Boss Mick McCarthy revealed that skipper Luke Chambers apologised to his team-mates for his overall performance, despite having scored the last-gasp winner as Town defeated QPR 2-1 at Portman Road. Chambers powered home a header in the 92nd minute of what McCarthy admitted was no Boxing Day classic.

“I think it’s a really important result and maybe it’s got the monkey off our back at home because we needed to win a game,” McCarthy said, the Blues having previously won just one of their last nine at home.

“I don’t think it was wonderful entertainment, I think it was a fairly turgid, horrible game which was going nowhere.

“It had 0-0 written over it in the first half until we defended abysmally and conceded a goal which was just appalling for us to concede from a number of levels.

“Not just one player, it was typical of us, it was about five little errors which ended up as a huge one and it ended up in our net.

“That gave them the spark and was the reason they were able to sit in and leave one up front, which they did, they left the big fella [Sebastian Polter] up front and he was a handful.

“If anything we’ve won it because of our belligerence, tenacity and the aggressive way we play and kept going. That’s what won us the game.

“And Chambo, who came in and apologised for his performance to everybody else, that’s a captain’s performance - if you’re not having the best game come up and score the bloody winner and everybody forgets about it.

“He can put his performance behind him because that won’t be written down in history but scoring the winner will. I love that about my team, that they keep going.

“He just said ‘Sorry lads, not my best performance’. I said ‘Don’t worry, you scored the winner’. I’m not going to tell you what else I said to him.

“He made up for the first goal because he had a hand in that, Junior Hoilett got across and beat him, but there were a whole load of other mistakes as well, and it should never have ended up as that.

"I love that about him, I think he’s a really top lad, top player, top captain and he has a real influence on the team.”

The Blues manager says he’s been delighted with the way his skipper has adapted to life at right-back: “He’s scored a couple of goals, he’s bought into it, he’s a good professional.

“When you ask people to play in a different position, they can do one of two things. Go and do all right a couple of times, then become a square peg in a round hole and then be left out. But he’s not done that.

“There are days when he’s centre-half and you can see that he’s not a full-back, it’s not all going great for him, but he sticks at it and he’s done that brilliantly today. Well done Chambo.”

Asked what the difference was between the sides, McCarthy added: “The fact that I’ve got a central midfielder [Jonathan Douglas] who has got in and scored because we were putting pressure on them and we were susceptible to getting done on the break on a number of occasions

"They’ve got Junior Hoilett and Matt Phillips, Premier League footballers, and the big fella up front could hold it up.

“And the fact that I’ve got Dougie, who’s 34 and covers about 12km every game, he’s there putting it in and takes his chance.

“He [adds to the goal threat in midfield], he scored eight last year [for Brentford] and he’s got three this year now.

“And I’ve got a full-back, who says himself that he’s not had the best game but is in the box in the 92nd minute and scores. That’s the difference.

“We kept going - I’m not saying they didn’t keep going - but Derby beat us, Middlesbrough beat us, but none of them could have said that it was an easy game. So, what was the difference? We kept going and we wanted to win it, and we nicked it.”

He continued: “You could also say Cole Skuse clearing it off the line [from Leroy Fer]. If it goes to 2-0 we’re goosed.”

McCarthy was delighted that the 23,615-strong biggest crowd of the season will have been sent home happy after the drama of the late winner, but admitted: “They had to wade through 93 minutes of shite before it got great, though!"

The Town boss was pleased with the impact wingers Ryan Fraser and Tommy Oar had from the bench: “I don’t think Freddie and Ainsley are shy at being attack-minded and Ryan needs to be fully fit, but he certainly always has an impact.

“And Tommy Oar, poor old Tommy, he was knocked out [against Huddersfield], then he did his knee ligaments, but he was brilliant this week in training. The best week’s training you’re ever likely to have. I’m sure he’s got a contribution to make.”

McCarthy, whose side remain sixth in the Championship, says that the result has made his Christmas at least semi-happy.

“I’d sooner play well and win,” he admitted. “But I’ve just said to someone else ‘Screw ‘em, I’ve got three points’. I’m not bothered, just win, the object of my job is to win games’.

“That’s what will enable me to have at least a semi-happy Christmas now because we’ve got three points and nothing else really matters to me.

“Sad, but my life is conducted around football results and the way I feel and my mood, my demeanour all revolve around football results. It’s a fairly shallow, sad old life but it f–k it, I feel great today!”

QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was disappointed with the way his side defended as they fell to their first defeat under his management: “It comes down to this, if you don’t defend properly, if you switch off, you’re going to be punished. And Ipswich capitalised on that very well.

"I thought the first goal was a little bit flukey, he mishit it. Douglas was very sharp but it was a mishit but you still have to stop the cross going in.

“I think in the first half we really well organised and we couldn’t have scored at a better moment.

“We had a chance to make it 2-0 but we didn’t take it and when it stays 1-0 then you know you have to be resolute and defend until the end, 96 minutes, you have to defend properly and then try to capitalise when you have the ball.”

Regarding Town, he added: “Ipswich are a good side, we always knew that it was going to be a very difficult match.

“The gaffer here, Mick, has got them playing a certain way and has been doing a magnificent job since he has come in and they are going to be there or thereabouts.”

Photo: Action Images

southnorfolkblue added 18:49 - Dec 26 When MM says it was poor, you know it was!!!
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JCBLUE added 18:51 - Dec 26 2-1 as predicted by Nostradamus .... love the what opposing managers always say Mick sets up his team to play " a certain way" - 3 points, 3 more @ Brughton please!
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jas0999 added 18:54 - Dec 26 Yep, a fair reflection. Delighted that Chambers scored the winner, but he is correct; performance as a right back was woeful. Poor game overall. Little creativity in the midfield BUT three very valuable points. We move on.
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kilkmilk added 18:56 - Dec 26 Was I watching a different game? I'm not sure where all this criticism is coming from... Excellent game and deserved result.
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JCBLUE added 18:59 - Dec 26 Love the way!
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muccletonjoe added 19:03 - Dec 26 I must admit. I doubted our ability to get back into it at 1 - 0. So I hold my hands up nd give the credit to mm. All you can do is win
10

Dissboyitfc added 19:11 - Dec 26 "There are days when you can see he is a centre half and not a full back" , its glaringly obvious to all of us and yet still no sign of mm correcting the situation? A very welcome home win and three points.... coyb
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gmanrom added 19:20 - Dec 26 Kilkmilk I really do think you was at a different game mate that was a terrible performance, but we got 3 points and that is all what matters. But going forward into next year we need to be so much then that to have any chance of play offs.
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irishtim added 19:22 - Dec 26 Well done. Now unleash Bru, Fraser amd maybe oar.
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kilkmilk added 19:36 - Dec 26 gmanrom I think I've just realised the way we play and have taught myself to enjoy it. It may not be pretty to watch, but it's championship football, we're grinding out the results and wining in the last minuet makes for amazing entertainment! But yeah, if we get promoted we're going to have to change our game and I think we have the players who could play on the deck, passing football. But...would Mick change our style?

4

oldegold added 19:42 - Dec 26 We are all very very happy with the victory...exalted..but in the long run, we will stick it out and grind out boring 2-1 victories or go into defense for the whole of the match after going in front after 10 minutes because it will never be pretty soccer under MM. I am blue through and through and desperately want us to get out of this division after 14 years but always fear this sterile play will cost us. It's effective enough to salvage a result and ward off relegation but it's not a protagonist and free-flowing way and equipped to win in style and take the Championship by storm.It's also-ran soccer...always the bridesmaid but never the bride really.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:46 - Dec 26 Mick must have been reading TWTD again. Strange how the man does seem to know what had just occurred. Only possible conclusion? Micks been scanning the forums to appropriate content for his post match press conference.
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EssexTractor added 20:04 - Dec 26 Football a wonderful sport and bringing out mixed opinions from those who have sat and watched the same live match. Today those at Portman Road can have no dispute with the eminent MM who proclaimed today's fayre was " sh*te"! Certainly until the 77th minute, almost devoid of any contrived calculated and planned assault on the opposition( what real training occurs, even simple basic taking of free kicks and throw ins?, lets not get started on JKs Danish Exocets!) But then almost inexplicably we scored and as surprised as we were by that so too were QPR when within the true spirit of Christmas they allowed the friendly Suffolk team to take all three points. Great for ITFC fans to make Boxing Night a smiling place. But Mick you are the manager and yes I can see , in this modern World , why three points is everything your football life is about but my neighbouring supporter who paid £32 for an overseas Christmas visitor to witness entertaining English football might be entitled to ask" where is the refund counter"? So please MM our New Year Wish is not to be negative but for you , and your staff not to be the " management" behind such sh* te in 2016

12

Walk_the_Wark added 20:11 - Dec 26 Mick continues to do just enough. Pleased we won today, but most of us know that playing style won't improve much under MCarthy. I like others feel the club lacks ambition to get to the next level (Mm would be, as he has been in the past, way out of his depth in the Prem- money or no money). Championship is McCarthys level, and if the board are happy to be upper mid-table/ play off contenders (enough to keep the fans happy??) , and hide behind FFP in terms of investment, then MM may well be here till he retires-another 10 years??? Till then we will have to accept scraping 3 points from route 1 football. Some may think that the 3 points are all that matters. Personally it makes me very sad that we don't try and play the modern game, and attract the manager and consequently, the players, to facilitate it.

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battyblue added 20:18 - Dec 26 We won just somehow but what a load of sh-te .
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hinchers1066 added 20:34 - Dec 26 “They had to wade through 93 minutes of (as quoted by MM) before it got great, though!" OK hands up MM admits that it was (as quoted by MM) . I assume he meant both teams, because we have the personnel to be better than (as quoted by MM). Every team in this league has us sussed i.e. long ball hoofed up the park with a less than 20% chance of us hanging on to the ball, and we wonder why Derby and Middlesbrough are in the words of the magician going to walk this league to the premiership. I am staggered that MM admits that the game was (as quoted by MM) mainly because ITFC were on the same pitch. Next we play Brighton away and , wait for it , they are a good side with a outstanding manager and very good players. He is beginning to sound like a pundit on the Football League Show who believe they know all there is to know, without the responsibility of playing the game as it is, "very" difficult. MM we have the personnel, as was proved on the bench today. Why no Fraser or Bru from the start, why no keeping the ball on the ground a la the aforementioned top two, but above all we may not be the very best in this league, but we do not need to be constantly reminded how every other team in this league are somehow better than us. We have the players, we have the passion to win, but what we do need is MM to trust what we have got and make them feel they are a good squad with the talent to at least to give us fans a run for our money. It is not rocket science if what we get from MM in his previews somehow does not sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of the team in general. Roll on Brighton, God help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4

Penguinblue added 20:46 - Dec 26 He will never change, selection of favourites and dire tactics will continue. Even if we scrape the playoffs we know we will fall or under MM would be a laughing stock in the Premier. 2016 wish. MM please go, your work is done - football needs to return to East Anglia.
4

itfcsince1974 added 20:52 - Dec 26 My main concern is this comment “Not just one player, it was typical of us, it was about five little errors which ended up as a huge one and it ended up in our net". Yes it was typical of us but we will still set up with the same line up and tactics in the next game. I am ever an optimistic Town fan but fail to see how we will get promoted with no competition for places. Maybe I've had a beer too many tonight and shouldn't be commenting after such but I love my team and know we have the squad to do so much better.

4

HackneyBlue added 21:10 - Dec 26 Yes it was a shocking display of football and yes Chambers was the poorest player on the pitch and that includes the half time kids who looked technically better ,managing to keep the ball on the park and not shining it into the crowd like Chambers but at least he admitted it and his efforts got rewarded-i have always said if your technically poor at least put the effort in which he does.We will play better and lose not sure we will play that bad again and get a result.

3

HackneyBlue added 21:18 - Dec 26 Kilkmilk-you were not at the same game as me-that was dross and painful to watch,i played at a reasonable standard and that was poor,mind the opposition were poor too,thankfully. gmanrom-i disagree with your comments,yes we all want 3 points but not playing like that every week,fans will disappear,i know many who have since mick took charge and will not return until the QUALITY of football improves.

7

bedsitfc added 21:39 - Dec 26 Let's get behind the team, sod tactics and everything else lets just support our team. Bring as many inflatables on Tuesday let Brighton know we are in their stadium. Let's make it uncomfortable for their players.
4

Stato added 22:02 - Dec 26 Mick please be brave enough on Tuesday to change a winning team.
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Warkys_Tash added 22:07 - Dec 26 Yessss! Delighted with the result & from the reports, delighted with the fact that I decided against wasting a good family day watching poor quality footy. I like Mick but his style of football is not the Ipswich way we were used to under some of our previous managers. Maybe we were just spoilt under George Burley?? Mick knows Chambo is a CB yet says he has done well for a CB at RB - why didn't he go out & get a proper one in his 3 seasons here?? JK isn't up to it at LB either. Don't want to hear the excuses any more - as far as I am concerned if Chambo isn't doing it at RB then MM can't wheel out the excuses of him being played out of position - he is a RB now!! This league is for the taking but sadly it won't be us & the fans know it. The Christmas crowd against Charlton was almost 29k last year..

3

bohslegend added 22:18 - Dec 26 I despair. No I wasn't at the game and I completely understand how fans can get frustrated but the reality is we are punching way above our weight. QPR, a premiership team in all but league status, come to us under a new manager who is so far unbeaten in charge, while we have been struggling at home. We win the game in stoppage time to maintain our place IN THE TOP 6 and yet we still have people slating the team and the manager because we didn't play tikka taka for 96 minutes. I'm not saying for one minute that direct, hustling, aggressive football is all we should expect. But in order to have the financial whereabouts to afford players of that stature we need to get to the Premier first, and that means by any means necessary. MM knows how to do that. For all the yearning for "the Ipswich way" football has changed a lot since those days. A huge gulf exists between those who can afford serious talent and those who can't. If we get to the Prem by hook or by crook that's a game changer. Literally.

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gmanrom added 22:33 - Dec 26 Oh so hackney you would have preferred to have been sitting here with 0 or 1 point rather then 3 hmm!!
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