Town manager Mick McCarthy says his largely experienced squad isn’t getting carried away with their current position second in the Championship and the increased media focus which comes with it.

“The result against Southampton gives everybody a bit more interest and people start taking note of us a little bit more,” he said.

“But nobody’s getting carried away with it. Two years ago I didn’t get carried away when we beat Birmingham and we lost 5-0 at Palace. We lost 5-0 and we cracked on with it. We’re second in the league, we’ll just crack on with it the same.”

He added: “I think we’ve got good players. People ask you how you get to second in the league, well you don’t get there without good players.

“But they’re good characters as well. And you know what, they’re not babies either. We’ve got a couple of young ‘uns like Ty and Bish but the reality is Tommy Smith’s a really good age, Chambo and Bez, Skusey, Didz and Murph.

“They’re good, senior pros, who have played a lot of games and I don’t think they let it bother them.

“We don’t get carried away with either victory or defeat. We try not to let it bother us too much, although we enjoy victory a lot more.”

The Blues go into today’s second-v-third game against Derby having picked up an impressive 1-1 draw away against the Rams earlier in the season and having achieved similarly decent results against many of the division’s other promotion challengers, including a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and the recent 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough and 4-2 victory at Brentford.

“We’ll approach it the same way, try and win the game,” McCarthy said. “If we don’t win we’ll try and get a draw and we always hope we don’t get beaten, of course. They’re a good side Derby, a really good side.”

The Town boss is enjoying the feelgood factor around the town and the club at the moment

“Isn’t it lovely?" he added. “I’m obviously aware of it when I travel down to Southampton and the away end is all blue and white, the support was amazing.

“Just throughout the club and throughout the town, ticket sales, shirt sales, equipment sales, everything is booming at the minute. Long may that continue. It’s all down to player performance and results.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor were at Carrow Road last night watching Norwich’s U21s take on a Manchester United U21 team which included amongst others Jesse Lingard, Will Keane and one-time Town target Nick Powell.

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 08:35 - Jan 10 Looking at Nick Powell to replace Jonny Williams on loan perhaps? Creative player behind the strikers with an eye for goal. Can't see him getting a run in LVG's team at the moment with their attacking options.
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Michael11 added 09:02 - Jan 10 Jesse Lingard and Nick Powell would be fantastic loan signings if we could pull it off. Don't know how Powell hasn't found another team for this season. Another hot prospect ruined by a big club! Take note Tyrone & Teddy!
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WeWereZombies added 10:02 - Jan 10 Bez? How come no one had reported this transfer window signing? That's gonna distract the opposition goalkeeper and defence, having a gurning Manc shaking his marraccas in front of his crotch as he comes at you.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:02 - Jan 10 big big match today, wont be a pretty game i doubt,weather will play a part.It will be a test of desire and nerve thats for sure.Hoping big time for a win but expecting a draw to be honest COYB
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