Town boss Mick McCarthy admitted the Blues were beaten by a better team following their 1-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in this season’s final home game. Kieran Lee scored the game’s only goal in the 77th minute to confirm the Owls’ place in this season's play-offs.

“We were beaten by a better team and a team which looked to have the edge on us,” McCarthy said.

“They are still playing for something, we are playing for pride and for results, yes, but that’s their sixth win on the bounce, so they’ve come here with a bit of momentum and form, and they looked like that. They’re a very good team.

“I thought they had the edge to us, they were slightly better than us and had the bit of quality at the end that really counted.

“We didn’t have that many chances, as always the lads have put everything in and matched them for lots of things but they had the better percentage of the ball and used it better than us.”

He added: “We had that edge against Newcastle, we needed a result and I think that does make a huge difference.

“We got that result and I changed the team last week, maybe that had an effect, although it shouldn’t really do. I think we just all took a huge sigh of relief and they’re still wired for the play-offs and have got that edge to us.”

McCarthy was disappointed not to go out on a high with the post-match lap of appreciation somewhat understated after a defeat at the end of an under par season.

“The lap at the end was always going to be that way if we’d lost, that was absolutely gilt-edged, nailed-on that it was going to be like that,” he reflected.

“We’ve not been good enough at home, we’ve not really entertained fans here, so I fully understand that.”

McCarthy admitted it’s a season he wants to move on from following next Sunday’s final match.

“Absolutely, but we’ve got a game to play and Nottingham Forest are right in the mire,” he added. “There’s going to be an edge to that game and we’ve got to go there and perform and do it right for us, first and foremost, for our fans that go and watch it, and for the other teams that are down there with them.”

The Town boss was pleased that on-loan Leicester man Tom Lawrence was given a standing ovation as he left the field in the second half at the end of his final game for the Blues at Portman Road and maybe his last game for them anywhere as he picked up a knock.

“He’s been terrific and he deserved that,” McCarthy said. “I didn’t want him to get injured, he took a knock on his ankle just before I took him off.

“He’s got bigger and better things in front of him and I’d hate for him to be going into the close season injured. He deserved his ovation, it was nice for him to get that.”

Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal was delighted with the result and to confirm a second successive play-off place.

“We deserved to win today,” he said. “It gives me satisfaction to see people around me happy, the chairman, the players and the fans.

“Six wins in a row is fantastic, we are making history and that is something very special. We have much more points than last season, we are playing better and there are many, many positives here."

Photo: TWTD

Bluetone added 18:13 - Apr 29 Quote "McCarthy was disappointed not to go out on a high." not bothered just as long as he goes and take his foul mouth and ego with him.
22

Kentish_Tractor added 18:15 - Apr 29 He might as well have just said "Yeah we were s**t. See you f***ers next season" and walked out the room.
19

runningout added 18:16 - Apr 29 poo season coming to a poo end
9

ChrisFelix added 18:16 - Apr 29 This result shows just how much our club has progressed during the past years. If we had invested reasonable amounts of money then we would be challenging. After Coke, Douglas & Moore we are now an average Championship team
11

ClausThomsen added 18:16 - Apr 29 MM "they've come here with a bit of momentum and form" We'd have had some momentum and form if you didn't change it so much after the Newcastle match. He's rattling on about their 6 wins in a row, they had 5 before today, we'd have had 3 if it wasn't for this wally in charge. We haven't had momentum or form since the playoff season. MM OUT!
26

prebsa added 18:19 - Apr 29 Get out of our club. Man is an idiot! Mick out
20

Karlosfandangal added 18:19 - Apr 29 I get the feeling that Mick will be here next season, he is a good Manager as his passed record shows and what he has done at Ipswich. However he needs to be given the budget the Keanes and Jewells were given as he will turn the club in to a team to challenge, Smith Webster back will make a difference and Bishop and Dozzell need to step up to the mark and really make the difference. Having said that if he is given no money to spend then the same next season I am afraid.

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martin587 added 18:22 - Apr 29 Yes,there's a lot of teams better than us MM,and it's all your fault.!!
15

DurhamTownFan added 18:23 - Apr 29 Karlos, I'm sorry but you're deluded. Can you remember watching us under robson and :or burley? Today is appalling in comparison.
25

Lightningboy added 18:28 - Apr 29 Just go McCarthy - you are well past your sell by date and just holding our club back. I'd rather see us managed by a cgi hologram of Sir Bobby next season. #MickOut
25

blackcat added 18:31 - Apr 29 Ha not again what's the chances,a better team than us
10

blue75 added 18:33 - Apr 29 Amazing how often we're beaten by the better team!! Obviously they've spent a lot of money oh and we should be grateful that McCarthy saved us from relegation twice!! What a great manager so glad this season is over!!
12

cat added 18:34 - Apr 29 "Beaten by the better team" how many times have we heard that this season???. If the Dino stays then that will be it from me til such a time he finally does one. My loathing for this manager is now MAXED up, so do one DINO and take your favourites and outdated tactics etc etc with you.
21

TimmyH added 18:34 - Apr 29 As we have been by a fair number of teams this season McCarthy...if your going to be here in August (perish the thought) then start managing and you can start by getting rid of a number of faces whose time is up at this club (could apply to you as well). McCarthy out.
20

senduntd added 18:35 - Apr 29 THE REASON THERE ARE BETTER TEAMS THAN US IS UMPTEEN MILLIONS.
3

tractorshark added 18:36 - Apr 29 Durham - You're right it's a world away from watching Robson's team (and Burley's) but so is the club's stature in modern football. Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham aren't playing pretty football on a pitiful budget. They've spent big on a better quality of player. McCarthy may not be the answer but I'm not convinced many will do better under the same financial restraints. People call for more entertainment but remember Jewell tried to play attacking football and we were heading for Lge One under him. People will change their tune if we're in bottom three. But I agree something needs to change - either the manager or Evans' approach to the club.

11

Geddis78 added 19:09 - Apr 29 They bring on £10m Rhodes. We bring on £10k Moore. Says it all really.
19

Karlosfandangal added 19:10 - Apr 29 Durham Yes old enough to remember Robson and Burley and agree with you, however I am talking of challenging in the Championship not the prem. All the flack is at MM and none seems to be at the players out there, 18 million on first team wages that's on average of 15k a week some of the blame has to be placed at their door too. We all love McGoldrick yet 10 goals in two seasons is not good enough and Sears really not enough goals and before everyone one says he is played out of position it not his fault etc, Matt Holland was a 10 goal a season midfield, Warks 36 in a season from Midfield even Putney could manage 7 in a season. Micks record at Sunderland and Wolves was not bad and he had a budget to play with.the team needs playmakers but they coat money and big money so give him the budget to compeate.

6

Daleyitfc added 19:35 - Apr 29 Same as last week then ...
3

jas0999 added 19:47 - Apr 29 Other than one or two good showings, this has been a truly depressing season. The whole club from Marcus Evans to Mick McCarthy should be ashamed. This interview could be a copy and paste from pretty much every game this season!!
17

dukey44 added 19:52 - Apr 29 I was always told to say you hate someone are very strong words to use against somebody...... well SORRY BUT MICK I REALLY DO HATE YOU for your total arrogant way you have treated us the fans and basically ruined our club. Yes we had no money but neither have Brighton but where did they end up with a manager that plays football with what ever team or money he has?
3

Sam added 19:56 - Apr 29 Yes, we were. I can only list a few teams who are worse than us!!!! Nottingham Forest, I'm pretty sure you're safe.
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richard_4_itfc added 19:59 - Apr 29 Very disappointing result and loss at home today. The team have under performed again and once again missed a great opportunity and let themselves and the fans down again. This sorry and sad state, is not all the managers fault, as too many players have not played well enough all season. Mick though, should acknowledge that both he and the team have underperformed and not come out with bland excuses as he has, saying that the other team were better and more motivated! There is one last chance for the Town players and manager in the last game away at Forrest and that will not be an easy game. COYB...manager and team show the fans some pride and either win or draw the final game! COYB!

1

barrystedmunds added 20:00 - Apr 29 If I had a pound for every time we've been beaten by a better team over the last 4 years, I'd be a very rich fella! Another god awful season comes to a close!
7

positivity added 20:05 - Apr 29 dukey, "brighton had no money"?!?!? several of their players cost more individually than our entire squad! while i agree mick hasn't had a good season and should go, the job he's been asked to do is very different from hughton's, the blame goes far deeper than just mccarthy if you want a fair comparison of resources try preston or barnsley (or blackburn or rotherham)

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