Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s keen to get some of his young pros out on loan but has received no further interest from clubs wanting to take them. Prior to the transfer window closing an unnamed non-league side made an enquiry regarding 18-year-old left-back David October, who opted against the switch to stay and play for Town’s U21s to try and attract a Football League club.

The Blues handed one-year pro deals to October and four other academy graduates - strikers Jack Marriott and Tom Winter, midfielder or defender Jonny Leddy and winger Mark Timlin — in the summer and McCarthy believes they'd benefit from gaining experience while on loan.

“I’ve had nobody come back and want any of the young ones,” the Town boss said. “If they did I’d talk to them.”

Although ideally wanting to get at least some of them out on loan, he says there is a positive side to having the likes of the quintet and recent additions Jack Doherty and Jordan Adekunle playing regularly for the U21s.

“It’s kind of nice that Mark Kennedy’s got the young guys together, they’re sticking together and playing,” he said.

“And they should improve. It’s not easy for them, the young ones in that U21 league. I like the fact that he’s almost got a squad of players.

“He keeps having to take a few of the youngsters and maybe one or two of the first teamers drop in, but it would be nice if he’d just got a squad he could play week in, week out.”

Striker Winter spent time on loan at Ryman League Premier Division Leiston at the end of last season and McCarthy isn’t ruling out allowing his first-year pros to move to clubs at that level: “Wait until I get asked and I’ll decide on that.

“You’re better playing where there’s a crowd and where there’s points at stake and people are turning up and it’s a proper environment in which to play.

“The U21s isn’t that, you’re not playing on a Saturday afternoon at three o’clock where your mates are turning up to watch you and all the crowd are coming in, whether that’s 500 or 5,000 or 50,000.

“I think it improves you as a player just to play in that environment where points mean prizes.”

Scouts interested in taking the Blues’ youngsters on loan are next able to run the rule over them when the U21s take on West Ham away in a behind closed doors friendly on Friday afternoon.

Photo: Action Images

Len_Brennan added 06:30 - Sep 25 If they are not going to be making the first team squad for match days, then going out on loan to 1st or 2nd Division sides should be preferable. I would have thought, judging how poor our out & out wingers have been, when allowed to play in that role, that Doherty, Adekunle or Byron Lawrence might get a chance to break into the squad, but Mick seem intent on playing Tunners or Tabb on the left with Anderson in a less wide right role. Maybe Hewitt will get some game time in that position if pace & energy is needed late on. In any event, the youngster are better off to seek loan moves, if interest is shown.

0

MattinLondon added 07:03 - Sep 25 It's a real shame that over recent years expensive premier league rejects have been loaned in or brought at the expense of the young players. I'm not advocating fielding a young player just because he is from the youth team but if you don't play them them what's the point in having a youth team. Sorry a development team.
0

bluefeast added 07:19 - Sep 25 good
0

bluemikey100 added 07:31 - Sep 25 yes let the under 21 out on loan especially jack marriott as he should be on the bench and ALAN LEE to get some experience lol
0

kalypso added 07:59 - Sep 25 our 1st team would benefit from one or two loans, now. why put off the inevitable? unfortunately MM is one of the most stubborn managers in the league.
0

bontcho added 11:16 - Sep 25 A few years ago we seemed to have an informal arrangement with Stevenage. I'd like us to try and set up something similar to get our boys out on loan. Cambridge perhaps? With a local team you have the advantage of being able to train with us if need be and no housing issues.
0

runningout added 13:15 - Sep 25 most clubs are interested in bringing through their own youth. Our own youth need to show a lot more mental and physical strength to shine..
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls