Blackpool v Ipswich: Mick McCarthy was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways on his second anniversary as Ipswich Town manager, David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy both on target in a 2-0 victory at rock-bottom Blackpool.

It was Town’s first win in six, the result lifting the Suffolk side up to eighth in the Championship table. Blackpool, who had new boss Lee Clark in charge for the first time, remain rooted to the foot of the table with just six points from a possible 45.

“It was a solid performance,” said McCarthy. “We had to withstand a bit of an onslaught at times and I was delighted with that because we all know about some of the goals we’ve given away lately, so it was great for all of us – especially the lads playing – that they kept a clean sheet.

“I pointed out to the squad before hand, in our team meeting that we always have, that Blackpool have good players. They have two strikers in (Nile) Ranger and (Ishmael) Miller who are a proper handful, (Nathan) Delfouneso... There are lots of them who have been places. (Joan) Oriol’s a good little footballer. They are no mugs.

“There are a lot of players there who have been drawn together at the start of this season and that doesn’t make it easy, but they have some individual talents there and I think that showed at times today.”

Asked if his side had been in a bit of a no-win position, going to a team that they were expected to beat, the Blues boss replied: “B******s, there’s no such thing. We’ve just won and got three points. I kind of know what you mean, but who thinks Ipswich are that good that we can just breeze up here and beat Blackpool? Not a chance. We’ve had to really put a shift in there. That has been a hard game.”

Teenage midfielder Teddy Bishop produced both assists. His first may have been a mis-hit shot, but the second was a mesmerising run which saw him glide past three defenders on the by-line before picking out Murphy for his eighth goal of the season.

“The Bish is great,” enthused McCarthy. “He’s a smashing fella, a really exciting young talent.

“We started off 4-3-3 and I changed it to 4-4-2. Strangely enough I don’t think he put a cross in from wide right, it’s when he went back into midfield and drifted over there that he did that. When he gets going he’s certainly difficult to stop.

“It was nice that happened in front of our fans. They’ll have got a good view of it.”

Town now host third-placed Wolves on Tuesday night followed by new table-toppers Watford next Saturday. Keeper Dean Gerken (who was replaced by Bartosz Bialkowski after limping off in the warm-up), Bishop, Cole Skuse (who both came off with groin strains), Jonny Williams (who failed a fitness test on his ankle) and Jonathan Parr (who failed a fitness test on his groin) will all be assessed on Monday.

“We’ve got two really tough home games coming up now and have a few walking wounded,” admitted McCarthy. “Bish has come off with a groin strain, Skuse has come off with a groin strain. Heaven knows what they have been doing? Throwing their leg over?! Gerks has come off with a groin strain too. We’ll have to see how they all are.

“It’s probably the work load. We used the fewest players in the division over October. We demand a lot out of them, they give us a lot and it takes its toll. I’m hoping they’ll be okay.

“Jonny Williams didn’t really feel it today, he said. Jonny Parr... I don’t know. That’s not really been my focus. I’ll see them tomorrow and find out more.”

Is McCarthy considering recalling Elliott Hewitt from Colchester United? “Possibly, but I haven’t given that too much thought. I spoke to Tony Humes in the week and told him if I need him I’ll call him back, if I don’t then I won’t. We’ll see.”

Blackpool boss Clark said: “I knew how big the challenge was when I took it on and that’s reiterated it. The big task in the short-term is rebuilding the players’ belief and confidence. We seemed to be alright but when went 1-0 down you just sensed a little bit of self belief disappear.

“They are such an honest group of boys. I don’t think anyone can point the finger at their attitude and application. And I do think there are some good players here that, for whatever reason, aren’t showing their true potential.

“I wouldn’t have taken this job on if I didn’t think we could do it (stay up). I’ll encourage the players to attack and be positive.”