Boss Mick McCarthy had no argument with the result after Town were beaten 1-0 by Championship leaders Wolves at Portman Road, conceding that the Blues had come up against “a better side”.

“I’m always disappointed when we lose, but I can’t really argue with the result,” McCarthy admitted.

“I’m disappointed we conceded, we had possession twice and gave it away and it ends up in our net, which it shouldn’t have done.

“But Bart’s made some good saves, they are a very good side. We were beaten by a better team, but I can’t argue with my lads or complain at them for the effort and application they give.

“Could we be better at times, regarding quality with the ball? But they give me and they give this club everything every week and I’ll settle for that.”

McCarthy felt Wolves taking the lead when they did allowed them to dictate the rest of the game.

“The goal knocks the stuffing out of you and it enables Wolves to play,” he reflected. “They’ve got five at the back when they want five at the back. They drop two in and the two wide players drop in, it’s hard to play through them.

“And, by the way, they’re a very good side as well and they make it very hard. It’s a bit of parasite football, they can play and prey and feed on our mistakes.

“I don’t blame them for it, they’re very good at it and when they break they’ve got quality. But I’ve no complaint with my lads the way they performed.”

Explaining why he didn’t make any subs until the triple change seven minutes from time, he said: “I’d got my top scorer on, I’ve got Garns who scored in the last minutes last week, Didzy, he produced the bit of magic in the last knockings last week. I’d got my attacking four on.

“Wardy’s not played for three weeks but I thought we might get a bit out of him. I’d my goalscorers on, my goalscorers were on the pitch.”

Man of the match Bialkowski agreed a new two-year deal with an option for a third this week and the Pole showed exactly why McCarthy was keen to tie the 30-year-old down to a longer term deal.

“It was a snapshot of him today, that’s been him every week since he’s been here, he’s been excellent,” the Blues manager said. “That was a bit of good news for the club which at the time needs it.”

McCarthy was also pleased with full and home debutant Stephen Gleeson’s display: “He’s good Glees, I’m pleased with him. No qualms with him at all.

“I think he’s done very, very well. And considering his lack of game time I thought he got through it as well.”

Regarding the Irish international’s first-half booking for what looked a superb challenge on Neves, McCarthy added vehemently: “That’s a bollocks booking. We might as well all just pack in and stop doing it.

“You’ve got me animated, I was trying to be calm! Complete and utter… what a fabulous tackle. I just don’t see it, I really don’t. But I’m not going to say anything else about it because I might get myself in trouble.”

Ahead of the transfer window closing McCarthy says he’s not expecting any more additions: “No, I don’t think so. We’re getting some players back from injury, which is good. Grant Ward came on and did well.

“Webbo’s coming back, we’re getting a few players back from injury, Luke Hyam came on, that’s going to help us.”

And similarly isn’t currently anticipating any exits, despite striker David McGoldrick understood to be interesting a number of clubs. Of the sides believed to be keen, only Fulham were represented at today’s match.

“Unlikely, but I don’t know,” McCarthy said when asked about the likelihood of exits before Wednesday’s deadline.

“You never know, something pops up at the last minute, we’ll wait and see. I can’t really afford to lose anybody.”

Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo was delighted with his team’s display, which saw them increase their lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points.

“I’m happy about the performance that the boys had today,” he said. “That’s what makes me really pleased, the way they were organised, stuck together, the shape, defensive organisation that allowed us to then go out and create a lot of chances. I’m very happy and I have to congratulate the boys for their hard work.”

Nuno also had praise for Blues keeper Bialkowski: “I think the goalie of Ipswich was one of the best men on the pitch, that says a lot about how many situations we created.

“I think we controlled them and then we created a lot and it could have been a different score. But the important thing is the creation, the opportunities. The goals will come naturally.”

Photo: TWTD

blueboy1981 added 17:17 - Jan 28 ..... not too much to ask Mr McCarthy - not as if the lot up the road are in any way impressive, to say the least.
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H1960 added 09:57 - Jan 29 @martin587 spot on post
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Razor added 10:30 - Jan 29 Less than 16000 in the ground for the top of the table side who brought nearly 2000 fans themselves, very worrying!! I really think MM is now having a debilitating effect on the club and I would be showing him the door now and put Bryan Klug in temporary charge till end of season, it could be no worse.
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hyperbrit added 18:21 - Jan 29 ...cannot score against a decent club.How many 1-0 defeats this year? Bart is signed up to avoid losing him on a free. Evans is gutting the club to get out along with Mick.Dream on guys this is buiness not sport!!
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