Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with what he felt was a “workmanlike display” and a “great point” as the Blues drew 0-0 away against automatic promotion contenders Middlesbrough, who remain second on goal difference from Burnley with Brighton behind them, also only on goals.

“I’m delighted with how we went about it,” the Blues boss said. “I guess we got good fortune, but they’ve got to put the ball in the net.

“We defended well, the goalkeeper played well and all-round it was a workmanlike display. A great point.”

He added: “Away games we’re all right, check the stats, it’s home games where we’ve been pretty ordinary unfortunately, which is unlike recent seasons when Portman Road’s been a bit of a fortress. Away from home we’ve done well.”

McCarthy was also pleased with Paul Digby’s performance with the on-loan Barnsley man, who is set to join the Blues on a free transfer in the summer, making his first league start for Town.

“I’m delighted with him,” the Town manager continued. “I didn’t have any doubts in terms of how he’d go about his attitude towards his business.

“But he’s been very much a midfield player [with Barnsley] and had only done bits and pieces at centre-half. I just saw things in him [which showed potential as a centre-half], and there are still things I’d have to show him, he got bumped a few times and missed headers.

“But for a kid stepping in, and he wasn’t stepping in against any mugs, it was a proper team, I was delighted with him. I thought it was a good full debut for him.

“[He did the scruffy things well but] he’s got more than that, but it was a day to do that well. It wasn’t a day to be fanning out at the back and him to be trying to play out from the back.

“He did what he needed to do. He had a great block in the first half and I’m really pleased with him.”

McCarthy says the 21-year-old will have learnt a lot from marking the likes of Jordan Rhodes and latterly sub David Nugent.

“I would think so, his neck is probably sore because they’re on the move all the time,” he added. “I thought he handled it well. I thought Tommy Smith was a good positive influence alongside him.”

Christophe Berra missed out with a knee injury but the Town boss says it’s nothing too serious.

“I said in the press conference on Thursday that I’d probably play somebody [young] and I knew Christophe had a bit of a sore knee,” the Blues manager continued.

“If there was any doubt about Christophe I would have played Diggers. But he’s fine, he’ll be all right.”

McCarthy was also pleased to see David McGoldrick play the full 90 minutes: “I thought Didzy was excellent. He stayed the whole game, which I didn’t think he would.

“I’m delighted with him. That’s great for him because I think the Republic of Ireland like him and if they see that kind of performance, he’ll be fit to travel [to the Euros] and play if needed.

“Didzy’s had two seasons which have been disturbed and he’s missed games. We’ve missed him, we’ve missed his quality and he makes us a better team.

“I just hope he gets into that squad for the European Championships because he’s missed such a lot of football, it would be a great fillip for him this season.”

McCarthy also had praise for keeper Bartosz Bialkowski: “He was great, wasn’t he? We’ve got two really good goalkeepers and they keep each other on their toes. Whichever one comes in has always played, but Bart has been outstanding.”

The Town boss says he has no idea which of the three top sides will go up with leaders Burnley, Boro and Brighton all level on 87 points with little in it terms of goal difference.

“I haven’t got a clue. I tipped Derby when they beat us, I tipped Middlesbrough when they beat us, Hull when they beat us. They all played well against us at home, they all slapped us. Hull are nowhere near it now. I haven’t got a clue. I don’t gamble, I’m not allowed to, but I don’t anyway.”

He added: “If I’ve done one person a favour I hope it’s Chris Hughton because he’s my mate and he’s such a wonderful, wonderful guy.

“So Chris, that’s a point for you, lad. I hope we help him get promoted. Me money’s on nobody, but you know who my favourite is!”

McCarthy believes the Championship will only get tougher: “I think it gets increasingly strong. If you calculate the number of teams that have been in the Premier League, it’s about 18 of them, might be more.

“If, and it doesn’t matter who it is, if it’s Sunderland, Newcastle, Villa as it is, or Norwich, that come down it’s going to be tougher next year, that’s for sure.”

McCarthy believes Boro did little wrong, despite dropping two points: “This is a good team with good players and they’ve done everything today, bar put the ball in the net, to be fair, a lot of that’s down to us.

“You can’t say they’ve played badly, you can’t say it was a bad performance. You can’t say there’s anything wrong with the crowd or the atmosphere, everything’s right. They’ve just come up against a belligerent bunch.”

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka was staying upbeat despite the result, believing his side should have won: "We have to be positive. I don't know how many chances we need to score a goal, the first-half score should have been 4-0, but we couldn't score.

"When it's not your day, the ball hits the post and doesn't go in. I'm really proud of all the players.

"We have to know we've played seven games in 23 days. To win five games and draw two when we're tired and are in the position we are, that is good for me.

"The team has played really well, so for that reason I have to be positive. It's frustrating but I prefer to not win games like today when we've created a lot of chances.

“Sometimes we lose or draw without creating chances and that's frustrating, but today I can understand.

"It's the seventh game of this month and the legs and the heads are tired - it's difficult. But we have time to recover."

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 11:04 - Apr 24 I think we all need a long break from itfc. Come back in august see if anything has changed. If it hasnt at least the moaning will seem fresh and new.
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phillo added 11:09 - Apr 24 essex57 note down marking again from you but no comment ........ standard. essextractorboy - I think you miss the point (probably deliberately as it gives you a good excuse to berate those who have the temerity to question things which you & others thinks prove your view that you can only possibly be a true ITFC fan if you blindly accept any old crap Mick serves up). My point was a question as to whether at this stage a "solid point" helps our development in a game where we knew before kick off we are not now playing for anything ? Surely games for a couple of youngsters such as Dozzell (I know Digby had a game - which is great but was sort of enforced due to injury to Berea in reality) would be a better utilisation of the remaining fixtures rather than re-enforcing the view most of the footballing world now has of us as a dour, workmanlike "Mick McCarthy" team. Just a viewpoint mate ...... doesn't mean I have somehow come to hate the CLUB I have supported for 45 years !

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grumpyoldman added 11:28 - Apr 24 Superblue70 I am not a carpenter just have great bovine excrement awareness.
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brittaniaman added 11:46 - Apr 24 So Diggers had a good game today MM.for his debut,what is the Betting he will be dropped for the next game if Berra is fit ?????
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superblue70 added 12:31 - Apr 24 Grumpyoldman haha,if only some on here pulled there heads out of the sand they would be aware of it as well, I've also been a supporter for many many years but will no longer be spending hard earned cash until changes are made.
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tallguy6767 added 13:27 - Apr 24 You can still defend well and play attacking football FFS !!
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martin587 added 13:34 - Apr 24 Let's get this season over so you can all clear your heads,lay in the sun and have a few beers.who know's what will happen in the summer!! I just hope it's for the better.
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Dissboyitfc added 14:52 - Apr 24 Kikapu...it is a mans game and thats worrying because ITFC ladies do actually try to play football the correct way by passing it to each other not just the big launch every time possession is gained.
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Blue041273 added 15:16 - Apr 24 Grumpyoldman, you do live up to your name don't you. I do not have a 'holier than thou' attitude. If you knew me you might understand the sacrifices I have to make and what it costs me to follow Ipswich football. I am perfectly aware that the quality of football is not too special these days; In my view all the more reason to be supportive. After all it's easy to support a winning team. Maybe I do expect too much from other supporters but I have never tried to pretend that I am better than any other supporter. If my comments come across as crass and insensitive I truly apologise. Cotton Eyed Joe, I guess you too are taking a sideways pop at me. Again no offense was intended. Anyone in the Ipswich blue I would claim to be a friend. At the end of the day we all want the same thing. It seems I have offended many posters on here. I stand by my comments but am not too proud to accept that others might have a different view. Apologies all!

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essexboy added 15:28 - Apr 24 Blue041273.Well at least you can now see where we are coming from.Yes we all have different views but all want the club to do well(which we are not at the moment)so perhaps when somebody says something you don't agree with you will bite your tongue instead.Thank you for being honest. 👍
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blueherts added 16:49 - Apr 24 One thing we will agree on as it is a fact 5 wins since Jan is relegation form if we do not change something
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Blue041273 added 17:24 - Apr 24 Essexboy Thank you for your conciliatory message. Yes I do see where you and others are coming from and yes I do understand the motivation which prompts the many posts anti the present regime. Do I agree with the current anti town mania: no I don't. But of course we can agree to disagree. We all have a point of view. Yours might be different to mine but I'm not going to fight you about it. At least not yet! You and I and all the other posters on here are brothers in arms. We all want the best for ITFC. Tho' maybe a half time bout would provide real entertainment for the fans. Maybe we might attract more than the game. I am over 65 of course. So you will need to be gentle with me!

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dirtydingusmagee added 17:31 - Apr 24 GREAT POINT ,how the hell is that. IF he wants to talk points now, it should be about the point in playing how he dictated.Had he fielded a team of youngsters ,win lose or draw, it may have given some insight as to future potential or lack of There was no reason to go into ''brick it mode again ''.Ok Digby got a game and by all accounts did well, Bish made an appearance ,good to see. But being in limbo now McCarthy could have thrown caution to the wind , nope he seems frightened of his own shadow .we picked up a point that means sod all BIG DEAL MICK.

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dirtydingusmagee added 17:35 - Apr 24 Everytime i come on here and try posting,my pc goes ''unresponsive'', ironic really .Mick out
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HackneyBlue added 19:20 - Apr 24 NO ONE IS HAPPY WITH THE CLUB SO WHY NOT DO WHAT I,SUPERBLUE70 and many others are doing and stay away until it changes,dont moan about it when you can help change it. No one will call you disloyal ,we all deserve more,new and old supporters. Its mine and your football club so help change it....
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HackneyBlue added 19:20 - Apr 24 NO ONE IS HAPPY WITH THE CLUB SO WHY NOT DO WHAT I,SUPERBLUE70 and many others are doing and stay away until it changes,dont moan about it when you can help change it. No one will call you disloyal ,we all deserve more,new and old supporters. Its mine and your football club so help change it....
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:37 - Apr 24 Hackneyblue, ive been doing just that past 5 weeks, i agree some form of protest is needed .
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Walk_the_Wark added 23:05 - Apr 24 So difficult to believe that people are prepared to spend their money watching this and continue to back the manager....how low have we sunk. Worse than Keane era.
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planetblue_2011 added 07:46 - Apr 25 He's helping Chris Hughtons Brighton get promoted or he's hoping too, why aren't you trying to get us promoted you big nose prat!! Idiot that bloke he talks utter Boxxxxxs sometimes. Championship forever for ITFC YEEEAAHH, Great!!!👎🏻
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Big_Steve added 14:39 - Apr 25 I'm not going to be one of those calling for Mick's head (though we're so boring to watch I can understand why people are) because there is something to be said for hovering around the top six despite having spent sweet FA on players (and that ain't all Mick's fault). But neither am I going to praise our 'workmanlike' side who huff and puff but usually fail to blow the opposition's house down and who often make it a chore going to watch them play, especially at Portman Road. What I just want to know is...what happened? Yes, we weren't perfect but last season everyone seemed pretty happy despite failing at the play off hurdle to our millionaire rivals up the (rather long) road. So why the change in approach when it was a left back that departed as our big money sale? And on that note. WHERE THE FUNK IS THE MONEY for Cresswell and for Mings? And for Connor 'FA CUP FInal' Wickham for that matter? I get we're not going to spend it all on replacements but are you telling me that Coke, Knudsen, Pitman, Douglas, Toure's wages are way more than the lads who left? No, of course not. But we all know where the money has gone and will keeps going. Alas, TWTD has to be careful of its content not falling foul of libel laws. But Win, Lose or Draw, and whether or go Up or Down, SOMEONE has worked out that there's a pretty penny to be made off us mugs who were spoiled in the past and dream of good times again. Being a Town supporter is so frustrating, right now. But it could be worse. But it could also be a lot better. Couldn't it?

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essexboy added 14:52 - Apr 25 BIG STEVE. Very well said,a well written post and spot on. 👍
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Dissboyitfc added 18:30 - Apr 25 "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." More of the same from MM next season,i fear. what a shame!
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blueboy1981 added 19:25 - Apr 25 Dissboyitfc ........... that's a sure recipe for progress and success ?? In other words - treading water (at best) - what chance have we got with that philosophy ... ?? I know - MID TABLE CHAMPIONSHIP .............. HOORAY. We haven't been there long ..... have we ??
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Dissboyitfc added 06:40 - Apr 26 Blueboy... there will be those that will be happy with mid table safety! you and i plus many others will not be and somehow we will be referred to as lesser supporters! Leicester are living proof of what can be achieved. Still i will be cheering like i think, many neutrals the achievements of Leicester and of course Norwich dropping out of the premier! such a shame our team have given us so little to cheer!

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