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

Talbs77 added 16:59 - Apr 26 I think people are being a tad harsh on Mick and the team today. We weren't playing some mid table team, Burnley haven't got promotion by being average. Mick was correct, we were bang in it up to the goal. Come on guys, we've made real progress this year and have a really good base of a squad to build on. I'm optimistic about next season, this season was always a long shot.

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rfretwell added 17:07 - Apr 26 Real shame we couldn't have been away to Wigan today, they were woeful v Blackpool according to reports. Keep the faith in Mick and TC , remember they have taken two clubs up so know what it takes. And playing fast creative football with skilful wingers. We all love Hunts enthusiasm but he doesn't have the pace any longer to go past his fullback. Hope Marriott gets a run out v Sheff Wed now.

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rfretwell added 17:07 - Apr 26 Real shame we couldn't have been away to Wigan today, they were woeful v Blackpool according to reports. Keep the faith in Mick and TC , remember they have taken two clubs up so know what it takes. And playing fast creative football with skilful wingers. We all love Hunts enthusiasm but he doesn't have the pace any longer to go past his fullback. Hope Marriott gets a run out v Sheff Wed now.

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algarvefan added 17:10 - Apr 26 In fairness I don't think anyone would have thought we'd still be in with a shout of the play offs with only 2 games to go. At the start of the season I would have thought mid table mediocrity and that looks like where we'll be. I was so disappointed today in the team selection and the tactics, we never really looked like scoring and neither did Burnley. The side seemed to lack effort and any quality today, there is still a long road ahead but well done to Mick and the team for a season that at times has had a bit of hope from a club that has spent bugger all. Lets hope we can keep building momentum next season and maybe a top 6 finish

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Garv added 17:15 - Apr 26 "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." But did we look like scoring Mick? On our right hand side we had a right back ahead of a centre back for goodness sake. Where's your flair? Williams isn't enough.
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keanokeano added 17:15 - Apr 26
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PutneyBlue added 17:17 - Apr 26 Mick's just trying to keep the players motivated to win the last game of the season. No point in having a go at them now - they all know that their chance of getting in the play-offs was pretty non-existent after losing at Watford and only drawing with Bournemouth. Besides that, he's already said he's going to be active in the transfer window, so I guess he wants as good a finish as he can get, to persuade ME to allow him to buy more quality players.

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Lightningboy added 17:17 - Apr 26 Sorry Mick but that was a piss poor effort today..a game we needed to win and we managed about 2 shots on target..abysmal. I've nothing against Mick,he has turned us around and made us hard to beat BUT at the expense of playing attractive football..I wasn't expecting us to play like Liverpool but I thought we'd have a bit more fire in our bellies under McCarthy. It pained me to watch us today,hoofing the ball up in the air at every opportunity..a game we needed to win and we play an on loan defender on the right wing?!. To think we got shot of George Burley & Jim Magilton for this mediocrity. Mick isn't the long term solution.

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Talbs77 added 17:27 - Apr 26 Lightningboy Mourinho wouldn't have got us promoted with the budget Mick had. People seem to have forgotten where we were when he arrived, never mind beating Burnley to stay in playoff hunt, we could have had Colchester in the league! Burley and magilton, great servants to the club, but history, let's move on and look to future.
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mrmorisato added 17:30 - Apr 26 HOW CAN ANYONE BE DELIGHTED WITH A 1 NIL DEFEAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I AM TOTALLY LOST FOR WORDS THAT MICK IS "DELIGHTED" WITH THIS PERFORMANCE. Most of our performances this season has been average at best :( I've still renewed my season ticket, and looking forward to next season :) Let's hope Marcus and Mick get they're fingers out and sign some quality midfield players.

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Beattiesballbag added 17:42 - Apr 26 If Mick stays in charge next season the best you can hope for is we shouldn't get relegated , but can you really see Evans giving him any money with his hard to beat tactics, I can't see it happening! He's averaged less points this season than he managed last season. As I'm sure Evans Maths is better than most of the Blue tinted brigades maths are I can't see him throwing more money down the drain when it's obvious to every one except for the blind you need to be more positive if you want to pick up more points. Burnley have proved you don't need money to be positive you need a positive Manager.

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billlm added 17:42 - Apr 26 sorry mark me down but with mm stable yes but will fair no better next year
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oldblue added 17:49 - Apr 26 Look guys..Any Manager worth his salt is going to defend his team in particular in public..I am sure there are words behind closed doors that may be a bit more severe I..however I think Mick knows the shortcomings..we did not play well in this game and despite having slim hopes of the play offs we have not played well all season...We are not good to watch but most teams in the Championship are not either and any team can beat any other team due to the mediocrity in the division.The truth is we do not have enough class in the side ..we certainly need pace in wide positions,some guile in midfield and a fit McGoldrick ...add another sniffer to the squad too if you can unearth one. without question we need a class goalkeeper..everyone knows that a high quality keeper is worth maybe 10 points a season to any team at the top of your league . Mick is not going to change his management ideals but he does need more quality therefore needs some dosh to get it .

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SouperJim added 17:50 - Apr 26 Jesus wept, some top quality blubbing on here. The fact that so many of us are dreadfully disappointed that we will now finish outside the top 6 is testament to how far we have come under Mick. Of course we want more, but anybody who wouldn't have taken where we are now 18 months ago, quite frankly needs their head tested. Mick has delivered constant improvement, until that changes he deserves our full support. All aboard the promotion bus for next season.

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Garv added 18:03 - Apr 26 SouperJim - the reason so many are dissapointed is not because we aren't going to finish in the top six. Trust me.
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brittaniaman added 18:04 - Apr 26 2pts. out of 9pts is certainly not a the form of a team chasing a top 6 place ???? Sean Dyche said on Burnleys forum during the week that Ipswich had lost there way lately.. but we could see that ourselves, without him reminding us. This a funny old league, because last year we were fighting relegation and finished with 60pts. and this year we were chasing a play off spot and got 65pts ??? only 5pts difference from last year !!!!!!!!!!!!

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blueblood66 added 18:09 - Apr 26 You don't slag players off in public, thats the difference between good managers and clowns like Keane Jewell and sadly Magilton.
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manualthetisfanclub added 18:09 - Apr 26 Let's get real this season has been good considering the years of dross. But hard work,hard to beat don't get you promoted! A bit of creativity,pace, real quality,team work,goal threat,good tactics and luck,sadly at the last hurdle it didn't happen,but without sounding negative or sour we simply weren't good enough. Hopefully big mick will get backed and get in what we need to make a serious effort to get promoted.

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Surco72 added 18:13 - Apr 26 Will everyone quit with the "look how far we have come ,rubbish " . MM has amassed 4 more draws over his first season in charge than Jewell managed whoop e doo . Playing dire hoof ball football as with all his sides he has managed , we still do not have a right back , our standout players are still loan players and players are still played out of position - Exactly how far have we come ? Overpriced , boring ,dated football . Hard to beat ,don't make me laugh

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tractor57 added 18:14 - Apr 26 Let's hope the budgies go down eh! That be a small consultation !
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carlo88 added 18:14 - Apr 26 I wrote to SKY this month whinging about the number of times we're featured live on their channel. After watching that I think I'll shut up. My god...
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oldelsworthyfan added 18:26 - Apr 26 Remind me, how many seasons did it take Sir Alf to get from the old Second Division into the Top division?
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therein61 added 18:26 - Apr 26 Whatever our views and opinions the fact remains that our season(for once in a while offered some hope and excitement to one game before last) was knackered at Easter 1 point from 6 was not the return needed or indeed expected, we all think we know why and what should have been!!! the fact remains we have not been good enough, but who would not have given their eye teeth for this journey after the last 3/4 years!!?? I firmly believe we have the basis of a good side that can challenge next season, but we certainly need a few "quality" not average additions I have been to most games this season and the fans away have been great!!! it's been a pleasure to be among you(thanks) so onwards to next season I feel the summer is going to be interesting personnel wise in and out we are in need of another Jonny Williams(swop him for Cressie!!??) and certainly more pace and bite in midfield, that's me done agree or disagree let's make some noise at the s/wed game and look to what I hope is a good next season.

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Blue041273 added 18:31 - Apr 26 Surco Get a life. If you actually go to PR and can't discern the difference in performances and the standard of play in comparison with the previous regimes then I truly feel sorry for you.
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Millsey added 18:33 - Apr 26 Surco thank god you don't go to matches then
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