Ryan Tunnicliffe is only too happy to continue on the left of midfield if it means extending his first team experience with Town.

Tunnicliffe is on loan from Manchester United until January and has clocked up eight successive starts since forcing his way into Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up.

He said: “Obviously it’s not my preferred position but the gaffer wants me to play there and I’m happy about it, as long as I’m playing. I’m linking up well with Cressy and I like it because it gives me more space to come inside and a bit more freedom.

“Cressy and I are both northern boys and they say a Scouse and a Manc don’t usually get on. But we do — we clicked straight away, as soon as I got here, and it has shown on the pitch.

“There is huge rivalry between the two clubs and the fans but when you’re in a team alongside one another it’s nothing like that. We just want to play and win games, which you wouldn’t do if you didn’t like each other.

“All that sort of stuff is put to one side and everyone gets on well here. Cressy’s not just a Scouser, he’s a Liverpool fan and I don’t half give him some stick when they lose. I look forward to it and fire off a quick text once I’ve seen the results. There’s rivalry between us but it’s all a bit of fun.”

Tunnicliffe’s run in the team has coincided with a spell in which Town have lost just twice, at newly-relegated Wigan and at home to league leaders Burnley on Saturday, and he explained that McCarthy knows what to expect from him.

He added: “He knows I’m not an out and out winger so he doesn’t want me hugging the touchline. If I come inside it creates another body and it’s harder for the other team to defend if there’s three of us in there all trying to get on the ball.”

The only down side for Tunnicliffe is that he has yet to break his scoring duck for Town and he sighed: “It just never seems to fall to me but hopefully I will start scoring.

“I think I should have a few more shots when I come inside. I look to pass first because it’s all about team play but I also want to score goals and I’ll be trying to do that every time I’m playing.

“I’m right-footed and I like to cut inside on to my right — I never use my left and wouldn’t even attempt to swing at it. I would probably just fall over and make an idiot of myself.

“If there’s a chance to cross it I’ll cross it, if people are making a run. But I’m not an out and out winger who is going to put crosses into the box. I like to build up the play and try to work little one-twos and stuff, which has been working for us so far, I think.”

Photo: Action Images

shoopdelang added 08:27 - Oct 23 A one footed professional footballer... Unusual
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thebeat added 08:56 - Oct 23 Fair play for getting on with it Tunners but you'd be much better through the middle. Hopefully you will get your chance there soon.
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TR11BLU added 14:07 - Oct 23 How refreshing to hear that from RT. Makes a change from whinging players not happy with their lot. They should be grateful they have the chance as a pro.
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blueboy1981 added 19:15 - Oct 23 .... will be happy to play anywhere with benefit being fitness and experience gained - however, out and out central midfield player which is why he would not be happy to stay here long term, and play out of position. When he goes back, just watch where he plays !! - NOT where he is now. Good player - but another case of square peg being played in round hole - unfortunately.

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bluelady added 07:53 - Oct 24 Shame we are not using full on wingers... There almost seems this fear that if we stop being "defensive" we will go back to that team shopping lots of goals. My ethos is that if your attacking that's the greatest form of defence!
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