Town boss Paul Jewell was delighted with his side's the first half performance in the 2-1 victory at Burnley but felt they could have done better after the break. Goals in the first period from skipper David Norris and striker Connor Wickham set the Blues on their way with Jay Rodriguez pulling one back for the Clarets in the second.
Jewell said: "I thought first half we played really well, we put them on the back foot, but I have to be brutally honest, I was a bit disappointed in the second half because we sat back too much.
"But having said that, I can’t remember our goalie making a save really for all the pressure Burnley had.”
The Blues manager was particularly pleased with the second goal, although he thought Wickham made heavy weather of his header, which bounced over keeper Lee Grant and under the bar: "The first goal was a decent set play, the second was a terrific move and Connor’s made hard work of scoring.
"I thought at 2-0 at half-time we’d looked like scoring every time we’d gone forward. I think we made them change their system and their shape.
"In the second half they’d brought on Iwelumo and they just knocked long balls and we dealt with them comfortably.
"But, as always as a manager, you’re always looking to improve and in the second half I thought we could have done better with the ball. But fair play to the players, a few of whom had been on international duty, it was a sterling performance defensively.”
The win means Town have secured Championship football for another year barring miracles but Jewell is insistent that he doesn’t want the season to peter out: "That leaves us on 52 points and I’d be disappointed if we now got embroiled [in the relegation battle], but there are seven games to go still and we want to finish the season with as many points and with as many decent performances as possible.
"We’ve got everything to play for - there are people who are playing for their futures, people are playing for the supporters, who have travelled an awfully long way and, just as importantly, are playing for the club and themselves. If I think someone’s got nothing to play for, they won’t be playing, as simple as that.”
The Blues boss feels youngster Josh Carson will benefit from his second senior game: "I thought he did fine, he’s feisty, he’s aggressive and he’s only going to be better for these two performances.
"Burnley are looking to get into the play-offs and into the Premier League, so it’s not an easy place to come and I thought he played well. He tired a little bit in the second half but I think he’s going to be a decent player.”
Clarets boss Eddie Howe felt the scoreline was fair: "I think it probably was. I don’t think we created enough chances again. I thought that was probably the most disappointing part.
"First half we were below our best, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. In the second, we had a go and rolled our sleeves up and fought, which is what need to do right form the off.
"The Burnley supporters demand that you put a shift in and we didn’t really do that in the first half, which was hugely disappointing.
"We started and for the first couple of minutes you thought we we’re on it today, we looked bright and lively, then the goal knocks us. The second goal was a sucker punch and we’re 2-0 down and looking for a response and it was difficult from then on.
"In the second half we did have a go, we scored a goal and we wanted to lay siege on their goal in the last 20 minutes but that never really materialised and we never really created a chance.”