Boss Mick McCarthy says a huge prize awaits the winners of the Championship play-off derby between the Blues and Norwich City. Perhaps the biggest ever East Anglian derbies were set up after Town finished in sixth, despite a final day defeat at Blackburn, while the Canaries beat Fulham 4-2 at home to grab third.

“There’s a huge prize for both teams,” McCarthy said. “One of us in two weeks’ time is going to be absolutely thrilled and the other is going to be talking about having a really bad season and it’s a disgrace, and yet we’re both in the play-off semi-finals.

“I just hope it’s us that’s going to Wembley and we’re all happy. But, you know what, if you go to Wembley and get beat against whoever else is in there, it doesn’t matter, you’ve been beaten. I want to win, I’m not bothered who I’m playing against.”

McCarthy, whose side will face either Middlesbrough or Brentford at Wembley on Monday 25th May if they defeat the Canaries, is no stranger to local derbies in Championship play-off semi-finals having faced West Brom while Wolves manager in the 2006/07 campaign.

Wolves, who had finished fifth, were beaten 1-0 away at the Hawthorns in the first leg, then lost the home game 3-2.

“I was there with Wolves against West Brom, that’s equally as big again, and Wolves and West Brom will think it’s bigger than Ipswich and Norwich,” the Town boss recalled. “I’m looking forward to it, it’s great.”

McCarthy has taken part in six play-offs as a manager but has won only once, the 2002 World Cup games against Iran when he was in charge of the Republic of Ireland, with whom he previously lost to Belgium for a place at the 1998 tournament.

At Championship level he has faced defeat in the semi-finals with Millwall (1993/94) and Sunderland (2003/04) as well as Wolves.

Looking back at the derbies during his playing career, he added: “I’ve had some big ones, even in Lyon, against St Etienne that’s pretty spicy.

“West Ham and Millwall, Newcastle and Sunderland, Barnsley-Huddersfield, Barnsley-Sheffield Wednesday, I hated everybody when I was at Barnsley. I’ve learned to like a few people since I was at Barnsley.”

Did he feel there was anything from the performance at Blackburn he could take into the play-offs? “The way we keep going, our determination, effort and spirit, always.

“We’re always going to have mediocre days or bad days. We’ve just got two more games where we need to have good days.”

He says he was periodically aware of developments elsewhere during Saturday’s game: “At half-time I was, 75 minutes I was, I knew it was 2-0 [to Reading].

“It was with eight minutes to go that we got our second, I still wanted to get that goal but I was aware [Derby] were 3-0 down and the crowd let us know.

“Our crowd didn’t start cheering until it was 3-0, so they didn’t trust Reading, did they? They had to get to three before they started to get excited and they knew it was going to happen.”

He says he remained composed on the sidelines despite the stress: “I wasn’t calm, but strangely enough I was more calm at 3-1 down because there’s not a lot you can do then, you rely on other people and all you’re trying to do is get back in the game.

“And I think that happens with players because you’re not worried about conceding a goal, it makes no difference, you’ve got to get back into the game.

“And I think, bizarrely enough in the last 10 minutes, they ended up being nervy and don’t want to cost themselves the win. It’s just that emotion and that mental state that swings from side to side.”

He says he tried to keep everyone relaxed in the days running up to the game: “All week we’ve kept a really calm disposition or demeanour about us.

“Why wouldn’t you because there’s nothing you can do about it until Saturday anyway, not stress the prize, what’s at stake.

“You’ve got to get them roused on the Saturday, not on the Monday. We started great, we scored a great goal.

“Then there’s that psychological state [you get into], Blackburn start chasing it, we probably think we’ve got something to hold onto and we don’t play well.

“Where does it all come from? There’ll be a whole load of psychologists ringing me, they can all piss off. You can put that as well, that’ll stop them doing it!”

He says he has no need to tell his players what these games mean: “You don’t actually go around telling players. I get astounded at times when I get asked ‘What do you say to them?’.

“Do you think they’re not aware we can get to the Premier League, do you think they’re not aware that a win or a draw is going to do it?

“If I go around saying that to them, they’d think ‘Is he a pillock or what?’. Talk about the master of stating the obvious. I think you can give people negativity by going round them, so I don’t do that.”

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer singled out former England international David Dunn for praise in his final game for the Lancashire club.

Asked whether the 35-year-old’s farewell provided additional inspiration for Rovers, McCarthy added: “Possibly, he played well Dunny, he’s been a good player around the place. I have no idea, but it doesn’t really matter because we’re in the play-offs!”

Meanwhile, Norwich boss Alex Neil is also eagerly anticipating the games against the Blues, the first matches between the sides other than regular league games since the League Cup semi-finals in 1985.

"I’ve been told this will be the biggest derby between Norwich and Ipswich, and these are the games you want to be involved in,” the Scot said.

"We’re really looking forward to it, and we’ll get ourselves fully prepared. It definitely adds something, an extra spice, because the fans are desperate to get one over their rivals which makes it an emotional occasion.

"We know exactly what it means to everyone, and it means a hell of a lot to myself and the players as well. Ultimately, we've got to rise to the challenge and get ourselves past Ipswich to make the final."

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 13:40 - May 4 Basically we need to scrap whatever game plans we used for the previous games against them. Clearing the ball upfield at the first opportunity will get us nowhere, we've found that out twice. That game at Carrow road was a farce. Please come up with a plan Mick.
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bluesince84 added 13:54 - May 4 Bayleycr, great team selection. Look ...lets be absolutely honest, we know in our deepest darkest recess of our heart, that we will not win the semi-finals. Taking miracles aside, its just not going to happen, i wont turn up expecting a win, none of us really will. However i will be getting lost in the build up, the atmosphere, and to even be a part of it is incredible. Also i wont mind the £600,000 it brings as well. As a side issue, the much promised 'return of Mcgoldrick' if we get to the play-offs obv wont happen. As many on here know, we've seen the last of him and with rumors he's moved his family up to Nottingham its almost assured. But everybody knew that in Jan. I would even say there is an argument that if he was available right now, would we really play him with his lack of football for 6 months? prob not. I just hope that when we lose, we do it well, we fight, we create chances, and if they are to be victorious, we make them work bloody hard for it. We must make them sing for their supper, do that, and ill leave a happy ITFC fan.

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blueherts added 15:55 - May 4 How many on this site gave Bradford a chance against Chelsea , How many thought Reading will turn over Derby 3-0 ? People talking of 'miracles' obviously havent watched any sport over the past 30 years or so There are countless times 'lesser' teams have overcome 'better' sides Why cant you believe - we will need to be at 100% and the Budgies under par - it can happen Miracle ? no , I do find it strange that 'supporters' of a Club are so resigned to throw the towel in I guess you dont work in the world of motivation of positive thinking More 'Glass is half empty' brigade Oh and beating WATFORD twice - was that a miracle ??

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:02 - May 4 The play-offs usually turn up a surprise or three. Why can't we be one of them? Let's not give up before we've started! COYB!
4

Fat_Boy_Tim added 17:06 - May 4 You know that feeling we all had when the second goal went in against Blackburn and we all, to a man woman and child, thought we'd pissed it away. That feeling is why people want to say to themselves and those around them "We have no chance". It's a fact thet it's the hope that kills you, not the losing. Well enough, we have got to man-up and shout out that we can beat these tossers, we believe that Noel can score in the last 10 seconds (2 points that have proven very important) we can go the Wolves and hold them under massive preassure both before and during the game which has given us our shot. We are Ipswich Town and no matter how much it could hurt to believe it, I'm going to believe it until fat lady's voice is hoarse and the final whistle has blown all three bloody times. COYB.

7

essexbluey added 17:21 - May 4 Cant wait for the game.
1

brittaniaman added 17:40 - May 4 Away from the playoff for a moment, I heard Palace are having a end of season clear out, Jonny Williams being one of them ???
1

TimmyH added 17:57 - May 4 @blueherts - lets face it the FA Cup was never high on Chelsea's plans and over 2 legs Bradford would probably have not won on aggregate and I actually mentioned with Derby's poor form too many people were looking at just what Brentford were going to do. I do think though that the word 'miracle' is a tad OTT in describing our chances of getting through to Wembley...but have say Norwich are undoubtedly the favourites in my book - as much as it is about time 'we did them'. By the way they beat us 30 years ago in the League Cup semi final over 2 legs as well!

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Seasider added 18:26 - May 4 Perhaps Mick has failed in Play Offs so often because of the attitude he instils in his teams normally. However this time he did seem a bit more positive;so am hopeful that he will put footballers in the side like Varney Ambrose and Bru to the exclusion of his favourites Tabby and Hunty. And play 433 But do you think I will get my wish?
0

cyprustractorboy added 18:28 - May 4 Yes we took the Barclays the Norwich ran away as usual and then besides winning we did a 5thousand tractor boys pitch invasion and celebrated on the carrot road pitch with the town players that was epic The budgies must have been really hacked at that they would never dare to go on our pitch for fear of a good kicking lol
2

Tractorog added 19:34 - May 4 Mick is right to down play the game. There's enough at stake without him being foolish. As long as we make a decent fist of it, that's all that can be asked, the rest is fate. it is squeaky bum time!
2

tcc4 added 20:57 - May 4 I agree with varney playing. He was excellent against forest and helps us play to our strengths of being direct and very busy. We are rightly underdogs but think we have a good chance if we can take a lead down to carrot road. Come on town!!!
2

Northwestblue added 21:45 - May 4 I've got a funny feeling that league form isn't going to matter at all in the playoffs. Norwich will be thinking they are favourites but they will struggle at a packed and noisy Portman Road. The expectation and pressure is all on them and I predict they will crumble. COYB!
2

Walk_the_Wark added 22:43 - May 4 Let's not forget McCarthy is our manager. He will set us up to defend, frustrate and hoof. Personally I believe it will take a minor miracle to get past Norwich. If we do we could well win the final against the relatively poor Mid/Brent. I'm am Town so would like us to do it. Play offs will at the very least be good experience. I for one have mixed feelings about this guy taking us into the Prem however, as no amount of money can improve his skills and I don't want to see us being thrashed week in week out!

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EdwardF added 22:56 - May 4 Mick and Terry Why on earth are you bothering? Most Norwich fans reckon they have a bye to the final at Wembley. One grandfather has even booked a parking space at Stratford on the day of the final to save money - ahh but he is taking his grandson to watch their Coronation! #prick
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JimInGreensboro added 02:11 - May 5 All these comments about Mick's winning this or not winning that. Mick hasn't scored a goal nor saved a shot all year. It's up to the eleven guys in blue on the pitch and I think we have the leaders in our lineup to focus and get the job done. Once that ball gets kicked, it's game on and I like our chances.
1

oldegold added 08:56 - May 5 I imagine his abysmal record is down to the defence mindedness of MM and these games favour the brave and attack-minded. As I wrote before, we will only win against our friends in Anglia if we take the game to them and don't try to contain them as this will spell disaster as they are quicker and have more pace. However play offs are a lottery as we experienced in 1997,1998,1999,2004 and 2005 and if we are brave and try to score and create chances then we have a fighting chance. MM has the perfect example of how to play the game tactically and just needs to go back and watch our insipid displays in August and March against them to see what has to be done as it is a level playing field now but I remain skeptical if he has another way of playing soccer but we are Ipswich and it's now a time for heroes. Come on Mick...please attack them as we can do it if we do...

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Daniel72 added 09:12 - May 5 Nice corner from Tabb for the first goal on Saturday. Just sayin'...
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BackTheBlues added 09:29 - May 5 There'll be a whole load of psychologists ringing me, they can all piss off. You can put that as well, that'll stop them doing it!”
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dubblue added 16:13 - May 5 To be fair our current form would suggest we are underdogs, and I would be more confident that we could get a result against brentfort or boro, but we should NOT give up before a ball has been kicked. COYB
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rfretwell added 18:43 - May 5 To the doubters i say one thing - the '78 FA Cup Final. An Arsenal team with Liam Brady, Malcolm McDonald etc,containing several of the best players in the country. Overwhelming favourites to trounce us. We absolutely smashed them with our nobodies Geddis and Osborne doing alot of the damage. Varney down our right on saturday can also do alot of damage - he'll surprise the yellow peril. WE BELIEVE

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tractorgrl added 18:48 - May 5 I would be interested to know which of micks teams in the other play-offs, he would rate the best or would he think that we are better than those teams? Perhaps them up the road think that all they have to do is turn up. Come on you Blues!
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Sospiri added 09:43 - May 6 After years and years of nothing, we get this. Couldn't have been scripted... very exciting
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yorksblue added 10:07 - May 6 rfretful - that prompted the well known quiz question ' what's taken to Wembley and never used'? Instead of answer being losers ribbons, it was amended to read Malcolm McDonald.
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