Boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues have come a long way in the year since their last visit to Turf Moor, despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley ending Town’s hopes of making the play-offs. Michael Kightly netted the game’s only goal nine minutes after the break.

Town lost 2-0 away against the Clarets on the last day of 2012/13 having confirmed their Championship status for another season the previous week.

“We played Birmingham last year with two games to play and we weren’t safe. As it turned out we were mathematically, but we didn’t know that at the time,” McCarthy recalled.

“We came here on the final day chilled because we’d survived. This year we came looking for three points to get in the play-offs.

“We all know it’s a big turnaround but I’m still disappointed because I think we were capable of getting in the top six.”

McCarthy says there wasn’t a lot between Town and Burnley, who were handed the Championship runners-up trophy and medals on the pitch after Saturday’s match, in either of their two games this season. The Clarets recorded their first ever double over the Blues by winning both 1-0.

“There wasn’t at home,” he remembered. “I guess the difference was that they managed to keep a clean sheet there and they’ve managed to do it here, and they’ve managed to get a goal. It was Scott Arfield at our place and it was Michael Kightly here. It’s fine, fine margins.”

He says that on one front Clarets boss Sean Dyche had an option which wasn't open to him: “I’ve not complained bitterly about it but I think what was nice for them was that in the January window when they lost Sam Vokes they could take Ashley Barnes [from Brighton] and he’s been a really good foil for Danny Ings.

“I know Danny Ings got injured as well but they replaced [Vokes]. We lost a really good player, David McGoldrick, that we’ve not been able to replace, and that does make a difference.”

He says his team had opportunities to go in front in the first half on Saturday with Tommy Smith having a header cleared off the line: “And Frazer Richardson had a chance at the far post.

“I thought we played well,” he added, before outlining his approach to what was a must-win game for the Blues after Brighton’s victory over now-relegated Yeovil on Friday.

“We had our chances and it’s not about coming here and having to win, you win it doing it the way you’ve won all the games all season long. I thought we did all right, we’ve just conceded a goal which has cost us.

“You could see why they got promoted. We were having the best of it when they scored, we made one mistake, just a missed tackle and it ended up in the back of our net.”

Having ended 2012/13 on 60 points and in 14th place, Town currently have 65 points and are 10th with Sheffield Wednesday's visit next Saturday the campaign's only remaining fixture.

The Blues have averaged 1.44 points a match this season, slightly below the 1.61 picked up per game from November 1st - when McCarthy took over as boss - last term.

Meanwhile, midfielder Stephen Hunt says he wants to stay with Town next season with his contract up this summer.

“Hard to take today, am sure players will come back stronger next season. Big chance missed but players are pleasure to play with. Thanks to all,” the 32-year-old Irish international tweeted after Saturday’s game.“By the way, I hope I'm here next season 100 per cent.”

Photo: Action Images

Michael11 added 12:54 - Apr 28 @Len_Brennan Absolutely spot on with every word there. I believe this is a massive summer for us. With a but of investment, we're really not far off being contenders next season. COYB!!
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roytheboy added 12:58 - Apr 28 I like Mick and want him to stay, however I could not help notice that when he said we had chances he mentioned Smith's super header but failed to acknowledge that super free kick from Taylor, which would have been an excellent goal but for a magnificent save, I feel sad that Taylor could and should have been good for us throughout the whole season, but for the differences he and Mick have apparently shared, those should have been put to bed many months ago and they should have shook hands, I believe that he would have been really good for us and am sad and very disappointed that it would appear to me to be a great opportunity lost.

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Blue041273 added 13:15 - Apr 28 So Greentractorboy disagrees with a number of the comments on here but does not seem to be willing to give us an insight into what he might be thinking. Ok that's his prerogative but given that this is a discussion forum perhaps the best way to progress a point of view is to make a positive statement instead of simply exercising the negative option. Even LenB with the most reasonable post for many moons got a minus from this guy. A Norwich troll or what?

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Cloddyseedbed added 13:21 - Apr 28 I agree with the post about not enough good youngsters coming through. From what I have seen of them an average bunch with no stars of the future standing out. Marriot, is/will he be good enough at this level, only time will tell. Hewitt/Veseli, have they progressed enough while given the chance of games on loan we will see at the start of next season. I like the thought of trying Cresswell and Hewitt ahead of their prospective fullbacks in a more advanced roll as they should possess more energy and hopefully can be taught over the close season how to cross a ball into the centre. Cresswell has with his assist's shown he is one of the better ones. A little investment however needed, I do not think McCarthy will waste any money that is likely to be given to him, but it must be on the proviso to entertain the public.

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Steve_D added 13:34 - Apr 28 Have read the comments and agree with most , and yes with some investment in the summer believe we could get into the top six , however and I pray I'm wrong I don't believe Marcus Evans will come through , think it's another transfer period with freebies and older players going cheap , like I say I hope I'm wrong because given a decent amount M M. And T C can get us promoted .

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MattinLondon added 13:40 - Apr 28 We could have some good youngsters in the U18/U21 who could well develop into good Premier League players but if they aren't given a chance then at best they will be League One players. As much as I admire MM he is a safety first players who doesn't take risks -maybe that is why despite his promotions he hasn't managed a big club team.
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theobald1985 added 14:02 - Apr 28 he seems to be complaining but he was allowed to bring in ebanks blake and williams on loan around the time of mcgoldricks injury and he did have a million odd pound player in paul taylor who he seemed unwilling to use.he did also get rid of jet because he was no good to pump balls up to so i think he should stop complaining. we have plenty of good footballers here but they can only play as instructed. the defenders defend well but they hardly play short out from the back or try anything too expansive. for me mick needs to change his attitude to the game and be a bit more adventurous and realise its better to win one lose one than draw 2

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big_gaz67 added 14:58 - Apr 28 How is 1.6 points a game last season under as opposed to 1.4 points this season a turnaround. It has been poor, negative dour football highlighted by some bizarre selections and substitutions in the last week. Poor, poor, poor
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Edwardebenezer added 15:24 - Apr 28 Lets get in the real world, our squad is no where near good enough! We lack height, pace and creativity. Everyone keeps going on about Taylor lets remember that most of us would have got the sack for doing what he did when off work sick with a bad foot! Good on Mick for not playing him!!!
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MattinLondon added 15:45 - Apr 28 @Edwardebenezer If the squad is 'no where near good enough' how come we're only a few points from the play-offs?
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Telford_Blue added 16:26 - Apr 28 Some excellent points on here especially the first one which I wholeheartedly endorse. Think there are now a host of players that Mick will think about. Tabb, Green, Taylor, Loach, Hunt were all 'bit' players to some extent or other and did they really offer the competition to the regulars who became Mick's 1st choices. Would like to think Palace will let us have Williams (somehow I doubt it) and I agree now that an out and out right back is important. I also would like to say that I posted after the Birmingham 1-1 draw and was called 'deluded', saying that we would be fine, that we would challenge for the play offs and that McGoldrick would get 20 goals this season.... I think this season shows how far we have come.... In Mick I trust ( and yes I will admit that I did not really want him ) he is a realistic manager who gets teams really well organised and more importantly gives people a job to do, holding them to account when they don't do it. Next season, bring on the three stripes back on the shirt, bring on super Mick McCarthy and with a bit of luck bring on two local derby games (that would make this season a whole lot better!!).

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rfretwell added 16:32 - Apr 28 Crucial that SEB gets fully fit and is injury free next season - we need three strikers with goals in them - Nouble doesn't yet, will he ever? Really hoping Palace will let Johnny stay next season - we wont have the money to buy him, he is so highly rated. If they do and with Didsy back our forward play should be something else. Brum fans rate Chris Burke highly, can operate down both wings and looks like they are going down.

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rfretwell added 16:32 - Apr 28 Crucial that SEB gets fully fit and is injury free next season - we need three strikers with goals in them - Nouble doesn't yet, will he ever? Really hoping Palace will let Johnny stay next season - we wont have the money to buy him, he is so highly rated. If they do and with Didsy back our forward play should be something else. Brum fans rate Chris Burke highly, can operate down both wings and looks like they are going down.

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Edwardebenezer added 16:36 - Apr 28 MattinLondon Because we play dull boring football and manage to scrape a few wins. I was lucky enough to watch Ipswich in the glory days when we had no money but the players were coached to play exciting flowing football and try to win games.
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Beattiesballbag added 16:42 - Apr 28 “We had our chances and it's not about coming here and having to win, you win it doing it the way you've won all the games all season long. I thought we did all right, we've just conceded a goal which has cost us. We won only 6 games out of 23 away games all season so adopting the same tactics gave us almost 3-1 against getting a win. Absolute garbage that he gave it a go to win the game, to do that would have meant changing tactics & he just doesn't have that in his locker. I quite believe him though when he says he thought we could make the play offs, as we averaged enough points to make the play offs in the 33 games he was in charge of last season.......................Unfortunately as so many on here so blindly keep saying there wasn't a big turn around this season & mick has averaged less points this season than last. This is down to him not the players as he stubbornly sticks to the same tactics all season & didn't get off his back side last close season to find a couple of players from the lower divisions to strengthen our weaker positions. So if this close season is like last, then waiting for players he knows whose contract is coming to an end isn't going to be enough to change this team with these tactics into promotion contenders, so next season the best you can hope for is like this one... mid table.

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Lukeybluey added 16:47 - Apr 28 I think we should try and sign Matt Ritchie from Bournemouth. Though it's totally dependent on What budget Micks has to work with this summer. I see Julian Speroni is out of contract this summer from palace, might be worth an enquiry? Also i quite liked the look of Massimo Luongo when he was here. Was a very good passer of the ball.
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jas0999 added 17:11 - Apr 28 Can't argue with Len B's post. With perhaps exception of strike force. Have we really scored enough? Do we have adequate back up? McGoldrick has been the stand out player. Nouble has only scored once, whilst although agree Murphy has been good of late, he is so very inconsistent. A hard worker, but lacking in other areas. For me we need a better option if seriously going to challenge top 6. SEB may be the answer, but believe his contract is up in June? He hasn't really impressed, but if fit and if he has a good pre season who knows? I wonder if we could do better with his wages though?

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TimmyH added 17:23 - Apr 28 Have to disagree again with a MM statement...'the Blues have come a long way in the year since our last visit to Turf Moor' - well in positional sense of the table maybe but certainly not in the average points per game before that at the start of his tenure with us and neither win percentage this season over last (again under his tenure). As others have mentioned largely agree with Len B's post which is not far off the mark, midfield needs a big overhaul and Mick needs to be more flexible with his tactics/formations particularly at home.

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Seasider added 18:31 - Apr 28 Thank you Phil confirming a post I made the other day, that MM has done worse this season than he did last albeit slightly. McGoldrick's loss did have a negative impact I feel;but I am not convinced as many seem to be that the club will do better next season,bearing in mind stats show that no improvement made this season.The difference being the bad start made by Paul Jewell last. Mr Evans had more leeway to put in money this season than next when the allowed overspend reduces so if we are to keep within FFP another close season of wheeling and dealing looks in prospect. Naturally we all hope and look forward to next season being better than this one;but in view of the above and Mick's defensive attitude to the game,I fear we are not going to see the expansive football we once enjoyed,and is currently being practised by Eddie Howe,Steve Mclaren and Reading ,Burnley and Leicester in this division,and of course many in the Prem including Arsenal ,Southampton,Everton ,Man Utd and Liverpool. Afraid if you need to watch this kind of soccer,then its BT or Sky. Still dont think one can beat live football;so will be watching my local club Clacton,when Ipswich are not playing.

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Luka added 19:28 - Apr 28 DJ Campbell would be a great addition to the squad - get his demons behind him and, with Murphy, SEB and McGoldrick, would be a great set of strikers. Hyam and Wordsworth would be a great midfield duo behind, as Hyam is better sitting, and Wordsworth can get on with the forward balls. Berra and Cresswell will be sold, so replace them with Mings and Hewitt, moving Chambers back to the centre. Sign up Stockdale if Fulham drop, and Sam Walker egardless. Sign up Richardson as backup, as well as Henshall to start over Hunt, with Anderson on the other wing. He looked better with and actual full back behind him

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Luka added 19:58 - Apr 28 also, sign up dale Jennings and Michael Jacobs - both are creative
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whizzkid added 20:08 - Apr 28 I think we've been a middle-third team for years. Before MM came the team under performed pretty badly and Mick has arrested that but we're merely back to mediocrity. My main issue is that under Jim we were upper mid table and played with some flair whereas we've now no flair at all. Ipswich have a proud history of playing good football and we should be jealously guard that. As someone else has said on here, this IS meant to be entertainment ultimately. On a very slight tangent, and acknowledging that a few quid would be helpful this summer whomsoever is the Manager, ME could choose to cover any losses between £3m and £8m (i.e. to inject up to £5m per year) as long as it is equity. As the approach seems to me to be assume the outstanding debt, accumulate interest (which although isn't currently charged continues to be payable) and then recover the lot with promotion, it seems unlikely he'll choose to inject a material amount of equity. He could also choose to increase the value of the sponsorship deal from ME Group, as long as the value was "fair" for the contract and not artificially inflated.

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TimmyH added 20:11 - Apr 28 Need more strength on the wings than Hunt & Anderson + a creative central midfielder is a minimum for next season.
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blueboy1981 added 20:26 - Apr 28 We have had a better season - but we must not lose sight of the fact that we are 'apparently' only 5 points better off than we awere at this stage last season. (not checked out by myself admittedly). Turnaround YES - but NOT earth shattering is it ?? - if this is the case,
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blueboy1981 added 20:35 - Apr 28 Some really good posts and optimism - big problem will be changing MM's thinking and game plans. Personally I don't think he's for changing - anyone who wants him as Manager has to accept his traits. He's not for changing - been like it far too long to change now - UNFORTUNATELY.
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