Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy sat his players down hours after the transfer window shut and told them – ‘you’re as good as anyone else in this division’.

Following a devastating December, the Blues’ low-budget, tight-knit squad produced a jaded January.

Several of their rivals, including Derby, Middlesbrough and Brentford, have splashed the cash in an attempt to boost their promotion chances, but McCarthy – who side remain just three points off the top heading into this afternoon’s match at Rotherham – has kept faith with his spirited group.

“Walking around being envious of other people is counter-productive,” said McCarthy. “I’m happy with the lads I’ve got. I had a word with them on Tuesday when the window had shut and said; ‘Have a look around this dressing room and who you’re sat here with’.

“I said; ‘Have a think – are there too many better goalkeepers than what we’ve got? Are there many better full-backs and centre-halves? Are there many better midfield players or wide players who do the job that we want to do playing 4-4-2? Then have a look at your strikers. We’ve got one of the leading scorers of last year (David McGoldrick) and the leading scorer of this year (Daryl Murphy).

“And who’s to say the players others have gone and got are going to fit in? You can gain something by signing players, but you can definitely lose something as well.”

He continued: “Marcus (Evans, owner) is adhering to Financial Fair Play – that’s the way it is. If we are underdogs it’s just because of the fact that we’re not spending any money. It doesn’t mean that we’ve got worse players than anyone else though.

“Don’t forget I’ve got shut of some players from here that cost a whole load of money. They didn’t contribute anything for me did they? The ones that cost nowt have got us three points off the top. I actually think a few will be envying us.”

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