New signing Aaron Mclean believes he is on exactly the same wavelength as Town boss Mick McCarthy in terms of how football should be played.

The on-loan Hull striker believes his progress from non-league Grays — he moved to Peterborough in a £150,000 deal six years ago — owes a great deal to application and sheer hard graft, qualities that McCarthy demands from his players.

Mclean, who has netted over 100 Football League goals, said: “Different players bring different things to the table. You will get some who are unbelievable technically but can’t be bothered to put the work in.

“In the past I’ve played with many of them, much better footballers than myself, but because they weren’t prepared to put the hard work in they are probably not playing at the level that I’m at now.

“Everything I’ve got I’ve had to work hard for and I’ll continue to work hard until the day I hang up my boots. As I see it, every experience has been worthwhile, whether it’s been good or bad.

“They are experiences you can learn from and they have to make you stronger as a person. If they don’t you will slip away. I’ve used everything, good and bad, as motivation to try and push me on to the next level.

“You get setbacks in life — all walks of life, not just football — and I’m lucky enough to wake up every day and come into training to play with good footballers at a great club.

“I could have just sat at Hull, second in the league, and been content with that but I haven’t been raised like that, neither in life nor football. I’m here to work hard and prove to people that I’m a good player.”

Mclean has often been used in a wide role and admitted: “It has given me another string to my bow. I don’t mind playing wide but first and foremost I am a striker.

“That’s where I want to be, scoring goals. I’ve come here to do that. If I play regularly and I’m getting chances then I’ll put them away.”

Meanwhile, Mclean, Carlos Edwards, David McGoldrick and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas were amongst a large number of footballers - also including ex-Blue Darren Bent - at the O2 Arena last night to watch the New York Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 102-87 in an NBA regular season game.

Photo: Action Images

buryblue77 added 08:55 - Jan 18 Maybe some players should take notice of him, he sounds like a level headed sensible guy, we've got a couple of players who fit the 'all the skill but can't be bothered' type of player.
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BrightBlue added 09:10 - Jan 18 I like him already!
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bedsitfc added 09:33 - Jan 18 Lets hope you and mcgoldrick can get on the same wavelength aswell.
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Kikapu added 09:47 - Jan 18 Strikes the ball very ball very low. Very German-like in that respect. Hardly a bad quality.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:51 - Jan 18 thats a great attitude ! look forward to seeing him playing .
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jdtractor96 added 11:00 - Jan 18 Maybe he can try motivating JET! I like Mclean a lot, really exciting times now!
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RaymondovicBlue added 11:14 - Jan 18 Anyone know if JET punched him when they were at the O2 last night ?!?!?!?!?!? Don't miss next week's exciting episode when Mr Emmanuel Thomas extols the virtue of natural flair and pure skill Then again JET - please PLEASE can we see you at your very best on the pitch ... and soon?
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BlueBadger added 13:42 - Jan 18 He must have very strong neck muscles to be not objecting to the ball constantly sailing over head.
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Mungo added 19:04 - Jan 18 Superb attitude - Sounds very level headed and doesn't take things for granted - I like it!
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harlingblue added 19:43 - Jan 18 Sounds as if he is here to work hard for the team...that is what us supporters want to hear! Can play wide...looks like a change of play within a game with Murphey could be a good ply, look out Martin your days could be numbered unless an end product is added to all the effort you put in?
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