Town boss Mick McCarthy believes that the most of the teams currently in the Championship’s play-off places will remain there for the duration of the season, making it tough to break into the top six.

Despite the recent winless run of seven games which ended with the 2-0 home victory over Bolton on Tuesday, the 10th-placed Blues (21 points) are only four points behind Birmingham (25) in sixth.

However, ahead of the Midlanders there is a five-point gap to fifth-placed Derby and Middlesbrough in fourth (both 30) with the top three - from the top, Hull City, Burnley and Brighton - all a further point in front of them (31).

“No we’re not [far off sixth],” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of games to be played and the dodgy run hasn’t seen us get beaten that many more times, I think we’re [joint-ninth] in terms of losing [the fewest] games.

“It was just that inability to win that we’ve had. It’s funny we’ve complained about not keeping clean sheets but we’ve had chances to win all those games, Birmingham, Huddersfield, Cardiff, Bristol City.

“In the Bristol City game we actually played well but we just gave two silly goals away. Despite the bad run [we’re not that far off].”

He says he sees most of the sides at the top of the table still being there come May: “There’ll be some who will march on and keep going.

"I think Burnley will, I think Hull will, I think Derby will, Middlesbrough seem to be one that are going to do the same.

“It’s going to be hard. If you think of those four occupying four positions in the top six, then it’s going to be bloody tough to get in it, but it was last year.

“I’m saying they’ll stay the course. But we know what it’s like, the league. Everybody thought Derby were going to win it at the start of last season and they ended up finishing eighth. They look strong at the minute, but it’s a long season.”

Casting his eye elsewhere in the division, McCarthy sees the team currently one place and one point behind the Blues as potential challengers.

“And Fulham have picked up, they’re the highest goalscorers,” he added. “They seem to have settled down, they’ve spent money, they’ve got money from the Premier League [parachute payments].

“It’s a tough league this year. I was asked the other day whether it’s tougher than it was and I think it is.”

Meanwhile, today's opponents Rotherham have signed Manchester City youngster Brandon Barker on a youth loan subject to the paperwork being rubberstamped.

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 06:21 - Nov 7 Top 6 all play football i.e. pass move support the player with the ball ,give options for a pass ,have central midfield players who get in front of strikers by making timed runs into the box and finally have full backs who are very comfortable with the ball at feet ,overlap wide players and put crosses into the box. None of the above we do at all. Boring ,horrible lump it type style of play. Kind of Aussie rules.

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The_Romford_Blue added 06:21 - Nov 7 The current top 6 are all strong. But the chancea of all 6 finishing there are slim. Id say it's anyones from derby, boro, burnley, hull, brum, brighton, Fulham, us, reading, wolves and Sheffield Wednesday. Wednesday, boro, derby, hull are probably the top four.
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TR11BLU added 07:41 - Nov 7 We know it's tougher Mick. You tell us every week how good the opposition are.
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bedsitfc added 08:17 - Nov 7 What is kinda worrying for me is we were 1 - 0 up against Bolton when niles-maitland had to go off and Mick replaced him with doppy Douglas instead of oar like for like attacking player Ok it worked as in Bolton never scored but if they did equalise were would never have got the second goal.
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Surco72 added 08:43 - Nov 7 The top sides have all invested to gain promotion something we have talked about for two years but then hidden behind the FFP that no one else cares about . I would rather the club say when we sell players we will not be spending money on signings rather than lie when the season tickets go on sell . And really MM not far off ? we have been outplayed by Brighton , Reading and Hull very comfortably and failed to beat poor teams at home that will be in the relegation fight. Our style of play will lead us to a mid table finish , if I am wrong I will be delighted but doubt it

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Surco72 added 08:43 - Nov 7 The top sides have all invested to gain promotion something we have talked about for two years but then hidden behind the FFP that no one else cares about . I would rather the club say when we sell players we will not be spending money on signings rather than lie when the season tickets go on sell . And really MM not far off ? we have been outplayed by Brighton , Reading and Hull very comfortably and failed to beat poor teams at home that will be in the relegation fight. Our style of play will lead us to a mid table finish , if I am wrong I will be delighted but doubt it

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Stadiumofdark added 09:15 - Nov 7 Thanks for clarifying Mick - that'll sell shed loads of half season tickets.
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Jimmy86 added 09:28 - Nov 7 If we strengthen properly in January there's no reason why we can't be successful, that was the main problem last season in Jan, when we were in a great position, we didn't capatilise. There's always 1 team who has a great run after Xmas, that could be us
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muccletonjoe added 09:45 - Nov 7 Our recruitment policy is the thing that prevents us from competing with the top 6. There is no doubt about that in my opinion. If the club at least came out and we're honest, instead of trying to pull the wool over our eyes and thinking we are stupid, maybe it would not be quite so bad.
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BlueKush added 10:14 - Nov 7 Top sides play their best keeper.
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jert16 added 10:36 - Nov 7 Bore off blue kush
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Dissboyitfc added 10:45 - Nov 7 II hope i am wrong but i cant see us being top 6 come may. Who is going to score the goals that Murphy amassed last season? his goals were a major factor in us getting to the play-offs.
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bedsitfc added 11:25 - Nov 7 Sears and pitman should be our starting forwards, Douglas should be our bucket boy and gerkin should be in a cheese burger
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Garv added 12:40 - Nov 7 I don't remember many decent chances being made in the Birmingham, Huddersfield and Cardiff games. Mick sees a different game to us sometimes.
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essex57 added 13:09 - Nov 7 3pts today then onto the next game one day at time sweet jesus
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blueboy1981 added 14:15 - Nov 7 ..... that's about a fair assessment from MM - the four mentioned all WANT promotion, play the right kind of Football, and all look capable of achieving it. Our Club makes the right noises from above to satisfied a section of supporters, but currently don't look, or act, like a Club that wants, or could cope with the Premiership. I am totally convinced that we as a Club, have only a small percentage of the ambition we once had in abundance - and was a trademark of ITFC.

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bohslegend added 14:32 - Nov 7 Hmmm, I recall Ipswich being in a lofty position at Christmas last year. Some comments which claim only certain ways of playing the game get you to the top of the table are well wide of the mark. Despite the team competing at the top of the league for so much of last season there were still al the usual criticisms from all the usual critics. So IMHO if we have turned the corner of a poor October why shouldn't we have the potential to make it back into the top 6?

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