‘Consistency’ – it may not be the sexiest word in football, but it’s the quality that could take Ipswich Town all the way to the Championship play-off places and beyond.

That’s according to upbeat Blues boss Mick McCarthy ahead of his side’s match at hotly-tipped Cardiff City this evening (7.45pm).

The Welsh hosts will still be on a high from the weekend, new boss Russell Slade having masterminded a 2-1 home win over the previously unbeaten Nottingham Forest.

Town are not short of confidence themselves though. While they may have conceded injury-time equalisers against Forest and Blackburn either side of the international break, an eight-game unbeaten run sees them occupy sixth spot with exactly a quarter of the season gone.

“The consistency of the performances, both individually and collectively as a team, has been our biggest strength,” said McCarthy. “TC (Terry Connor) marks them all after every game. It’s not been four out of 10 to 8 out of 10. Consistency is key in this league. A great performance on a Saturday followed by a rubbish one on a Tuesday doesn’t get you anywhere.”

He added: “We want to be in the top six. Do I anticipate that? If we play as well as have over the last month that will be the case.”

– See today’s EADT and Ipswich Star for full match preview. Follow @Stuart_Watson on Twitter for live match updates.