Boss Mick McCarthy praised Paul Taylor for showing application as well as his ability during Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Birmingham. The 26-year-old was widely viewed as Town’s man of the match having been added to the side at the last minute when new loan signing Jonny Williams suffered a minor hamstring injury.
"He did the other side of the game, which is not always his best,” McCarthy said. "He worked very hard, he was unlucky not to score actually.
"I thought he grew and got better in the game. I don’t think he started particularly well, I don’t think it was a game in which any of us did, it was just a scrap. But I thought he got better and I’m delighted with him.”
He added: "I thought he was considered in his play today. I know he can do the maverick bit and boom one in from 40 yards, but how often does that happen? Very rare, maybe once, maybe twice a season.
"You have to track back with the full-back every single game. You have to hold it up, you have to find a pass and you have to do all the stuff that sometimes is a little bit boring. But I thought he did all that really well, I was pleased with him.”
McCarthy also had praise for Frank Nouble, who, along with Taylor, created Daryl Murphy’s winning goal, and was Town’s biggest threat in the first half before making way with a hamstring injury just after the break.
"I thought he got better further into the game as well,” the Town boss said. "It suits him playing 4-3-3. It suits him playing in that right-hand channel, he’s a handful there.
"He’s still learning the game, Big Frank. He’s just a very young lad, who has been farmed out on loan everywhere and he did great for the goal.
"He was unlucky with a left-foot cross from a similar position on the other side. He did all right, I thought the three of them up front did.”
McCarthy felt midfielder Jay Tabb deserved the ovation he received when he was replaced in the second half: "He was terrific, he just ran out of gas, Tabby.
"Whether he plays wide left or plays tucked in, I guess he epitomises what I want from any player that’s playing. He’s good.”
The Town boss, who spent yesterday covering the Capital One Cup final for Five Live having beaten the Wembley crowds by arriving on the back of a motorcycle, was also impressed with Christophe Berra’s display at centre-half and believes the Scotland international isn’t always given the credit he deserves.
"I don’t think he’s appreciated as much outside the club as he should be,” he said. "I’ve heard one or two disparaging ones when I’ve been on the bench saying ‘Get at him’. Get at him? He’s as quick as anybody.
"He’s a fantastic defender and he’s playing on the right-hand side which is not his favoured slot but he’s had a great season, he’s been terrific.”
Berra will be with Scotland this week for their friendly with Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday, while Daryl Murphy and Paul Green will be with Ireland for their friendly against Serbia in Dublin on the same night.
Jonny Williams is due to meet up with the Wales squad for their friendly against Iceland in Cardiff, also on Wednesday.