New Blues boss Mick McCarthy was delighted to pick up a victory in his first game as Town manager. DJ Campbell’s first-half goal was enough to see McCarthy’s Blues to a 1-0 win over Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

McCarthy said: “You couldn’t have asked for much better — first game, getting a win, ending a losing streak for the club, ending a losing streak for me.

“I couldn’t really have asked for much more from the players, I felt they gave everything. We had some blocks, a great save.

“It was getting pumped into our box, they’ve got 6ft 7in [tall Zigic] on, he’s difficult to deal with. I thought their keeper made a great save from Danny Higginbotham.

“All in all, it was a fairly even game and I think we deserved to win it. I think the block and the save at the end earned it for us.

“It’s equally as good as somebody beating somebody and sticking it in the top corner. It’s part of the game when you’re 1-0 up.”

Although he says he gave his team words of praise in the dressing room, the former Ireland boss says there were also a few home truths: “I went in and gave them a pat on the back and gave them a bit of my usual caustic soda. I said they should be embarrassed that they’re bottom of the league.

“If they played like that, blocked things like that, I wouldn’t even be doing the job. It’s great to start with a win but they’ve got to do it again for the next 32 occasions. Enjoy that, but it’s a repeat process in terms of the hard work.

“You might not get the result, but at least the levels they showed and the attitude they showed were great.”

One or two players seemed to tire as the game wore on, which was little surprise given that several players, particularly the key men in midfield, were lacking match fitness.

“There’s a few of them not been playing games,” McCarthy said. “Big Guirane N’Daw, who I felt epitomised us, to be fair.

“There are loan players coming to get fit from other clubs. I thought Richie Wellens was terrific. I know his loan is up [after Tuesday], so I’ll have to speak to Nigel Pearson about that.

“I think there were difficult circumstances for Paul, the fact that he’d got so many loans and they weren’t fully fit. Let’s hope we can get them fully fit.”

Another loanee, DJ Campbell, netted the winner against his old club and McCarthy says he’s another he’ll be looking to keep at the club beyond his current three-month spell: “He’s a goalscorer, there’s no question about that.

“He’s another one I’ll having to be talking to the powers that be about to try and keep him. He’s bit of a character, he’s good around the place and I thought he played well.”

Birmingham boss Lee Clark felt his side lost the game in the first period: “We’re disappointed with the first half.

“We’ve come off the back of a good week. We know they’re going to be buoyed by the appointment of the new manager.

“They didn’t do all the things I’d ask of them; to play in Ipswich’s half of the pitch in the first 15 or 20 minutes and get the ball up to the strikers. Play off them, take gambles in terms of the widemen.

“But we didn’t, we played into their hands and the goal’s absolutely dreadful. And it’s not the first time. We’ve told young Nathan Redmond about square and back passes across the pitch — go forward, be positive.

“We should have won the game 3-1 in reality. We’ve had three great chances, two from Nikola, who I thought was excellent when he came on. He usually sticks those chances away.

“We’ve had other opportunities through people like Curtis Davies, so in all honestly we should have won the game.”

Photo: Action Images

howsey51 added 18:41 - Nov 3 What are you basing that on Pip? His record? Obviously not. Anyone who thinks relegation is the answer is deluded.
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Lukeybluey added 18:58 - Nov 3 Ahhh... so thats what winning feels like! Well done Mick! Good to see a manager dictating things from the sidelines again! Keane and Jewell looked like they were superglued onto the bench when they were here!
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Pip50 added 18:59 - Nov 3 I not suggesting relegation is the answer nor am I deluded ask why he was sacked at Wolves Sunderland etc or even Mr Keane yes he has a record of promotion but not on our budget!!
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Dog added 19:05 - Nov 3 Very good result. The first win of many. Fingers are crossed for the match against Palace. Lets hope they attack and pressurise Delaney as the three points will be ours. And for the last time for a couple of weeks, well done to my home team Chelmsford City for beating Colchester. They proved after forty years that they are the biggest team in Essex (i don't count West Ham). Keeping fingers crossed that they get Ipswich in the third round (repeat of '71). Onwards and upwards

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Langdon_Blue added 19:07 - Nov 3 Well done MM and the players. The perfect start....as others have said, I'd be very happy with a point at Palace to follow this result...
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Stato added 19:11 - Nov 3 I was amazed by how many of the teams posted on here this morning didn't have Wellens in the team. likewise all those that pick Loach just because he is a "blue" and those that still pick Chopra even though he has a VERY poor scoring record with us. Reo-Cocker is so much better than Drury and DJ has come up with the goods. They are all on our pay roll and I'm glad Mick went with this line up today.

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Dog added 19:22 - Nov 3 Pip50 - you were suggesting relegation was the answer so that you could get a young manager in to see if his plan worked. Now you seem to be back tracking. Mick will definitely have a plan - it may not be pretty - but at the end of the day we have to win and if that means winning ugly then we have to accept it (even though we may not like it). I for one, would not want to see relegation just to appoint a fresh faced youth on the hope he may do something. Put it another way an inexperienced lover or an experienced one??. Obvious really.

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GFH added 19:25 - Nov 3 Thankyou Mick, now lets hope we can build on this and really get the confidence flowing through the team and the fans. A run of good results is what we need now, but it is easy to get carried away after today....theres still a long way to go but we are on our way. COME ON YOU BLUES.
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zebra added 19:27 - Nov 3 How lovely to feel happy on a Match Night!! The difference between MM, and PJ and RK, is that MM is a man manager. He has showed that he can motivate our players - some of whom had become, let's politely say, a little less interested in wearing 'the' shirt and more interested in getting their pay packets in the swansong of their careers. OK it's just a start - BUT when was I this happy on a Match Night? Getting old - I can't remember :-))

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marcus9 added 19:30 - Nov 3 what a day im a born in chelmsford town fan so could not have gone better im rapidly liking m mcarthy his honest interview and statement that he will be looking to keep dj campbell make a change to cloak and dagger statements. i feel some optimism that i havent felt for a while and im sure we will soon move up the table.i still think loach is better than henderson but asidefrom that there are only positives it was good to see moshni get 15 mins he could do well under mcarthy.

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1979blue added 19:30 - Nov 3 I went for a 1-1 this morning but a 1-0 victory even better! Onwards and upwards.
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TimmyH added 19:32 - Nov 3 Yes well done Mick a great start although it sounds like we rode our luck a few times in the second half but it's about time we had a little lady luck on our side! Also interesting to note that ALL 3 teams with new managers won today, Bolton, Palace and us - now I don't like to jump to conclusions but in a very competitive league with very little time for each manager to assert his influence doesn't this wreak of player mentality on the pitch? just a thought...(Palace were already playing well).

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Pip50 added 19:47 - Nov 3 Dog - Migilton Clegg Keane Jewell McCarthy work out the plan yourself. I for one would get in a Burley type kick on from there if from Div 1 so be it.
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JWM added 19:49 - Nov 3 One big difference between MM and Jewell is that MM today was always on the touchline barking out instructions and in particular coaching Cresswell through the first half. Great man management on display today and then at the end when he went over to the amazing away support with the players. I now feel that we are ALL in this together and that there is now some positive energy around the football club. Early days and hard days to come but Mick has provided this magic ingredient that has been so badly lacking with the last 2 losers that have been in the hot seat.

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Pendejo added 19:56 - Nov 3 Although he says he gave his team words of praise in the dressing room, the former Ireland boss says there were also a few home truths: “I went in and gave them a pat on the back and gave them a bit of my usual caustic soda. I said they should be embarrassed that they're bottom of the league. I bet he fantasized that they were the Wolves team for the caustic bit!
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billlm added 19:59 - Nov 3 what strikes me is weve done well but where are all the people who are normally commenting on here very strange coyb
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townietilidie added 19:59 - Nov 3 Pip50 ... The new Daleyitfc !! Well done boys and well done Mick & Terry . He hasn't had any time with the team (1 training session) but I think the positivity about him has rubbed off on the boys on the pitch today and they believed they could win . Tuesday will be a very tough challenge but we're behind you all the way lad COYB !!!
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Talbs77 added 20:12 - Nov 3 What a great result. I am already taking a liking to this guy, he talks so honestly and with so much sense when he says "I said they should be embarrassed that they're bottom of the league.If they played like that, blocked things like that, I wouldn't even be doing the job. It's great to start with a win but they've got to do it again for the next 32 occasions. Enjoy that, but it's a repeat process in terms of the hard work." He's spot on! A big well done to the boys who have proved my point made yesterday that if you fight for every ball, put your body on the line and play for that shirt and each other, you can win games in this league. An even tougher test awaits with Palace away who are flying. If they play with the same endeavour as they did today then who knows, but I'd settle for a point. I can finally watch the football league show tonight (as long as I can stay awake)!

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IvorFeeling added 20:23 - Nov 3 For the first time in ages my dinner on a Saturday didn't get stuck in my throat, the cat hasn't been kicked and the table take a beating! Mick is definatley the right man for the job. Great that he congratulated the players but also bollocked them for being bottom - he knows there is plenty still to do but he and the players know they both have the ability to get themselves out of this and kick on. That is a very powerful message. The furture is bright, the future is Mickswich. COYB

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Bergholtblue added 20:24 - Nov 3 When I saw a photo of the Manager with MM emblazoned across his breast, I prayed thast it didn't stand for Mickey Mouse, now I know. It's MERLIN THE MAGICIAN. More of the same on Tuesday pleae, although no doubt Palace will be bouyed up by the announcement of Holloway as their new manager. I'll take draw at this point of the season.
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brockleyblueboy added 20:25 - Nov 3 Pip - why the negative comments dude? Seriously, how about enjoy today and keep the negative comments to yourself. Great comments on here and really like the buzz that is already being felt. Just gotta get pr rocking again. COYB
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Michael11 added 20:27 - Nov 3 Thrilled to pieces, just a shame we never sacked Jewell in the summer and got Mick in!
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JWM added 20:33 - Nov 3 I have only recently come over to this board and begun posting although I have been a follower of TWTD for years. I usually post on the Not606 Ipswich forum which is also a very vibrant place to discuss and argue about all things Ipswich. The added spice is that we can also argue the t*$$ with our Budgie friends as well. I have always found this place to be a great and broad cross section of Town support with some intelligent posters that I enjoy reading. If you haven't yet checked out Not606 why not give it go!

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Lightningboy added 20:35 - Nov 3 Great start..well done Mick..nice to finally enjoy Soccer Saturday for a change. I'm 100% convinced that good times lay ahead under MM..top guy.
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Edmunds5 added 21:04 - Nov 3 Great result well done Mick and the players and whoever went up to Birmingham to cheers our lads on. It was weird, when we went up I just felt so assured we would close the game out because of the McCarthy effect. As Mick says its whether we can sustain the same attitude for the next 32 games, if we can do that then I can see us avoiding relegation at the very least. Holloway vs McCarthy on Tuesday, bit strange how its turned out. onwards and upwards.

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