Manager Mick McCarthy was happy enough with Town’s goalless draw at Huddersfield, despite admitting that this team didn’t play particularly well.

The Blues boss said: “It’s not the worst result in the world. Two bang ordinary teams on the day playing on a lousy pitch, playing on a difficult surface.

“They’ve had rugby on it. It’s not going to help them, for sure, it doesn’t help anybody play. But also we’re both nervous, we’re both looking at the wrong end of the table and it doesn’t promote or produce wonderfully free-flowing football with all those circumstances.

“I’ll take the point all day long,” he continued. “I’ve never had a bad point away from home.”

Town, who now sit in 19th on 39 points, four from the relegation zone, failed to significantly test Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies but McCarthy points out that the Blues have previously got less out of games in which they have had plenty of chances.

“We didn’t play particularly well,” he admitted. “We went to Bristol City and had loads of shots on target and lost 2-1. I’m not interested in all that.

“We try to play and we try to play forward and we try to get shots in. But some days it doesn’t happen, we’ve got a point and I’ll take it all day long.”

He feels preventing Huddersfield from getting the three points is as important as Town picking up one of their own: “It’s as important to have deprived them of points. It keeps them down. It’s their home game. Bristol City came and did it to us, Barnsley came and did it to us, Peterborough did it to us.

“They all think it’s a great point. You’re all talking to me down there and say ‘That’s two points lost’. Perhaps you should be saying about Huddersfield losing two points. It’s different, isn’t it? When I’m down there at Ipswich, ‘Lost two points today, you must be disappointed’.

“Why aren’t you saying you should be delighted with a point and depriving them of two points? Let’s put perspective on it.

“I’ll take it. Coming here today, I’d have taken a point. I wouldn’t have even got on the bus, I’d have stayed down in Ipswich, I wouldn't have bothered travelling four and half hours to get here and having a heart attack in the last minute.’”

The Town manager admitted that it wasn’t an overly entertaining match: “I apologise for the s--- standard of game you’ve just watched, but I’m not going to apologise for getting a point away from home.

“It was pretty p--- poor, but it’s a point and if we stay up with one point we’ll be looking back at this and be delighted that we played badly and got a point. Stay in the league! I’m a pragmatist, not a poet. Stay in the league.”

Huddersfield manager Mark Robins thought his side were the better team on the day: “I thought we controlled it, in all fairness.

“We tried to pass, they didn’t try and pass it but they’re in a position where they’re trying to get a point. So they’ve come for a point and got a point.

“We’ve tried to get all three of them but also, on the back of the game on Tuesday night [the 6-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest], we had to make sure we were a little bit more solid.

“The players we have available and the players that we have here dictate how you play. It’s not any different anywhere else.

“And there’s a little bit of a lack of confidence in terms of passing it, and obviously the pitch doesn’t help. But we tried to pass it and do it well, and all fairness we kept possession quite well in the first half.

“I think we’ve had about seven shots on target and really we’ve had some really good opportunities to score and we’ve not taken any of them, which is why we’ve only got a point and not three.”

Photo: Action Images

Steelmonkey added 21:03 - Feb 23 If Arsene Venger couldn't get Jay to forfill his potential at Arsenal, and Jewell and MM can't in a division below perhaps it says alot about the man. As for young Carson he came into the side scored a couple of goals and surely thought he had made it as a permanent player in the side, only to return unfit after the season break. I think that time has run out for them both. What does concern me is that our youngsters are not deemed good enough to be played in our current plight, they are going to rot in our reserves. What has happened to Murrey, once described as our best finisher at the club.What chance has he been given. As i said on a previos post would Rhodes have got his chance to be the player he now is if we hadn't sold him.

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Keaneish added 21:07 - Feb 23 I've complete empathy with those who went up there today. MM pretty much said in the week he was going up there for a point and given it was a oner in train fares to watch football on a rugby pitch I opted out. Still, that said, I thought we'd win comfortably. We seemed to be playing quite freely away from home prior to Christmas and getting results so I don't know why we've changed. Happy with a point but don't like the manner of it.

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wychyblue added 21:34 - Feb 23 It is quite simple really . MM has certainly steadied the ship defensively but at the expense of scoring goals. 1 goal in the last 4 games is testimony to that. 3 of the 4 midfield are not good enough . Luke Hyam maybe but the other 3 today as always were hopeless. N'daw cannot find a blue shirt and most of the time ends up just kicking it aimlessly . Today we played everything long and Gerrard and Clarke picked everything off. Easy for them against Chopra. Best player on the pitch was Neil Danns in their centre mid. Ran the game and created their good chances ( from which they should have scored and taken 3 points) . Well done He do for preventing that. Danns is exactly the sort of player we are missing to create through the centre and then to wideridfiders to put the ball in from the sides.

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BuckieBlue added 22:36 - Feb 23 There are probably fans of 7-8 teams equally not relishing the battle to avoid relegation. Ok we're not better than most teams in the divison (although I don't think we're 22, 23 or 24 worst!) but what we do have is (I think) the most experienced manager of those scrapping to beat the drop and a team who have 'bought into' his mentality and are right behind his approach and giving him 100%. Everybody else down there would like to have MM and TC's experience just now, we've thankfully got it and at end of season if (actually i think 'when') we've beaten drop we'll be glad and will soon forgot the style of football played (and three relgated teams will wish they had ground out the necessary points) and we can look ahead to a better 2013-14.

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algarvefan added 00:09 - Feb 24 I really feel for the fans who travelled to 'Uddersfield today,at vast expense to watch what was obviously a poor game, with two very [poor teams on a crap pitch. Mick is right, we got a point, not good but no more than we deserved. Onwards to the next game, our remaining fixtures look pretty tough & although much tighter at the back we aren't scoring nearly enough goals. All very worrying and I fear it could allgo to the wire, lets hope not!!!!!!!!!

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BrettenhamBlue added 00:13 - Feb 24 Agree with previous posters that we were woeful today. The fact is though we came away with a point and (most importantly) deprived Huddersfield of 3. Neither team played particularly well though they really had the edge on us for about 20 mins. Shame that Bolton, Birmingham, Sheff Wed won today- that was the only downside really. When MM took over he was given the main task of helping us to avoid what looked like certain relegation. Right now we are in a much better place. Hopefully Huddersfield will continue to fall and Peter and Bristol City will start to regularly lose. We still have a very good chance of staying in this league. We just need to believe that we can be deserving of a place in the Championship. Relegation this season would be a disaster for the club. I don't think we have the "bouncebackability" of other clubs that have gone down (Norwich, Man City etc). The core of our team would disappear (Cresswell, Smith, Hyam etc) would move on and our loanees would be returned to their parent clubs. We would be left with Hewitt/McColdrick and co fighting for promotion and I don't honestly think we would have enough to come back. If we can stay in this season, Mick can build and we could end up with a respectable league position next season. btw those that think 50 points is enough? I'm not so sure. This is such a strange league. And Jason Scotland? He has come on as a sub 5 times now for Barnsley and scored 4 goals. The fans are singing his praises and they can't believe they have him on a free. I can understand the dismissal of Nathan "No goals" Ellington but for the life of me I don't understand why we got rid of such an amazing impact sub. McLean doesn't seem in the same class as Scotland and the decision just seems odd. A "loan to end of season with 48 hour recall clause" would have made so much more sense.

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Garv added 01:19 - Feb 24 One point is better than none, but three points is better than one. By all accounts we didn't even try for the latter. Next few games: Leicester at home, Forest away midweek, Peterborough away, Bolton at home, Leeds at home. How will Mick approach these games? We NEED at least a couple of wins. Can't keep playing for draws.
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AndrewPC added 07:25 - Feb 24 When looking at the remaining fixtures, and taking account of our lack of goals and creation of opportunities, I find it difficult to identify ANY nailed on victories for Town (say, 90% probability). For the next 3 matches for instance, 3 points from 9 look about our level.Both Leicester and Forest are chasing points for play off places and Boro have the knack of taking points off us. If we do NOT get points on the board in very short order, then the pressure builds and confidence falls in an accelerating way.

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WarkyWonderLand added 07:55 - Feb 24 Another point towards staying up and that is the ultimate goal. If you look at huddersfields home league form for the past month they have drawn with Cardiff and beaten palace so our point is a decent point. Everyone knows we lack creativity so all those keep saying it on here may as well do copy and paste til the end of the season! We used to have a chocolate tea pot defence and we are now solid at he back. Since mm has come in we have not lost 2 consecutive games. It's not pretty but I just want to stay up . Huddersfield still have wolves, Peterborough, Bristol city and Barnsley to play. We will get enough points to stay up and next season will be when we see a real team who will compete. Keep the faith, COYB

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walberswick added 09:22 - Feb 24 this is worse than keane or jewel, at least they got us out of trouble when they came in. is this what we have to look forward to next season, being pleased with a dire 0-0 draw away to Scunthorpe?
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richard_4_itfc added 10:19 - Feb 24 Valuable point or not? Well, Mick thinks it is and it is certainly better than losing but as we all know this is another opportunity gone for Town against a struggling side. I think this is only of some merit if Town win the next home game against Leicester. If we lose or draw that game, then 1 or 2 points from 6 is not really good enough to get us out of relegation trouble. On the positive side the defence did reasonably well (Henderson,Chambers,Stearman and Smith) & I hope they keep doing so for the remaining games. The rest of the team though need to BUCK up!! If those other players can't do better then Town will need a lot of luck to avoid relegation (& Town never seem to get any luck...). So come on Town players -as I have said all season you are good - now get on & show everyone how good you are & at the very least put in a full & proper shift and don't let yourselves down! When the going gets tough the tough get going. COYB!

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TimmyH added 11:40 - Feb 24 @Keanish - so 7 points from the 3 games didn't materialise! I did think you were being a little optimistic and what we have actually achieved is probably more in keeping with our form of this year. Re: our away form - agree with you but to a degree at home as well, for some reason we have slumped since the start of this year and haven't been involved in too many stylish games, I think the loss of Campbell could partly attributed to this and maybe it gave us a 'spark' on the attacking side which has now by and large gone out. Leicester this Saturday - top 6 team = 3 points. :)

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jas0999 added 13:12 - Feb 24 Like others, agree that any away point is decent, but expected us to win this. Looking at the fixtures, for me this was winnable, whilst some of the others frankly are not (on paper). Surprised and disappointed with the tactics yesterday, but overall very happy with Mick's points return since his appointment last November. Still think we need to sign an attack minded / creative midfield player.

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Cakeman added 13:12 - Feb 24 I would agree that any away point is a good one and sticking withe positives, I thought Henderson had a fine game capped by a tremendous double save. I have to admit that he was not my favourite when he first arrived but he has grown on me. It is true that yesterday he came for a cross and missed it but at least he came off his line to attack the ball which can often put the attackers off even if the cross is missed. On the down side, I never thought I would see a poorer game than the one at Blackburn but I was wrong as this had to be seen to be believed. Neither team would have scored if they had still been there this morning. The next three games will probably give us an idea of whether we can get out of this mess. Leicester at home means we are already a goal down if Nugent plays, Forest are in fine form under old saviour Billy Davies and I would think Peterborough are keen to play us at their ground. Ps: yesterday's 0-0 result was not an accurate reflection on the game , it should have been Minus 1 each!

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roytheboy added 14:11 - Feb 24 I agree with Mick and I have a lot of respect for him, however I wish we could create more pressure in front of the opposition goal, it is frustrating when we show so little quality going forward, hopefully there will be better times to come.
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nitroblue1970 added 15:41 - Feb 24 we need goals goals goals...where are they going to come from? i got slated last week because i believe mcgoldrick is NOT the man, not yet anyway and chops triies hard but cant do it on his own. Im glad the defence is tighter but we need to be winning games. the teams below us are winning regularly and scoring goals...we are not. im am very worried....a thumping win against the crisp bowl boys would help!

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h32 added 17:14 - Feb 24 ...... as nitroblue says - where are the goals going to come from ? - fact is, we have rarely looked capable of scoring since DJ Campbell left us. He WAS our goal threat - and a goal was always likely from him - we now have no creation or threat. Sorry but Chopra alone, or the two recent recruits, do not, and will not, give us that necessary return - and goals will be absolutely vital in the coming games, looking at the forthcoming fixtures.

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Keaneish added 18:28 - Feb 24 @TimmyH - Bit naive on my part thinking we'd get anything from Watford given our record against them! Did strongly think we'd get a win yesterday though! Oh well... 3pts from Leicester? Strangely i think we will. Based on nothing other than optimism again though!
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ericclacton added 19:09 - Feb 24 I'm happy with a pint.
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bohslegend added 19:23 - Feb 24 walk the wark youre a bit of a prima donna arent you? You might be getting to games when some of us cant, but my guess is the team can do without your kind of "support". When we stay up I expect you to apologise and promise that next season you will actually support Ipswich rather than constantly criticise.
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bohslegend added 19:25 - Feb 24 Too many forgetting that we are in a relegation fight. The Barcelona-style football you are expecting is not going to happen this side of June. Its time to roll the sleeves up and dig out every single point we can in games we would have lost not so many months ago.
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h32 added 19:30 - Feb 24 bohslegend - another who would rather tell someone to 'support' another team, than accept constructive debate - as if the Club can afford to lose even more support. Dream on.
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dannysigma added 20:17 - Feb 24 Can I just point out to all of those who bemoan Martin's lack of end product, JET's lack of hunger etc.: if they had had whatever it is that they are missing, we could not have afforded them, even if their 'parent' club had been willing to sell. It was the same when people (and I remember this happening) moaned about Marcus Stewart's lack of pace. Had he had pace, WE COULD NOT HAVE AFFORDED HIM. We rely on our manager to sign potentially top class players with one fatal flaw, and then tweak the team or the training to make up for that. It doesn't always work. I believe that Mick is the man to get the best out of our particular band of misfits. If I didn't, well, there would be no reason to support Ipswich and I'd probably just give up and support one of the Manchester duo like the rest of the lemmings.

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Gazelle added 09:47 - Feb 25 Is Jewell's record had been as good as Mick's we'd be sixth but we're still moaning. Huddersfield have only lost 4 home games which is better than over half the teams in the league including Watford who are second, and us of course.
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BroskiBeen added 10:04 - Feb 25 point will only be good enough if we stay up tbh
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