Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with the seven-point haul from three successive games against fellow play-off challengers, despite having drawn 1-1 with previously off-form Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Blues won 2-0 at Brighton last weekend, then beat Derby 2-1 at home on Tuesday, prior to the draw with Forest, who impressed in the first half particularly, despite extending their winless run to 10 games in all competitions.

“I’d have been delighted with seven points going into these three games, “McCarthy said. “At half-time we would all have taken a point out of this game.

“But then we played so well in the second half and their keeper played so well that we all think we should have won it. But no, a point was a fair result. They were excellent in the first half, I thought.”

As was the case against Derby, Frank Nouble made significant impact having come on as a sub, creating Daryl Murphy’s equalising goal.

“Frank made a difference coming off the bench,” McCarthy said. “He’s been outstanding, he’s been fantastic.

"I’m really pleased with him, he’s reacted in the right, positive way when he’s been left out and he’s come back and he’s helped change two games for us.

“I think his ability with the ball and his running and control of the game in both games as a sub has been really good, which has not always been the case.”

He says the 22-year-old has benefited from regular involvement in the first team this season: “The more you play, you play better, you learn from playing and you get a confidence and a self-belief that you are actually part of it and you deserve to play.

“He must love the fans singing his name, they were umming and ahhing and jeering a little bit at one stage, so it was lovely for him.”

McCarthy is pleased that his subs have made a difference in recent matches: “I thought he was excellent coming on the other night, it was a game-changing performance for us.

“And that’s lovely from substitutes because I think I’ve said before, and me and TC talk about it, I’m not so sure how often when we’ve made changes they’ve come on and been the real game changers. I thought Sylvan played well and I think Frank was a real handful.”

With Jonny Williams expected to return to Crystal Palace when his loan comes to an end today, Nouble and Ebanks-Blake will be amongst McCarthy’s options as he assesses how to replace the Wales international in his starting line-up at Blackburn next Saturday.

The Town boss says Ebanks-Blake is starting to get back to his old self after a difficult year with injuries. In April the 27-year-old suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage when still with Wolves, then having joined the Blues on a contract until the end of the season he picked up a hamstring problem early on during his debut in the FA Cup tie against Preston in January.

“Sylvan’s getting there,” McCarthy added. “He was unlucky with one header on Tuesday night and the Forest keeper made a great save from him. It has been a long, hard road for him to get himself fit.”

Photo: Action Images

BlueMachines added 06:30 - Mar 31 7 out of 12 is a good return considering our recent topsy turvy form. Keeps the games meaningful for a bit longer at least! COYBs!!!
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tractordownsouth added 07:30 - Mar 31 The first time frank has been 'outstanding' and i am not going to question MM's judgement. Hopefully he will begin to show more of what he can do when we need it most (ie. now)
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GerkensBeard added 07:39 - Mar 31 Yes MM 7 points from those 3 games is brilliant as I would've taken 4/5. Makes a change for us to agree with MM's favourites but Nouble has proved the difference coming off the bench in the last couple of games.
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Mark added 08:04 - Mar 31 Lots of credit to the team for the current form, which has been absolutely superb. The tough fixtures keep on coming, with the four away trips left being Blackburn, Huddersfield, Watford and Burnley. It'd be a huge achievement to move up into the top six given those fixtures, with McGoldrick out, and with our limited budget this season, but the team spirit is there so let's give it a go.

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Keaneish added 08:22 - Mar 31 It's so obvious what we do when Williams returns every fan in PR can tell you. It's 433 with Nouble and Ebanks-Blake starting up front and wordsworth or Taylor replacing Williams in the attacking midfield role ahead of hyam and Skuse. Start the game attacking and then bring on hunt or Anderson and go to a 442 but let them play with width. They're you go, football consultation over. That was for free.

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brittaniaman added 08:57 - Mar 31 It just happens that Forest keeper Darlow was in top form on Sat. !!!! and only him who stopped us getting in to the play off zone for this week ?? because the shots were there and on Target !!! But 7 out of 9 points is still a very good haul.
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carlo88 added 09:15 - Mar 31 “The more you play, you play better, you learn from playing and you get a confidence and a self-belief that you are actually part of it and you deserve to play" Unless you're Paul Taylor of course
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gazzmac4 added 09:36 - Mar 31 Absolutely chuffed with the points haul this week. We really are right in the mix and its brilliant to say that at this late stage of the season. Just picked up my ticket for Watford away in a few weeks. If we are still in the mix by then then who knows where we could end up! Absolutely buzzing for the next month or so! COYB's!
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