Midfielder Jay Tabb says he never considered moving on during the summer despite being told that Town wouldn’t stand in his way if he found a new club having been largely on the fringes last season.

Tabb, whose contract runs to the summer of 2015, was never in any doubt that he wanted to stay and the former Republic of Ireland U21 international has been involved in 17 of Town’s 21 league games so far this term, starting 12 of them.

“It was fair enough really,” the 30-year-old told the club site. “I did well when I came in on loan [at the end of 2012/13] but I didn’t do well enough for the majority of last season. I don’t know why. It just didn’t happen for me.

“At the end of the season the gaffer called me in and said that he was probably going to bring in a couple of new players and that if I wanted to find something else I would be okay to leave.

“I said no, I wanted to stay at the club. I love it here. I love working with the gaffer, with TC and with the lads.

“I told him I wanted to come back and fight for my place and he was happy with that. I have felt I have played much better this year and, touch wood, it will continue.”

Meanwhile, Port Vale boss Rob Page has confirmed that the League One club have started talks with a view to signing on-loan Town defender Freddie Veseli on a permanent basis.

"Me and Freddie have spoken, and I think there have been conversations with the clubs as well, but that is something you will have to leave with us,” Page told the Stoke Sentinel.

"We have a bit of time with Freddie and hopefully it will all be sorted by then one way or the other. He is a good player and I think he has more than held his own [at centre-half].”

Veseli, who is out of contract in the summer, is likely to be available on a free transfer with Bosnian side FK Sarajevo previously having been linked. The 22-year-old's loan spell is up on January 4th.

Photo: Action Images

buntITFC added 12:18 - Dec 17 Fair play to Tabb and I admire him a lot for what he has done this season and his decision to stay and fight for a place at the club. You don't get many footballers like that nowadays who are wiling to really fight for a place in a team and react in a positive way even when they are not picked week in week out. We've got such a strong squad at the moment because MM has filled it with guys like Tabb and that similar personality. Tabb could easily have sat out the last year of his contract here and happily sat on the bench and been paid but he hasn't and look at the rewards he has reaped. He will certainly be given a contract extension before the season is up.

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Pilgrimblue added 12:29 - Dec 17 He's definitely improved but still feel he's a squad player but very pleased he's happy and part of good team bond. Just need to find his shooting boots as there's a lack of goals in midfield. Not sure if they've scored more than 5 between them whereas defence has! Hope TC can work some magic
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BlueMachines added 12:30 - Dec 17 I was critical of Tabb last year but this season he has turned around his form and won me over again. He has played really well at times, credit to him for his hard work and tenacity.
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swarby_7 added 13:16 - Dec 17 Industrious little player Tabb. I think we as suporters don't always appreciate these types of players as much as we should. We are all quick to moan if Tabb or Skuse (for exmple) have a bad game and then complain that we need more goalscoring midfielders and these players should be dropped but in reality, a strong, competetive squad needs both types of midfielders to be successful. Sometimes i I dont think we give the "not so glory" players the credit they deserve. We critisise their bad games but rarely note their good games, where they make tackle after tackle, break up play and win us the ball back. Your always going to notice a silky midfielder who nets 10/15 even 20 times in a season but players like Tabb are just as important in the balance of the team.

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Langdon_Blue added 14:29 - Dec 17 I'm pleased he is here, don't get me wrong but he had little choice but to stay. If the story included that other Championship clubs were interested in signing him during the Summer then his commitment to stay would then carry some credit.
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Paulblue62 added 14:57 - Dec 17 Has shown his worth this season with some cracking displays. Love his attitude, shows what a great job Mick and the team are doing.
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warktheline added 16:49 - Dec 17 What I like is the managers honesty, no bull, and punches pulled. If you aren't doing it on the pitch, you can go....and all those on here calling Tabb one of Mick's favourites, well read it and weep, you've been proved wrong AGAIN!
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ITFC_Cairo added 19:09 - Dec 17 This is testament to everyone involved. Fair play to Tabb for fighting for his place and being adament on proving MM and TC wrong instead of sulking (Taylor take note). Also, big thanks to MM and TC for playing a huge part in creating a squad of tight knit players that don't want to leave even when they are told they can. That doesn't happen very often.
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Hegansheroes added 19:27 - Dec 17 I'm not surprised he is happy to stay at Ipswich having seen what sort of contract he is on, yes he has worked his bollx off but really he should be hitting the net occasionally. I actually thought his worst attempt on goal was from the Bishop run & pass when he should have hit it first time. One goal is it since arriving at PR really is not good enough. At the end of the season whether we are in the top two, the playoffs or even lower does make a difference and is vital not only for promotion but also in the money received for the position a team finishes at. I doubt any other Championship club with aspirations of promotion would look at him but he does fit into the MM style.

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petermorris added 19:28 - Dec 17 Well said Swarby 7. Some of the footy experts on here and in SBR LT should watch, and by that I mean only watch, Skuse and recently Tabb. Breaking up opp' play time after time, creating space, covering, intercepting loose balls, last ditch clearances….and they never stop running. Tough, experienced and loyal players both these - we need them.
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runningout added 12:16 - Dec 18 Tabb has been good this season, whether he was entirely sure of his future before season is null and void..
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Seasider added 14:05 - Dec 18 Certainly puts in a lot of hard work and was MOM Saturday;but by his own admission,and Alex Mathie's;should have put first chance away although second was a great header and a brilliant save. Had he buried this great chance,would be up at the top Still feel that he shouldn't be keeping kevin Bru out who also covers a tremendous amount of ground;but Mick picks the team,and he hasn't done badly up til now!

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