Town boss Mick McCarthy believes the performance and result achieved away against Premier League high-flyers Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday shows the strength within his squad, even if he doesn’t have the largest number of players at his disposal.

McCarthy made six changes to the team which beat Charlton 3-0 on Tuesday as the Blues drew 1-1 with the Saints at St Mary’s, which he says illustrates the quality of those who came into the side.

“It says that the ones that I’ve changed are good players,” he said. “I think we used 17 players in the month of December, the fewest of anybody.

“We’ve only got a squad of 20 but they all play. A couple of them haven’t played many games, maybe Alex Henshall hasn’t played as much as he’d like, Balint Bajner as well, but all the others have competed, played well, had to play games and when we’ve needed them they’ve all complemented the team whenever they’ve played, which is nice.”

McCarthy says he’ll now put the replay with Southampton and the prospect of a fourth round home tie against Crystal Palace to the back of his mind with the Blues having another crucial Championship match at Portman Road at the weekend: “We’ve got Derby first, I’ll worry about the replay when we’ve played Derby.”

He dismissed the suggestion that Sunday’s result sends a message to the third-placed Rams, who are one place and two points behind the Blues.

“It doesn’t give any message really, does it? Rochdale beat Nottingham Forest, that ’my dad’s bigger than your dad and [therefore] he could beat him’ thing doesn’t wash with me at all.

“Derby know all about us, we know all about Derby. They know what it’s like coming to Portman Road, they were there last season with Steve McClaren and they’ve played us once already this season. There are no surprises for them.

“They know that we’re a tough nut to crack and this performance, this result doesn’t send out any messages whatsoever.”

Photo: Action Images

osborne added 06:49 - Jan 6 Yeah, I reckon that Mick has put together a squad of absolute diamonds. Hard working, cohesive, professional. Mick has created a team in his own image. God they make me proud!
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bennyitfc added 07:15 - Jan 6 Derby are full of quality but I don't think they'll be able to break us down - 1-0 Town (Didz)
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Gilesy added 08:57 - Jan 6 Oh I wish more people were like McCarthy and dispensed with waffle and platitudes.
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dirtyboy added 09:19 - Jan 6 I genuinely think this will be the game that we drop and do you know why? Darren Bent. You just know.
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bedsitfc added 09:28 - Jan 6 We should all be proud of the squad mick has assembled. But I still think we need back up to our attack, noel could be just that.
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Garv added 09:34 - Jan 6 To get promoted with this squad would be an incredible achievement, because, despite how strong we are in depth, the actual quality of the squad on paper is quite average. This is no slant on our lads. It's a credit to what a great team they've become. Looking at our players I think opposition fans will be wondering how on earth we are 2nd. I suppose only the fans that get down Portman road every other week know why.

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dirtyboy added 10:03 - Jan 6 Garv, you say that, but look where 'a bit' of quality got Liverpool last year with Suarez. I'm not for one second suggesting we have Suarez laden ability anywhere in the squad, but we do have a few players who are almost certainly capable of playing at Premiership level. Surrounded by an organised team and great work ethic, we're seeing what can be achieved.
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gippeswyk added 10:39 - Jan 6 Garv, I disagree. There is premiership interest in Mings, Didzy, Bishop and we have the leading scorer in Murphy. Our back four is the best in the division and Berra has been immense. The rest of the team make up in effort and application what they lack in individual quality.
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WindsorBlue added 10:43 - Jan 6 Murph is the new Suarez....simples!
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Palestine added 10:47 - Jan 6 To be fair though - Mick's dad is definitely harder than your dad!!
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wkj added 11:29 - Jan 6 I see your logic about on paper the team being average; but disagree. Everyone has potential in life - and to reach that takes work and support. Mick has turned ITFC from a low morale mercenaries playground to a legitimate outfit- and in doing so has re ignited a lot of the squads love for football. Those who didn't buy into Mick philosophies stuck out like a saw thumb without being lambasted by Mick in public. The one thing we are more so than many other team is a unified team. Even the guys who aren't starting 11are showing they too are capable and willing to perform. Those average on paper players have long since moved on; those who are still here getting games with town- have only just began

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Garv added 17:15 - Jan 6 On reflection I'm definitely being harsh on defenders and probably strikers. It's probably the midfield that made me say that, because I would say bar Bishop, an 18 year old newbie, there aren't any names that stick out. I would still say having this squad 2nd in the league is bloody impressive and unexpected by most.
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jas0999 added 17:26 - Jan 6 I still think we are a striker away from being genuine contenders. Our front two are excellent, but there is no back up. I doubt Bajner will cut it, whilst despite his work rate, Goal scoring is not Sammons forte! We are arguably an experienced defender light as well. Suspensions or injuries to just two of our senior defenders will leave us relying on youngsters.
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MedwayTractor added 17:49 - Jan 6 jas: That's the financial difference between us & Derby - they get Bent, an international premiership striker, we get Sammon, their cast-off. I can't work up any enthusiasm for either him or Bajner as our back-up, maybe MM will work his magic with Noel Hunt (if we get him). Otherwise, I think we need to recruit a class goalscorer to add that extra promotion impetus, as Bill McGarry did with John O'Rourke in 1968 & George Burley did with Marcus Stewart in 2000. I have to say that I was criticalof MM in the autumn, when he seemed to be taking the foot off the pedal in the last quarter of a number of games by using the subs to go defensive. All that has changed & we see now the subs being used to go 4-3-3 from 4-2-2. As earlier posters have said, an injury or suspension to Murph or McG has the potential to end our hopes, so the addition of another class striker seems (to me, anyway) to be what we need to keep us at the top of the table & get us over the promotion finishing line.

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parhamblue added 18:01 - Jan 6 Jas: I missed St Ledger's departure but given Bishop's step up to the first team, if Mick says Matt Clarke is also ready then who am I to argue. I take your point about a goalscoring striker. I just think talk of selling Mings and splashing the cash on someone who would more likely see out the season as a reserve is totally wide of the mark. Mick and Terry have got to this position through superb man management. And no cash splashed! The window is open though

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EssexTractor added 18:05 - Jan 6 Some very positive and sensible words in these posts and most regulars will share the same feelings about having a really effective extra goal scorer and that maybe is MMs biggest challenge so far this season. The Two DMs are both worthy of their places But where does MM get an equally good( and that's the point, equally good) extra attacker who is prepared to initially and maybe for sometime sit on the bench? Let's hope he has an ace up his sleeve!!

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Tractorog added 19:04 - Jan 6 You have got to admire the way MM uses the media to get a message across. Mick takes all the pressure off himself and sends a positive message to his squad. So different to the headless chicken regimes of the last few years.
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Jimmy86 added 20:41 - Jan 6 January is indeed a massive window for us and will determine where we finish at the end of the season. The likes of Bournemouth and Derby will both Strengthen and we must do the same. Mick has done a brilliant job and has surely won over some of the doubters, Evans seems to have learnt from previous mistakes and we are where we are on merit. I do hope Evans makes some funds available to Mick, based on where we are in the table and to help us in the final push. It's all well and good turning down big bids for our players and keeping hold of them, that's backing, but we need to add to what we've got. I know Mick is being coy with his comments about this window, about it being hard to bring in better than what he has, good man management, he doesn't want to rock the boat, but we need players who could step straight into the team if needed, not just come as back up or cover.

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PeekFreans added 21:48 - Jan 6 I love this guy! (Bent will have his goal and then we'll stick two in)
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BuckieBlue added 13:00 - Jan 7 Talk on here about strengthening squad, with MM's track record while with us probably he'll have a good freebe or an astute loan signing on his radar. For last two years there has been word we might be interested in Kenny Mclean of St Mirren, but he signed a new deal for them in summer. He has been excellent this season albeit in a poor side. They're not that well off but have just turned down £150 000 from Fleetwood, 'far short of their valuation' but worth a punt at a fairer price, especially if Ian Bishop sold.

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