Boss Mick McCarthy felt a draw was probably the right result in the end but believed the Blues ought to have gone on to win the game having gone in front. David McGoldrick put Town ahead in the 57th minute with help from Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny, but Ross McCormack equalised from the spot after Luke Chambers was adjudged to have fouled Cameron Stewart five minutes later.

“Probably in the end [a draw was a fair result],” McCarthy said. “We had the opportunity to win it because I thought when we scored we were on top and we could have done better.

“I can’t see on our computer whether it was a penalty. Chambo says he hasn’t touched him, but as I said to him every penalty I ever gave away I realised I hadn’t touched him and every time I was sent off I hadn’t hit anybody.

“I keep looking at it and I’m not so certain, but if you slide in in the box you give the referee the opportunity to blow. That’s my view on it. And then they had a lot of corners, so it was probably even after that.”

He felt the match had got off to a slow start: “The first bit of the first half was a very ordinary game, Championship stuff, a lot of huff and puff.

“I thought [they were there for the taking] the way we started the second half and then got the goal. Brian will be saying it was a rick from their goalkeeper. Both goals were mistakes really.

“I thought we’d got the game by the scruff of the neck and didn’t hold on to it long enough. A missed header, we let them switch it out wide.

“Fair play, Cameron Stewart gets in our box, he attacks the full-back, that’s what he’s expected to do.”

Coincidentally, Stewart was denied a penalty when fouled by Chambers when playing for Charlton at Portman Road on New Year’s Day.

While not unhappy with a point, having got ahead having been in the ascendency at the start of the second half, McCarthy was disappointed not to go on and claim all three points.

“I view it as frustrating because I think we had the game, not won because there was a long time to go and Cameron Stewart was doing his job and McCormack’s done his, [but we had the opportunity to win it].

“But if you’d asked me at the start of the season when I’m looking at the fixtures ‘Would you take a point at Elland Road?’, [I’d have said yes] at any stage, I’m not bothered what they’re going through, it didn’t look to me like they weren’t scrapping for the shirt, the badge or the place, they were all having it for Brian.

“It’s a point. You know my view on it, don’t you? Point in my pocket, wipe me gob, go down the road and get on with it.”

McCarthy confirmed that Saturday’s man of the match Stephen Hunt was left out due to his lack of match fitness: “I would never have dropped him for his performance. Tabby was excellent and I thought Ando was excellent.

“I just needed fresh legs. He cramped up [on Saturday], I took him off, you saw how tired he was. He was never going to go Saturday, Tuesday. It’s great, I’ve got good players in those wide areas.”

He says he left Carlos Edwards out of the 18 due to the groin problem he suffered at the weekend: “I was going to play Ando and if you’ve got a sore groin the last thing you need to do is sit on the bench and be stiff and cold, and then me to ask him to come on after 65 minutes. That’s a model to do more damage.”

Leeds boss Brian McDermott — whose side had lost their last five and not won in seven prior to tonight's game - cut a frustrated figure at his post-match press conference with the Whites’ takeover still ongoing.

“It’s tough at the moment, on and off the pitch, very, very, very tough. They get a freekick in the 93rd minute and something can happen, we could lose a goal and lose 2-1.

“At the moment you have to take that point, I can’t be negative, there’s enough negativity around the place, you can’t be negative in the dressing room.”

Photo: Action Images

bluemingood added 22:56 - Jan 28 Its a fine line between feeling relieved to be finally progressing away from relegation fodder and anger at not putting Leeds to the sword. I will settle for appreciation of what MM is achieving now that the dust has settled until Saturday.
2

Lord_Mac added 23:05 - Jan 28 Breaking news (Yorkshire post etc) is that Varney refused to plAy tonight. Apparently BM referred to it in post-match interview. Read comments on Yorkshire post site - fans very disgruntled.
1

AbujaBlue added 23:15 - Jan 28 It's a shame we couldn't exploit this apparent disharmony and wipe the smugness off the lot of them (and then allow Big M to 'wipe me gob'). Oh well, a point is a point and we seemed to have a decent game. Feeling positive right now!
2

Mark added 23:27 - Jan 28 Not a bad result away at Leeds, although it's a shame that we don't seem to win when we play teams in terrible form such as Millwall (hadn't they lost 5 from 6?) and Leeds (who had lost their last 5). Ipswich's win over Reading was sandwiched between 7-1 and 5-1 wins for the Royals, so it shows what a good result that was. It's a big ask to catch up those 4 points against Reading and Forest (who have two games in hand). Still, it's great to be in 7th place and just to have a chance of the play-offs after many years nowhere near.

7

bluemingood added 23:33 - Jan 28 Yes Mark. That 2-0 over reading sandwiched in there adds even more torment to the frustration of not slaying a wounded Leeds.
0

Walk_the_Wark added 23:59 - Jan 28 Can anyone explain why hunt was not used tonite, even as a sub? Cos from what I saw he single handedly generated the attacking desire against Reading...
-8

AbujaBlue added 00:18 - Jan 29 Walk the Wark - Who better than Mick himself to do the explaining? -------------- McCarthy confirmed that Saturday's man of the match Stephen Hunt was left out due to his lack of match fitness: “I would never have dropped him for his performance. Tabby was excellent and I thought Ando was excellent. “I just needed fresh legs. He cramped up [on Saturday], I took him off, you saw how tired he was. He was never going to go Saturday, Tuesday. It's great, I've got good players in those wide areas.” -------------------

7

battyblue added 05:13 - Jan 29 Hunty was probably left out because we couldent afford another weeks wages two points droped again imo.
-13

Hiltzkooler added 06:25 - Jan 29 Abujablue.....clear and understood, but why not used as a substitute ? Mick can be infuriating at times....Reading was an excellent result utilising key attributes in a sound tactical manner...we go to Elland Road and deploy a Tabb who the large consensus of fans would agree has not delivered thus far this season
0

ArnieM added 07:15 - Jan 29 5pts out of a possible 15 this month underlines the need for more players because what we have simply got heavy legged over the xmss period. The same thing will happen in the easter period when we should be looking to consolidate or push for a top 6 place. Over tk u Mr Evans. We have just a few days left of this window.
1

theobald1985 added 08:48 - Jan 29 I think the 5 points out of 15 just outlines the need for a more positive approch rather than defensive long ball ball football-it will take you so far but the best teams are positive and keep it on the deck
3

NoelTheDub added 08:57 - Jan 29 Mick I dont agree you saying at the start of the season you be happy with a point because you have to look at the present leeds team on and off the pitch.This was a great chance to get 3pts last night.Im disapointed hunt cant play 2 games in 3 days but surely he can play 20 min at the end,also not giving taylor a run or a start is a mistake in my view.Those decisions at times I think let teams off the hook as in all fairness to tabb he gives you hardwork but no threat.Mick is a bit attack minded at home which is good but a little cagey away and would have a few more points on board if that wasnt the case.All in all take a point but give 6th spot a real go Mick

-1

gazzmac4 added 09:08 - Jan 29 The comments on this story just further prove that the team really cannot please everyone (or apparently anyone!). I woke up this morning and looked at the table and saw us sitting in 7th at the end of January. 7th! Weve won more than we have lost, scored more than we have let in and were nowhere near being relegation candidates or mid table bore-athons. I for one am damn happy at how we are doing because ive almost forgotten what its like to be in and around the playoffs over the last few years! Also, got 3 or so very winnable game coming up in Bolton, Barnsley and Blackpool. Lets try and stay positive eh chaps? COYB's

4

ChrisMakin2012 added 09:25 - Jan 29 Negative long ball system.
-6

calypso_blue added 10:18 - Jan 29 If we ever get in play-offs, a performance like this would make it worthless.
-1

AbujaBlue added 11:31 - Jan 29 Hiltzkooler - what use is Hunt as a sub if he is not fully fit? Better to conserve his energy for Saturday than. He is a great addition to the side, but he was also without a club for a long time, and for him it is obviously taking a long time for fitness levels to peak.
1

boysinblue added 12:21 - Jan 29 shame we couldn't beat this lot, they were there for the taking imo, and once again we let a 1 goal lead slip, we must be more ruthless town!! However, very happy with our current position and got some winnable games coming up. COYB
1

battyblue added 13:00 - Jan 29 Thanks guys for hitting the minus button for what was a joke but still two points lost.
1

blueblood66 added 19:48 - Jan 29 There is no pleasing some folk! Short memories are abundant!
0

dannyrr added 20:25 - Jan 29 Losing the extra two points is disappointing. I am not disappointed with where we are in the table in comparison to last season but we should be able to beat teams that are going through a bad patch. We have failed consistently to win matches against struggling teams and can usually put in a good performance against the top teams. The upcoming matches should be winnable and we need to have that killer instinct. It is the only way we can get back into the playoff positions. We have to be able to beat weaker opposition to be able to have a cushion to sustain losses. Last season both Palace and Watford did that they got points quickly and were losing games toward the end of the season but had a cushion of points that allowed them to still remain in the playoffs. I hope to see the same attacking displaying on Saturday against Bolton as the game against Reading, must win 3 points game. COYB.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls