Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s disappointed and frustrated not to make the top six, believing his team had competed with the best sides in the division throughout the season, but overall believes it has been an "acceptable season". Last week’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley ended the Blues’ hopes of reaching the play-offs.

McCarthy says he didn’t set any hard and fast pre-season targets: “Did I expect to be in the top six? I set off with the view that we’ll do the best we can and end up where we are. As for setting targets for yourself, I think set the target to win the next game.

“And the more often you win that, the more likely you’re going to be in the top six or in the top two or wherever it might be.”

He believes his side was capable of making the play-offs “I’m disappointed and slightly frustrated because I think we could have got in the top six. Do I think we’re better than the top two, Leicester and Burnley? No, obviously.

“Do I think we’re better than Wigan and Derby and Brighton and Reading? No, but we’ve competed with them all season long.

“It’s come down to the last game where we’re not involved. Maybe Easter took its toll, the trip to Watford on the Saturday and Bournemouth on the Monday, and in the end it was a deflection that did us.

“Who knows, we might have been on the back of it, but overall it’s certainly been an acceptable season from what was going on beforehand.”

Photo: Action Images

rambohambo added 06:08 - May 3 I think everyone is but we should of made the top six, even the top 2 , we dropped 30 points mick and to be fair all the points where your naf tactics in the last half hour by playing defensively and holding a 1 nil lead which hasn't worked all season !
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Blue_Heath added 07:59 - May 3 I said at the start of the season it would be nice to finish top half, top 10 was realistic and would be a good season. Bear in mind our previous seasons and no money spent plus the main man McGoldrick getting injured we have done well but that is clouded but the failure to get in the top six having come so close. We have some good young players and I hope to see Marriott get some game time this afternoon.

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pazelle added 09:39 - May 3 One more win and we'd have been in with a shout today #thistimenextyear
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ChestnutSe added 10:30 - May 3 Hopefully Pazelle. A lot can happen over the summer for all the Championship sides. We might have an East Anglian derby to look forward to.
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Terry_Nutkins added 11:01 - May 3 Rambo that post is ridiculous. We've well overachieved with our squad. Mick is the best thing to happen to this club for a long time. We are getting better which is great. We'll be stronger again next year and i trust mick to spend the cresswell Money wisely.
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Bluetone added 11:39 - May 3 So now what have we got to look forward to? Another season of dull, dire, defensive and dour football. Perhaps by then McCarthy management will be doomed.
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blueboy1981 added 11:54 - May 3 Blame yourself MM - this 'squad' of players were capable of making it to the play offs - your tactics and 'strange' substitutions cost us points, which could / would have made the difference. Let's hope you're better at it next season - and not just go out in every game to preserve the point you start with !!! We can but hope.
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oldegold added 14:49 - May 3 Totally agree with blueboy1981 - if MM thinks we can be contenders with his usual brand of "spectacular" soccer then he is deluding himself. We lost our chance of going up 2 weeks ago with a sterile and defensive display in the Easter period with 1 point out of 9 when we simply had to attack and take the game to the opposition. Invest in our young players like Marriott and Hewitt and be brave and daring otherwise it will be over before the season starts.

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