Town boss Mick McCarthy says neither he nor owner Marcus Evans ever panicked during the Blues’ poor run of form during September and October.

A run of just one win in 10 league games led to frustration on the terraces and even calls for a change of manager from some quarters.

But Town returned to winning ways at the start of November and are now unbeaten in their last six matches, having won their last two away games by three-goal margins.

Saturday’s 3-0 win at Charlton saw the Blues climb to seventh in the Championship on 28 points, behind Birmingham in the final play-off place on goal difference alone.

“It’s just as well I don’t get too high or too low and my owner Marcus Evans doesn’t get too high or too low and we’re consistent in what we’re doing,” McCarthy said.

“I certainly had belief in the squad and what we’re doing and he does too. So, for all the background noise that goes on, and I understand it if we don’t win when we’re expected to, we’ve just kept plodding along.”

November has proved to be a profitable month for the Blues in the last couple of years.

Last season they took 13 points out of 15 and this year 10 from a possible 12. At this stage in 2014/15 Town were three points better off than they are now in fourth.

The win at Charlton - Town’s fourth on the trot at The Valley - saw the Blues end their run of 11 live Sky games without a victory.

They take on Middlesbrough at Portman Road on Friday in the second of three successive matches in front of the cameras with the visit to the MK Dons the following weekend also being screened live.

This afternoon’s scheduled U21s game at home to Colchester United has switched to Monday 18th January.

Photo: Action Images

StavangerBlue added 13:19 - Nov 30 Friday is the true test. Sorry but a 2-5 win over an outclassed side like Rotherham and a 0-3 away win at an noncompetitive Charlton is great however these are some of the poorer sides in the division. The true test is up against the top 10 teams so Friday will show how far we have come. We are still poor at the back. Saturday Gerks performed but a few weeks ago one of those chances if not all would have been in the back of the net and two points would have been thrown away. I'm not all doom and gloom however. MM has done and is doing a great job. Look where we were and the state the club was in after the RK and PJ. We have a strong team. They have belief, more so than some fans and we can score goals - Murphy can hit that ball with some power! We don't defend like we should but come on MM work at it. We are much closer now than we have been possibly in the last 6 or 7 years. So chin up, have a cup of tea, have a biscuit, sit back and ponder just how awesome it would be to have Ipswich in the Premiership again. It is not guaranteed but we'll be up there somewhere. Then worry about the ticket prices.

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tractorshark added 13:40 - Nov 30 Londonblue99 5. Hoofball tatic is s*** and its how we lose the ball agreed, I reckon MM won't be around much longer, especially with the fact that he nearly went to the Ireland job as soon as he got here... Talk about loyalty So where's your loyalty to the man who rescued the club from the threat of League One and took us to the play-offs? This comment sums up the new breed of football fan. Young or old, it's all quick fixes and instant changes. Thank god I'm not in the trenches with you lot.

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Kirbmeister added 15:38 - Nov 30 I get the impression that a lot on here can't wait for our next bad result so they can call for Micks head, Smith to be dropped, Chambers in the middle....................oh and 'round pegs in round holes'.
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Bluetone added 16:26 - Nov 30 ".oh and 'round pegs in round holes". Kirbmeister that sounds like a sound basis for a plan to me.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:39 - Nov 30 It will be a good test against Middlesborough when our defence and midfield will come up against a far greater test than they have over the last few games. I'm not worried about our attacking force at all. Come Friday night we'll all have a clearer picture about how our team will progress in the weeks ahead against good opposition.
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:57 - Nov 30 People are making a point that we have beaten 3 sides who in my eyes are the poorest I've seen in many years.. Not moaning.. It's a fact that they have all been great results and will install confidence in the team but our tests will come against boro Derby and Brighton before the new year! Knudsen just doesn't do it for me.. I just hope Downing/adomah have an off night on Friday as I believe they will make him look very silly! I brought up the coke debate last week and am now pleased other fans see what I see! He came on.. Got booked.. Ran around like a headless chicken! He must be pinching himself that he is at our great club! Agree that hyam or any other of the promising youngsters we have would be a better option on the bench! Luke will come back strong after his loan spell though! Praise must be given to Douglas who I did attack a few weeks ago but he is now being played as a midfielder who has license to get forward.. Like he did at Brentford! Sears out of position yes but what a tremendous little player and give his all for the shirt wherever he is played! My worry is when Fraser comes back we go gung ho again and leave ourselves exposed at the back! He is a fantastic and exciting player but our defence needs protection like many state on here! Anyway.. We should all be content where we are.. A big month ahead and one that will determine where we finish in my opinion! COYB!

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blueboy1981 added 18:04 - Nov 30 Kirbmeister - typical post from you. Totally WRONG in your assumption, the facts are that some of us have higher expectations than some of your brigade. Losing - is never a good option, or coming second - in my book. It's called AMBITION - and wanting to be successful. Some of us who follow ITFC have both - THANKFULLY.
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blueboy1981 added 18:06 - Nov 30 .......... before we all get carried away - Friday will be the acid test, in a game we should have every expectation of being able to - WIN COYB.
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Toronto_Tractor added 18:59 - Nov 30 I think all things considered, we are doing ok. Great stats from Guthrum, very interesting. I'm a MM fan but I too know that are some slightly frustrating aspects of his management. But I think it's time for some to accept by now that yes, McCarthy enjoys a long ball. Get over it. We all want success for the team but we seem to rant about it in different ways. August unfortunately elevated expectations to unrealistic levels. A year ago, Norwich were outside the playoffs and Bournemouth were outside the top 2, watford were 6th. We need to learn to be better in the second half of the season and I think we can do it. I just find it funny the people that want our most successful manager in a decade to be shown then door based on smugness or hoofball. Weird. We've scored some beauties from long balls. And to all the aggressive posters, maybe try having a nice cup of tea? ;-)

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blueboy1981 added 19:11 - Nov 30 ........ another one obviously prepared to accept second best - otherwise - Why the Minus .... ?????
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ChopraHasGone added 19:53 - Nov 30 this site should be renamed whingers united
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blueboy1981 added 20:07 - Nov 30 ChopraHasGone ............. how about an alternative then ? ....... Expect Nowt United. Obviously you'd be applying for membership. Shame that some of you don't know the definition of a 'moaner' or a 'whinger'.
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warktheline added 20:30 - Nov 30 Blueboy, if you question or debate anything on this forum, the numb-nut section on here, will always call it whinging or moaning, sadly they don't have the intelligence to put a case for the defence! Tunnel vision my dear fellow!
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bohslegend added 21:04 - Nov 30 Blueboy and Warktheline, such hypocrites. You claim the right to have an opinion yet ridicule those who don't agree with you.
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Dissboyitfc added 21:23 - Nov 30 Being Disappointed is not whinging. To want better for our team is only natural isnt it? i believe the dropped points will cost us come May, and its my opinion that square pegs in round holes have contributed to those dropped points....COYB's
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KBsSocks added 21:26 - Nov 30 Aww, come on. We need the Supporters as united as the Team. Stop bickering and criticising each other, and Get On With The Game ! CYOB :-D
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KBsSocks added 21:28 - Nov 30 (Prefer your new Avatar, DB :-) )
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Kirbmeister added 23:54 - Nov 30 blueboy1981 - I don't care what you think.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:22 - Dec 1 Things have got better lately, which is obviously good. However, as several have pointed we have made this improvement when faced with some pretty crap sides. I don't think we have been top six material in those games, but that doesn't mean we can't continue to get better. This could coincide with the return of a couple of key players and with a rise in form to our best level of last season, when we occasionally played some really good football. However you look at it, Boro WILL be some kind of a benchmark. COYB!

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Razor added 10:45 - Dec 1 Lets not forget Charlton were coming off two straight wins including Birmingham away so they will have felt pretty good about Saturdays game. Also it is my perception that since the Bolton game there has been less hoofball and more proper football on the ground which is producing results, crikey, look at Chambos pass for Freddies goal on Saturday! Mboro do not travel well, certainly not too Portman Road and certainly not after a hard game tonight, lets hope for extra time and pens!!

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blueblood66 added 13:19 - Dec 1 Mick forever! Amen.
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hkbluey added 00:09 - Dec 2 Surely MM is quite happy that ME didn't panic during that time ?! . . . Some good results recently, albeit against weaker sides (runs start somewhere), litmus test Friday and some huge games over Xmas too . . Nice going into them all with some decent form behind us. Let's keep it up . . Having just seen what Deulofeu did to Boro's LB tonight gives us hope Freddy can replicate Friday night. . Up The Towen . .

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