Manager Mick McCarthy says he’s not sure precisely what's changed at Portman Road since he and assistant Terry Connor took over on November 1st, they’ve just gone about the job as they always do. Saturday’s point at Sheffield Wednesday took the Blues to within a whisker of confirming their Championship status for 2013/14.

McCarthy said: “I’ve gone and been myself, I’ve been me. Me and TC are a good partnership and we work well and we work well with the players.

“What I’ve changed, I don’t know because I don’t know what went on before and it always seems critical of the person who before. Paul Jewell’s my pal and sometimes it just doesn’t work at a club and you just have to leave.

“Sometimes it’s working and you still have to leave. I thought that happened to me [at Wolves] and looking at them now, I think I was right! Struggling at the bottom of the Premier League’s one thing.

“I’ve been me. I’ve done what I do, I have a way of doing it and Terry’s my great lieutenant. It’s not only me, it’s me and Terry.

“I think we get results, that’s what we do. It might not always be pretty, but we couldn’t be pretty, we had only seven points.”

Saturday’s game saw loan defender Richard Stearman pick up a grade one hamstring strain which could see him miss the Blues’ final two games.

McCarthy says the Wolves man’s spell has been hugely impressive and has cited him as an example to the 18-year-old youngster who is set to come into the side in his probable absence: “I asked Elliott Hewitt before the game, I said ‘Have you been taking a good look at Stears and how he plays?’ and he said he had. Everybody’s accepted what a good player he is. He’s been really good for us.”

The Blues boss also had praise for Patrick Kisnorbo, who came on for Stearman rather than Hewitt at Hillsborough in order to counteract the aerial threat of Steve Howard in the closing stages: “He’s a big handful and they play that way so you’ve got to deal with it, it’s part of the game.

“Pat’s been great, by the way. He’s a wonderful example of a professional footballer that’s gone about his job.

“He came and played against Villa and he thought he’d get more time, but we’ve had nine clean sheets out of 14 games, so I’m not going to change my centre-halves, and he knows that.

“He’s not happy about it, but he’s accepted it and he has been top, top drawer, he really has been fantastic.”

In terms of looking to secure loanees such as Kisnorbo who are out of contract at the end of the season or any of the Blues’ existing squad members whose terms are also up this summer, McCarthy says that will wait until the statistics show that Town are mathematically absolutely safe.

“If someone comes up with that equation and it’s in the paper, then I’ll start talking to them,” he said. “If not, we’ll be bang at it against Birmingham.”

Meanwhile, Town owner Marcus Evans's wealth has been estimated at £625 million in this year's Sunday Times Rich List, in which he is placed 143rd in the UK. Some other previous estimates have claimed Evans to be a billionaire.

Photo: Action Images

LowstBlue added 06:30 - Apr 22 Better make that £624m, Mr.Evans as I believe you have a payment to make to a certain MM.
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Benters added 06:36 - Apr 22 If only you and your mate hadn't came last September,we would have made the playoffs!! Still credit to you both. We love you xx
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irishtim added 07:11 - Apr 22 Well done to you both, the player's and all the staff. We can look forward to a bright future imo.
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Mark added 07:59 - Apr 22 Imagine how horrible it would have felt to be dropping to League One now. We have Mick and Terry to thank for the relief we feel now, so let's show our appreciation at the match on Saturday ('kids for a quid' promotion remember). As for right-back, let's give Hewitt a couple of matches. It could be ideal now that we are (virtually) safe.
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bluefeast added 08:15 - Apr 22 fantastic man is Mick ,brilliant.
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bigolconnor added 08:20 - Apr 22 We are going to be such a force next season. Every player fighting for promotion or they don't get picked. Thanks to Mick and Terry.
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StuartBrett8 added 08:23 - Apr 22 Next year with Mick's team..... how exciting, can't wait! :)
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Bluesdreamer added 08:50 - Apr 22 Excellent work by Mick and Terry. Since they started Ipswich have averaged 1.6 points per match. If this had been the situation for the first thirteen matches we would now be on 70 points in fourth place in the league challenging for places with the likes of Watford and Brighton. Watching the defensive back four has become enjoyable (apart from the momentary 'switch off' against Hull recently). Tommy Smith has visibly grown in confidence over the season, almost strutting around his part of the field seeming to say 'this is mine, you're not going to get past me'! I'm looking forward to other players, such as Hewitt, growing into their potential as well.

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RaymondovicBlue added 09:02 - Apr 22 Mick Terry and the whole set up ... you are within a whisker of saving me from a real nightmare. Living in Poole and with AFC Bournemouth coming up (6 points for us there!) It would have been unbearable for us to have "crossed in the post" Many of us have made various points on here all season now please can the players just go out and win one more of their own?!?! (or even six more) Let me hear the Portman Roar from here !!!!!!

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runningout added 09:29 - Apr 22 been hard trying to Roar recently.... been more of a mumble
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algarvefan added 09:33 - Apr 22 Well done guys, you did what it said on the tin !!!
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MVBlue added 10:23 - Apr 22 I'm 100% behind these guys. Imagine what they could do with a skillful winger and powerful striker added to the team. Some teams have a good manager. We have a good manager and a good coach, double trouble.
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dirtyboy added 11:00 - Apr 22 One more point and we'll be back next season, let's not forget that point is still needed. In any case, a remarkable turnaround, been some worrying moments, but as MM said when he came in, all that matters is the position on that final day. The biggest challenge lies ahead though, keeping the likes of Cresswell, Smith, Chambers and perhaps Stearman for next season. Although I think we all hope Hewitt turns out to be the solution. Nouble will definitely come on leaps and bounds throughout close season and next, you can see it in him, the workrate is there, and that always gets rewarded. Fingers crossed on a couple of smart additions, and let's hope Taylor gets fit and shows what he's capble of. Not over yet, but light at the end of the tunnel.

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Lightningboy added 11:11 - Apr 22 The biggest thing Mick did was realise after 1 game that Carlos Edwards isn't a right-back! Mick & TC..you have done ITFC proud..we have the basis of a really good young team at last..3 or 4 good signings in the summer and I wouldn't be surprised to see us making the top 2 next year. What a turnaround.
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SouperJim added 11:53 - Apr 22 “I think we get results, that's what we do. It might not always be pretty, but we couldn't be pretty, we had only seven points.” This sums it up for me. What a fantastic job Mick & TC have done, those few fans who have whinged about the style of football we have played or expressed concerns for next season really need a reality check. Mick knows this division and he knew that with the position we were in and the squad we had our only real shot at survival was to become very tough to beat. He wasn't prepared to spunk it all away on risky attacking football and he's got it absolutely spot on. Now we have a platform we can build on next season. I'm sure we'll see some shrewd transfer business and Mick will look to bring in new attackers. I for one can't wait to see what he can do from here, it's the first time we've had something tangible to get excited about for years.

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DanLyles added 12:17 - Apr 22 Interesting to see who joins Bristol for the drop, mainly due to the players who could sign for us as a result. I know Adomah from City would be on many people's shopping lists. Wolves going down would obviously make Stearman's signing much easier, and many on here would love Doyle and/or Ebanks Blake. Should posh go down Zakuani would give us fantastic cover/competition at CB, while Dwight Gayle averages about 1 in 2 up front. I'm not convinced many of Barnsley's squad would enhance us too much (apart from Mellis but his attitude wouldn't go down well with MM). Blackburn have so many playersthat MM would get the best from, especially a certain Ipswich youth product :) Most of Huddersfield's best players are on loan (Beckford and Danns) but Clarke (CB) and Norwood (CM) are highly rated. Wednesday have the highly rated Buxton at RB, Gardner CB, Antonio out wide and then Mick is a massive fan on Olofinjana (on loan from Hull and no doubt surplus to requirements should they go up).

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BlueVelvet added 12:46 - Apr 22 Looking at the stats - 31 games under MM and 50 points. If you apply this same performance to the 44 games so far you get 71 points which would place us in 4th spot. Looking at the current form of teams over the last 6 league games, we would be 3rd. ME - don't let MM leave the club until we are promoted to PL. I hear a rumour that he may go!
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petermorris added 13:05 - Apr 22 BlueVelet - what rumour!!!??? Other than the same old Ireland Job one.
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BlueVelvet added 13:19 - Apr 22 petermorris - Well its probably an MM generated rumour to up his £ package. ME going to have to splash the cash for a couple of players this summer if we are to progress next season
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Pendejo added 13:19 - Apr 22 Thanks MM & Co. I had put a brave face on the prospect of the 3rd tier football experience.... but we may have expected a quick return to Prem in 2002.... still waiting
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lewestractor added 13:57 - Apr 22 I want to thank mick like ramondvicblue. I'm from near Brighton and there are so many plastic Brighton fans who until they got their new stadium were fans of Chelsea, arsenal, man united etc! The thought of them being in the premier is bad enough let alone being 2 divisions higher!!!
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jas0999 added 15:40 - Apr 22 Mick and terry have been excellent. For the first time in years, I actually feel confident moving forward. Well done to all concerned.
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blue_jim added 16:08 - Apr 22 I calculate we are safe, as all teams below us cannot get 6 ooints, because several play each other. I reckon Barnsley and Wolves to join Bristol City. For a new striker, how about Adam Le Fondre?, not happy at Reading and does not seem to be in Nigel Adkins plans, plus Reading will be playing in Championship next season.
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blue_jim added 16:12 - Apr 22 In addition to my comments, perhaps Chropa in part exchange for Le Fondre.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 16:20 - Apr 22 It seems as though everyone has forgot McGoldrick. With him, Nouble on the up, Paul Taylor back and Chops still waiting in the wings . . .let alone Daryl Murphy if he signs. Wow!! What a list of strikers!!
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