Town boss Mick McCarthy was happy to take a point from the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, although was keen to hear from anyone who could show him a statistic which confirms his side’s Championship status for another season.

McCarthy felt the draw was a fair result: “There isn’t a bad away point. We played well enough to be in front by more in the first half, but then Dave will argue that they had the better of the second.

“I think he said they had a goal disallowed. No they didn’t, there was one that went in the net that was offside, it’s not a goal. And we had one that we thought went over the line [from Nouble] and if it didn’t, then it’s not a goal.

“So, probably honours even in terms of playing and result. We shouldn’t have even bothered, I’d have taken a point before we started. Instead of kicking the s--- out of each other we just could have just stayed at home.”

Despite the point taking the 14th-placed Blues to 57, Town’s Championship status still isn’t quite confirmed, much to McCarthy’s chagrin: “There must be some equation somewhere.

“Somebody come up with one so I can go and enjoy a glass of something tonight and not think ‘If this happen or that happens’.

“There must be because Peterborough have got to play Wednesday and Palace, and Barnsley have got Huddersfield and Hull. They’re all playing one another so there must be. Somebody come up with the equation and print it so I can enjoy my Sunday!”

Although not confirmation that Town are safe, one stats site puts the probability of the Blues going down at 0.3%.

The Town boss says right-back Richard Stearman is a doubt for next week’s final home game against Birmingham: “He’s got a hamstring strain, grade one, apparently, whatever that means. I’m never quite sure if three’s the worst or one’s the worst.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing him again for the games. We might do, we’ll find out on Monday, I’m being a bit premature ruling him out. It’ll give Elliott Hewitt a chance to play because he deserves an opportunity.”

Grade one is the least severe type of hamstring injury, so Stearman, who is on loan from Wolves, may be seen again in the final two games.

Owls boss Dave Jones thought first-half sub Steve Howard made a huge impact: “We didn’t really get going in the first half. I think bringing Stevie on changed the game for us because we needed a focal point and a target man.

“Ipswich’s intention was to get it forward and feed off the two big brutes up there and they did it well in the first half.

“In the second half, we were probably the better team. I don’t know whether [Leroy Lita’s disallowed goal] was offside, it doesn’t look it. But, some you get, some you don’t.”

He was less than impressed with the way his side conceded Jay Tabb's goal: “It was a terrible goal because we spoke about it but if people don’t do what you tell them sometimes or if they’re not listening then it happens.”

Photo: Action Images

carlo88 added 09:27 - Apr 21 I think I've managed to make it a bit simpler! As long as any TWO of these FOUR things happen next week, we are safe. 1 Huddersfield lose 2 Barnsley don't win 3 Peterborough don't win 4 Wolves don't win And of course if we get a point we're safe whatever happens.
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bluefeast added 09:34 - Apr 21 All good fun , I see it going to the last game before the absolute situation is sorted , ie who are the bottom 3. I see Wolves ,I see Barnsley. Its been the most ridiculous season all round. For starters for 3 of the bottom 2 going down with 50 odd points has never before been seen.
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stoofer added 10:31 - Apr 21 catch up boys I know he`s from Yorkshire but he played for Ireland at international level, I feel embarrassed explaining most footie fans would have known this.
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Stato added 11:21 - Apr 21 Mick has said pretty much since day one he thought it woud go down to the last day and if we fail to pick up at least a point against Birmingham then he is likely to be right. We've had an amazing run of form but a narrow home to defeat on Saturday isn't out of the question and then we might be looking at squeaky bum time at Burnley. Odds are we will pick up at least one point from the final 2 games and some of those behind us will fall at the final hurdle but it might well be the final day (as Mick predicted) before our Championship status is confirmed.

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ajs83 added 11:23 - Apr 21 Lord Mac - Of course you are absolutely correct about Huddersfield's goal difference and your maths is spot on as well. But remember we can technically finish second bottom so even if you discount Huddersfield because of the goal difference then we could still be third bottom. Or you could discount Barnsley allowing H'field to win their last two games meaning H'field's goal difference is no longer relevant.

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TimmyH added 12:07 - Apr 21 Agree with britaniaman - unfortunately the board dallied over sacking PJ too long, I felt they should of sacked him by Mid-October at the latest. Another month or so with Mick at the helm this season and I reckon we wouldn't have been to far of the play-offs. Back to the here and now and yesterday was a good point and to even talk about still being relegated is just ridiculous, it won't happen. Should be a good game against Birmingham next week and like us they are climbing the table so should be a good pointer to see what level we are on at the moment.

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lewestractor added 21:29 - Apr 21 Does anyone else feel we have been ignored by sky this year? Have we been on at all?
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StuartBrett8 added 21:38 - Apr 21 We've been on sky once this season... shameful
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h32 added 21:49 - Apr 21 brittaniaman - you're right about hanging on to Jewell for far too long - what worries me is that many supporters were STILL backing him. As I've said many times previously - we have a significant level of support that is very easily satisfied - Jewell being the ultimate proof !!
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Lord_Mac added 21:52 - Apr 21 Timmy H Totally agree that Jewell should have gone - at the latest before the international window preceding the Derby game. But I don't agree that we shouldn't discuss relegation - the whole point is to show how improbable it is!!
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walberswick added 10:19 - Apr 22 we're ignored on BBC Tv, radio 5 live and talksport and final score, but it may have something to being 19th most of the season
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Paulc added 11:22 - Apr 22 We've also been ignored by approx 13,000 fans at every game, from those who turned up week in week out during the 2000/01 season. I mean it's not like we were in the premier league then.........oh wait, I see!
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