Manager Mick McCarthy says striker Frank Nouble has thrived in the three-man strike force he has employed in recent games. The 22-year-old, signed from Wolves for a bargain £25,000 a year ago, has started six of Town’s last seven games.

Fans have been impressed with the former Chelsea and West Ham man''s workrate, which McCarthy is delighted to hear: “He has to do that, that’s expected every week, then if you can play well with the ball, that’s a bonus.

“I think he’s thrived in playing the way we’ve played, Big Frank. He’s not had a lot of football. He’s been one of those lads, I think people have seen something in him, taken him [on loan] and then thought ‘Hmm, maybe not’ and sent him back. He’s had more loans than Wonga, but he’s settled down now.

“I wanted to sign him at Wolves. We talked about him and when I left TC signed him and I think they’ve got a good bond between them and TC certainly gets the best out of him on the training ground.

“And he’s improving. He’s a young fella, he’s only a young man. You see this young, powerful athletic fella and expect [too much of him], he looks beyond his years, but he’s just a young fella learning his trade and he’s now getting worked and coached and nurtured and is playing in a team and is feeling better.

“It’s only a few weeks ago I chewed his ears off, it’s not that long ago he nearly didn’t play for having a face on because he wasn’t in the team.”

He says Nouble, who has scored twice so far this season, has needed regular first team football: “You can coach them all you like but they have to play and they pick it up.

“I remember some of the most valuable lessons I learned weren’t somebody talking to me on the coaching ground, it was when it happened to me on the pitch and afterwards you’ve asked and they’ve said 'This is what you needed to do, that was what you needed to do', and you don’t let it happen again.

“Should I have got across the man? Should I have gone in behind? What’s my movement? I think you pick it up from playing. You’ve got to play.

"Jack Marriott will be a better player for playing down at Woking. I’m glad Frank’s being appreciated because he does work hard.”

Photo: Action Images

MattinLondon added 11:06 - Jan 9 Frank is a player which the Championship produces. Plays with a lot of heart, power, determination and effort but sadly lacking on skill, technique and quality. I guess a bit like Norris when he was here.
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blueherts added 11:26 - Jan 9 alfromcol - Totally agree - He did same in last minute against Preston I have seen him deliver more and better crosses from out wide in advanced areas than any of our so called wingers in recent times He does have an ability but just frustrating that for 85 mins he doesnt always show it - but the cross for Murphy at Bmouth and last saturday were excellent - shame we did not convert - he was also lucky to be on the pitch after his first half clattering of their keeper! I prefer Taylor to him - bring FN on with 20 to go A slimmer , fitter SEB would be the perfect choice but not sure he is ready ? having seen the SEBarrel on Saturday !

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ormey75 added 11:37 - Jan 9 He's garbage, even at £25,000 he was overpriced, Man city spend more than that on Loo roll eachweek
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battyblue added 12:04 - Jan 9 You Must be joking Mick i am with the majority Frank cant do what strikers are supposed to the only thing he is good for is running around clattering into players and giving away free kicks he is bench at best for me.
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chevvymalc added 12:12 - Jan 9 Impressed with his improvement since he arrived football wise just needs to cut out the silly bookings for getting involved in charging in on incidents by other players also that late challenge on the Preston goalkeeper could have been a sending off if the ref had followed up on the lino's flag.
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soapy added 12:49 - Jan 9 Seriously though. 25k. Bargain. He is still young and will only get better.
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Southamptonblue added 13:07 - Jan 9 For years now people have been coming onto TWTD complaining that we only have players who look as though they don't care whether we win or lose. And now we have someone who tries, and people are still unhappy. If Nouble is prepared to put in the effort, then I say good luck to him. And remember, if one player has a good work rate then others are likely to to try a bit harder as well.

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michael99 added 13:08 - Jan 9 Hmm let me think about this one,would i prefer to have a team of players who give their all and get to the top 6,or a team of lazy "flair" players like jet and get relegated to league 1? tricky one that!!!!Support the manager and the players we have. I would like to remind some of you that football is a team game not an individual sport
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Stadiumofdark added 13:15 - Jan 9 I think this story tells us more about MM (and what he wants / expects from a player) - than it does about Frank. MM has made us harder to beat, making the 11 that are in the team work harder all over the pitch. Frank was £25k, he's only 22 and he will develop. He won't become a 25 goal a season striker whilst I have a hole in my bum, but he fits the current need of the team.

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alfromcol added 13:22 - Jan 9 The keeper ran into him during the Preston game, he didn't see him!!!! Happened just in front of me
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Roola added 13:29 - Jan 9 agree alfromcol, BAFTA nomination for keeper theatrics!!!
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karls_dad added 13:30 - Jan 9 I just do not get it! why MM has so much faith in Nouble, yes he has lots of energy and runs alot, but so does my dog! As for skill on the ball i have yet to see it! I think he should be out with the under 21,s with our Mr Lee as a strike partner, Alan knows where to put the ball and how to strike it, Frank could learn a great deal from him, But as i have said before Big Frank could not hit my garage door with a cabbage at ten paces,i just wish MM would drop him in favour of much better options we already have, Rant over !!

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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 14:43 - Jan 9 how on earth did i get -6 for the comment "franks first touch is so poor his second touch is always a tackle" "..furthermore i see 10 year olds learning the offside rule getting caught out less than frank..also remember qpr away anyone??.frank needlessly barging barton over on the edge of the qpr box when in no mans land..gave away a pointless free kick & 30 seconds & 3 touches later we've lost the game..a friend of mine whos a lower league club scout was at saturdays game..i jokingly said" fancy taking nouble"..his reply"ive spent 8 years making a name for myself & he's so bad i would ruin my reputation in one foul swoop"

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alfromcol added 15:40 - Jan 9 mickymacsbarmyarmy I would rather trust MM and TC than your friend, that why he is still a LOWER league club scout!
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itfc2001 added 15:42 - Jan 9 Must be missing something. Been privileged to see all the Town's strikers since 1976 and Frank is the worst. To be honest on current form he would struggle to get into our local Sunday morning side.
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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 15:49 - Jan 9 @alfromcol..its not just itfc fans who think frank is a pile of pou..fans of every club hes been at feel the same..name me a worse striker in the championship ??
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TimmyH added 16:15 - Jan 9 He's thriving? - really, like to see him when he's not, yet again more good man management from MM - basically bigging them up at the slightest opportunity.
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Seasider added 16:54 - Jan 9 A typical McCarthy man,all brawn and effort;but little football brain or skill.Perhaps if he had given as much playing time to Wordsworth,Marriott,Veseli ,Hewett and even JET for that matter in his favoured position;then he might have seen better performances from them too. Hope he at least gives more time to footballers like Hunt and Taylor on Saturday now they are both fit,as otherwise like many home games this year it will be QPR attack against ITFC defence. It would be nice for a change to see us take the game to the opposition at home;with Micks preferred formation,instead of changing to match up and hopefully nullify the opposition!

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Cloddyseedbed added 17:12 - Jan 9 mickymacsbarmyarmy. CHOPRA!
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Ipswich24 added 17:30 - Jan 9 Such a poor footballer anybody who thinks otherwise come and have a chat with me, im sorry he is useless.
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ashm1989 added 17:49 - Jan 9 I agree with alot of comments not the greatest footballer and definitely the last in pecking order for forwards,, needs to play Taylor mcgoldrick and Murphy if we going three up front
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blueboy1981 added 18:12 - Jan 9 ........ we have two players on our books who could give us the 'flair' we need - in Taylor and Hunt. Trouble is - it's a word that MM doesn't put too much importance on. Surely everyone can see that is the case.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 18:12 - Jan 9 Wolves were glad to get shot of him, this says it all.
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blueboy1981 added 18:14 - Jan 9 ...... having said that, you have to give Nouble credit for his work rate - but it doesn't begin and end with just that unfortunately.
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Surco72 added 18:28 - Jan 9 Personally I still think Nouble is shocking however hard he runs around and works . If I wanted to watch hard working runners I would watch athletics , footballer Frank is not . He has been given many chances and a long run in the team , it would be interesting to see how Jet , Taylor or Marriott would have or will benefit with as much faith shown to them . I am pretty sure big Frank would not have scored 18 goals in league 1 this season the same as Jet and Jet would certainly have scored more than 2 in a ,more solid team playing every week . And to those supporting big Frank how many sides in the championship would have played Frank as many times as we have in their forward line ?

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