Mick McCarthy is confident that he and assistant Terry Connor can make a player out of new signing Frank Nouble. The Blues boss says he and Connor were the men responsible for taking Nouble, who joined Town from Wolves on an 18-month deal on Tuesday, to Molineux in the first place.

McCarthy said: “I wanted to take him to Wolves. Terry and I discussed it and Terry effectively took him when I left, I think StÃ¥le [Solbakken] had come in, but Terry recommended him.

“He worked with him for four months and we just think he’s got real potential. He’s a big, young fella, I think he’s still developing and given the right environment, the right encouragement and support we can get a player out of him.”

The 21-year-old, who started his career with Chelsea's academy before moving on to West Ham, has been out on loan at West Brom, Swindon, Swansea, Barnsley (twice), Charlton and Gillingham with only the switch to the Gills yielding more than a single goal, the Londoner having netted five times in 13 matches while at the Priestfield Stadium.

McCarthy says these moves haven’t always done much for his development: “They see this big, powerful kid and take him on loan and they take a chance on him and then he goes on loan and he doesn’t do it, they don’t work with him and they send him back. Nobody’s really explained to him why.

“How can he improve? Can we do this with you? Can we do that with you? I know TC worked with him at Wolves and he just saw a whole load of improvement in him, and there still is [more to come].

“There’s such a willing lad in there. So, for the deal we’ve done, it’s such a good deal for us to take him, and we’ll get the best out of him, no question.”

Nouble was the third striker to join Town in a week, Aaron Mclean and David McGoldrick having signed on loan last week.

McCarthy says McGoldrick is well capable of matching his League One form with Coventry — 17 goals in 26 games — in the Championship: “He’s got a good goalscoring record.

“There’s no doubting his ability and I think having been pushed out to Coventry, he’s proved to everybody what a good goalscorer he is. I know it was a level below, but he’s a good Championship player, David.”

But despite those signings, with the likes of Nathan Ellington and Jason Scotland set to move on and Ronan Murray having gone on loan to Plymouth, McCarthy reiterated that he is still after former loanee DJ Campbell.

“He’s been our top scorer, so why wouldn’t I want him?” said McCarthy, who we understand will face strong competition from Crystal Palace in particular for the 31-year-old’s signature, even if QPR are willing to sell him.

The Blues manager hopes the new additions will keep the more established members of his squad on their toes: “I’ve said before, a little bit of insecurity can make you work harder. They know their positions are under threat.”

The Town boss confirmed that Michael Chopra will be in the squad for Saturday’s game against his old club and says the striker’s British Horseracing Authority hearing and his statement on the subject haven’t come into his thoughts regarding his selection: “I saw his statement but I’m not really bothered about that, to be perfectly honest. He’s trained well this week.”

As for the number of further signings he might make before the window closes, McCarthy was keeping his cards close to his chest: “That is a question that I learnt never to answer. And since I’ve come here I don’t think I’ve got any dafter.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

yun added 06:26 - Jan 11 Looking forward to seeing Frank do some damage in a Town shirt. The showreel from his junior Chelsea days shows that he knows where the goal is. Just hope the McCarthy & Connor golden touch can bring the best out of him.
0

jdtractor96 added 07:31 - Jan 11 Mick just answers every question so perfectly! I love this man! Great to finally see a bit of extra competition upfront! COYB
0

bluelady added 07:40 - Jan 11 Finally a real manager, wolves must rue the day they kicked out one of the best British managers of the time. What respect he has from players, that to me says it all!
0

Lennyboy added 07:56 - Jan 11 Might Mick what a Manager, if I were a woman I'd have his kids!! COYB
0

Lennyboy added 08:02 - Jan 11 Earlier post should have read "Mighty Mick"
0

MVBlue added 08:09 - Jan 11 Wondering if theres comparisons with Sir Bobby Robson, he always seemed to talk football in such an uncomplicated manner yet implying the great amount of thought and balance that goes into crafting a team and team structure. Glad hes chasing DJ too.
0

blueherts added 08:33 - Jan 11 Mick and Terry are a Top team - They are respected within the game , smart and know how to pick a player - First time in years I feel we have a decent Management team in place
0

SomershamBlue added 08:33 - Jan 11 "And since I've come here I don't think I've got any dafter.” Pure Mick
0

howdonblue added 08:36 - Jan 11 saw frank play against us at Barnsley a couple of seasons ago. he is a powerful lad alright . WHO wouldn't want to play for big Mick. You've made it a joy to be a town supporter again sir. IN MICK WE TRUST! !!!
0

runningout added 08:47 - Jan 11 should want to play for himself too.. and not looked upon as a nearly man..
0

sirbenofmorlingshire added 09:26 - Jan 11 Someone else has touched on this and I'm of the same thought… Wolves must rue the day they let MM go. Does anyone else pick up from what MM says that he seems to be genuinely hurt by his departure from Wolves, the impression I get is something wasn't/Isn't right there, and he was some sort of scape goat??? Look at what Wolves did after he left, appointed an unknown, now sacked, which has ultimately seen them slide down the table — A little bit like us and that's just weird! My feeling is that MM has left wolves with much ‘unfinished business' in regards to building something that'll be his legacy or greatest achievement. MM to me screams ambition, respect and ability, qualities which any club wanting progression needs at the helm — what were Wolves thinking? Early signs are good for us and I see ITFC as a near perfect fit for what I feel MM wants to achieve with a club. Good times ahead I say!

0

algarvefan added 09:27 - Jan 11 I think he will at least be an excellent 'bench' player for us in the short term, it's so good to see a manager with one eye making sure we stay out of the relegation battle and the other on the future. With the new financial regulations coming in I think Town will be well placed. Haven't felt this positive since the Burley days :-)
0

muccletonjoe added 10:08 - Jan 11 Something they failed to do with Murray and Carson
0

fourth added 10:13 - Jan 11 We have tended to get a certain number of players whose psychological fabric and levels of addictions have not been properly investigated. We could have saved ourselves a few million in this area. It's good to see MM feel that he can motivate players he knows well and where he has no doubts in these areas .
0

daniel9624 added 10:25 - Jan 11 This makes the three signings make complete sense. Mcgoldrick, bang in form and ready to go. Mclean experienced and knows this division, raring to go. Nouble, Raw young willing to learn, and with Mick and TC will be ready for next season, when Mclean will probably retrun to Hull. We will be left with a young hungry partnership to score us out of this division next season.

0

JohnyJohnson added 12:58 - Jan 11 Yep agreed daniel, great to think of the competition with strikers at the moment hopefully they will be chomping at the bit- and great inspiration for the academy
0

BuckieBlue added 18:22 - Jan 11 Obviously this could go either way, could be our established no 1 for next few years or just fade off like some- time will tell.
0

BuckieBlue added 18:22 - Jan 11 Obviously this could go either way, could be our established no 1 for next few years or just fade off like some- time will tell.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls