Boss Mick McCarthy said his players were all devastated after former Blue Liam Trotter netted a last minute equaliser as Town suffered final moments heartbreak at the City Ground for the second year running. Jonny Parr had given the Blues - who drew 2-2 in last season’s corresponding fixture - the lead with 16 minutes remaining.

“They’re all devastated, they’re all flat, really very, very disappointed,” McCarthy said. “There’s nothing I could say that would make them feel better or worse.

“I haven’t got any words of comfort. I haven’t got any soothing words and I don’t think I needed to be giving anybody any stick.

“It’s one of those, Gerks gets his hand on it, it’s just Johnny on the spot. We managed to block it but it’s Trotter that puts it in. Strikes me it’s Sod’s Law that."

He added: “I think we should have hung on. We shouldn’t have let them out of the corner. That’s what’s cost us, when the ball came in our our box.

“Maybe it’s just the way things are going, it falls to Johnny on the spot. We’ve even blocked it on the line and it falls for Trotter. Sod’s law that.”

Having made several important saves, including a superb stop from Trotter in the first half, McCarthy says keeper Dean Gerken was inconsolable after the match.

“Gerks is sat with his head in his hands, but he’s been fabulous, Gerks. At the time, I would imagine like everybody else when he comes and gets his hand on it he thinks he’s done great.

“But, of course, he collides with Christophe and they’re all on the floor, but I’m not going to be pointing the blame at him for it.”

He says the goal came from Town's failures further up the pitch: “They got a lot of bodies in the box. I don’t think we should have let them out of the corner. Their throw-in in their right-back slot should never have got into the left wing spot.

“We should have nailed that down and we didn’t, we missed a couple of tackles up there. Even if you give a foul away, so be it.”

Despite the late disappointment McCarthy was pleased with the overall performance: “I thought we played well enough. I thought they shaded the first half and we shaded the second, to be honest

“Having got the goal and not really having had to hold on, I think we should have won it. But, hey ho, it’s just the way things are going at the moment.

“We [made the other keeper make a few saves] and we probably didn’t make the most of some of the other chances, but I think they’d probably be saying the same.”

All 10 outfield players celebrated Parr's goal together, which illustrated the team spirit at the club which McCarthy says has never been in any doubt despite the current run of form.

“There’s no doubting the team spirit an the camaraderie amongst the players,” he continued. “I get that when it’s not going well the first thing that's said is ‘The manager’s lost the dressing room…’

“I never ever have lost the dressing room anywhere. We might lose games. The team spirit’s fabulous. I thought it was a good performance. But when we had the stranglehold on, we shouldn’t have let go.”

McCarthy started David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy and Freddie Sears together for the first time, which he says gives him flexibility.

“I could do both, go 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, it suited us either way. I went to 4-4-2 in the second half and I thought we caused them a lot of problems.

“I thought the performance was good and the performance from players was good but it doesn’t feel like that now because we’d just lost two points with a minute to go.”

He felt playing the three frontmen gave Forest problems: “It worked to a certain degree. How are Murph and Didz going to get better? I guess only through playing.

“But it’s only if they’re the best ones, that’s the way it is. Freddie’s been outstanding. We can go 4-4-2 off that shape, which we did actually and probably had more chances late on in the second half at 4-4-2.”"

He says he may do the same again: “Possibly, because it’s a fairly threatening strike force in anybody’s book. We’ll just have to take a look at it, work at it and see if it’s going to suit us.”

The Blues lost Jonas Knudsen and Cole Skuse to injuries and says both will benefit from Town not having a game in midweek: “He’s damaged his hamstring, Jonas. You don’t run those off and we’ll have to see the extent of that on Monday morning and see.

“Skusey rocked his ankle that caused him to miss the game on Tuesday night, so that’s quite clearly that’s an ongoing thing, so it’s good that we haven’t got a game this week until Saturday, certainly for Skusey. It might give him a chance to be fit. I don’t know about Jonas.

“It’s been a tough week for everybody, just with the games we’ve had. So it might be nice for the lads to rest their limbs and get ready for two home games.”

Forest manager Dougie Freedman felt his side ought to have been in front at the break but in the end was happy to accept the point.

“After they scored we regrouped and put the pressure back on them," he said.

“We changed it around a little bit, and at least we got a point out of the game.

“We should have been at least 3-0 up at half-time. It’s a common theme right now that our good performances aren’t getting the right result.”

Regarding debutant goalscorer Liam Trotter, he added: “I thought he was excellent today. He came into the group and kept on going right to the end.

“He deserved his goal for a fantastic debut and a great performance.”

Photo: Action Images

pablo123 added 23:36 - Oct 24 @monterey blue , oh ok mate today was much better then mate lol !!
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Lightningboy added 01:10 - Oct 25 Maybe Mick should've left Sears on and taken Gerken off?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:49 - Oct 25 While I am not very happy with how things are going on the pitch at the moment, I respect Mick for not hanging out the players in public. Do we really expect him to say in his interview, "X was crap; I don't know why I put him in the squad in the first place"? From this point of view, Mick is a good man-manager who values loyalty to his players. As he says, there is no point in shouting at someone who is doing their best. However, this loyalty shouldn't prevent him from making team choices based on performance, and sometimes I think he fails to do this. Also, like many others, I'm not fond of this defensive substituting in the rare cases where we happen to be ahead with 20 minutes or less to go. It just doesn't seem to work and invites the opposition to go all out for it - which they usually seem to do successfully. Still, an away point is not a disaster, and with 6 home points in the next two games, things will look a bit brighter. I'll be there to cheer the boys on. COYB!

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sidtheswan added 07:11 - Oct 25 So unlike us to let a last minute goal in . Just go MM everyone knows what the problems are square pegs in round holes, poor goalkeeper which makes the back four uneasy, no creative midfielder and a misfiring forward line . Oh and don't forget a stubborn dinosaur for a manager . Just go MM we need new ideas you're dragging us into the relegation battle and cost us money at the turnstiles and I won't be renewing my season ticket until you foxtrot oscar. You clearly have no respect for anyone else's opinion. We all love Ipswich but people will stop coming to watch . Bye MM good luck in your future career .

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airliner added 07:39 - Oct 25 Has Dean Gerken caught Mm doing something really bad and forcing him to pick him even though he is the worst keeper ? Bart must start next time.
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Currie10 added 07:49 - Oct 25 Wow any game we don't win the website goes into absolute meltdown. Went to the game, yes Gerken cocked up at the end but he kept us in it with an absolute world class save first half. Not one mention on page 1 re Mick pretty much picking the side everyone wanted, not one mention of us giving it a go and playing semi decent stuff in spells - very little hoofball. Sure the late equaliser was a massive blow but that's a hell of a lot better today. Very easy to write a rant from home now watching the game and very easy to click an up arrow......

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BergholtBru added 07:57 - Oct 25 I could down arrow almost all the comments on here but can`t be bothered. You`re just a bunch of thick ignorami who think you know better than MM.
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Currie10 added 08:04 - Oct 25 Exactly Berg some of the comments are laughable.
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Currie10 added 08:12 - Oct 25 Steve that's the problem a lot of people on here WANT the manager to hang players out to dry. Love how Mick handles the press he keeps everything internal, and people cannot deal with it.
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bluefeast added 08:13 - Oct 25 Keanish , i take your wager , why not say 20 pounds to a charity of choice. We can organise via private message. you 13 points from next 5 games. I say we won't. I nwill wait to hear from you.
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Mr_Evans added 08:36 - Oct 25 How many of you that are slating Gerkin have actually seen the goal? Now don't get me wrong, I would prefer Bart in goal, as I think he is a better keeper, but Gerkin is not to blame for Forest's equaliser. As the cross came in Smith & Berra are caught ball watching, Gerkin has attacked the ball 6/7 yards off his line and punched it clear of the penalty area. How is he at fault for that? You'd expect a defender to head it clear of that danger zone right? It has unfortuantly fallen to a Forest player who has had a shot on goal, who no player closed down, he had the time to bring it under control before popping his shot towards goal - in the 6 yard box are FOUR Ipswich players and ONE Forest player... As it was cleared off the line we were too slow to react. This goal was down to poor defending, not poor goalkeeping.

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Surco72 added 08:38 - Oct 25 Firstly the improved performance still wasn't good enough as forest should have had the game wrapped up by half time . It did look better as we had broken up the dire central midfield pair and Bru looks good , personally would like to see him with Bishop when fit . Back four looked ok when Parr was playing , Chambo slightly better , Smith worse All have no belief in themselves and the keeper , it is so evident it is shocking . Great save by Gerks but to say that makes up for another error is ridiculous , keepers are there to make saves , his flapping again cost us 2 points simple as . These were two poor teams of low quality desperate for a win and both not good enough to challenge for promotion , for me Forest slightly better as our style of football is direct , dated and predictable . MM refused to change the defence again until injury and refused to change the keeper that cost us and refused to take off Murphy who offered nothing and removed Sears who was one of our better players and biggest goal threat this season ? It's a results driven business and these results are not good enough

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trncbluearmy added 08:41 - Oct 25 We need a right back and a decent goalkeeper, how is it the whole world knows this except Super Mick
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Bob7881 added 09:01 - Oct 25 Everyone is entitled to a different opinion I have never wanted MM as manager from day one I don't like his style of football. Posters on here using words like moaners whingers and thick is pathetic just because others dont see MM as you do does not make them any less of a fan. I hate to see a manager changed so often but Evans for some reason has allowed him self to be badly advised on his appointments. I'm sure MM has best intentions but it does not stop me from disliking his style of game. I don't attend matches because of that. Don't throw abuse from behind yer Pc screen just because not all are signed up to the Manager. Finally if he gets the team playing football and manages to get half decent results I will be the first to admit I was wrong. Last season may have looked good on paper but most of it was still route one.

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warktheline added 09:06 - Oct 25 What logic is there in saying 'Gerks saved us three times, so get off his back on conceding last ditch goal!'.....that's what he gets paid to do isn't it? His problem is his inconsistency, that's why many call him a liability. Sorry but if you're consistently prone to such lapses, then in any walk of life your removed. Then we have some on forum remarking on how well Chambers played, such tunnel vision is bewildering, especially when these same people prefer to look at the 'larger picture ' when assessments are turned towards McCarthy! Personally to use Chambers or Smith on any occasions as scapegoats would be extremely unwarranted, especially when you consider the pair have been playing out of position for ever and a day! @keanish, your optimistic view would undoubtedly be enhanced if the manager permanently introduced Parr to defensive duties, pushed Chambers over, and then had the bottle to choose between Smith and Berra!

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hello66 added 09:24 - Oct 25 I have not posted on here for many, many months, I gave up my season ticket after Mick had been with us for a year, ( two years of Roy had taken its toll) just couldn't put up with the long ball game every week! Over the last few seasons I get to about 6 - 8 games year (1 or 2 away), I know this is a tough league and people say a win is a win, well I have to disagree, it's a sport after all, it's about entertaining the public too, as just to win...... well I can get that result on my phone and save a small fortune ! Well right now we are not getting either winning or being entertained from the reports and what I've seen from 2 home games. The long ball is fine while you're winning but take that away and what are you left with? As Mick is a stubborn man like my dear mother, always right and you can't see their point of view, my mother did a wonderful job bringing the family up and kept us from falling into dark places, but in a modern world she knew she knew her skills would only take us so far. Well I've not taken to Mick style of play and I voted with my feet but I respect him for saving our club from a dark place and I now ask him kindly to look in the mirror and honestly ask himself has he got the skills to do more than just tread water for 2 years? I look forward to jumping out of my seat more frequently in 90mins someday .............

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essexboy added 09:34 - Oct 25 Mr.Evans,you are spot on,I was at the game and yes I would prefer Bart in goal,but you can't blame Gerkin for the goal.He made a good save and it was up to the two defenders to clear the ball,not JUST stand there ball watching.IF the defence is poor then the keeper does not stand a chance.I still feel the problems come from Chambers playing out of position.I also agree that MM is correct in not naming players who make mistakes,they know who they are and this is an internal problem that does not need to be aired in public.When both Fraser and Bishop are fit enough to play the balance will be better and things will turn round again,we just have to be patient.Right or wrong I think MM has done a great job under a great handicap without funds to spend and for this only M.E. Can answer.COYB.

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Keaneish added 09:47 - Oct 25 Nice touch Bluefeast, you're on. £20 to a charity of choice. Will send you a private message to arrange. 13 points from the next 5 games.
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Surco72 added 10:04 - Oct 25 How do we know there are no funds as the club have openly stated for the past two seasons there are funds ? Does MM just not want to be judged on money signings or can he not attract significant signings that would need money preferring the no lose situation where he has an excuse for poor performances by saying we have no money ? Surely at the AGM we should find out why money has not been spent ?

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tallguy6767 added 10:07 - Oct 25 Keanish / I think you should take that optimism into a bookies, you would get about 75/1 for that prediction in our current form. Good lads for raising a bit for charity though!
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battyblue added 10:08 - Oct 25 Keaneish i would go 50 on that.
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battyblue added 10:14 - Oct 25 It seems most teams have a Jonny on the spot as MM puts it and quite a few have scored against us i wonder why Mick didnt get one for us in the transfer window then we could have sneaked some goals in the last minute. Or we could have a Jonny Parr on the spot if Mick allows him to play more than one game because he is twice the player of Knudsen or Chambers.
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alfromcol added 10:27 - Oct 25 How many of the 9 who gave me a "down arrow" for my earlier post actually attended the game? Be honest folks!
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Michael11 added 10:30 - Oct 25 GERKEN IS ENTIRELY TO BLAME! Stop defending your teacher's pet all the time. He's honestly the worst goalkeeper we've had in my 25 years of supporting us so far. He was League One Bristol City 3rd choice when we signed him! Another player who needs dropping completely out of the squad is Murphy. Painfully obvious that he's delighted with his 3 year deal which takes him to retirement and now he can't be arsed!

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TCisMYcatsNAME added 10:48 - Oct 25 Reading these comments is really worrying! Last season it seemed to me that a big part of the reason we had OUR BEST SEASON IN 10 YEARS (MM was the manager, obvious statement but some people need reminding) is because almost everybody (some still found reason to moan) supported the team, creating what at times felt like a tribal atmosphere. My only hope is that TWTD has turned into a website where those who don't go to the games come to vent their frustrations.

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