Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with the contribution his wide players made during the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Reading at Portman Road. McCarthy had been disappointed with his side in the first period but thought they deserved their win based on their display after the break with Stephen Hunt and half-time sub Paul Anderson playing important roles.

“I was delighted with my wide players in the second half,” he said. “I’m delighted that the subs came on and had an impact because that’s not happened too often.

“I thought Tabby was great at Millwall last week and he was unlucky not to play but came on and contributed again.

“I’m delighted for Ando getting his goal because I think he’s played well this season and I didn’t think he played badly against QPR.

“I was bit miffed, he should have had a shot and I thought he should have scored [in that game] and he could be more positive, so the goal that he scored on Saturday will help him.”

McCarthy says his teams have always been based around wing play: “Wingers by nature have always gone and attacked full-backs for me and put crosses in. That’s what I tried to get when I got the four guys we’ve got.

“I guess that is Hunty’s game, certainly, I think Paul Anderson should do more of that, and I’ve told him that. Same with Carlos.

“Tabby, I think is slightly different, he’s more of a left-sided midfield player rather than a winger and he does a really good job. He’ll still get there and get crosses in but he’s not one who is going to get his head down and take people on. We should get more of that.”

McCarthy's Wolves side which won the Championship in 2008/09 was very much along those lines: “The team that we got promoted with had Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis and there weren’t really any better wingers than that around at the time.

“Both have gone on to Premier League clubs for £3 million to Stoke [Kightly] and £12 million to West Ham. They were terrific, that was a really good exciting team with those two players.”

The Town boss was pleased to see striker Daryl Murphy take his season’s tally to eight on Saturday with the Irishman continuing where he left off prior to his thigh injury: “It’s the best form I’ve seen from him and I signed him when he was a little bit wet behind the ears at Sunderland.

“He did score the equaliser against Tottenham one night that probably kept me my job for another three or four weeks, which was probably all right.

“I think this is his best form. I think he’s settled, he was on loan here for long enough, he could just about have a testimonial.

“I wanted to sign him permanently and I think all that helps. He feels wanted, he feels secure at the place, he feels happy at the place he’s playing his football and he’s got that number nine on his back - he’s the first choice. He’s been really, really good for me, I’m delighted with him.”

Will the likes of Murphy and Stephen Hunt attract the attention of the Republic of Ireland set-up if they continue to impress?

“That’s down to other people, not me,” McCarthy said. “But if they play well, it’s the natural process that international managers will come and watch them.”

The Town boss was pleased to get back to winning ways and says he didn’t know that Saturday’s victory over the Royals was the first of the season against a side challenging towards the top of the table.

“We’d lost three on the bounce, I wasn’t aware it was the first time that we’d beaten anybody who is pushing for promotion,” he said.

“I don’t really look at who we win against, if you get enough wins, whoever they’re against, you get promoted.

“Reading are a good side, they’ve had a few injuries, but nevertheless the team that they put out was a good team. Lots of lads who have played in the Premier League.

“And I have to say that in the first half I thought they were better than us. I think that was as much down to us as it was to them, to be honest, I don’t think we played particularly well.

“But, if you’ve lost three on the bounce, there is that nervy edge to you and you can’t really get your play going. I thought in the second half we stepped it up and we deserved to win.”

McCarthy says Ryan Tunnicliffe, who switched to the centre of midfield in place of the injured Luke Hyam, was one of a number of players to improve after the break: “He kicked on in the second half after he’d had a bit of a kick up the arse after the first, along with everybody else.

“He hadn’t played well in the first half at all, second half I thought he took us forward and he was excellent. And he knows that, he’s got lots to offer us, definitely.”

Photo: Action Images

townietilidie added 06:54 - Jan 28 We haven't really seen much attacking wing play from from any of Mick's teams as yet so Saturday was like a breath of fresh air . For me that is definitely what has been lacking . Those areas have looked so defensive . To have players running at the oppositions full backs has got us two goals and brought a lot more excitement to the fans watching instead of hoofing a long ball down field . I thought Hunt was excellent , and what a difference Murphy made , i thought he to was superb on Saturday , works so hard for the team . 3 points at Leeds tonight is def possible . COYB !!!! IMWT

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Surco72 added 08:31 - Jan 28 I have been saying this all season MM . You cannot ask more from Anderson when you ask him to tuck in more centrally and defend it is not his game . We have been far too negative in midfield all season with 2 defensive midfielders in the centre and wide players like Tabb,Tunnicliffe and Anderson and it has not helped us defend better or keep clean sheets . keep the players in their natural positions so they are not second thinking all of their play and keep the wide men and attacking it puts teams on the back foot . I wonder if this would have happened if Hyam had not been injured though ?

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Garv added 09:29 - Jan 28 Hasn't Anderson been playing inside for most of the season though? That doesn't cater for attacking the full back...
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BillBlue added 10:45 - Jan 28 Surely, what Mick is now saying is exactly what all you guys on here have been saying all season!
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Marcus added 14:05 - Jan 28 Nothing to disagree with here. Hunt's explosive pace was the highlight of the Reading game. A bit concerned he might still be tired after that game! Tabb played well but a deeper role that isn't as appreciated. Anderson is a very talented player - he can play deep and attack the full backs and put the crosses in, however he can get bogged down with his defensive duties and has to cover a lot of the field so it's a stamina position. The team is starting to evolve into a very Mick McCarthy team. Solid in the middle with two wingers causing the damage. MM's defences aren't the best (with previous teams) but are among the better teams and he combines that with wingers and strikers who can both hold up the balls and score enough goals. What this means is that we're more likely to be a 2-1 team than a 1-0 team when we win. It's probably what suits this division best. Strangely enough Joe Royle has a similar mindset - the difference is he had a much more settled team at his disposal. Being 7th is a slight over achievement with the resources we have but I see no reason why we can't keep looking upwards.

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