Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with the part the Portman Road crowd played in the Blues’ 3-2 home victory over Blackpool on Saturday.

“I thought they were great when we went 1-0 down [in the fourth minute], I thought they were terrific,” he said.

“I didn’t hear any groans or moans or boos, I heard encouragement and that probably got us back on the front foot as much as me and TC barking orders at them

“That really helped, so I thought they were great. And even when it went to two-all I didn’t hear them turn against us, which was fab.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s game at home to Cardiff City, McCarthy confirmed that Luke Varney is a doubt having limped off with a tight hamstring in the first half.

He says he’ll assess the condition of all his players today and tomorrow, including Teddy Bishop - named the Dale Roberts Academy Player of the Year on Saturday evening - who completed the entire 90 minutes of a senior game for the first time at the 19th time of asking.

“We’ll have to see how they recover, all of them, Freddie, Bish,” McCarthy added. “We’ve all just applauded Bish, that was the first 90 minutes he’s completed so it was a momentous game for him.”

The Blues moved back up to sixth as a result of Saturday's win and Blackpool boss Lee Clark believes McCarthy can take the Blues back into the Premier League.

“Without a doubt, he’s done it many, many times, with different clubs," he said.

"He gets a group of players who are honest, work extremely hard, give everything for the jersey and I think they’ve got a really good chance.

“When you look at it, compared to the other clubs that are up there Mick hasn’t had a huge transfer budget to deal with, if any.

“So for him to be challenging with some of those clubs is a credit to him and his staff and his players.”

Meanwhile, Town’s U21s are in action away against Bristol City at Ashton Gate this afternoon (KO 2pm). With the first team playing tomorrow, few if any senior players are likely to be involved.

Photo: Action Images

essexbluey added 12:06 - Apr 13 The club kills the noise by not haveing the away fans near the brnorth stand. They say its to stop trouble but thats bull. So its ok for the away fans to be next to families in the south stand swearing giveing rude hand gestures to families but its not ok for them to sit near the main singing stand. I speak to a lot of away fans and they all say we cant hear any noise from the ipswich fans. Bring back the old north stand half and half.

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essexbluey added 12:09 - Apr 13 Control control control control control and more control.
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COYB11 added 12:10 - Apr 13 The team on saturday appeared to lack belief that they could finish the job and finish in the top 6 until Berra nodded in at the back post, and I thought this lack of belief was very much reflected in the atmosphere around the ground. MM here is just trying to motivate everyone because we are in 6th place with 4 games to go! what an incredible season so far! So let's not assume that he's being "sarcastic" and take some appreciation when it's given to us! Remember earlier in the season when all opposition managers were underestimating us and everyone got a bit angry about that? Take the compliment, support the team and end off a great season for the first time in 10+ years! You're doing a great job too, Mick (and Terry). COYB

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JimmyJazz added 12:25 - Apr 13 The away support won't be moved back - just won't happen. So..... why not move the fans who want to sing from the North to Churchmans? Surely there's more chance of that than moving the away fans.
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CobboldNeal added 13:10 - Apr 13 The atmosphere has not been the same since the old North Stand was replaced by the new one.
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NITFC added 13:12 - Apr 13 This has always been a problem. Bobby Robson once famously likened the Portman Road supporters to Zombies! That said, we don't get on the backs of the players and the manager either. I bet Mick thinks he is in a dream world compared to the crowd at Wolves
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rfretwell added 16:13 - Apr 13 Our away days are mega, great support, always singing, loads of banter, if we win like at Watford nothing can beat it
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Dissboyitfc added 17:24 - Apr 13 walktheline...with four games to go, the playoffs are a very real possibility. as was the case last year and had we done better in two of those last four games we would have made the playoffs then.coyb
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Slambo added 17:56 - Apr 13 Paddy39 - you are absolutely spot on there mate. What do the police think will happen? If the away supporters are moved down the Cobbold towards the North, they'd still have to traverse the pitch to get at us! Hemmed in by police and stewards, this won't happen... There's nothing like some cocky, goading away fans to get you singing and shouting. It also can't be pleasant for the poor old dears and their grandsons in the South getting bombarded with "your support is f**king s**t" every fortnight... Move the away fans and get the bloody terracing back. About time clubs started listening to what fans actually want...

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sereneblue added 20:00 - Apr 13 warktheline- I see what you are saying, which is fair enough. However when was Bournemouth last at the top end of the championship? How come they seem to be able to play good attractive football and get results. Basically they are have the best of both worlds,and good luck to them. The way we play is as far away from attractive football as you can get and if we go up we will get a lesson ,most weeks ,on how to entain a crowd by some very good premiership teams. Sorry to sound negative folks, but I don't believe in wearing blue tinted glasses.

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ArnieM added 23:51 - Apr 13 Good to see the Club are already planning for next season. What a great bunch of young players we have that about to pish fir senior squad numbers from August. .....and two decent players battling it out for right back in Hewitt and Hammond. The future is very bright for ITFC. Forget Fulham a interest in Mick. They can whistle. MM /TC have unfinished business at Town.
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