Town owner Marcus Evans has praised manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor for seeing the Blues to within touching distance of the Championship play-offs for the first time in a decade.

Writing in the programme for Saturday's final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, Evans says he’s delighted with the progress made and vows to continue to back the duo, as well as the club's academy.

“It’s worth reminding ourselves of just how far we have moved forward over the last two years,” he writes.

“The fact that we are within sight of the finishing line to reach the play-offs is nothing short of miraculous and a testament to the ability of Mick and Terry.

“My main priorities over this summer, and in future years, is to support Mick by ensuring we keep our best players through being able to offer competitive terms, as well as the players being aware that they are part of a team with the realistic potential to move onwards and upwards in whatever league we find ourselves.

“In addition, I will continue to ensure funds are available to offer similarly competitive terms for new players we bring into the club.

“If we add to this a vibrant academy with players progressing into the "first team, we will have, I believe, a recipe for greater success.

“Transfer fees, when needed, will be paid, however activity in the transfer market in the Championship generally, not just from us, has been lower over the past few seasons with the introduction of Financial Fair Play.

“We will continue to be highly competitive in terms of wages and will strive to match up to market conditions.”

Sixth-placed Town are currently three points ahead of Brentford and Wolves in seventh and eighth with a superior goal difference with two games left and could seal their play-off place tomorrow.

The Blues are anticipating a crowd of around 24,500 for Nottingham Forest’s visit.

Photo: Action Images

gorse added 20:28 - Apr 24 Well said wark. Anyway, I think this is a very positive and encouraging statement from Mr Evans, and entirely sane in this era of FFP, especially as he gave other managers free reign in recent years who, to be frank, let us all down. As for the style of play, MM was never going to introduce a radically-different style this year, but has been successful with pacy wingers and a variety of styles in the past, so let's see what happens over the summer.

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tractorgrl added 21:03 - Apr 24 I like Mr Evans, he has brought us stability ok its taken a while but rome wasn't built in a day. This is our best season for some time, it doesn't seem that way when you're watching the games sometimes! Keep up the good work everyone from top to bottom. So close you can taste it.
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rfretwell added 22:41 - Apr 24 A win tomorrow and we are not almost there! Blackburn away is tough. If Brentford or wolves win both theirs they could pip us - especially Brentford, only four goals worse goal difference
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KiwiBlue2 added 23:26 - Apr 24 I think that we might see more of the free flowing football when we have more players with the skills to play it. At present we only have 4 or 5.
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