Tommy Smith has nominated Mick McCarthy as the best manager he has played for during his time at Portman Road.

Hardly surprising, perhaps, given the club’s current lofty status that Smith should plump for McCarthy ahead of the man who gave his first team debut, Jim Magilton, in 2008, or either Roy Keane or Paul Jewell.

Not even being dropped earlier this season could change Smith’s mind, the defender having not only regained, but also retained, his place in McCarthy’s starting line-up.

Smith said: “Without a doubt Mick is the best. For me, personally, being a centre-half it has helped me massively having a defender coach me. I can only benefit from that. He was a very good player in his time and I have learned a lot from him.

“We do a lot of work as a defensive unit, a back four, and he does individual stuff as well every now and again.

“When the games are coming thick and fast you can’t spend as much time training, but at the moment we are only playing once a week so we have spent a fair bit of time working on the defensive side of things.

“Maybe not so easy on a windy day but it’s still a good session and I just hope I carry on learning from him and improving as we go.”

McCarthy acknowledged that academy graduate Smith was unfortunate to be dropped when the manager opted for Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra as his central defenders and Jonny Parr and Tyrone Mings as his full-backs following Town’s 1-1 draw at current leaders Derby on August 30.

Smith was absent from the starting line-up for seven of the next eight games - he replaced the ill Chambers for the Blackburn game - but following Town’s 3-1 midweek defeat at Cardiff he was restored to the side for the home clash with Huddersfield four days later, celebrated by scoring the opening goal in the 2-2 draw and kept his place.

He added: “What probably made being left out such a hard pill to swallow was that I had been playing well until then.

“If you have had a bad time and you get dropped at least you can accept that it is deserved. I just had to get away, get my head down, carry on working hard and wait for my chance.

“That’s what I did and I got my chance so hopefully I have done enough to stay in the team.”

Smith received a huge vote of confidence from McCarthy for last week’s 4-1 home win over Leeds when Christophe Berra was recalled after missing the last-gasp win at Charlton while serving a one-game ban.

Jonny Parr was the player to be dropped from the bench and Smith said: “I appreciated that and long may it continue. I want to stay in the team.”

Photo: Action Images

Tufty added 06:54 - Dec 12 Maybe we are getting close to having a team of tommy smiths Good on ya Tommy
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Moscow_Blue added 08:01 - Dec 12 Sorry to be critical but Tommy is not a right centre back. The lack of ability with his right foot is worrying and often catches him out. I trust Mick completely but Christophe is more versatile and I would switch them.
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MickMillsTash added 08:16 - Dec 12 Given the list McCarthy is the only proper manager Smith has played for at Ipswich. TWTD its Christmas - please do not bring down the positive mood by mentioning Paul Jewell
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Paulblue62 added 09:33 - Dec 12 To be fair, he hasn't played for a proper manager before at Town. McCarthy is the best manager in this league, so no surprise that he is the best Tommy has played under.
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Steelmonkey added 09:45 - Dec 12 It's not Jewel that shouldn't be mentioned at Christmas, he had a terrible mess to try and clean up after the last clown we had. And I'm not mentioning his name.
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swarby_7 added 10:18 - Dec 12 Completely agree Steelmonkey. As i've said on the few previous times i've posted, PJ was never the right man for the job but, what chance did he have, given the state of affairs (both on and off the pitch) with the players and the club that the previously mentioned clown left us in? But its so great to see the positive comments about Mick and TC always flying out of PR. We are a club to be proud off again. Its no wonder Tommy believes he's the best he's played under, he's the best we've had in all aspects of the job for a very long time, and long may it continue! COYB!

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Kieron_FJ added 10:23 - Dec 12 Said it when mick came in charge " He is the man to take us forward " and I couldn't of been more right. Who knows what will happen in the future. Off to the prem next season!!
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ipswich_Jordy added 10:26 - Dec 12 I remember the days when PJ was in charge and he was sent off after 5 minutes after coming off the bench against Peterborough! Completely different player now, and has learnt from all his mistakes. One of the best CB in the league, only behind Berra! COYB
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ManLikeRob added 10:29 - Dec 12 Great performance from Rob Green the other day, club LEGEND COYN!
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swarby_7 added 13:12 - Dec 12 Oh blimey ipswich_jordy, that Peterborough game....*head in hands*... dont remind us! That was a real low point for us suporters and the club as a whole. Fairly local rivals not long out of League 1, i thought we would ease past them. When Andrews put us one up i thought great, now we are rolling and we will get a few here today. Was i wrong! 7-1, 2 men off and it being shown live on sky! Humiliating and upsetting to say the least. So glad we are miles apart from those performances now and as you say, Smith is like a different player now!

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