Boss Mick McCarthy was pleased with his team’s performance, despite the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Burnley ending their hopes of reaching the play-offs.

“I thought it was very good, until conceding the goal and then when we got a bit loose, but I thought we played very well,” he said.

“I thought they started well, we didn’t. I thought we grew into the game and got better when the first half settled down and it was fairly even.

“I thought we started the second half better than them and were on top when we conceded. We missed one tackle and it ended up in the back of the net because they’ve got Johnny-on-the-spot. Goals change the course of games. I thought we played well, I was really pleased with my team.”

McCarthy defended not throwing the kitchen sink at the already-promoted Clarets from the start.

“I’ve just spoken to the TV because they ask bonkers questions. It’s as if I should have started with four or five centre-forwards and two left wingers and two right wingers because we must win it.

“How do you win a game? You win a game with a team effort and I thought we had a really good team effort up and until the goal. They got a bit of good fortune I thought, just in terms of missing the tackle.

“I thought our performance was really good. But a ‘must-win game’. It’s interesting that. What do you do, throw all your principles and everything out the window to change it and do something different?

“If I could do that I would have done that at Reading in the first game of the season and we would have pissed the league and been up.”

The Blues boss said there was an inevitability that it was Michael Kightly, one of his players at Wolves, who scored the game’s only goal.

“It’s always somebody I’ve had who scores against us,” he added. “It’s been like that throughout my career. If I could keep them all, I’d be all right, wouldn’t I?

“He’s a good player, Kights, he’s got his je ne sais quoi or whatever it might be. He had so many injuries.

“If he hadn’t been injured like he was at Wolves, he would have been a top player in a top team throughout. I’m really delighted for him that he’s back playing at that level because he’s a great kid.”

McCarthy says Burnley fully deserve their promotion, which they celebrated on the pitch after the game.

“Without a doubt, outstandingly good value,” he said. “We went toe to toe with them at Portman Road and it was a really good game.

“Tough, hard-fought, both teams worked very hard but they just had the guy on the spot that day and it was a bit the same today.

“They’ve deserved it, they’ve had an outstandingly good season. Well done to them, enjoy it and don’t listen to all the doom and gloom-mongers. Enjoy it and I’m sure they will.”

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was pleased that his players put in another top performance despite having nothing left to play for.

“I spoke before the game and I felt it was very important to go about our business in the correct manner,” he said.

“I never doubted it for a second, if I’m honest. I believe in the way the players work on a daily basis. I’ve mentioned it a hundred times and my belief is that if you do it right all the time you don’t need to flick that switch and try and turn it on."

The Town boss had hoped that the Clarets might be off their game having confirmed their place in the Premier League and Dyche was well aware of that danger.

“Mick’s been down this road before so he’s wise enough to know that it can happen where a team don’t quite retain that edge. I’m pleased that our focus was clear today.

“It was important to show signs of what we’re about and what we’ve been about all season. My mentality is that winning is key, whatever you’re winning for. And I thought that was on show again today for the group.”

Photo: Action Images

bennyitfc added 15:49 - Apr 26 Sorry but this is one too many from Mick. We played far from "very well". Chambo admitted that we were lacking today. Disappointing, but can't complain.
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pointofblue added 15:55 - Apr 26 To be fair, where does Mick say he was delighted at the performance? Other than the title of the article?
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TractorBoy666 added 15:56 - Apr 26 Mick does worry me sometimes when he's delighted with a performance like that today. We wasn't asking for four or five strikers, just at least ONE partnering Murphy in a must win game. A defensive winger was also a very negative selection, and his position isn't even on the wing? At least play a striker out of position on the wing if you want to put a player out of position..

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Michael11 added 15:56 - Apr 26 I'm sorry Mick but you should be thoroughly embarrassed of your standards if you're delighted with that performance. We created absolutely nothing against a team who couldn't really be arsed. Mind you, when your second choice loan right back who isn't good enough for a terrible Leeds side is playing right wing then you can't expect much else. It's been a very productive season, but please don't try and tell us that we were even average today, let alone good.

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tractordownsouth added 15:58 - Apr 26 Richardson is from middlesbrough... Get yer facts right before you have a go...
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BillBlue added 15:59 - Apr 26 Actually Mick's comments truly reveal his thinking and his understanding of the game. I heard the BBC commentators say on at least six separate occasions "I expected Ipswich to have more about them"!
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GerkensBeard added 16:01 - Apr 26 Yeah I can't see how you can be delighted with a performance in a must win game where we created virtually nothing all game and only looked a threat with the ball at Williams feet. Just effort does not win you football matches and it was clear we had no cutting edge today or really since Didsy got injured. Then again I don't think Burnley looked that much bettertthan us only in the last half an hour. Very proud of the lads this season of what an average squad have pushed this playoff challenge all the way. We have a good basis for a team with hard work, effort and team chemistry. A couple of quality new faces in the summer whilst retaining our best players will see us mount a serious challenge next season.

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BillBlue added 16:02 - Apr 26 Pointofblue - "“I thought it was very good..." Good enough for you?
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KilburnBlue added 16:03 - Apr 26 To be fair on what MM said above I cannot see anywhere where he was quoted in saying that he was delighted with todays performance.
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pointofblue added 16:11 - Apr 26 BillBlue - 'very good' is slightly different to 'delighted'. Though I agree that even 'very good' is excessive after what happened today; I could just about accept 'satisfied' before the goal but that's about it.
4

prebbs007 added 16:14 - Apr 26 Mick. Are you on something? "Good performance" really?? In what way? We gave the ball awY constantly. We created nothing from open play, we have no pace no creativity little skill. We had to win this game yet you pick mainly defensive minded players. Again. I accept fully you have managed the squad superbly this season. To have any chance of top 6 going into last 2 games is remarkable given the total lack of quality in our team is a brilliant effort. But to say that was a good performance is just rediculous. Get real. We are a long long way from being a top 6 team if we keep this squad for next season. The owner needs to commit funds to improve the team and Mick needs to accept flair players need to be given their chance. Today saw Taylor given 30 mins. He did more in that than Richardson Green Skuse Hunt & Murphy did in a lot longer on the pitch. Workmanlike we are. Quality we have very little. Lots of work to do in the summer despite being close this season. The cracks have been papered over not fixed. Hope will be high for next season but not with this group of players.

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NoCanariesAllowed added 16:15 - Apr 26 Whatever Mick thinks of today's performance is irrelevant. it was a long shot at best. I don't care whether he thinks today was the best or worst of the season. I'm confident he will demand higher standards of his team next season if we are genuinely holding ambitions of a top six finish next year.
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roytheboy added 16:18 - Apr 26 I sincerely hope that Mick was not delighted with that performance, otherwise we've little to look forward to next season, Paul Taylor produced a brilliant free kick and a really good cross under heavy pressure even though he was only on for 25 minutes plus added on time, I am so disappointed that we have seen so little of him under Mick's management, who knows what could have been ?

14

jas0999 added 16:19 - Apr 26 Generally agree with Mick. Not today. Thought we were poor and far too negative. Starting with Murphy as the only striker on the pitch rarely works nor did it ever look like working today. Disappointing.
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TimmyH added 16:21 - Apr 26 Mick really has been talking 'jibberish' the last day or so, firstly - 'if we perform as well as the last 2 games we'll get 6 points from the Burnley/Sheff Wed games', secondly - 'We can beat anybody on our day' and now thirdly 'I thought it was very good (the performance) until conceding the goal...the mind boggles! surely the most ardent MM supporters must raise an eyebrow over this?

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Michael11 added 16:25 - Apr 26 @tractordownsouth He was released by Leeds before signing for Middlesbrough. Facts look pretty right to me...
4

theobald1985 added 16:26 - Apr 26 how you win a game is by scoring goals today is just typical of mcarthy we have improved in league position but play the most awful negative long ball tactics and ultimatly it has not taken us up so what was the point we may as well have played proper football with attacking intent why on earth we did not go for it i dont know and i cant see the style getting better under mick-people say about funds but he has brought some decent players in who are on good wages and can all play so whether he signed them at the end of a contract is irrelevant. if mcgoldrick and berra were under contract they may have cost us about 3 milluion odd but they would still be the same players-hes also brought in woody and skuse ebanks blake etc. the bottom line is we have players who could compete playing passing attacking footie in this division but they are being instructed to keep it tight get men behind the ball and play it long

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Cloddyseedbed added 16:26 - Apr 26 As an away game I usually wouldn't have been able to disagree with McCarthy, but what I have just witnessed on Sky today was definitely not good enough. No passing, no cohesion and no endeavour and as we have known all year no quality and NO money! Complete rebuild likely yet again and start all over again next season full of hope, only to be disappointed once again. Why do we put ourselves through it, because we are football supporters that's why. McCarthy you are starting to grate on me just a little bit as I thought you said things as they were, not made them up.

10

bluefeast added 16:26 - Apr 26 Didn't see Burnley sit back and invite pressure when the took the lead. Thats the mentality of the players in midfield not the manager tactics on the day. Our midfield is naturally defensive and thats why we have lost 30 points from leading positions. Ultimately thats been our down fall.
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 16:34 - Apr 26 I really am losing interest in ITFC, our frequently mundane performances have sapped my enthusiasm for our once great club, we really do have a very poor quality team as we demonstrated once more on national TV.
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blueherts added 16:38 - Apr 26 As I have said before . some go out 'To win matches' some go out 'not to lose' We sit in the latter camp Next season is key for MM and ME Showed what he can do with a pretty average squad that is a long way off the Top 4 or 5 teams I am frankly amazed we got this high up without Didsy so credit to MM for bringing in JW We will lose AC in the summer and hope we have some investment in about 5 players Dale Jennings at Barnsley ?

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blueherts added 16:38 - Apr 26 As I have said before . some go out 'To win matches' some go out 'not to lose' We sit in the latter camp Next season is key for MM and ME Showed what he can do with a pretty average squad that is a long way off the Top 4 or 5 teams I am frankly amazed we got this high up without Didsy so credit to MM for bringing in JW We will lose AC in the summer and hope we have some investment in about 5 players Dale Jennings at Barnsley ?

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cossy81 added 16:38 - Apr 26 yes you do change your principles if you have to get three points,in the second half i would be throwing the keeper up at corners! if you concede through it then so be it cos we lost anyway
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Andy32Cracknell added 16:40 - Apr 26 theobald1985 - well said, comment over.
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yorksblue added 16:56 - Apr 26 Bet Williams is knackered. He was the only shining light from the shower on display today. Rest of midfield was non-existant. Defenders were on the beach, and as for the attack ......what attack?
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