Town boss Mick McCarthy was happy enough with a draw from the first leg of the East Anglian play-off semi-final derby with Norwich City. What McCarthy felt was a “terrific game” ended 1-1 with Jonny Howson netting the Canaries and Paul Anderson for the Blues in the first half.

“I would say it was a terrific game, a really hard-fought game, whether it was a great football match, I don’t know but it was two teams competing for a big prize,” he said.

“It was never going to be wide open expansive football but it was very, very competitive, although there was no nastiness in it, just players going at it hammer and tongs but within the rules.

“I thought it was a good game and I’d take that. We’d like to be in front, of course, but away goals don’t count. We’ve got to win at Norwich.

“I’ve always been proud of my team, full of admiration for them for the way they’ve gone about their business for 46 games in the league.

“We went behind at a time when we were actually playing well, I thought. We’d just had a chance, Ando had had a shot and then we went behind. Then to come back against them shows everything that my team is about.”

When he was reminded that Town have had a decent away record this season, winning seven and drawing seven of their 23 games, he joked: “Big all the good ones up, we lost at Huddersfield, lost at Blackburn, never had a kick…

“We’re always aware of everything we’ve done but we have had a big results away from home.

“They’ve got to be the slight favourites, they’re a good side, finished third, they’re at home, but it doesn’t always work that way, as we know.

“And I’d settle for playing like that, I’d settle for that game and if we play as well as we did today we’ll be all right.”

He says he’s much happier to go into the return leg level rather than having to chase the match: “It’s a lot easier than being 3-0 down! I wouldn’t like the thought of that.

“It’s a lot easier to prepare for the game. If we had to go and attack, attack from the start and try and get one back it leaves you very vulnerable.

“But I think it could be a very nervy affair from both. You’ve seen we can both defend, one goal could be the difference in it.

“There could be small margins in it, whether that’s a mistake by a player, a bit of brilliance by a player, a mistake by a referee.

“By the way, I thought today’s referee [Anthony Taylor] was great today, I don’t think it was a foul on Tommy Smith [ahead of Norwich’s goal], I think Tommy slipped and Cameron Jerome had just got his foot in.

“I thought he handled it well so I hope we get someone who handles the second leg well as well.”

Norwich manager Alex Neil said he planned to keep his players away from the papers and away from the hype ahead of next week’s game, but McCarthy believes that’s impossible to do.

“We’ll have to put them in the Big Brother house for a week then, unless the Jungle’s on, we could put them in there for a week!” he joked.

“I get that you don’t want them to get hyped up but it is what it is and you’re not telling me that my lads and his lads won’t be at home thinking about it every single day this week.

“Of course, you guys will be turning up. It’s got bigger now, it’s one game before Wembley and you’ve got to deal with it.

“To be fair, I’ve got experienced players, I’ve got men in the team, they’ve not going to get worried about it. It didn’t look to me as if either team got worried by it today. I think it was a good, competitive match. You can’t protect them from everything.”

One piece of bad news for Town is that Luke Varney looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having injured his ankle in the first half.

“We think he’s snapped his achilles,” McCarthy said. “He’s in there on gas and air at the minute. I hope the drugs testers don’t do him now he’s had all that.

“He’s in bits the poor lad. He’s been wonderful, he’s been a breath of fresh air coming in. For a lad who has come in on loan, he like all the loanees has really contributed. He’s just such a great guy, we’ll have to look after him and make sure he’s OK.

“It’s a big blow for him and I haven’t got a player for next week and maybe for Wembley, who knows.

“It’s such a big blow for him. I’m so disappointed for him. You see any player do that, but a lad like him, it’s really disappointing.”

McCarthy says he’ll treat the week ahead just like any other, as he did in the lead-up to the first game.

“We’ll be normal, in Monday, Tuesday, off Wednesday, preparing like we’ve done all season.

“That got us 78 points and if you start doing something different players ask ‘Why are we doing that?’ and it can unhinge them a little bit rather than keeping it the same and treating it the same.”

Norwich boss Alex Neil thought a draw was a fair result: “I don’t think there was a great deal between the teams over the piece.

"I thought in the first half was as we expected, a hundred miles an hour, fighting for second balls.

“I think the unusual thing was the fact that we created more chances in the first half but dominated the game less.

“I thought in the second half the more it wore on the more we controlled the ball but didn’t really create that much in the second half.

“Over the piece we had more chances in the first half than I think Ipswich did. However, did we do enough to win the game? Probably not.”

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 16:47 - May 9 Really sorry to hear about Varney's injury. A torn Achilles risks the career of someone at their peak but at 32 it's probably career ending as it takes over a year to recover as then another six months to a year before being ready to go back to full training. Let's hope I'm wrong and I really hope it is something less serious.
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Michael11 added 16:48 - May 9 I'm sorry but if we play as we did then I don't think we'll be alright like Mick says. Murphy and Sears were fed on scraps most the game. We have to take advantage of their defence, they looked nervy and rattled all afternoon! I can't see Norwich playing as badly next week as they did today and we need to up our performance another gear. Still believe we can do it though!

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DurhamTownFan added 16:49 - May 9 Fairly sensible from both managers. The draw certainly leaves us in a better position than having to chase the game. I actually feel a lot more confident after the game. We worked hard, notwich didn't really threaten THAT much, and we looked calm. Very sad for Varney. If he's done his Achilles, it looks unlikely that he'll get a club for next season, unless we go up and Mick takes a gamble. He's been our best loan signing this season.

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ArnieM added 16:50 - May 9 Scum always donhave more possession, but its what you do with it that counts. Bart didnt havebtoo muchbto do in all fairness. The pressure is ALL on them, in front of their widely renowned fickle fans!
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muccletonjoe added 16:51 - May 9 Anything can happen up there. Perhaps we have a better chance now, than before this game
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azuremerlangus added 16:58 - May 9 For me Norwich for the 3rd time this season looked very beatable - this match has given us a bit of belief that we can do it.
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oldegold added 17:01 - May 9 Being happy to settle for a draw at our place could be our undoing unfortunately. Take those shackles off MM and give the team some attacking intent please. We will not win if we try to contain and today was the day when we had to take the game to them.
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ramseyn added 17:13 - May 9 Really not sure of those saying release the shackles McCarthy and such like. Today we started with Murphy, Sears, Varney, Bru, Bishop. That's no defensive park the bus intent.
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SE4Blue added 17:14 - May 9 Well, I have to say I kind of expected the game to go the way it did. I think a draw is a fair result but slightly disappointed that Mick decided to play it safe in the second half with the substitutes he made. I thought that Skuse was an absolute rock in midfield today. He was everywhere. Norwich looked particularly nervy at the back for a period in the second half and we probably should have taken more advantage of this. All being said it's on to Carrow Road next weekend and if Skuse has a game like he did today, I believe we can win. COYB! p.s. Good work today Portman Road. We really got the place rocking.

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truckertractorboy added 17:14 - May 9 Y any negativity they all stood up and done there best . Norwich,s goal was a inch perfect pass . We played ok crowd was ok was a good day for the football club . All pressure on norwich next week
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Jesney_Havoc added 17:19 - May 9 Can't argue with the result on the day but I thought we faded as the game went on. Far better in the first than the second, and as with the away league match, missing an easy early chance, in the 7th minute, may prove fatal. Whilst we have at least broken the 5 consecutive defeat pattern, I can't help but think we really needed to take a lead to Carrot roaad to have a pukka chance. That said, Nodge looked really rattled after we scored, and Neil's face on video looked panicked. Early goal in the away leg will settle it, hopefully ours ! We certainly have nothing to fear! COYB boys !

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NoCanariesAllowed added 17:31 - May 9 Can't agree with the complaints about our intent today. Easy to say "we should've gone for it" but why risk going behind when there's still 90 minutes of this tie to play? It's next week I'd like to see us go for it - and this scoreline ensures we will have to in order to progress.
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TimmyH added 17:32 - May 9 Personally felt the game wasn't that 'terrific' - yes 1st half lots of passion and effort with some chances for both sides but the 2nd was still competitive but lacking in quality altogether and couldn't see anybody scoring. Can't see Mick going with the same midfield next Saturday as he started today (which was correct) - Parr and Tabby will be back in to shore up and protect the defense - hope I'm wrong but I'll be surprised. Tough job on next week! - quick question - why is the pressure on Norwich now? as a few people have mentioned.

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Samassi100Abou added 17:41 - May 9 Thought we battled very well we have to remember Norwich side is far superior if your Looking at money spent & recent premier experiance, never felt we carried a massive threat throughout the game, but defended well, I have a feeling it we be a touch of luck that will decide the outcome this time next week!
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warwickblue added 18:02 - May 9 I did my Achilles fifteen years ago and it still causes real problems every so often. A horrible injury. Massive sympathy for Varney. I think we'll be coming back down the A140 with a 1-0 victory in our pockets next Saturday. I can see why people are saying that Norwich are now under pressure. Having doubled us this season, they'd have been looking to take a goal or two cushion into the second leg. I think they looked edgy for much of today.

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CrouchEndBlue added 18:38 - May 9 Thought it was a fair result. Norwich perhaps had the extra polish but they've spent millions on their side. Atmosphere was very good before, during and after the game. Ultimately i'm really just glad it's all to play for next week.
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WonderWoods added 18:54 - May 9 Underdogs still but everything to play for. Can see Bru and Tabb starting with Parr and Anderson on bench. We should not sit back. If we can nick a early goal they could go to pieces. Feel very sorry for Varney. If Didz is still an Ipswich player, can see him coming off the bench and sending us through. COYB!
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essex57 added 19:04 - May 9 I thought we put up a good solid performance today draw was a fair reflection of the game onto Carrow Rd keep it tight first half then go all out second half MM and TC know what their doing lets enjoy the ride and do our bit
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LordMamu added 19:05 - May 9 Just got back from the game after a long drive and god I feel happy with that performance and result - they looked nervy at the back for sure and I know we can nick a goal with the pressure on them- it's the best result in a way because if we won it it would be tempting to sit back and get taken apart - bring it on people it's going to be a screamer of a second leg!
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bohslegend added 20:01 - May 9 Nothing but praise and admiration for our boys today. How anyone can say we did not show intent is beyond me. And as for the changes made some of it was the knock on effects of Reg getting injured so early. We were at least as good as them in this game. And what that does is takes the momentum away from Nodge and gives us belief. Don't forget, they went into this game expecting to breeze past us. Now it's effectively half time and they are not having it all their own way. In fact they have the additional pressure now of an expectant (yet highly mutant) home crowd on their backs and if we do an MM special on them - keep tight - hit them on the break á la Watford - they'll crack under the pressure. #believe #onwardsandupwards

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jas0999 added 20:03 - May 9 Good and fair interviews by both managers.
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halsteadblue added 20:23 - May 9 I`ve always been proud of my team,full of admiration for them for the way they`ve gone about their business for 46 games in the league.And so say all of us Mick......We are going up .............COYB
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bluefeast added 20:54 - May 9 get in you blues love led it from start to finish for once we gave norwich a game
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Northwestblue added 21:03 - May 9 Just back after a long drive each way. Were were on it first half but did fade and I thought our front 2 looked tired towards the end. McGoldrick did not look fit when warming up which may explain why he didn't feature. We can go to Carrow Road and nick this I believe as their defence did not look assured. COYB!
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blueboy1981 added 21:21 - May 9 0ldegold .......... how anyone could disagree with your post is absurd .......... same old 'blue tints' out again as usual .......... can be the only answer.
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