Boss Mick McCarthy was pleased with his team’s performance, despite the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Burnley ending their hopes of reaching the play-offs.

“I thought it was very good, until conceding the goal and then when we got a bit loose, but I thought we played very well,” he said.

“I thought they started well, we didn’t. I thought we grew into the game and got better when the first half settled down and it was fairly even.

“I thought we started the second half better than them and were on top when we conceded. We missed one tackle and it ended up in the back of the net because they’ve got Johnny-on-the-spot. Goals change the course of games. I thought we played well, I was really pleased with my team.”

McCarthy defended not throwing the kitchen sink at the already-promoted Clarets from the start.

“I’ve just spoken to the TV because they ask bonkers questions. It’s as if I should have started with four or five centre-forwards and two left wingers and two right wingers because we must win it.

“How do you win a game? You win a game with a team effort and I thought we had a really good team effort up and until the goal. They got a bit of good fortune I thought, just in terms of missing the tackle.

“I thought our performance was really good. But a ‘must-win game’. It’s interesting that. What do you do, throw all your principles and everything out the window to change it and do something different?

“If I could do that I would have done that at Reading in the first game of the season and we would have pissed the league and been up.”

The Blues boss said there was an inevitability that it was Michael Kightly, one of his players at Wolves, who scored the game’s only goal.

“It’s always somebody I’ve had who scores against us,” he added. “It’s been like that throughout my career. If I could keep them all, I’d be all right, wouldn’t I?

“He’s a good player, Kights, he’s got his je ne sais quoi or whatever it might be. He had so many injuries.

“If he hadn’t been injured like he was at Wolves, he would have been a top player in a top team throughout. I’m really delighted for him that he’s back playing at that level because he’s a great kid.”

McCarthy says Burnley fully deserve their promotion, which they celebrated on the pitch after the game.

“Without a doubt, outstandingly good value,” he said. “We went toe to toe with them at Portman Road and it was a really good game.

“Tough, hard-fought, both teams worked very hard but they just had the guy on the spot that day and it was a bit the same today.

“They’ve deserved it, they’ve had an outstandingly good season. Well done to them, enjoy it and don’t listen to all the doom and gloom-mongers. Enjoy it and I’m sure they will.”

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was pleased that his players put in another top performance despite having nothing left to play for.

“I spoke before the game and I felt it was very important to go about our business in the correct manner,” he said.

“I never doubted it for a second, if I’m honest. I believe in the way the players work on a daily basis. I’ve mentioned it a hundred times and my belief is that if you do it right all the time you don’t need to flick that switch and try and turn it on."

The Town boss had hoped that the Clarets might be off their game having confirmed their place in the Premier League and Dyche was well aware of that danger.

“Mick’s been down this road before so he’s wise enough to know that it can happen where a team don’t quite retain that edge. I’m pleased that our focus was clear today.

“It was important to show signs of what we’re about and what we’ve been about all season. My mentality is that winning is key, whatever you’re winning for. And I thought that was on show again today for the group.”

Photo: Action Images

SohoBlue added 09:58 - Apr 27 Overall pretty solid I thought. Good defensive showing but for the slip from Smith. Williams was creative and threatened, providing the sparks that no one could ignite. Midfield very average. Everyone put a shift in but we're not there. Ings, Kightly, Brown, Arfield were just better than our attacking options, particularly without McGoldrick. Cresswell was a bit disappointing. Taylor looked punchy - feisty and needs to be playing. Give him a go on the right, perhaps, if he's not going to replace young Nouble, who looked confused half the time and snatched at his half-chance (sorry, we can't carry him, young or not). At least he runs at players and can whip a ball in. Hunt should stay, too. Getting on but another season there. My how things have changed since the slick free-flowing Ipswich of old though. Mick's doing a good job, and I'm right behind him, but we must find a creative midfield and Austin/Ings type striker. If Cressy goes or Marcus backs Mick, we get a bit of luck in the transfer market,who knows! COYB! Thanks for a season that starts making us proud again! Onwards and upwards.

2

Seasider added 10:02 - Apr 27 Did Mick believe in what he said as reported above,I hope not as if so he is sadly deluded,he needn't have slated his players;but surely could have been a bit more realistic. Thought he might have changed his tactics for this game;but no chance,so dont expect anything different next season either regardless of personnel. Souper Jim said "Mick has delivered constant improvement".I think you will find that taking in the bad start last season,before he took over in Nov,he has actually done worse. Re above 'nom-de-plume in Jim Magiltons first season finished 8th,and when he was sacked after beating Norwich 3-2 the following season were 9th. MM has only had 3 comfortable wins since arrival(3-0) and the only big win was 4.0. against Middlesborough when TC was in charge!Therefor dont expect much different next season with teams being set up to negate the opposition,long balls etc. Attendances wont increase either with this boring style especially bearing in mind price of matchday tickets,surcharges for not renewing season tickets on line and cash entry thru turnstiles;not forgetting the attempted money grab fiasco 0f £120 for season ticket holders who pay for DD recently.Oh and I nearly forgot you cant book tickets by phone anymore. Rant over folks;have renewed season ticket,as enjoy pre match drink in Legends with friends(sometimes more than game itself)!!!

10

essexboy added 10:05 - Apr 27 Mixed comments on here.Ok we are all disappointed that we did not manage to get into the play-offs,build honestly how many off us really thought at the beginning of the season we would be in with a chance with two games left.Yesterday was a very poor performance considering it was a game we had to win and for mick to say he was pleased with the team performance in my opinion was the incorrect thing to say?I don't care if it upsets the players,they earn good money and should hold there hands up about a lack lustre non event.Ok MM has had very little to spend and full credit to him for getting the best out of the team,but we need an injection of cash to improve.Lets just hope we get it .COYb

3

bluearmy78 added 10:09 - Apr 27 After watching yesterday's game it's quite obvious that we need more attacking options & flair throughout the side! MM in my opinion is far too defence minded who's sides that he has managed have always played the long ball. We need players like Ritchie at Bournemouth, Judge(on loan at Brentford) who get on the ball & want to do something. Hopefully we will try & get Williams on a season long loan, but can he attract other flair players & how much will they cost??? It's ok having a hard working side but to get promoted you need to win more games!! Burnley hardly got out of first gear yesterday but everyone of their players on the park were better than ours!

5

tallguy6767 added 10:22 - Apr 27 I'd rather go to work than watch that shower of sh*t !!
-3

tallguy6767 added 10:29 - Apr 27 Mick McCarthy is the worst football manager ipswich town fc have ever had. He's even worse than duncan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-10

tallguy6767 added 10:36 - Apr 27 I forgot to add also the most negative !!!!!
-2

TimmyH added 11:06 - Apr 27 spot on post @seasider! - I'll do a post next weekend that PROVES we haven't improved since Mick took over last season.
0

tallguy6767 added 11:14 - Apr 27 Dangerous 30, you need to wake up and smell the coffee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

algarvefan added 11:20 - Apr 27 Yesterday, tactically & in team selection in a must win game, Mick showed how much he's a yesterday man. We lost the game before we ever took to the pitch. Personally I'd rather watch a team with a. 'Were going to score one more than you' attitude than the dross I witnessed yesterday. It's supposed to be entertainment this football lark!!
5

Blue041273 added 12:02 - Apr 27 Most of what is posted on here is pure muppetry! Every true fan will have loved to be in this position after our situation this time last year. Ok we ain't the finished article yet but anyone who insists that progress has not been made this season simply has not been watching the matches. We have won games we probably didn't deserve to but equally we have lost points which we shouldn't. But fundamentally we have, whether winning or losing, been much more competitive this season. As a season ticket holder I have enjoyed this season more than any other in recent history and am more than happy with the progress made. All the posters on here who do not actually attend the games and still consider themselves qualified to comment are merely trolls. We all know who you are!

-2

Cheshire_Blue added 12:38 - Apr 27 As I have said before and I will say it again,some so called supporters wouldn't be satisfied if we won the champions League. Well done Mick McCarthy on what you have achieved this season and with a little luck and support from Mr Evans who knows what next season will bring. And with a little luck we shall be playing in the budgies cage again next season!
0

SouperJim added 12:41 - Apr 27 TimmyH I eagerly await the evidence for prosecution, which no doubt will focus purely on points won and blissfully ignore man management, players brought in for wages, tactical nous, work rate and professionalism of the playing staff. I'll say it again, the short term approach does not work as we should well know. Mick has now built a platform on which he can take the side forward, might I remind you that our last manager to do similar was George Burley. IF he fails, THEN complain.

0

Cloddyseedbed added 12:46 - Apr 27 Good post seasider. My daughters have declined a season ticket next year and are going to watch local football instead, hoping to be more entertained. I feel sad that they feel like that but I do understand. I agree algarvefan, watching football is supposed to be entertainment. I think you will find little will change next season, players might be brought in for free or loan but the style won't change. We'll however be hard to beat.

4

TimmyH added 12:48 - Apr 27 * improved since last season under his tenure I should state.
1

Beattiesballbag added 16:27 - Apr 27 oldelsworthyfan I believe it was much harder to get promoted when Sir Alf was in charge .......you had to finish in the top two. I don't know where we finished in the years leading up to promotion but he never played with the dyer tactics of this dinosaur. Must win game & he doesn't go for it until 20 mins from the end & the other team is in front, ...........the same tactics he's employed all season...........it's only a matter of time before he will be extinct.

1

Londonblue52 added 18:01 - Apr 27 Mick - thank you very much for steadying the ship this year and having us at the upper end of the table! However, next season please could I make a few requests. Please sell or give away Frank Nouble - he may be a nice bloke but he is a truly awful footballer. The mere mention of his name near a team sheet sends despair into my Ipswich loving heart. Please play our best players and not your favourites only. This means Scott Loach, Paul Taylor and Elliot Hewitt please. Please try and win games instead of trying not to lose them - the excitement and entertainment value has been exceptionally low this season. Another season like this on top of the daft things the Milne and Symonds muppets are doing to suppress ticket sales will see crowds below 10000 for sure Please play 2 up front and find a winger to support them. Please, please if we get to a position of being able to make the play offs with 4 games to go without relying on others, could you try and put out a team formation that at least hints at wanting to rise to this challenge Please play to win "must win" games as yesterday's attempt was a disgrace Your help along these lines would be much appreciated

3

MrDiddle added 23:00 - Apr 27 Oh my god I cant believe I am reading so many negative comments about how our season has panned out. If we had got into the playoffs you would have all been singing Mick and the clubs praises. Instead you sound like a moaning bunch of old women. You're not supporting ITFC, you're doing quite the opposite. Instead of picking peanuts out of poo, why dont you actually go to watch town play and get behind the team!!

0

chorltonskylineblue added 23:08 - Apr 27 I'd love to see us playing attacking, free flowing football, but I also see: - Mick backing the team he's picked come what may. Jewell and Keane were all too quick to blame the players in public. By all means bollock them in private, but not to the media - We're not half as flaky at the back as we were for about 5 years - We've cut out the flood of loanees to make up the team. We still use the loan system - like all teams (e.g. Kightly and Barnes for Burnley - both great additions in my mind) - but largely to provide back up where we need it. Williams is an exception, but I think he's been brought in because of McGoldrick's injury, because Nouble and Murphy aren't those type of players It remains to be seen whether we can bring in the midfielders and the odd striker to give us that promotion push, but at least we've got some foundations and several bricks to build on. All we had was shifting sands 18 months ago.

2

karls_dad added 23:35 - Apr 27 I very sad to say that i find myself agreeing with many on this forum, i really getting tired of hearing "delighted with the teams performance etc" we as fans/supporters are and have been served boring lack lustre performances, yes we have done very well to finsh wher we are. But please give us some entertaining football, something to get excited about! i rarely get to games, because i live miles away and i,m disabled, before anyone knocks me! Before MM appointment i was voting for Holloway to come in, and now i really wish he did, as he himself is enteraining enough without the football. Lets hope next season is something different, some new blood in, and some passion.

1

NSL added 00:11 - Apr 28 5 live's assessment of the Ipswich midfield: boring! Although this style of football seems to work to some extent the fans won't accept it for too much longer. Ultimately we want to be entertained.
2

Fat_Boy_Tim added 00:24 - Apr 28 A lot of people on here thinking we might have won the game if we'd attacked from the off. That's not how to win games away from home against a team who have amassed 25 more points than you. Today Chelsea went to Liverpool and won, in a must win game, by playing one striker and sitting back hitting on the break. There wasn't much in the game up to the goal and at half time I thought we'd been the better team. Burnley's best spell came as soon as we changed to a more attacking line up. Frankly we were up against a good side and we kept it to the odd goal and gave ourselves a chance right up to the last few minutes. MM should be proud of this season and so should the players. Couple more results next year and we'll have some playoffs to look forward to.

0

austractor added 01:23 - Apr 28 Last year he saved us, this year he improved us. Well done and thanks to MM & TC. We had a chance this year without blowing a fortune, really great effort. If we continue to improve, it wont be long. Hopefully the off-season sees him add to the creativity and control in the mids so we go from being a backfoot to frontfoot side.
1

Cheshire_Blue added 09:29 - Apr 28 It is quite clear from the posts that 99.9% of real Town fans do not bother with this site.
1

bohslegend added 11:14 - Apr 29 @Cheshire_Blue despite the great efforts of Phil and Gav etc on TWTD with excellent reporting and features, this website is a magnet for gobsh1tes who think they know better than the manager. There is simply no pleasing some of them.
0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls