had and still have as we progress up the league. Sure, MM likes a team to be solid defensively, look at Berra on Saturday, and Tommy Smith has probably benefited more than any other player under MM, but we are also scoring goals - not as many as we'd like but we are scoring. All of that is called a 'foundation'. Given time the team will rise, and MM having done all of the dirty ground work that nobody seems to appreciate will be able to attract in even more talent on a shoestring budget giving us a better chance to push for promotion than any other manager anyone can think of. Because continually chopping and changing managers is not good for the club. Steady progress will come from everyone (including the fans) pulling in the same direction.

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bohslegend added 19:07 - Mar 3 htb, I gave you a free thumbs up there accidental as you can probably imagine!
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GerkensBeard added 19:08 - Mar 3 The only negative for me with our football is that when the ball is with the back four and mainly chambers and Cresswell, why are they not coming to look for it? Any midfielder naturally goes looking for the ball when with the full backs either to distribute to next player in space or turn and look to go forward. Instead it goes down the line. That has clearly been drilled into them and reduce the risk of losing the ball in the middle of the park. However in the second half you saw more of this the last 30 minutes where Skuse was picking the ball up and spraying it 30 yards to the wide men and this is what made the game much more entertaining as well as Taylor being on the ball. And changing the topic the next game is Middlesbrough away. They haven't scored mick was born so I think they're there for taking next Saturday with the same gameplan against Birmingham, but with that added extra quality with Williams. Gerken Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell Skuse, Green, Williams, Nouble, Murphy, Taylor. That team is still very solid and hard working and with the quality of Williams and Taylor together they will destroy teams. Nouble still provides work rate and a physical presence to give credit to him, and the back 6 are very hard working and solid. Roll on Sat

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htb added 19:32 - Mar 3 Jwalker a very good post and one that I agree with the sentiments, however I do think it helps if you actually don't or can't watch Ipswich every week. Whilst I cannot argue with the results that MM has achieved and in no way feel it could be justifiable to consider a change of manager I do question if MM will be the right long term solution for this club. I will be happy to be proved wrong but there is nothing in his history to suggest that he will ever develop a free flowing passing team that I believe we should aspire to be. He may have been the right man to take over when he did as we absolutely did need a hard working team ethic instilled in the side. We have suffered two disastrous management appointments, RK who also played a poor negative style of football but without anywhere near the obvious skill MM has in organising a team, and PJ who I believe had the right intentions but was too short termist filled us with loanees and was basically incompetent. I do believe some clubs have history of playing a certain way, and I believe we are one of them and if we really want to see the crowds back at Portman Road we have to play this way, that may not mean promotion any time soon, but there are a number of examples where it can be succesful such as Wigan, Swansea and dare I say even Norwich. I currently am lucky enough to have three season tickets, but it is tough to keep my kids interested in going, the last six years have been bad and despite the better league position this year has been no better because the football we have generally had to endure has been negative and boring. I do not think it is wrong to want better.

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GerkensBeard added 19:36 - Mar 3 Having said that I've just remembered Hyam is back for the Boro game so there's no way Taylor and Williams will play together
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Blue041273 added 19:36 - Mar 3 Without a doubt Paul Taylor had a great match on Saturday but his contribution was not the only reason why we won this match. The central defenders, Berra and Smith, were awesome and won their battles against the Brum strikers convincingly. The midfield axis of Green, Skuse and Tabb was the best midfield collective of the season. As well as PT played we still only managed to score one. This increasing tide of opinion against MM for not playing PT is well OTT. PT took his chance well and deserves a lot of credit. But he now needs to stick about. Otherwise we will all know that MM was right all along.

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alfromcol added 19:54 - Mar 3 jwalker wisdom for one so young.
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harlingblue added 19:56 - Mar 3 GerkensBeard, I like that team, it would do for me for the next two games! Taylor, Berra and yes Nouble where in my opinion the stand out performers against Brum.
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GerkensBeard added 20:02 - Mar 3 Yes but tbh Birminghams midfield consisted of 2 very young central midfielders Huws and Lee so if we didn't outplay and dominate them while outnumbering them I would be very very worried. And Birmingham were absolutely awful as a whole so was a very comfortable win in the end. Those 3 (if it is those 3) biggest test will be against Wigan, looking forward to seeing the comments on Tabb after that game (if he plays). I am an optimist but at the same time realistic.

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warktheline added 20:24 - Mar 3 Blueboy you really post a lot of old tosh.If a player proves to a manager he is worth a starting place in the team then surely this reflects favourably to his manager.The lad has responded to his managers requirements.....end of.We are all on a winner as far as our club is concerned.The likes of you and your puppet TimmyH really don't deserve a successful team because your lack of knowledge and appreciation towards what Mick is doing down at Portman Rd is to say the least mind boggling.Stick that in your pipe and smoke it... Alternatively you can always go running to Phil.He He.

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