Town boss Mick McCarthy was pleased with his side’s 1-1 draw at Molineux with reaching the play-offs in the six-placed Blues’ own hands as they go into the final two games of their Championship campaign.

“It’s in our hands to big it up or screw it up, isn’t it, I suppose,” he said. “It was a good performance, a good point and very pleasing.”

The Blues, who will end the day sixth regardless of results elsewhere, were unable to capitalise on Richard Stearman’s first-half own goal giving them the lead with Wolves on top, particularly having equalised five minutes after the break.

“I think you’ve got to give Wolves credit for that,” the Town manager added. “They’ve played well, certainly in the second half.

“I’m disappointed with the way we started the second half. I thought we invited pressure, we just didn’t set off well but again you’ve got to give them credit, they must have been in their dressing room talking about starting well.

“And having done that they were certainly in the ascendancy in the second half but we’ve had a great, stubborn, belligerent, professional [performance].

“All those horrible words that people don’t like in football except me because you win games and win leagues doing that.

“We might not be the best team, mightn’t always play great but we’re always hard to beat, hard to play against.”

McCarthy had praise for man of the match Christophe Berra, who was making his first return to his old stomping ground.

“He probably had a point to prove coming back here,” the Blues manager continued. “He was outstanding.”

Was the Scotland international underrated by Wolves fans during McCarthy’s time at the club?

“No, because he played in the team that got promoted and was in the team which stayed in the Premier League for two years," McCarthy added.

“But I think when it starts to go a little bit pear-shaped everybody gets a little bit of stick.

“If you get relegated everybody [gets it] and then they got relegated again it was almost like everybody who had been there was shipped out and Kenny Jackett started again and he’s done a great job with fresh new players.”

McCarthy was applauded by the Wolves support both before and after the game and believes he has nothing to prove to his old fans.

“I don’t think I’ve got any points to prove to anybody here,” he said. “I think I am very much liked and respected by the Wolves fans and I love the club and the people here.

“I don’t think I’ve got anything to prove and I always appreciate it when I get a nice, warm welcome coming back. But I’ve took the point and I’m happy with it.”

Jackett was disappointed that his team was unable to break the Blues down again having got back on terms through Benik Afobe.

“Ultimately it’s a better point for Ipswich than it is for us,” he said. “We needed to win today and I felt we built up very well in the second half.

“We got a goal back early on and showed good momentum and got a good tempo to our game as well, we’ve got a lot of natural ability but ultimately couldn’t break down a very determined and well-organised and resolute Ipswich defence.

“The times that they got blocks in and got a foot in at the end was high. Us [being unable] to break them down in that period was ultimately our undoing and then I’m disappointed with the draw.”

Photo: Action Images

roytheboy added 15:27 - Apr 18 A good point, more importantly we prevented Wolves from gaining three.
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muccletonjoe added 16:00 - Apr 18 It's a good point when all is said and done, some people might knock the mm tactics but he gets what he needs
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Vizslaraner added 16:21 - Apr 18 Agree that Tuesday was ace and today was not so! However, although I hate it when we play like this I'm more than happy to get a point. For too long we had a soft underbelly and today dug out a point. I'd rather be us with a home game next week in 6th than have gne there and got caught by their pacy front three and been level with wolves. We dnt have the creativity of a Bournemouth to go and put it on wolves for 90mins. If we get a draw away in the play offs(if we get there) it Wd probably b a grt result! I know we have to beat forest at home and it won't b easy I'm happy. If we had played like that at home it Wd have been a different story. We need to get up by hook or by crook for the cash- sounds the wrong attitude but we need to get back on a level playing field where money can be invested in the squad. At this time of the season I will take getting there by playing ugly any day of the week. I am a purist and want the nice football but will settle for that when the pressure is not so high. Wolves had to go for it today and we Wd have been committing suicide if we had gne all out! COYB

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WorcesterBlue added 16:30 - Apr 18 Think Mick just about sums it up. They've got more pace in key areas than us and a bit more quality but our good players worked their butts off and even the lesser lights played a part. Late in if we'd had the luck if the Boyce I thought we'd take all three points. We are still way short though (midfield in particular) which will make it extremely hard to progress far. But we're still in it and if we can get Bru and McG fit and Connolly in the squad who knows? Well done for keeping the dream alive mick and the lads.

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WorcesterBlue added 16:31 - Apr 18 Bounce!
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jas0999 added 17:07 - Apr 18 Looking at the other results this is a decent point. But, if we had attacked we may have won and now would be nailed on for he play offs. But Mick plays the percentages and today he won in many ways, because the other two below us only drew at home. We drew away.
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therein61 added 17:11 - Apr 18 Well here we go it's in our hands again(I/2 way back on my drive from the midlands) this season has had so many up's and down's it's been a real roller coaster ride all the way through not good for the nerves or ticker, but would we want it any other way!? Let's get the noise going from the start v Forest and create the atmosphere swirling around Portman Road to inspire our boys to a win and put the play off situ to bed!!! then it would be nice to go to Blackburn relaxed and happy and enjoy the day out(is that possible in Blackburn? I'm told even the women wear flat caps!!) Come on you blues let's get it done!!

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hairbear added 17:15 - Apr 18 I effing love having something to play for at the end of the season. #COYB #allinittogether #1team Super super Mick super Mick ....
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doofusac added 17:33 - Apr 18 End of the day ladies and gents, if we beat Forest at home...... we're there!! Barring an extraordinary overturn of goal difference of the final day of the season. UTT
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halsteadblue added 17:38 - Apr 18 Respect to MM and TC and all the lads who put in one hell of a shift today.4 points needed..........COYB............Oh and thank you Terriers and the Trotters.
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Paulblue62 added 18:03 - Apr 18 Arguably our toughest game is out of the way and we are still in the top 6. 2 to go and then 3 to get to the premier league. I'll take that.
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oldelsworthyfan added 18:24 - Apr 18 I've always been a fan of Stearman.
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blueboy1981 added 18:37 - Apr 18 ...... Michael - a win and another 2 points could have been 'in our hands' today, had you been a bit more adventurous.
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oddball added 18:39 - Apr 18 Good win vs forest and we are in the play offs, which means more games :-). Well done boys and mm and tc :-)
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TheSelkirk added 20:50 - Apr 18 I find myself thinking that I wish we weren't so bloody dull and boring when we play. Then, quite hypocritically, I question whether it matters how we play if we make get the results, make the playoffs or reach the PL. It's not possible to have the best of both worlds as things stand I guess. My question is... would MM play more expansive and attractive football if he had a squad of exceptionally talented and skilful ball players or is this the MM way irrespective?

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Cakeman added 21:20 - Apr 18 The Selkirk, I must admit that I was thinking along the same lines during the second half on particular this afternoon. It is not often I see a match from side on as my season ticket at home is in the Sir Alf stand and it was evident to me by viewing from the side just how often the ball is in the air and launched forward in hope. However Wolves did not do that and they were very attractive to watch as they used the full width of the pitch to good effect. Thankfully our heart and shear determination is winning the day. I think MM would do different if he had the funding because I can recall him playing pacey inventive wingers in the past such as Jarvis and Keough.

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TractorBoyBen added 22:01 - Apr 18 Definitely in our hands, not the prettiest today but at least a point gained (not two dropped) and with MM and TC at the helm it's premier league here we come!!!
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TractorBeezer added 22:20 - Apr 18 This was a very valuable point earned today. Well done lads... in particular the defence. As others have pointed out Wolves were pacier than us so we had to adjust to that. In my opinion, we still overdo the hoofball. I get it when under pressure but there are times when there is time and space to do something more meaningful with the ball. Felt sorry for Murph and Freddy today who didn't get much service. Nevertheless,the workrate was high resulting in an excellent outcome for which I am most grateful!

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battyblue added 07:17 - Apr 19 There are numerous occasions when the ball comes to say for instance Chambers at head height who has space /time to bring the ball down to feet and pass or bring forward ..what happens head it up in the air=loose possession same happens over and over again , the same with ball on the ground space and time to control carry forward /pass but no hoof it as far as you can =loose possession back it comes no wonder we don't score many goals playing this style of crap i was always tought to make the ball do the work not chase around the field like a load of headless chickens hoping we will get lucky this is bad coaching and not doing the players any flavors being instructed to play this way .

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WorcesterBlue added 07:48 - Apr 19 He'd play the same way - a his teams have. Scared to lose, percentage football, work rate over guile. Players terrified to make a mistake play the simple option and pass the buck. Look what happened to Henderson and Hewitt for defensive errors - frozen out. That's the way he is and it has some merits over a long season but ultimately means limited returns.
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MVBlue added 09:35 - Apr 19 Mick McCarthy had Wolves playing decent football. Hes used his budget on wages not fees. With McGoldrick we had a player who gave us a more passing game but he is not available. Mick is still a tactician, we don't always play backs to the wall as we did on Saturday.
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MHS added 10:18 - Apr 19 Surprises me, even knowing what some fans are like, that the majority of fans wanted us to be 'more adventurous'. For me this game was one we couldn't lose, and MM set the team up for that. Going adventurous against a team like wolves we risk being done on the counter - something which wolves are very strong at with Sako and Dicko in wide areas. I'm not a fan of the football we play but I accepted a long while ago that was the way we were going - and I believe having played that way all season MM has got the best out of our players. I do hold hope that we sign quality in the summer - especially a ball playing CB and a pacey winger. But with 2 games to go I just wish fans would stop banging on about our direct style of play - it clearly will not change this season and personally I don't think we have the ability, especially in defence, to compete football-wise with the best teams in the division.

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WorcesterBlue added 11:44 - Apr 19 MHS / MV Blue you've got a point. However it's clear that the players are straight jacketed and at times yesterday (and in other matches) we could and should have been more progressive a Mings birthing forwards, Bish getting up and supporting forwards, Skuse playing the odd forward pass into feet (Murph is actually quite good with the ball at his feet and as Stearman had him in his pocket aerially most if the game this wouldn't have hurt). Passing football is not gung-ho - you draw the opposition out, put uncertainty in the minds of defenders and create gaps and opportunities.

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WorcesterBlue added 11:46 - Apr 19 But I do see that without Bru, McG and co that is harder so share the hope that we will sign a quality, strong passing CM to replace Skuse and support Bish and Bru plus a natural left sided midfielder.
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MHS added 12:42 - Apr 19 @WorcesterBlue fair points - I agree that with McG & Bru we naturally play better football. With regards to Bish I don't think he has the legs/power yet to drive forward effectively, you can see he's hitting the gym and becoming more of a force though, hopefully he'll add goals to his game next season, he certainly has the ability. Personally I think half of our problems come from the back. Smith and Berra are both top defenders, but look so uncomfortable on the ball. Skuse looks comfortable on the ball but does seem reluctant to collect the ball off the defenders - whether this is mccarthys instructions or not is hard to tell.

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