Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted that his side weren’t as good as they have been in recent games as they drew 1-1 at home to Brentford and that the Bees were the better team.

“They were very, very good, we weren’t particularly good with the ball at all,” McCarthy said. “They deserved a point, they probably deserved to win it, they were the best team.

“Why that is I don’t know. Probably because they’re a good side. But then we’ve played a lot better in the last five games and probably deserved more points than we’ve got.

“And today we’ve had to scrap and fight and stick at it and if there’s a bright spot or a positive point then that’s just what we did and we got a point when eight weeks ago I would have been sat here with a face like thunder and we probably have lost that 3-1.

“You look for positives and that’s the case, but they were excellent today, very good.”

He added: “We’ve played a lot better. I don’t know why. It’s just not happened for us today. It’s just a shame we’ve come here and played in front of our fans like that when we’ve had five other games when we’ve played particularly well I think and it’s been a lot better. Today was disappointing.

“We always want to get three points but there are some days you just take the point and you’re glad of it and today is one of them.”

Despite the disappointment, Town are now undefeated in six, which pleases McCarthy: “It sounds a lot better. I know it’s been five draws and a win but it’s another point because we’ve had a tough old time.

“I think that’s the measure of the lads that they’ve stuck at it today. In the past I think we would have come off and we’d have been beaten.”

Midfielder Emyr Huws, who is on loan from Cardiff, scored his second goal for the club and McCarthy says he has already talked to the Wales international about moving to Portman Road on a permanent basis.

“I’ve spoken to Emyr, I think that’s the first step, and asked him if he’d like to join us and he’s said he’d be delighted to,” he said.

“That’s positive, that’s good news, although I don’t think he’s going to say ‘No, mess off!’

“He said he’d love to, so that’s good. He’s enjoying it, that’s the thing, he’s back enjoying playing, he’s enjoying being here and I think everybody’s enjoying having him here. Certainly I am and the fans are.”

McCarthy says Huws’s Wales international colleague Tom Lawrence, who made his return from his two-match ban, is still feeling the ankle injured he suffered in the home game against Derby.

“He’s having to nurse it a little bit,” the Town boss added. “It won’t be right until the end of the season and he can put it in the sea somewhere and have a few weeks off and not be doing anything on it, that’s when it’ll be perfect again.

“He’s been off for two weeks, he’s not going to be as sharp. I thought it was the right decision to play him. He’s been brilliant for the rest of the season. Freddie had come in and done exceptionally well but Tom’s been our talisman.”

Regarding Cole Skuse’s chance to win the game for Town late on, McCarthy added: “Brentford are set up to catch you on the break and he generally ends up being the sitter and the security.

“But I think as a footballer you should be doing a bit of everything and he’s just recognised his opportunity to play it and go forward and he was a bit unfortunate he didn’t get a better contact on it.”

The Blues manager had praise for Myles Kenlock, who cleared a goal-bound Sergi Canos shot off the line in the second half.

“Myles is doing great, I’ve been delighted with him,” he added. “To play at this level week in, week out, that’s something he hasn’t done and I think he found it tough at times because he’s up against some good players.

“But he was Johnny on the spot, got back and defended. He’s a wing-back but he got back in and did his defensive job. I’m really pleased with him.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s home game against his old club Wolves, McCarthy says one or two players are suffering from niggles but he expects them all to be OK.

“Emyr’s got a bit of a tight hamstring,” he continued. “It’s a bit unfortunate for some of the lads who have come in and haven’t played all season.

“Jordan Spence is another one who has come in from doing nothing and to then playing week in, week out. Emyr has done the same, Toums has done the same.

“Chambo got a really bad knock in his ribs which knocked the wind out of his sails a little bit. I don’t think anybody’s going to be missing for Tuesday. We’ll have to wait and see tomorrow morning.”

Brentford boss Dean Smith felt the Bees were the more likely winners in the second half.

“It was a scrappy game and their pitch at the moment I don’t think helps flowing football, it’s a little bit slow and bobbly," he said.

“I don’t think the goalkeepers were worked as much as they should have been. I thought we started the game quite well, then there was a spell when they took over for 20 minutes and they probably edged the first half.

“The lad’s scored a good goal, it was a good finish. I can nit-pick with our players and say we should have been tighter and stopped the cross.

“I think he was a bit fortunate that the cross ended up with him but it was good execution.

“I thought we got back into the game then and got more on the ball and it was a well-worked goal.

"A great ball through from Romaine Sawyers and Nico Yennaris has arrived in the box and scored again.

“In the second half I thought we were the better team. I thought we looked the more likely team to go on and win the game.”

Photo: TWTD

The_Romford_Blue added 18:25 - Mar 4 Really good to read that about Huws wanting to sign. Get it done Evans ffs!
19

walberblue added 18:26 - Mar 4 I you can't beat Brentford at home in a game that has no importance to either team who can you beat MIck? Sack Mick
13

itfchorry added 18:29 - Mar 4 Ever thought about trying to win a game McCarthy ?
20

billlm added 18:30 - Mar 4 It should have been an expansive entertaining game but you still shackle them equalling a drudge of a game, very deflated again walking away from a place i love
23

TimmyH added 18:32 - Mar 4 Have to say congratulations to Blueboy1981 with his prediction on Friday of Mick's post match interview today...almost spot on! :) Yes Mick your right Brentford probably did deserve to win but other than that bore-off and take your generally dull draws with you.
13

therein61 added 18:41 - Mar 4 Stop playing for a point and you might get somewhere
18

Cakeman added 18:45 - Mar 4 Indeed a positive that Huws would like to say. On the negative side what on earth has gone wrong with our pitch? It looks terrible and Brentford aren't the first visiting team to make comment about it.
12

Pencilpete added 18:47 - Mar 4 I'm a season ticket holder and today was the first time i have gone since the Fulham debacle on Boxing day. I have to say we are 100 times better than we were and although by no means has MM won me over at least he has been TRYING to play more attacking teams and better football. I can take the other side playing better than us, i can take losing matches but i want to see us lose having a go and playing rather than sitting in our own penalty box and hacking it anywhere, I think we are moving in the right direction ... sign Huws, keep Douglas as far away from the matchday squad as possible and keep playing with intent and there may be hope for Mick yet :)

3

blueboy1981 added 18:47 - Mar 4 ........ Yes Dino - because you (yet again) didn't set out to achieve anything other than your mindset 'point'. If we can't set out to win against teams like Brentford, what chance have we ... ???
12

bluelady added 18:49 - Mar 4 I'm sorry they were not really really good they were there for the taking.. so was Ward tactical or an injury?? Cause he is was probably our best player first half so if it was tactical then absolutely genius - NOT!!!
9

battyblue added 18:52 - Mar 4 The normal drudge and lame excuses on a regular basis.mm out
15

bluey123 added 18:57 - Mar 4 What an understatement Brentford were far better 54 per cent of possession 10 corners and one cleared off the line well said Super Mick
4

MooseJuice added 19:02 - Mar 4 “They deserved a point, they probably deserved to win it, they were the best team. Why that is I don't know." Umm, that's concerning. Aren't you paid a handsome amount to be aware of such things Mick?!? You have been doing this for a very long time after all... as you're so fond of reminding us.
13

Penguinblue added 19:10 - Mar 4 Ridiculous situation Milne has allowed to occur in letting McCarthy decide, and not tell supporters, whether he will be here next season or not. ITFC about to announce season ticket arrangements for next season, when all we want to know is whether Mr negative, hoofball, proper blokes, negative one trick pony will still be in charge. Even if, unlike me, you want him to remain, it is not unreasonable to want to know one way or another before shelling of £500+

12

Jewels added 19:13 - Mar 4 Negative Mick Mccarthy as usual. I would rather watch paint dry!
11

GiveusaWave added 19:14 - Mar 4 More concerned about next season, not so much this. Serious investment needed and we all know it's not going to happen. Side looks like a jigsaw puzzle where you've jammed and forced the wrong pieces into different sections. We allowed them to control the game and they pushed players forward at will. Gulf in class. Zero impact from the subs bench today which was also disappointing.

6

blue75 added 19:15 - Mar 4 Please stop stringing fans along us along!! 3-5-2,5-3-2,4-4-2,4-5-1 or 4-3-3 doesn't matter we always end up the same 10 men defending no attacking intent!! You'll never change your spots so please just do one! I'm sure your believers will be on soon telling us to be careful what you wish for!! Will I wish for a manager with balls to attack a team at home no matter who they are!! We are Ipswich Town Football Club and we have a proud history which is being undermined every time this relic sends a team out!! McCarthy Out!!!

18

JimmyP45 added 19:16 - Mar 4 We were the better team in the first half and should have pushed for the win in the second half but oh no, negative Mick goes and makes his usual negative substitutions playing for a draw at home. Brentford were nothing special and the win was there for us to take!
8

TractorBeezer added 19:22 - Mar 4 Great news that Emyr Huws would like to sign. However, isn't he still under contract at Cardiff? If so how can MM make an on the record approach directly with the player?
0

ArnieM added 19:31 - Mar 4 To be fair to the players today it looked like one game too many for a lot if our players. We looked like a team that has just come through a month of really tough back to back games throughout the last month. I think we need to cut the players and Mick some slack here. Many players dpowared to be running know empty and very heavy legged. COYBS ...Anyone know how scum got on today? ( whistles)

3

cat added 19:34 - Mar 4 It's too late for positives now MM, you should have set your team up that way, you never know we might have won. How can a big man who gives it the BIG ONE be so fecking yellow when it comes to tactics.
8

Bluetone added 19:34 - Mar 4 Just think McCarthy waking up to a full Yorkshire breakfast and a couple of cups of Yorkshire tea. Then a walk on the Yorkshire Dales a stop at a hostelry and a pint or two of Yorkshire bitter while you regale the locals with tales of all your great achievements. Then home to your Yorkshire home and a Sunday lunch of roast beef, horse radish sauce and Yorkshire puddings with all the trimmings washed down with another glass of Yorkshire bitter. Then an afternoon snooze in your favourite armchair while daydreaming of all your glittering successes most of which are, of course, imaginary. Go on McCarthy go for it I'm certain we will survive extremely well without you.

7

poldark added 19:34 - Mar 4 McCarthy needs to go now and allow a new manager to keep the players he wants because he thinks Chambers, Skuse and the like should be let go
3

BrettenhamBlue added 19:36 - Mar 4 It's turned the Wolves game into a huge game. They have to go for the 3 points which will suit us. Hope our players get some rest, they look worn out out there!
1

geminimustang added 19:44 - Mar 4 "TractorBeezer added 19:22 - Mar 4 Great news that Emyr Huws would like to sign. However, isn't he still under contract at Cardiff? If so how can MM make an on the record approach directly with the player?" Loan Deals will have various clause's drawn into them that allow/not allow a transfer within the Loan Period or thereafter,often with a fee already agreed.MM will know what was agreed when the player signed.

1

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