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

righty added 20:35 - Apr 28 Does anyone know anything about football we are 5 points better off hardly earth shattering. Awful GK ,no RB.no wingers of any quality no proper striker and the most ineffectual midfield ever, McCarthy has done a wonderful job with the rubbish at his disposal. Now Evans should either back him or get out. So anyone thinks these can get us promoted live in a dream world,
1

Reece87 added 20:40 - Apr 28 My expectations for next season will depend on how well we do in the transfer market this summer. If we only add one or two average players for me there will be no improvement were we finish next season. Need creativity and pace in this team soo badly and those type of players are not cheap. Not getting my hopes up but deffinetly curious who mick will look to bring in.

2

Hiltzkooler added 20:43 - Apr 28 I see Mick is proving to be as divisive as ever with the fan base!...to some he gives optimism to others it sounds like a tired justification of his management/tactics this season...without doubt the statement that many fans would have taken competing for a play off place at the beginning of the season as a measure of success is true..but it doesn't tell the full story and indeed, this team, deployed properly was capable of more...next season is the cusp...any thing less than play offs will deem your tenure as a continuum of the dark years or at best a steadying of a wobbly ship....

5

wayway added 20:47 - Apr 28 No money will be spent. Anything that is made on selling players will go straight to the corporate Evans. It will be another close season of useless cast offs and third rate loan players and then another season of boring (football). Perhaps Chelsea will want McCarthy as a coach
2

blueboy1981 added 21:01 - Apr 28 wayway ............... I guess you mean 'to drive the coach'.
1

Berts_chin added 21:41 - Apr 28 No one appears to be questioning whether Mick will choose to be here next season. As I understand it, his contract is up at the end of this one and nowhere have I seen him quoted as to what his plans are. That he and the club have not yet extended his contract seems very ominous. For all the debate about Mick's negative tactics, I find it difficult to think of a realistic replacement I'd sooner have.

2

Guthrum added 01:01 - Apr 29 Raw "points-per-game" comparisons are all very well, but that doesn't take into account the circumstances this season compared to last. The superb average between November 2012 and the summer included a period when the top teams were all faltering, allowing those at the bottom - including ourselves - to roar up the table. This season has been a lot tighter, with several teams showing good form at different times and much strength at the top. League position is the thing which, at the end of the season, wins prizes, not points totals in isolation. We are far, far closer to the play-offs (just four places and five points shy, with a decent, positive goal difference - and still a game to play), than we were last season (eight places away, with a GD of -13).

-2

TimmyH added 11:46 - Apr 29 It was just as tight last season as this season - so can't see your point @Guthrum. One thing I will say although we would have ended up in 6th under Mick's tenure last season with points amassed from 1st Nov onwards that '6th place doesn't take into place the pressure which would have happened as per this season at the business end of the season.
1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:56 - Apr 29 Berts Chin: I think MM signed a 2.5 year contract in Nov 2012, which would take him to 2015?
1

oldegold added 20:24 - Apr 29 I like MM but I don't honestly think with the Philistine soccer we play under him that we will be protagonists. He has made us sturdy, tougher to beat , completely boring and predictable and totally unimaginative...and we have lost The Ipswich Way of playing soccer. if we continue along these lines we will be a "solid" middle of the table side next season..as usual. I do appreciate he has steadied the ship but with this boring and dull soccer, we will never be challengers but also-rans.

2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls