Boro Recover To Make Their Point
GORDON STRACHAN felt his team could have sneaked a win at Portman Road but was pleased to see them recover from a disastrous early goal to at least earn a valuable point.
Injuries and suspensions meant Boro lined up with right-back Justin Hoyte playing in central midfield and left-back Andrew Taylor operating wide on the left, while there were also two debutants in Stephen McManus and Lee Miller.
But the manager's plan of asking his reshuffled side to keep things tight in the early stages was blown apart by a debut goal from on loan Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy inside a minute.
"I think the players who were playing out of position went into a bit of shock for 20 minutes after conceding a goal in 22 seconds," said Strachan.
"We were rocking for 20 minutes, especially down the left. Both teams are having troubles scoring goals and for us to give a goal away after 20 seconds is ridiculous, absolutely crazy.
"We were so embarrassed that we could have crumbled. We have to be more professional in the first minute.
"They were the better team in the first half when we were getting used to having a full-back in central midfield and a left-back in left-midfield.
"We weren't ready for the ferocious game that Ipswich played. They played with pace and ferocity. But out mental strength got better as the game went on." 
McManus, nicknamed Big Mick after 1970s wrestler Mick McManus, was outstanding alongside David Wheater at the back, growing in stature at the game progressed.
"I thought Big Mick was fantastic," said Strachan. "He enjoyed himself and you could see why he was an inspiration at Celtic for such a long time and why he's been Scotland captain.
"I think David Wheater enjoyed playing with him. Kyle Naughton needs games and I thought Lee Miller did well considering he was playing against two beasts, although the referee gave him no protection whatsoever.
"Groundsy did well and I thought Willo and Gary O'Neil were so brave in the middle of the park. We could have won it in the end but overall I thought it was a fair result.
"Justin's side-footed one to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper's made an incredible save and one was cleared off the line as well."
Boro will wait to see whether another of Strachan's new signings, Scott McDonald, regains enough fitness to make his debut at home to Barnsley on Tuesday night.
"He had a hernia operation three weeks ago and he wasn't ready yet," said Strachan. "He felt a wee bit of stiffness so we're not taking a chance on him. Julio Arca was also injured yesterday with an ongoing toe problem he has.
"We'll have got Barry Robson back, which is good, but if we can get a couple of midfield players before then it would be great because it's a farce that a club like ours has to play with a right-back and a left-back in the middle of the park.
"That's where we are at the moment, we have eight or nine players injured."
