Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted to see Paul Anderson make the most of his return to the side at Bournemouth on Saturday, the winger claiming an assist with the 76th minute freekick from which Daryl Murphy secured Town’s 2-2 draw.
Having been a regular during the early part of the season, Anderson has been a victim of the Blues’ switch to a 4-3-3 system and Saturday was his first start since the 2-0 victory over Rotherham on September 27th, the 26-year-old returning to the side to replace Stephen Hunt, who missed out with a hamstring problem.
The assist at Dean Court was Anderson’s fourth in his seven starts and seven sub appearances during 2014/15, the joint-highest by a Town player this season along with Teddy Bishop, which puts them joint-ninth in the overall Championship assists table. Anderson’s three previous assists all led to Christophe Berra goals.
"He was unlucky when I left him out, but I’ve explained all those reasons,” McCarthy said after the game.
"Being unlucky when you’re left out is one thing, it’s doing it when you get back in is the other and he’s done it again today, so I’m pleased for him.”
Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie, who scored for the Cherries against Town at the weekend, currently tops the assists table with eight.
Town striker Murphy’s goal at Dean Court was his 11th of the season, which sees him remain the Championship’s joint-top scorer alongside Nottingham Forest’s Britt Assombalonga.
While McCarthy has said that he doesn’t read too much into league tables at this point in a season, he’s pleased to see the Blues in the top four.
"Of course I’m not ignoring it,” he added. "When I have a look at the paper I’d prefer to see us in fourth than 12th.
"And the lads get a bit of bonus when they’re in the top six, they don’t get it anywhere else, they’ve got to be in a promotion place, so it’s nice for them. Makes it worthwhile coming and getting the point.”
Meanwhile, Bishop’s goal was only the third by a Town midfield player this season, Luke Hyam having netted at Wigan and Jonny Williams at Sheffield Wednesday.
The 18-year-old was delighted with his first senior goal, telling the club site: "It was a special day for me because I scored my first goal, although it seemed to take an age to go in.
"I was waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net and as soon as I saw it had crossed the line, I was buzzing really. It’s a great feeling to score and I have to give credit to Mingsy for his work in the build-up.
"I wasn’t too sure what to do when the ball went in so I just stood around and gave it a little fist-pump! It was a great feeling and hopefully I can score again soon.”