Mick McCarthy’s change of tactics that played a huge part in Town securing their first away win of the season at Blackpool did not surprise new signing Stephen Hunt.

With his team trailing 1-0 at the interval at Bloomfield Road — and Hunt making his debut — McCarthy went for a more positive approach in the second half that paid off handsomely in the shape of a very welcome 3-2 triumph for the Blues.

Hunt said: “At Wolves we played 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 on numerous occasions so he does change it for sure. You’ve got to trust the manager and what he plays. If you have to change it, like we did against Blackpool, then you do it.

“If he keeps the same 4-3-3 formation this week against Leicester we can always revert back to 4-4-2 if need be. Whatever we go with the players need to be clever enough to know how to play the formation to make it a success on the day. Once you cross that white line sometimes you are by yourself and you have to make the right decisions.”

Hunt is delighted to be teaming up again with his former Wolves boss, who paid £3 million to sign him from Hull in June 2010, at least until January when his pay-as-you-play deal will expire.

The Republic of Ireland winger said: “With Mick I know that if I’m not playing well I won’t be in the team, but I also know that if I am playing and training well I will eventually break into the team. That’s the way I see it.”

Although McCarthy was happy for Hunt to train with Town several weeks ago he made it clear a deal was unlikely, which led to suggestions that the player was beyond the club’s budget.

But Hunt added: “Circumstances change. I was more desperate to play and the longer I was without a club the more my pride was hurting. If I had to prove myself I thought I might as well go to a manager who knows what I’m all about and hopefully play some games.

“But there are others here who can play wide left — Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jay Tabb have been doing it — so there’s competition for places. I know I have to prove myself.”

Hunt was not concerned that his fitness might let him down on his debut at Blackpool, adding: “I kept trying to be positive and reminded myself that it wasn’t like I’d been injured for six months. I’d been training so I knew I shouldn’t be that far behind, maybe one or two games before I got to my fitness level.

“I had 20 minutes where I played left-back and then I played in a reserve game on the left wing, and I even surprised myself at how fit I was. That was all positive.

“Generally, when I’ve come back from injury and played a reserve game I’ve thought ‘Gee, that was hard work’ but that wasn’t the case, not physically anyway. I knew I was ready if called upon.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 10:10 - Nov 22 I believe Steven can only improve the squad/team and that's a big plus allows Ryan Tunnicliff to play in the centre if need be which i believe he should starting tomorrow hopefully good luck to all hoping for a least one point.
0

bluerep added 11:31 - Nov 22 on the evidence so far, a big asset to the team in every way, including attitude, keep up the good work Steven!
0

bohslegend added 11:38 - Nov 22 Good luck Steo, would love to see you earn a permanent deal.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls