Mick McCarthy admitted that his team was below par as they lost 3-2 at Brighton and missed out on the chance to go top, but also had praise for his friend Chris Hughton’s Seagulls side.

“I could bemoan that we didn’t play as well as we could have done in the first half but that might take a bit away from Chris’s team because I thought they were good,” McCarthy said.

“We were trying to get to the top and they were ready for us. I seem to remember us when we were in the bottom six when I first came to the club we set about Nottingham Forest and ran all over them, we did the same to Crystal Palace, we did the same to Leicester.

“We’re having to live up to a reputation so I think teams are steeling themselves for that and they’re getting something better out of their teams, but our first half performance wasn’t what I would have expected from us.”

McCarthy felt some of his players might have been feeling the effects of matches having come thick and fast: “Maybe one or two of them are knackered, Murph’s played every minute of every game just about.

“Noel Hunt came in and was brilliant last weekend. We start from the front and he’d not played a lot of football.

“I’m not making excuses for them because I don’t have to. There have been one or two who have been missing through illness and injury.

“I thought Skusey was outstanding to come back after nine days [out ill]. But you only have to be down a couple of per cent and they’re up a couple of per cent because they’re playing us and it makes it a difficult evening.”

McCarthy said Brighton would be no easy touch beforehand despite starting the evening in 20th - they have climbed one place - and that proved to be the case with Albion looking a much better side than their current position.

“That’s because I know Chris and I know what he’s about and I know how good he is as a coach and a manager,” he added.

“I think wherever he’s been he’s done a great job. I know there’ll be Norwich fans screaming at me but I seem to remember they were still in the Premier League when he was sacked.

“He’s been everywhere, he’s experienced. He was at Tottenham for a long time. I’m a bit annoyed with him tonight, but he’s a great guy, he’s a mate of mine.”

The Town boss didn’t feel the chance to go top of the table following Bournemouth’s defeat last night had any effect on his players.

“I don’t think so,” he insisted. “The lads were really focused and I think we have to give them a bit of credit rather than me taking [it away from them and giving my team criticism].

“When was it easy coming to Brighton? I know they’ve not had the best record lately, but we always put their team up on a sheet of paper and I can’t think for one minute that any of us looked at it and thought it was going to be easy with the team that was playing.

“I thought they played well in the first half. I’m not happy with the goals we conceded, we didn’t do as well as we should have done, it wasn’t like us.”

Midfielder Paul Anderson apologised for his performance on Twitter afterwards but McCarthy says the 26-year-old has done well this season even if this evening wasn’t his night.

“He came in and apologised at half-time,” he continued. “I don’t really want apologies I just want people to perform.

“But Ando’s been great, maybe it was one of those nights. It happens, I didn’t play well every week. Most weeks, but not every week.”

With the Blues not in action until a week on Saturday when Wigan visit Portman Road, McCarthy is giving his players some time off: “They’re all off until Monday. Have a break, chill out with their families, go away if they can, have a beer with their mates, I’m not bothered.

“They work exceptionally hard. Just recover and we’ll prepare for Wigan next week, starting on Monday.”

Brighton manager Chris Hughton was pleased with his side's first home league victory since he took charge: “I’m delighted. Of course I’m more delighted with the three points because we needed it.

“I thought we showed some good signs in Saturday’s performance and I’m also delighted with the performance.

“We were up against a very, very good side who have shown why they are where they are in this division.

“They’re a tough team to play against. They had direct spells where they do what they do very well so we had to deal with a fair amount, but I thought we showed a lot of quality on the ball and, of course, you can’t do all of that unless you get the goals that we got.

“I’m delighted for Sam Baldock because he’s somebody who has been used to putting the ball in the back of the net and I thought Joao Teixeira was excellent.”

Asked whether he was pleased to get one over on his old Republic of Ireland team-mate, he added: “No, not really. Mick’s somebody I know very well and I have a lot of respect for, and also Terry as well.

“I’m more delighted with the three points because you are. You look at the result last night and you see Leeds winning.

“That’s what happens when you’re in the position you’re in, you’re looking at all the results around you, so I’m most delighted with the three points but also I thought the performance was good, particularly here at home, which is always nice.”

Photo: Action Images

Cat_ITFC added 10:06 - Jan 22 3rd in the league, 1 point off of top place, over half way through the season. I don't understand the panic from some people. I'm just delighted that after the past 6 or 7 years we are looking at the league table at the gap to 7th rather than looking at the gap to 22nd.
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Lightningboy added 10:23 - Jan 22 Personally I think Mick needs to make a decision now on whether we carry on playing (rather stodgily) with Chambers at right back OR we become more free flowing going forward with Parr at right back. 3 into 2 won't go in the centre of defence so Mick needs to decide who to play alongside Berra..Chambers is captain and is obviously better in the middle and out of his comfort zone at RB,whereas Tommy Smith's got 5 goals to his name this season..decision time Mick..maybe go with all 3 and wing backs?

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Tractorog added 11:05 - Jan 22 FFS we've lost a few games. We picked a good time to lose them, because we are still 3rd and 1 point off the top. Some of you whingers should go support someone else if you throw your toys out of the pram at every defeat. Grow up.
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swarby_7 added 11:10 - Jan 22 Agree with what everyone is saying, and despite the negatives given to @BattyBlue he does raise a few valid points. I love MM. What he has done for us is amazing in such a short space of time and on such a low budget. I back him 110% and trust him completely. We are not a bad side, a few tough games over a busy period against good opposition when players are struggling with fatigue and illness, does not suddenly make us bad or ruin our season. A long way to go yet and all teams have a blip during the season. We can come back from this, and anyway, its way better than the last 12 years. We would have given anything to be in this position 3/4/5 years a go so lets enjoy it an back the lads and Mick. However, as @BattyBlue says, Mick should know when players are tired and also, when a player has been ill (so much so they have been sent home from training etc). I cant see how they can be match fit straight away. Some bugs can really knock you for six, aches and coughs can last weeks after, so Mick should be aware of this. The fatigued players should be left out not thrown straight back in. As for Parr. He is possibly a better choice than captain amazing for right back. And maybe Mick did get it wrong last night, but lets be honest, we all have bad days and get things a bit wrong. He's not super human, he's just like us and he will know he maybe could have changed it or done better, and just like us again, he will learn from it. You cant win them all and whatever team we put out last night may have lost. You cant be sure. So if Mick got it right or wrong lets all move on and cheer the lads on against Wigan. Another run of 20 odd games without many defeats would see us there or there abouts. Lets enjoy it!

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Bergholtblue added 11:11 - Jan 22 Brighton were only in the depths of the division because of poor management by Sammy Hypia. They essentially remain the same team that competed for play-off positions for the last 3 or 4 years. Now that Hughton's come in and got some organisation and tactics, they will start to climb the table. For me this was always a trickier fixture than most people were making out. If they can hang on to Liverpool loanee, Joao Teixeira, they will hurt other teams at the like they hurt us and I bet they are not far off the play-offs by the end of the season

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Blue041273 added 11:12 - Jan 22 It's all very well to promote a different playing style but those of us who actually watch the games and try to understand the objectives of the tactics employed will know that MM is an astute tactician and not afraid to change tried and tested formations. We went 3 at the back against Southampton and against Millwall we brought on Jonny Parr to roam around the midfield ultimately to maximum effect. It is not a magic wand guaranteeing results but MM has got more things right than wrong this season and questioning his judgement when we are in the position we are in is simply crass.

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Cloddyseedbed added 11:15 - Jan 22 Yes they were ready for us - we weren't ready for them unfortunately.
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RaymondovicBlue added 12:15 - Jan 22 Ref the centre backs debate ... lighteningboy says that Mick should chose "who to play alongside Berra" so that we can play a RB at RB BUT - are we really sure that Parr Chambers Smith Mings isn't the best four? Tommy was dropped for a Chambers/Berra partnership not so long ago .... but how long did it take for SMith to show he should start and to be brought back ? I'll shout and support whatever team Mick picks, but having watched the last few games I would say that Tommy covers Berra at least as much as Berra covers Smith ..... yes, I KNOW Tommy made the mistake with the back header v Derby - but ... are we sure it couldn't have been Berra's ball in the first place? Also the equaliser v Saints in the first leg ... it was Berra and Gerks who messed up between them, not Tommy ... Just asking ... and only to show what a tough job Mick has .... and for me he does it really well!!!! COYB

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Pessimistic added 13:19 - Jan 22 They have all exceptionally well this season and as Mick McCarthy has said they could all do with a bit of a break. Go out all of you and drink yourself silly and we'll see back on the training ground next Monday. I like that.
1

blueherts added 13:55 - Jan 22 Good turnout last night for a Weds rearranged game They flew out the traps - great finish for first( although we shouldnt let him run across box so easily) Second deflection but again did not close down Third I missed cos I was biting into one of the hottest pies ever - tasty but too HOT! Second half better and more solid Bish caused them afew probs and great to see Sears off the mark Rest will be good - still been a great season and look fwd to Wigan

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Hegansheroes added 14:54 - Jan 22 It seems any negative comment or criticism of the deity called McCarthy is slated. MM got it wrong last night. Tactics & team selection but we all know what sort of game he plays & obviously Chris Hughton does as well. How ever this is a team built on a shoestring & probably in a position that no one would have believed in August. I do not think apart from 3 or 4 the players are anywhere good enough for the Premiership & if promotion was achieved there would have to be huge investment and tactics would have to change dramatically unless we are to be the whipping boys.

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Fatboy added 15:05 - Jan 22 Although it's always disappointing to lose, 3 points from 2 away games is better than drawing both, which a successful "play for a point away from home" policy would have achieved.
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blueherts added 16:59 - Jan 22 Hegan - I am not so sure . If Southampton are a good example of a top Premier side - which they are - then we held them away and just lost at home Of course we need to strengthen but I think the spine of the team is solid RB , Couple of midfielders and a striker would be added if we went up I do love fans who moan when we are down at the bottom , and then when we are one point off the top moan that we are nowhere near good enough to stay in the Prem ? 'There is no pleasing some people' Life of Brian ... 1979 Enjoy the ride and lets see where it takes us

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Warkys_Tash added 19:08 - Jan 22 We looked much better away when we played 4-5-1 when defending & then use it as 4-3-3 when attacking. Can only really do this with Parr at RB though. It always a midfield 3 (diamond) with the two strikers out on the sings with one staying up at all times. Really disappointed Mick didn't deploy this last night. On the plus side we are 1 point from the top.
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bellazzurri79 added 19:29 - Jan 22 They may have been ready for us but our defence were certainly not ready for them!!! Just seen the highlights and dog awful defending cost us... For their second goal 5 players around Texiera and no blocks what so ever! Awful....
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2_Goal added 21:02 - Jan 22 Just saw the goals on the highlights video. Real poor defending. Which is surprising. Our defenders seemed to back off until it was too late. Also, I reckon another keeper ( but probably not gerkin) might have saved one or two of those goals.
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PJH added 22:06 - Jan 22 2_Goal-I was behind that goal and another keeper might have saved one or two of them.Trouble is we would have needed to have two keepers on the line at the same time and I think that is against the rules! In my opinion Bart was the only one of the starting team to come out of the game with any real credit because not only did he have no chance with the goals he made 2/3 very good saves as well.

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blueboy1981 added 22:44 - Jan 22 Fair play Chris Hughton - you certainly took the Manager of the Night Award. You had your team up for it - MM most certainly didn't unfortunately. All the more disappointing when we squander, yet another, opportunity to go top.
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