Delighted Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he's looking forward to the Blues’ “unbelievable” play-off semi-final against local rivals Norwich City, Town having been confirmed in sixth in the Championship despite losing 3-2 at Blackburn in their final league game this afternoon.

The Town manager felt his team deserved to make it, despite today’s loss: “Relieved, but delighted as well. We’ve kind of had to remind ourselves in the dressing room that we’re in the play-offs, and deservedly so. We’ve got 78 points and we’ve deserved it over the season.”

The Town boss says the play-offs hold no fear for him: “Nothing my terrifies me, I have to be honest.

"It’s inspirational, the thought of going into them, when I don’t think anybody gave us a chance at the start of the season.

“I think everybody’s seen what we’re made of. We weren’t great today but we still kept going and could have got back in it. I’d liked to have done it on our own merits but the play-offs are something to relish and look forward to.”

As for the games against Norwich themselves, starting with a home tie next Saturday (KO 12.15pm), he added: “That’s an unbelievable tie. I’m looking forward to it, there’s nothing else that I can do.

“I imagine that as they’ve beaten us twice there’ll be some thinking it’ll be an easy turnover but I guess anybody who knows anything about it will know that won’t be the case.”

Does he view the Blues as underdogs? “I actually don’t think there is an underdog in a two-legged tie.

“All right, they’ve finished third and we’ve finished sixth, but there aren’t too many points between us over the season. I’m not going to portray myself as the underdog.”

He continued: “I kept saying it’s about what you end up with on May 2nd during the league, it’s now what you end up on on May 25th.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be at Wembley, but we’ve a helluva tie, they’re a good side, they’re a very good side, Norwich.”

McCarthy says he was aware of developments elsewhere at points during the afternoon: “At half-time I knew and with about 75 minutes I was told that Derby were 2-0 down.

“I still wanted to get back in it, I wanted us to do it and get a point and nobody could have said anything untoward about us.

“But they can’t anyway because the season’s finished and the points are there and it’s done.

“If you’ve followed me all season I’ve said that it’s what you end up with on May 2nd and that somebody’s going to get a slap on the last day with goal difference, and it turned out it was Derby and not us. How happy does that make me feel? It’s great.”

The Blues boss says he’s aware what the game will mean to supporters: “I’ll be getting everything I’ve had this week, the drain on your emotions when people keep coming up and telling you ‘You’ll be all right, we’ll do this, we’ll do that’.

“All people do is pour their pain and negativity and emotions on to other people. And if I could stand and say ‘Listen, we’re going to win, it’s going to be a piece of cake’, they’d love that, but I can’t.

“‘What are you going to do?’. We’ll do what we normally do. I’ve had every scenario given to me ahead of today and, do you know what, the one that’s happened was one nobody would have picked.”

He admits that he hasn’t the greatest play-off record having played six and won only once, the 2002 World Cup games against Iran when Ireland boss.

“It’s not been great my play-off past, I have to be honest, although I did get to a World Cup finals via a play-offs,” he recalled.

“But that doesn’t count for anything. It’s different, it’s a new game, a new season, a new prize that’s at stake. And I’m looking forward to it.

“I tried to keep them calm this week, maybe I’ll make them anxious all next week because we didn’t play particularly well when I thought we were calm. Maybe we need to get them excited.”

However today had gone he says he would have been proud of his players: “I’ve said that to them in the dressing room, had we not qualified, I’d have had to go in and say ‘Listen lads, I’m immensely proud of what you’ve done and given me this season and what we’ve achieved’.

“It was nicer to be able to do that with us in the play-offs, of course, but I would still have said it because they’ve been fabulous.

“They give everything, you’ve seen today that they don’t leave anything on the pitch. We didn’t play well but we were still going at it hammer and tongs trying to get that point even when we knew the result at Derby.”

As for the match itself, he dismissed suggestions that the result was a bit harsh as his team, and striker Freddie Sears in particular, had been unlucky in front of goal.

“It’s not bad luck, it’s bad technique really,” he added. “Dario Gradi taught me that on my coaching badge. All the lads kept saying ‘Unlucky, unlucky’ and he marched on and said ‘It’s not unlucky, it’s bad technique’.

“It stuck with that, and it is. It’s bad finishing, and that from a guy who has been brilliant.

“He felt really bad today, Freddie, but I said ‘Save it for the play-off, pal. You can’t score every game, save it for next week and the week after’.

“He’s been brilliant. Goalscorers just don’t do it every week. I said ‘Isn’t it lovely that you’ve missed chances and we’re still end up in the play-offs?’. You feel a damned sight better about that than if we’d have missed out and he’d have been ruing all his missed chances.

“Now he’s got two great games to look forward to and he can score again. And I’m sure he will.”

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer was pleased to see his side, who ended the season in ninth, extend their recent solid run of form.

“It’s a good way to round off the season, we’re seven unbeaten,” he said. “We wanted to stay unbeaten throughout the summer because it lasts with you a long time, your last game.

“I think it’s frustrating that you’ve seen the performance that we’ve produced against a team that’s in the play-offs and we’re not there ourselves.

“We’ve got to work very hard this summer and come back looking to build on the two years of stability and progression that we’ve made.”

Bowyer paid tribute to one-time England international David Dunn, 35, who was making his final appearance for Rovers.

“He was outstanding,” he added. “I’m delighted that we’ve won the game for him. I think it’s a fabulous send-off for him.

“Today you saw some absolutely fantastic bits of skill on the pitch that only he can do. One pass in particular out to Adam Henley was top, top drawer. He’s going to be sadly missed here.”

Photo: Action Images

oldelsworthyfan added 12:50 - May 3 I'm euphoric! Particularly for a money-spinning playoff against Norwich Typical Mick; gets us into the playoffs by a whisker. No unnecessary points. Norwich must be thinking they've got a bye to Wembley. It would be just fabulous to go all the way and then for Marcus to get the cheque book out for reinforcements in just a few key areas. Writers in these columns know where. The Premiership is not all that hot. Much hype.

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battyblue added 12:54 - May 3 Essexbluey marks everyone down but cant be bothered to write a post typical
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bluefeast added 12:58 - May 3 Regarding smith i was of the opinion he should of been taken out of the side around 12 games ago. Its not that he is a bad player its that he is on his unnatural side ,therefore exposed ,his confidence looks way down. Rhodes isolated him yesterday and had an easy header , he is just not at the races ,however will not be dropped and there will be no more changes vs norwich. I hope we can win at home ,but that will mean norwich missing chances as they for sure will create a stack. We have not performed well on tv due to raised nerves .

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TimmyH added 14:50 - May 3 Have to say the defense looks less organised now then what it did a few months after Mick first came here (which were clean sheets a plenty)...this is my biggest concern against Norwich and could be the pivotal area where they could beat us. 24 games since this New Year (including FA Cup) - 3 clean sheets! 2012/13 season (Micks management) 30 games - 13 clean sheets No improvement there!

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Seasider added 16:14 - May 3 Have just heard Mick say we sat back too much after taking the lead,and they had better 2nd half of first half;but Town got it going again in 2nd half and took the game to them. He also said no way would his team do that again in the play offs and would be in their faces,which is pleasing to note. Two of their goals came down our right side whilst the 3rd(Rhodes header)was Tommys fault who didn't seem to get off the ground. Personally I would like to see Reg come back in a 4-3-3 with Tabb/Hunt,and Smithy dropped.Not sure who to put in place of Chambo who would move into the middle; as Jonny Parr didn't have avery good game;but like Smithy was playing out of position.For such an important game don't suppose he would risk Hewitt so looks like Jonny. If Mick wants to take the game to Norwich as he should in home leg then Kevin Bru must be included in midfield with Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop. Perhaps this is too radical for Mick who seems loathe to leave out Tabby,but he did take him off at half time,and Mr Mc Carthy did seem very positive in his interview so hope this is reflected on the pitch Next Saturday COYB

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jonbull88 added 16:21 - May 3 Seasider correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't parr right midfield Saturday? Meaning if fans want him to push forward he would infact be in that position when he does go forward during a game? I don't get this whole parr love in, is he a better defender than chambers or smith? Imo no, and it's obvious mick agrees. Stick with the same for me, and address it in the summer.

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bluefeast added 18:57 - May 3 Reason for so may clean sheets previously was the central mid combo of skuse and hyam ,i.e. two defensive midfielders means defence does not get exposed like it has done since hyam was injured ,however we are more of a goal threat with a bur or a bishop in the side ,we are work in progress and if we were to be promoted the plan would need throwing away and a restart with certain qualities that we miss

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TimmyH added 19:24 - May 3 @bluefeast - yes that it true BUT we were more successful from New Year onwards to the end of the season 2012/13 (win % higher) than what we have been this season in the same period. Personally Parr RB with Chambers/Berra and Mings LB has to be introduced.
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bluefeast added 20:01 - May 3 Yes thats fair ,although if our pre christmas form had continued we would of ended with 104 points. We were never a 100 plus point side ,more like one with grit determination and inevitably somewhat inconsistent. One major concern for me is holding a lead ,Bournemouth , Wolves , Blackburn to name but 3. The fact we are in the play offs with a makeshift team is amazing , norwich have a class squad for the championship and whilst the play offs are a lottery i am highly anxious that we will under perform due to pressure vs them. we need to play our best game ,ignore the pressure and enjoy it ,work damn hard for 95 mins and try and keep the ball ,chasing shadows is exhausting.COYB

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TractorBeezer added 21:08 - May 3 Bluefeast. you make an interesting and somwhat valid point about Hyam and Skuse protecting the defence but it's not backed up by the numbers. Hyam's last league game was November 22. For the balance of 2014 we played 6 games (Charlton twice, Leeds, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Brentford), of which we won 5 and drew 1 while scoring 14 goals and conceding 3. It is probably too late to tinker with the back line this season but we can increase possession by reducing hoofball and utilsing midfielders with ball control and pace. If we get that right and take our chances we'll be in the Prem next season!

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blue_movies added 00:21 - May 4 Anderson for JET, Another great decision.
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algarvefan added 02:09 - May 4 God I just can't wait until Saturday.........super excited :)
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battyblue added 05:59 - May 4 Jay Emanual Thomas town reject wins promotion with Bristol city enough said.
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steve_mcalls_teeth added 11:00 - May 5 A lot of talk that we play an agricultural style this season but disappointing that we got undone by the same thing for blackburns goals. Let's hope we've got it out of our state For the playoffs. We owe n*rwich. Cup games over the years they have won, when typically we've been the favourites. ITS PAYBACK TIME! ECG machine on standby for the next two Saturdays...I wonder if they'll confiscate it

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scunnyblue added 11:45 - May 6 great stuff!!!. i know we don't play the best football at times but MM & TC have done a great job in the 2 years or so they been at the club. Each season there is progression. Slower maybe that we would like but progress never the less. Come on town one final push. 3 games away from the premier league. COYB!!!
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scunnyblue added 11:46 - May 6 And a BONKERS!!!!! for good luck
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