Manager Mick McCarthy was happy with the point his side gained from their 0-0 draw at Cardiff, but felt they might even have won it at the end.

The Blues boss said: “At the end of the game [I feel we might have gone away with three points]. I thought we played very well, although we had to defend well against some good quality freekicks and corners. In open play, I think we probably had the better of the chances in the second half.”

Guirane N’Daw went closest with a shot which hit the post in the first half, something which had slipped McCarthy’s mind at the post-match press conference: “I’d forgotten about that one! I thought Frank did great with [his late chance], he had such quick feet and it went just the wrong side of the post.

“It was probably a fair result overall, a point. I would have taken one beforehand and I’m happy with it now. But on reflection we might have got three .”

The Town manager was pleased with his new strike pairing of Aaron Mclean and David McGoldrick: “They did all right. I’m told everyone was guessing what I’d do.

“I was pleased with them, I was even happier still with the way Chops and Murph reacted to being left out and then going on the pitch and playing.

“It gives me great competition for places and Big Frank, I was delighted for him, I thought his little cameo appearance was excellent and he nearly nicked the winner for us.”

McCarthy confirmed that he is still looking for further signings — with another central midfielder perhaps added to his list with Nigel Reo-Coker moving on — but again wouldn’t be drawn on numbers: “Yes, we are, but I never tell [people how many].

“I did that once before and, of course, they were counting down — he’s got one, he’s got two, he’s got three, then it was ‘Are you disappointed you’ve not got as many as you wanted? Are you still looking’. So I don’t.”

He says he’s looking for permanent additions: “I had five loans before and if you start looking for another one you have to leave one off the teamsheet.

“It’s not ideal to try and attract someone on loan and they might not even be on the teamsheet, ideally I’d like to sign them [permanently].”

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay dismissed suggestions that it had been a frustrating afternoon for him: “No, not particularly. We were playing against a team who are top of the form guide in the table. You don’t look at where teams are in the league, you look at the form guide and they’re right at the top at the moment.

“They’ve got a manager who has come in, they’ve got some new players in and they’re a team that has only lost two in 10, so if we hadn’t have worked as hard as they worked today we would have been beaten.

“I think on another day, either team could have won it, we had a couple of chances, they had a couple of chances, but I think the work of both teams negated a lot of chances from happening.”

Photo: Action Images

lonelyblue added 18:42 - Jan 12 He's a good lad isn't he, our Mick?
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billlm added 18:46 - Jan 12 nice to see an honest apprasil from the opposition manager
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TractorBoy666 added 18:49 - Jan 12 Wasn't expecting even a point today with our last two games being lost. As for the striking options, even though they didn't score i'm liking the competition. Glad Reo-coker has gone out but now we need that creative midfielder which I never see us have. We also need to get 3 point against the likes of Barnsley who we have next, and we seem to be alright against the top teams. Micks done a great job so far, just long may it continue!

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AdScHi9678 added 18:56 - Jan 12 I love to hate Mackay, as I think a lot of us may do, due to his Narwich connections, but to be fair, from what I've experienced from him as a manager over the past few years, he is generally quite an honest and complimentary guy, and he is quite right in saying that if they hadn't worked as hard as us today then they would have been beaten. Hopefully we'll get at least four points from our next two games, and look to get even further clear from the bottom three.

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Mark added 18:58 - Jan 12 Very good result today. I like the way at even in such a touch fixture, McCarthy still brings on strikers rather than defensive players to cling onto the point as most managers do - it so nearly paid off with Nouble's chance! I hadn't seen the other article about Reo-Coker leaving, so that's another boost. I am surprised we offered him anything we he has been poor, not winning many tackles or headers, not scoring or setting up chances, and just sticking to simple passes. I prefer Drury and Hyam to him, and N'Daw is the best we have in the middle. Let's bring in one more central midfielder if we can.

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harlingblue added 19:25 - Jan 12 Great result and we looked as good as them.
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afrodids added 19:26 - Jan 12 gr8 result today. Really need a creative midfield player tho and a more commanding GK. Keep up the good work MM starting to build a good first 11 and good back up too COYB
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bennyitfc added 19:48 - Jan 12 These are the sort of results that are integral to good form. Would have been 4 or 5 nil under PJ. We're showing real grit at the moment and it's great that other sides now see us as a threat. Well done MIck.
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bluelad7 added 19:49 - Jan 12 Micks the Man - End of.
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chippyblue added 19:59 - Jan 12 Went today very happy with result !! And would like to say well done to us fans great surpport again COYB !!!!
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Sindre94 added 20:55 - Jan 12 Very pleased with this point! Roll on next week :)
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runningout added 20:58 - Jan 12 fair point that Mick McCarthyis doing a good job at sorting out of the mess we were in... but even he wouldnt like too much cringing praise from some of us.... well done to all of the current staff, including the departing Nigel Reo-Coker
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Radlett_blue added 21:46 - Jan 12 Mackay has always seemed a decent guy & has done well as a manager so far. Unfortunately, he will probably be Budgie manager at some stage & will NEVER manage Town.
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Ipswich24 added 22:36 - Jan 12 Great point today so nearly all three with big frank well done super Mick
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Guthrum added 22:48 - Jan 12 We now haven't lost away at Cardiff since 2007.
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cooper4england added 09:10 - Jan 13 Did I dream last night that we went to the league leaders and didnt het spanked. I am fearing I am in a Sue Ellen/Dallas type dream and will soon wake up with PJ still at the helm! COYB
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kuyski added 09:37 - Jan 13 well done
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jas0999 added 10:57 - Jan 13 A very good result. Cardiff had won last 4 league games, runaway leaders and hadn't failed to score since August. Only second time they had failed to win at home. Well done to all concerned.
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Wickets added 11:33 - Jan 13 Good point but 2 tough games now that will shape how our season will end, we all know what we have been like when we are expected to win!!
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