Ipswich Town 3-1 Birmingham City: Mark Venus' verdict

It was announced last Monday that Town legend Mowbray needed to take a six-to-eight week break from management at St Andrew's for medical treatment.

With 'Mogga' unable to return to a place he holds dear in his heart, Ipswich fans conducted a rousing spell of applause during the fifth minute (the squad number he wore at the club).

“He’s still recovering, he needs a bit of time off," explained Venus, who was also a key member of Town's promotion-winning season of 1999/00.

"He’s had some surgery, his medical procedure, and he’s recovering now. He’s fine.

"The minute's applause today was amazing. I think everyone in the football world’s been incredible towards him.

“I can’t tell you on my side how many people have sent on their best wishes and made the effort to get in contact and things. I know that he can’t believe it."

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Reflecting on defeat, which leaves Birmingham three points above the drop zone, Venus said: “It was a tough afternoon, to a point.

“We got off to a slow start, then got back in the game. I thought in the second half, for a period, we sort of contained without really threatening. But we didn’t have enough moments from our team in their final third, really.

“I think the goals we conceded were really disappointing. We’ve been through them in the dressing room and we have to do better. You can’t come to top teams and give soft goals away.

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“I think they (Ipswich) have to be given a bit of credit. They played really well, they were on the front foot, they had a lot of purpose. They’ve got a big pot at the end of the season if they can achieve it and they’re taking three teams right to the wire.”

On Conor Chaplin's opener, he said: “I don’t think it was offside, to be honest. It didn’t look offside when I watched it on the replay.”