Reading v Ipswich: Blues boss Mick McCarthy says his side his side ‘will be fine’ this season if they continue to play like they did in their opening day 2-1 defeat at Reading.

The Blues more than matched the newly-relegated Royals and looked to be heading into half-time with a fully-deserved lead following Jay Tabb’s 16th minute opener.

Tyrone Mings was the scorer of an unfortunate own goal just a minute before the break though, while Danny Guthrie’s 75th winner took a big deflection off of Luke Hyam before looping over Scott Loach.

“I thought we played really well all the game,” said McCarthy, whose side created three good chances in the second half; David McGoldrick inches away from converting a low cross, also forcing a good save out of Alex McCarthy, while Tabb fired narrowly wide.

“I asked for a benchmark performance and I think that’s a pretty high standrd we’ve set. If we play like that every week, compete and create those chnaces then we’ll be fine.”

Reflecting on the goals his side conceded, McCarthy said: “I think the first one has come off Ty’s back after he got turned around. I’m sure he (Le Fondre) will claim it though.

“It’s a great delivery (by Garath McCleary) and sometimes you have to give a bit of credit, but I thought we should have done better clearing it.

“For the second, I don’t think the shot was going to beat him (Loach) but a deflection looped it over Loachy and gave him no chance really.”

– See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star for further reaction and comment.