Town boss Mick McCarthy felt a draw was probably a fair result after Charlton skipper Johnnie Jackson came off the bench to grab a late equaliser as the Blues’ New Year’s Day fixture ended 1-1. Richard Wood’s own goal had given Town the lead in the first half with top scorer David McGoldrick having a second-half spotkick saved by Ben Alnwick.

“I think the conditions had a big part of play in it,” McCarthy said. “It was blowing, whether it was for you or against you.

“I think overall they deserved a point. We could have killed it if we’d scored the penalty, but Dids has been brilliant, there are no recriminations for that, he made a good save, the goalkeeper, which he’s there to do.

“It took a really bad deflection in the end and ours is an own goal, maybe that tells you the type of game it was. I thought it was a great game considering the conditions.

“[We could have sealed it with the penalty] but I don’t live in la la world where everything’s nice and shiny, it doesn’t always happen.

“I tend to look at the bigger picture, we’re in the top six on January 1st. Somebody will say we could have two more points, but you know my view on that, we haven’t. If my auntie had them, she’d be my uncle.

“We are there and we’re in a good position and I think it’s testimony to the lads who have been just great.

“I think they deserved it. I wish I was coming in here with three points, but they earned it, they deserved it, but there were some decisions which could have gone either way as well.”

Regarding referee Stuart Attwell’s failure to award spotkicks when Daryl Murphy for the Blues and Cameron Stewart for the visitors were felled in the area, McCarthy added: “There were a couple which could have been penalties.

“They’re rightly screaming that they should have had one, I think we should have had one, but he didn’t give either.

“They were all stood up and bleating about it and I said ‘Was it any worse than ours?’. I’m sure they thought the ref was a great guy when he didn’t give that. It’s amazing how your attitude changes towards the referee.

“I think if we score in the third minute with a penalty that does change things. If you turn up here on a wet and windy day and you concede after three minutes, that would be a bad start for anybody.

“But he didn’t give them and in the end it was a really tough old game in poor conditions with a fair result.”

The Town boss was reminded that the Blues have now lost 23 points from winning positions but he says that stat doesn’t tell the full story: “We’ve got more from losing positions as well, I believe. But the stat that counts to me is that we’re in the top six on January 1st.

“I don’t deal with ifs, buts and maybes, I tend to deal with what really is happening. I don’t want to concede that but it’s taken a deflection to beat us.”

Having made three changes, most notably leaving 11-goal marksman McGoldrick on the bench, he was pleased with his team’s first-half display: “I was delighted with some of the football.

“I needed to change it, I thought if I started with Frank and Murphy and McGoldrick, I’d not got any real options. I thought Tayls did well, it was good to get him back in.

“I knew they’d be 4-4-2 and if we’d had gone 4-3-3 I think their two full-backs, Chris Solly and Rhys Wiggins, would have rampaged forwards.

“I wasn’t really setting up to play against them, but that’s been our usual set-up and making the changes we couldn’t play 4-3-3, not as well as we’ve been doing.”

The Town boss was pleased with Taylor’s display with the former Peterborough man making his first league start for the Blues since September 2012 and with recent signing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake set to make his debut in the FA Cup tie with Preston on Saturday now has plenty of attacking options.

“I thought Tayls did all right, I thought he did OK. I think 60 minutes was sufficient for him. I was pleased with him.

“Last year we didn’t give many goals away, this year we’re scoring more. Let’s hope we can score some more when they’re all fit.”

Overall, McCarthy was pleased with the five-point haul from the festive fixtures and that the Blues have stretched their unbeaten run to eight games.

“I think that is quite something. But then everybody will want more, they’ll want eight wins on the bounce.

“But I don’t think we’re at that level. If we keep being unbeaten and we keep picking up points, we’ll be fine.”

Charlton boss Chris Powell believed his team was worth the draw: “I think it was a deserved point, I felt our performance especially in the second half warranted that. It was a tough old day with the conditions for both teams.

“It was a performance I’ve got to be pleased with. We had to make some changes and we lost Marvin Sordell [to injury].

“The turning point was obviously the penalty save, that kept us in it and I think the players have been excellent over the Christmas period, we’ve been unbeaten, we’ve only won the one, we’ve drawn three, but in the position we’re in every point is priceless.”

He felt his side ought to have been given a penalty when Stewart was brought down: “It should have been. It was a strange day for decisions, without me getting fined, a very strange day.

“Why would Cameron Stewart go down on the edge of the six-yard box if he’s going to get a goal?

“I think Mick could equally say the same thing when there was one in the first few minutes but a lot of things went against us today.”

Photo: Action Images

jpring89 added 19:07 - Jan 1 grow up
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Mark added 19:17 - Jan 1 It was disappointing that, as a team in the play-off places, we let a side near the bottom put us under so much pressure late on. We seemed too defensive near the end as though we were waiting for the equaliser rather than attacking them. The main positive for me was Taylor's performance, he was excellent in the first half an hour although faded after that. The main negatives were that Anderson and Tabb both looked poor again, plus of course another late equaliser. Still, 6th place is fantastic and well above our expectations so we can all be pleased with that. Onto the FA Cup...

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cromwellblue added 19:25 - Jan 1 What cost us once again is the inability of midfield to hold the ball. We ended up playing deeper and deeper. Never had any control on the game in the second half. Midfield issues have to be addressed if we want to make a serious challenge
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ChrisMakin2012 added 19:31 - Jan 1 This man talks such trollop it's unreal. “I tend to look at the bigger picture, we're in the top six on January 1st." Normally the bloke doesn't care about the table/promotion talks and concentrates on the match in question!
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blueherts added 19:35 - Jan 1 I still find it amusing people on here moaning this and that Fact . like MM says is we are SIXTH in a Play off position - totally over delivering and if we finish the season in this position it will be a GREAT achievement for a club this time last year almost down and out Little or no investment compared to other teams around us and we are competing against top six teams Just look at other results today to see it is a league where anyone can baat otherI think afew people on here need a 'reality check pill HNY

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Lathers added 19:42 - Jan 1 Gutted to lose a last minute equaliser of course, but we are sixth and have proved we are good enough to be challenging. Just a shame Mick doesn't have the funds available that Keane had. A couple of additions in January - midfield and defence - and we could push on.
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Sindre94 added 19:49 - Jan 1 Ok, we're in a good position and all that, but you CANT be pleased with how this game developed. You just cannot. Im thrilled with how we have done, honestly, and beyond any expectation, but I'm not too happy with how we keep giving leads away. I hate to say it but I feel that MM lacks amibiton when hes "delighted with a point" everytime we give away a lead.. Overall though, I'm pleased with how we have done this season, don't get me wrong.. COYB

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TimmyH added 19:55 - Jan 1 Most interesting fact given by another poster on the other thread is that we've led 7 of the 8 games we've drawn - now that is no coincidence! I don't think this bodes well if we are in or near the play-offs come April time.
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LankHenners added 20:11 - Jan 1 It's great knowing we are where we are and Mick has done a great job, BUT, there's no escaping the fact that we drop points far too easily by trying to ride out pressure and defending a 1-0 lead. Some really tough games coming up (QPR, Reading, Leeds) so we needed to make the most out of today. Having said that, if we're looking at being play-off contenders, we need to be getting points from those games.

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essextractorboy93 added 20:37 - Jan 1 Some people on here need to get a grip, yes it wasn't a great performance and Charlton were nothing special, but did we lose the game? No. Did we play terribly? No. There were positives, again we looked solid at the back and I thought Taylor came in and did well, especially in the first half. When Mick came in we were bottom and he spent 25k or something in the summer and we are 6th. Compare that with the likes of Forest, Leeds and QPR who are near us in the league. Mick has done an incredible job and I'm amazed we are as high as we are considering we have spent no money. Onto Preston now and a good chance to play the fringe players in the squad! COYB!

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Lennyboy added 20:38 - Jan 1 Well what can I say about this afternoon, first time my Son has been home in order to come to a home game; and he had to see that. I'm not looking through blue tinted glasses with the comments below, and I expect some minus; but today the whole team seemed to have had a very bad day at the office. Slow to balls, applying no pressure, not running in to space particulalrly well....they all were bad. We held on for this draw today, we need to improve. I know you'll all think that we're sixth and going great guns....but I tell you now that playing like we did today...we would get slaughtered by the likes of West Ham and Fulham. However,...blue til the day I die...COYB!!!!!!

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dangerous30 added 20:59 - Jan 1 Pleased with how many turned up today seeing how crap the weather was it was not the best game we have played but we got a point and I look forward too watching this team grow.happy 2014 everybody :-)
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StowTractorBoy added 21:06 - Jan 1 I think I must have seen a different game to a lot of people on here as I thought we were very good in the first half. We moved the ball around as well as I have seen this season home and away and in very difficult conditions. Anderson was excellent in the first half and Taylor was lively. Had we got the penalty in the early minutes and Charlton gone down to ten men as they should have it could have been a different story. There are many fine lines in this division and we are not going to win every match but that non decision was one of many strange conclusions reached by Referee Attwell. I thought Charlton looked a decent side as they had pace dow both flanks and had Sordell not gone off it may have been even more difficult for us. We got a point we are still 6th and there will be many more results that don't go our way this season but I for one am happy where we are compared to this time last season. Lets not forget either we were denied by a wicked deflection today and had that not gone in everyone would have been happy tonight. As I said earlier fine lines between success and disappointment.

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Hobbsy11 added 21:10 - Jan 1 I'm quite disappointed by letting another lead slip but look where we are when was the last time we were here
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LiamCP123 added 22:21 - Jan 1 Maybe we haven't won this game. But we got something of it. It's better then getting nothing, even though I was the angriest c*nt during the whole day but eh, that's football. What we need us, is to boost a bit the midfield, in my opinion. Like get a new loanee at midfield. We got the best defence in the championship in my opinion and our strikers aren't bad, they're actually really really good, especially now with SEB joining up with McG and Murphs. Anyways, thats the past, lets look at the future and most importantly is the game at QPR. COME ON IPSWICH!

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Walk_the_Wark added 22:35 - Jan 1 Well I'm going to break my silence- swore I'd never come on here again after the dogs abuse I got for stating the truth.. Here is the 'bigger picture'- 1. Yes, we are in the top six, and so much better than last year. 2. Yes, a point is better than nothing- we have a manager who is an expert in not getting beaten 3. Yes, in terms of the clubs survival we should all be happy but…. 4. No - we are no where near a top six side 5. Those looking for promotion should watch for they wish for, as under this manager, even with a host of signings we will finish bottom next year 6. It is irrelevant how much money MM has to spend- he has attacking options in the squad he has but he does not use them. He wants tight, hard working difficult to beat hoofing. And thats what he'll stick with even if we are promoted- because that's his formula… I'm pleased Town are doing well, and I will always support. But if we do go up, we'll come down and fire MM before we go up again and stick- fact

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ian_marshall added 23:08 - Jan 1 Walk the walk Do you wonder why you got abuse?
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Walk_the_Wark added 23:25 - Jan 1 No, because people on here minus everything that is MM. He's ok- but he aint great- disagree with anything I'm saying? Ian? Do you watch the matches?
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Walk_the_Wark added 23:27 - Jan 1 that is anti-MM.. and its Walk the Wark by the way. Cheers!
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JLCitfc added 00:16 - Jan 2 Why does he want it to be a fair result. He obviously wants us to be controlling the game and we should against teams like Charlton and Bournemouth. We look so in adequate for a side in the top six. We have one of the most physical sides in the league, yet we are hugely afraid to absolutely destroy teams like Charlton. Espessially at home, it is simple stuff.... ME must pull out some cash quick.

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JLCitfc added 00:35 - Jan 2 Oh and also, I am hoping for Mick and ME to buy midfielder BUT! Why is it that Mick will sign or loan someone as lively as Jordan Graham and not play him. He's exactly what we needed and most of us wanted. Tbh Mick doesn't like to attack. Its soooooo obvious it is unreal. The fact that we lean back after a lead is beyond my belief. Bloody boost the goal difference Mick! Also mcgoldrick shouldnt have been dropped today as him and murphs form was unbeatable. Taylor was good today but can't score goals. I think SEB would've been a nice choice as sub over nouble too as he has nothing to offer other than a big man who just pushes people over. During the transfer window I would like to see n Drouble and Tabb go, and see two new midfielder in. BTW walk the wark, no need to put mick under so much abuse as he has kept us up from being relegated. All these comments wouldn't be the same if he didn't come along and save us. We would be talking clear cut league 1 right now. Just think before you type..

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JLCitfc added 00:37 - Jan 2 Omg I just totally contradicted myself. Well both points are true.
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ian_marshall added 00:41 - Jan 2 Yes walk the WARK, I am a ST holder and I disagree with all that your saying because your %100 negative and your basically claiming to be a psychic who can see in to the future and mm will get us up and get sacked. Load of rubbish, just support the town . We are where we are on merit and like every other town supporter I see the good in it and hope we can improve even more. Coyb

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dirtyboy added 08:47 - Jan 2 Well, I don't know about everyone else, but i'm happy. If you'd given me 6th place at the start of the season, i'd have taken it all day long. Is the football attractive? Not particularly, but MM is here to do a job, and that's to not get beaten and win games, it's working so far. Given the budget we're operating on too....look who's above us...Leicester, Forest, Derby and QPR. Still a long way to go, but the platform we're starting from compared to this time last year is substantially better, this is progress. Walk the Wark, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and yours is fine, I could probably agree with you, but this is a club we all support, and negativity drags you down. If you work in a team or manage a group, you know how bad news or negativity can affect everyone. You tell them to ignore it, and move on, but it lingers and isn't always helpful. A dose of reality helps now and again, and MM is the perfect man for delivering that. Make an effort to be a glass half full person and the world seems a better place, be grateful for what we have [a good league position] and not want for more, because there are always teams worse off than us. We could so easily be operating in L1 right now. COYB.

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tallguy6767 added 08:50 - Jan 2 Think walk the wark has some very valid points, We continue to let inferior sides back into the game when we should be putting them to the sword. OK we are a good defensive unit but you cannot deploy the same tactics every single time we go 1 up and expect to get away with it!!. Especially at home it's so frustrating and annoying, the casual fan won't return watching negative hoof ball. I've said it before we've got the players to play good football like we did in the first half today so I don't understand why mm plays the same old same old! C.O.Y.B.

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