Boss Mick McCarthy admitted that the Blues are now unlikely to finish in the top two following this afternoon’s 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

“It depends on the other results, but if we end up eight points behind two teams or three teams, I don’t see there’s any chance we’re going to win three more games than any of the others,” he conceded after the lunchtime game.

The later results confirmed that Town, who are still in seventh, are indeed eight points behind three teams, new leaders Bournemouth, second-placed Watford and Boro. The Cherries beat Blackpool 4-0 at Dean Court, while Watford beat Reading 4-1 at Vicarage Road.

Elsewhere, Norwich and Derby drew 1-1 at Carrow Road, Brentford - sixth a point ahead of Town - lost 2-1 at home to nine-man Cardiff and Wolves - eighth, two points behind the Blues - drew 1-1 at Brighton.

The Blues manager was disappointed to concede Boro’s two first-half goals from corners: “It wasn’t like us, that’s been one of our strengths. From the two corner kicks, they’ve worked the two corners well. We know how to defend them and we didn’t defend them.

“The first one, we didn’t defend the header. Having got back into it, I thought we were the better side in the first half and I don’t watch with rose-coloured spectacles.

“We were done again from another corner kick, but I still thought we played very well. And then it’s bad defending for the other two goals that’s cost us.

“If you give goals away to anybody it’s going to be difficult but certainly to a team like Middlesbrough.

“I’ll take responsibility for way we were in the last 15 minutes because I’ve put strikers on and I’m trying to get back in the game.

“We lost our shape and our discipline a bit and they had more chances than they would have done and it looked a bit shambolic, but I’ll take the responsibility for that.”

Keeper Dean Gerken suffered a blow to the head in the incident which saw Daniel Ayala score Boro’s first goal in the fourth minute and was stretchered off.

“I’m hoping that he’s OK, he’s gone to the hospital for a scan,” McCarthy said.

“I’d love to be able to give good news to his wife because she had a baby yesterday morning and I’d imagine watching that game and seeing him stretchered off with oxygen on his face was extremely difficult and upsetting for her, as it was for all of us, but especially for her. He was taken straight off to hospital.”

Gerken, who was playing only his second game since being recalled to the side, travelled back to Suffolk on Saturday evening.

Despite automatic promotion now seeming unlikely, McCarthy says the task now is to stay in the hunt for a play-off place.

“I am focused on that, absolutely,” he continued. “I never thought it was going to be easy here.

“I thought we played really well, I was delighted with our performance in the first half but not the goals we gave away. We’ve got to go again [at home to Bolton on] Tuesday. Still focused on it.”

Boro boss Aitor Karanka, whose team are away at Derby on Tuesday and Bournemouth next Saturday, was delighted to get the trio of big games off to a winning start.

“I’m very pleased, we’ve played against a very good team, a strong team,: he said. "They’ve finished the game with four strikers and it’s difficult to play against them.

“Now the main thing is that we are eight points above them and they are in seventh position, so that’s very good for us and it’s a very good way to establish [ourselves in a] big week.”

Photo: Action Images

bluearmyitfc added 19:52 - Mar 14 Simple question... Please tell me why we play chambers right back, any answers welcome
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Gforce added 20:00 - Mar 14 Just to clarify we are 1 point off sixth place not four,Brentford lost 1-2 to Cardiff. Not that it will make any difference,will still won't make top six.
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Gforce added 20:04 - Mar 14 Just to clarify we are1 point off sixth place,not four points,Brentford lost 1-2 at home to Cardiff.Not that it will make any difference we still won't make the top six.
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bluearmyitfc added 20:05 - Mar 14 Can anyone please tell me why we play chambers at right back? Any answers welcome
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warktheline added 20:21 - Mar 14 @bluearmy, that is the million dollar question ! Most are baffled.
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dukey44 added 20:33 - Mar 14 Ive had minus on here as i said tabb and smith werent any good. Was there today. Can i add another 13 players to that. As MM really isnt watching the same games as we are paying to watch. We should have been home and dry by half time. 2 bloody corners two goals. I also said wed be lucky to make top 8!!
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 20:35 - Mar 14 Sickparrot That was by far and away the most rational perspective amongst a sea of winging irrational posts I've had the displeasure to read today. Defence was shocking and the final third was poor as per usual since Christmas but we won't be struggling with relegation, which could have been a distinct possibility given our lack of finances in the majority of fans expectations.

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blueherts added 20:46 - Mar 14 25-1 to get promoted this season in August - I am still ok with my punt
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Gazelle added 20:49 - Mar 14 We're in the top two for moaners all right, nothing changes it's been like that for years. We've no money for decent signings, no money for decent loan players, it's a miracle we're as high up as we are.
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blueherts added 21:12 - Mar 14 Gazelle - Yep agree - some on here seem to forget reality But I think MM does need a change around and a rocket up a few for Bolton Smith and Mings have been poor last few games Parr and Bishop carrying it
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dalianwasexciting added 21:13 - Mar 14 Well you have to at least put yourself in with a shout of winning - and by not even making the play off we would not get the chance. There is a bigger picture here about the quality of the personnel should they miraculously go up, the Burnley model needs following so that debt can be cleared and a proper rebuild can take place post a premiership - the trouble is that I cannot see our current crop coping as well as Burnley have. So on balance finishing 7th and having a real good tilt at the top 2 next season could be the best outcome.

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itfc1981 added 21:20 - Mar 14 Gazelle you forgot we have no decent tacticians either.
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Pip50 added 21:26 - Mar 14 So we need to be grateful being nearly rans. Take a look at Brentford being above us and Burnley beating Man C today. Yes Boro, Derby, Watford and Bournemouth spending more than us and the relegation payment to the unmentionables , doesn't take away the lack of financial support and utterly cr*p footballs served up, and same again next year by this man at higher prices!
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Ipswich24 added 21:42 - Mar 14 What game do you watch Mick? Fair enough we were ok in 1st half but we still went in behind at break. I feel so sorry for Murphy and Sears have to work with scraps. For crying out loud Sears is a ball player, on the shoulder quick little player. So what do we do belt it in air to him. chambers is clueless at right back, he gets caught out all the time and is so limited with the ball we have no threat down that side at all. I also must add correct me if I'm wrong but Mick said would only add loans if they strengthened the side or good enough to get into starting 11! So tell me why we signed Luke Varney? Fifth choice striker at a side who are lower in league than us! Chaplow couldn't even get in squad of side in bottom three! Connor Sammon couldn't hit a cows bum with a banjo. These players are not improving our side! McCarthy is so tactically inept it's laughable

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Trimleytractor added 21:59 - Mar 14 Chambers right back instead of Parr, Smith in starting line-up - bonkers!
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GiveusaWave added 22:41 - Mar 14 Smith and Mings should not be picked against Bolton. Parr at rb. Chambers and Berra at cb. give one of the youngsters a shot at lb.
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kidsurello added 00:10 - Mar 15 Forget "kept us from relegation", TWO SEASONS AGO NOW, considering where we were earlier in the season, this is becoming embarrassing. If mick doesn't want to change the team, formation or style of play, the only other way to solve to problem is to change the manager.
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UppaTowen added 02:16 - Mar 15 SickParrot, you have it spot on my friend. My thoughts entirely, couldn't have put it better myself!
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fabian_illness added 07:39 - Mar 15 I've never seen so much negativity in my life, step away from being upset at a run of bad form and look at the bigger picture. Mick has bought stability, team spirit, discipline, got rid of them bad apples and set the club on a firm footing to push forward, he's done well in the past and has done a fantastic job here on the money available. Think back to Keane and jewell, it was a shambles. I can see his reasoning for sticking with the back four, continuity, anyone who's played will know there's nothing worst than constant chopping and changing. I for one don't think we'll get anyone better to run a club in our situation.

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battyblue added 07:56 - Mar 15 My thinking is we need to change our style of play if MM will not change and i don't think he will because this is the only way he knows so its get rid off i can think of a few lower league managers who would fit the bill weather they would come here is another matter,,another big problem is our invisible so called owner ,,,what is he aiming for with us ? is the question i would like to ask.

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coolcat added 08:23 - Mar 15 No-one's broken any promises about where we will end up this season. Mick even said we'll get as high as we can. Don't believe it's in his contract to get Town promoted in the 2014-15 season. I went on the coach yesterday and watched the game. I'm disappointed about the result. We were by far the better team in the first half. If Mick has put his hands up & taken the rap for some of what went on in the second half then that will be put right. Apart from that Middlesbrough matched us really well. You're onto a loser if you don't face up to the mistakes. Some managers blame everything else to the cost of the team. I believe we'll end up in the top 6. Also hope Gerken will be ok as he was taken off with concussion just after their first goal and wife in hospital after just having had a baby.

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blueherts added 08:56 - Mar 15 We lose cos we cannot defend - which was a hallmark of Micks team We all agreed on here that our defence and strikers( Murph and Mcg) were keeping us in top 6 pre xmas cos our midfield was powder puff compared to the other top teams - no goals or creativity Now we have aporous defence BUT are still in with a shout - We do not have too many choices at the back to change - but I think Mings and Smith are really short of form at the moment and Chambers is getting targetted Hunt and McGoldrick add to or team options - Dids Murph Sears Bru and Bishop I would like em all in there !

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BlueMachines added 08:57 - Mar 15 I see the people slagging off the 'moaners' in general, actually also agree with the 'moaners'! Ironic or what?
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BlueMachines added 09:01 - Mar 15 Basically I've read, what are people moaning about? We're one point off the top six. Followed by, but why do we continue with team selections that don't work?
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Che added 09:09 - Mar 15 I find the negativity on here very sad, of course we are p****d off but dont you think the manager and players are as well. No one has been found out, no one is playing out of position, no player is scatching their head wondering what they have walked in. We have had a massive dip in form and it happens to most teams. The time to really worry is when you are sitting on the bottom of the league, your manager is sacked and the kit man takes over. We are still very much in the mix, we have a great squad of players who are capable of damaging any team in this league. We have a proven, trusted, solid, knowledgable and experienced manager who if we dont make it has the ability to mix it up and go again another season. However, if all the negative things being said here become personal attacks on a fantastic manager he might just walk. We were fortunate to get someone like Mick considering the financial restraints he has had to operate under and he saved us from lower league obscurity because the team we had at the time was not going to set the old division three alight either. Be careful what you wish for Ipswich supporters.

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