Boss Mick McCarthy says central defender Tommy Smith has been "excellent" since he came into his side soon after the change of manager at Portman Road. The 22-year-old New Zealand international came on as a sub in McCarthy’s second game in charge at Crystal Palace and aside from the visit to Leicester — which came soon after a trip to China on international duty — he has started every game since.

McCarthy said: “He’s made a big difference to the team. He’s been excellent. Himself and Chambo have been a really good partnership.

“The back four has kind of picked itself with Cressy and Bradley Orr and now, of course, Richard Stearman. Tommy’s been really good, I’ve been really pleased with him.”

He added: “He’s a very good character and I just like the way he plays the game. He’s a good guy.”

Asked whether he would have been pleased to have scored Smith’s two headed goals in the 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough, McCarthy, a centre-half during his playing days, responded: “In a season, let alone in one game!”

Photo: Action Images

Edmunds5 added 17:47 - Feb 12 What with our lack of goalscoring the topic of discussion lately its easy to forget how solid Smith has been up the other end on a regular basis. My mum met him at a charity event for her work, with david wright!, got a couple of autographs and said he (Smith)came across well which you can more than believe by the way he seems to conduct himself off the pitch. Not only does he give great effort on the pitch but he puts us in a good light off it which can't be said for all our players.

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h32 added 18:52 - Feb 12 Tommy Smith has all the attributes to become a Centre Back of the highest quality - my opinion has never wavered, I was predicting this when everyone was criticising him from all directions. Top man is our Tommy - and destined for the very top.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 19:33 - Feb 12 I must eat a large portion of humble pie, never thought he would make the grade but he has proved me & no doubt several others very wrong indeed these last few months. Keep up the good work.
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TimmyH added 19:38 - Feb 12 At least you admitted it - as you said there are a few others on here slating him last season. Problem is being an international and if his good form continues which I fully expect it will there will soon be Premiership scouts about and that's the way football has been going...
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Talbs77 added 20:43 - Feb 12 Tommy has been an absolute collossus since MM came in, the transformation of him and Chambers has been extroadinary. Theres no doubt if they had been playing like they have recently at the start of the season, we would have a few more points on the board. For me he's been my player of the season by a mile and should be made captain. I'm so pleased for the boy, always nice to see a lad come through the club and realise his potential and I think he'll get better.

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Ipswichbusiness added 17:52 - Feb 13 Under Mr McCarthy the defence as a whole has improved noticeably. My only moan is that he seems to have a blind spot when it comes to Elliot Hewitt. As I have said before, the danger is that sooner or later Premiership clubs start sniffing around Smith and Cresswell.
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