Manager Mick McCarthy admitted that Town’s final day of the season 2-0 defeat at Burnley lacked the intensity it would have had if the Blues had still needed points to stay up. Second half goals from Junior Stanislas and Martin Paterson saw the Clarets to victory.

“It didn’t did it?” McCarthy conceded. “I thought we had a decent first half, I thought we were the better team in the first half, we started really well.

“But neither team had the edge and they got a wonder strike which changed it. It took a deflection, I believe. That just changed the course of the game.

“We had an objective to stay up and it happened last week and with the best will in the world, it’s hard work to come back in on the Monday or Tuesday and crack on.

“I thought we did all right but then the goal went in, although we had a few chances after that, I thought Jack Marriott did all right, had a good shot and a good header, but they did. It looked like it was going to peter out to a 0-0 until Stanislas smashed that in.”

As well as having praise for Marriott, McCarthy was pleased with the other debutant Tyrone Mings: “I thought Tyrone was excellent, I was really pleased with him. But had we been needing something it wouldn’t have been that team, I wouldn’t have done that.

“Do you know what? I’m not really bothered about the game. I’m not, because that wouldn’t have been the team I would have played if we’d have come up with an edge to us, and I thought we played well enough.

"I think our fans will understand me playing the team I did and having a look at one or two. It gave me the opportunity and I’m glad nothing was resting on it. I think we were worthy of a draw, but it didn’t happen.”

He added: “In no way shape or form am I going to come in and start criticising them and giving out to them.

“They have been fabulous, they have been amazing, to get 53 points from the games that we’ve had and I can’t knock them.

“We had that objective and once you’ve reached that objective it’s a little bit hard to keep your foot to the floor. It’s a fair achievement to end up where we’ve ended up.”

Burnley boss Sean Dyche was pleased to finish on a winning note: “Of course. There have been a lot of questions asked over the last few months, so I can answer them as best I can and the answer is 11th in the Championship, arguably the toughest ever Championship. Certainly in my lifetime. That’s an achievement itself.

Photo: Action Images

RetroBlue added 17:25 - May 4 Well done Super Mick. "Stage 1 " (stay up) achieved [ ticks box] ! ....Now for next season. Bring it on!
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bluefeast added 17:28 - May 4 Well done Mick , lets hope you can bring in who you want .We were the 6th best team in the league under your guide.
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northernblues added 17:31 - May 4 One or two players i wanted to have a look at, Kisnorbo? no thanks, but thanks mick for rescueing us.
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jas0999 added 17:43 - May 4 Mick has been excellent! Well done and onwards! Looking forward to next season.
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TractorBeezer added 17:45 - May 4 Thanks MM and TC for pulling this season out of the fire. Yes it would have been nice to win today but it was much more important to get a win last week v Birmingham. And as he says, it was a good opportunity to take a look at Mings, Marriott and Kisnorbo and for them to get some experience under their belts. I am more than satisfied with what has been achieved since November 1st!

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GiveusanI added 17:45 - May 4 Coming back on the train. It's a long way to Burnley. Very obvious that MM was not bothered about this game in the least. His comments before and after, his team selection, his bench selection, his decision to sit on the bench and let TC do all the pitch side communication. I am disappointed. A lost opportunity to build momentum for next season. Of course utmost respect to MM for keeping us up but a very tame showing today.

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Stato added 18:10 - May 4 Mick and the team had earned the right to take their foot off the pedal today. Pre-season friendlies started early and Mings, Hewitt and Marriott will all benefit from the experience. Nothing less than promotion next year as success for Ipswich isn't surviving relegation from the Championship.
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Hatman added 19:09 - May 4 Looking at a few options, new players, etc was sensible use of a dead game, assisting planning for next season. Those disappointed that Mick didn't put out first 11 and make 3 (now meaningless) points the priority are being shortsighted. With the 53 pts since taking over, Big Mick has earned my respect, and I'm looking forward to next season with more optimism than perhaps any since Big Fat Joe left.

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BuckieBlue added 22:20 - May 4 Ok result disappionting but over run in- last 12 games- we've best points total of any of the sides of danger of the drop, therefore when the pressure was on we coped excellently. Obviously MM/TC's experience was vital and it augres well for next season when hopefully we'll have more pressure but at right end of table. (I remember months ago someone posting saying they hoped Jason Scotland didn't score on last day of season to send us down- I see he came on and in effect sent Posh down instead).

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Walk_the_Wark added 02:39 - May 5 Giveusani- I sympathise. I didn't go today. But I did go to Huddersfield, where MM set up for a draw and we made one attempt on goal all game. Sad that supporters have to pay to endure such negativity..
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Dissboyitfc added 08:18 - May 5 Giveusani .... i totally agree with you, earlier in the week he was quoted as saying he wanted to win every game even training games and crazy golf with his kids. Lets not forget that higher the position in the table the more money the club receives, Was the right decision to experiment but not right to say i dont care about the result imo.. Anyway another season over, MM and TC have worked miracles in keeping us up...COYB

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walberswick added 10:44 - May 5 smart move by MM, get us prepared for another mediocre campaign next season. btw, what can you learn drom playing 3 young players in a dud fixture
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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 13:49 - May 5 We have to read between the lines here. It's MM, he cares. But he is not about to criticize this team - starters and the youngsters - in public on the last day of the season ---- especially when safety was not a certainty until recently. He's proud of the team for what they have achieved since November (me too!), so he's not going to publicly deride them on the last day in a relatively "meaningless" game. Good management.

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