Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy says he would have been happy with a draw from his side’s clash with Watford but believes the Tractor Boys played exceptionally well to clinch a 1-0 win over the Hornets.

Tommy Smith fired home the winning goal with 83 minutes gone at Portman Road to seal victory for the hosts.

Both Watford and Ipswich had several chances throughout. Fernando Forestieri missed the Hornets’ best opportunity. He sent a half volley well over from six yards after a fantastic cross from Matej Vydra.

While some managers go through the motions when speaking to the media, McCarthy speaks his mind.

Reflecting on the match, he said: “I think they (Watford) are a very good team and I think we’ve had to play exceptionally well and defend very well.

“I don’t know how it was 0-0 to the point it was. Both goalies played well, as did both defences. They got blocks in, stopped shots and worked really hard.

“I said at half time, that is a real Championship game with two good teams who have a chance of being up there. It was a case of whoever blinks first, they did.”

He added: “I don’t think there was that much profligate finishing, just that both defences and goalies kept people out.

“Forestieri had a chance but he was going full pelt. That was a wasted one for them.”

McCarthy said the Watford fans will go home disappointed but stressed the visitors performed well at Portman Road.

He explained: “Fans want to see their team win but when they look back on it, they’ll think their team has played well.

“So has ours. Watford have come up against a tough, well organised outfit and that is difficult to play against. I think we have come up against the same thing.

“If it had ended up 0-0 though I’d have taken it and been happy with a point.”

The victory was Ipswich’s third in the space of a week. It is a run of wins that has lifted the Tractor Boys to fourth in the table.

“We have had a good week,” McCarthy said. “Two weeks ago I came in here after we were booed off and I was seriously p****d off about it.

“It changes quickly though, we just needed results. I understand fans’ frustration because we gave away a two goal lead (against Huddersfield Town).

“But that is when we need the support. That is when I support my players and it’s when I need a bit of support.

“As a club we are all in it together. We’re all inside p*****g out, not outside p*****g in. We stick together and in doing that we have a chance of being successful.

“I am not having a go at anybody but that is how you create an environment that is difficult to beat.”