Barnsley manager David Flitcroft had praise for the Town staff who helped ensure Saturday’s snow-hit game at Portman Road went ahead after his team had claimed a 1-1 draw. The 39-year-old was taking control of the Tykes for the first time since being elevated to full-time boss having previously been caretaker-manager.
Flitcroft said: "Incredible, the commitment from the staff has been absolutely brilliant.
"It’s what football’s about. There’s no other industry which could have called on the support it has.
"The chief exec, the board, whoever has got this game on deserves [credit], it’s brilliant what they’ve done.”
Flitcroft said he was happy with the Portman Road surface and didn't blame the conditions for midfielder Stephen Dawson's first half injury, which he hopes isn't too serious.
"We’re hoping it’s ankle ligaments,” he said. "But he could have snapped something in his ankle."
Blues chief executive Simon Clegg also paid tribute to those who had made sure the game went ahead with the club’s office staff and members of the security team joining the groundstaff in helping clear the show.
Clegg said: "It’s been a huge team effort and I’m very grateful to everyone who managed to get the game on.
"I’m post-[a double hernia] op, so I wasn’t quite doing as much as many other people were, but it’s important that it was a huge team effort and I’m very grateful to everyone for their efforts.”
Meanwhile, Town boss Mick McCarthy had praise for his opposite number Flitcroft and the way he approached his first match since he was confirmed as the manager at Oakwell: "He set his team up the same as he set it up against Leeds last week [when they won 2-0].
"It’s quite a brave way of playing I would say, it’s 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2, whatever numbers you want to put on it.
"John Stones marches on and becomes a midfield player and Jacob Mellis or Jim O’Brien goes on and plays behind the two strikers.
"That does cause a problem because they can keep the ball a bit better off that shape. He’s had two good games. It's a great start. Beating Leeds at home and drawing away at Ipswich is fantastic for him.”