Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s been delighted with keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s performances since he came into the side at Blackpool at the start of November. The Town manager says he has been equally impressed by the way Dean Gerken, whose groin injury led to the Pole getting his chance, has reacted to losing his place.

“He’s terrific, Bart, we’ve been delighted with him,” McCarthy said. “We were really thrilled when we got him.

“Marcus and I were talking about it, I knew we’d got two really good keepers. And really you could flip a coin and pick either of them.

“I spoke to Gerks on Saturday after the game and just thanked him for the way he’s conducted himself, because he was first choice but he’s been great.

“They both knows that if one of them slips up or they’re out with an injury, the other one gets his place and is likely to keep it. That’s great competition.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy was pleased with Jonny Parr’s performance during Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Middlesbrough. The Norwegian came in at left-back for Tyrone Mings, who was out with an infected toe.

“Jonny Parr was the first choice for a while,” he added. “He’s lost his spot but we know he’s dependable, very capable at left or right full-back.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want to be cover for either of them but sometimes it drops that way. I was delighted with him on Saturday.”

Mings is now over his toe problem and looks set to come back into the side which faces Brentford at Griffin Park on Boxing Day.

Photo: Action Images

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:08 - Dec 24 Can only agree with MM, think Bart has been great in recent matches, very commanding of his box, fills the defence with confidence. Parr was excellent against Boro' think he has a right to feel disappointed if dropped, but Mings has been amazing this season too! Glad I don't have to pick the team!! Embarrassment of riches!! PROUD TO BE A BLUE!!
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Jimmy86 added 06:23 - Dec 24 I think Parr will be very unlucky if he loses his place on boxing day. Doesn't quite have the raw pace and attacking threat as Mings, but is also a better defender than Mings. For me Bart "the holy goalie" is now nailed on number 1!!! COYB
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BluePG added 07:53 - Dec 24 Memory is getting worse with age, how did we manage to get him on a free transfer? Was he out of contract at Notts County?
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50yearsablue added 08:31 - Dec 24 When we were 2 up on Saturday, I said to my colleagues that I was happier with Parr, the better defender, than Mings in that situation. Same applies to me at Brentford. Stop them scoring and we might nick one. Bart easily the No.1 GK in my opinion.
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PJH added 09:06 - Dec 24 I think Bart is now looking to be a very good keeper.He looked (understandably) nervy at Blackpool and had very little to do the next couple of matches but now looks confident. Gerks is also a good keeper so we are well covered there.
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jas0999 added 09:08 - Dec 24 I think this demonstrates the team spirit MM has brought to Ipswich. Players who aren't playing don't sulk, but work hard and support the starting 11. Players also get a chance. Miles away from the PJ 'make a mistake and your out' mind set. Mick is a man manager.
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MVBlue added 10:06 - Dec 24 Do the Bart man
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Razor added 10:11 - Dec 24 MM eventually got there with Bart----would have had him in from the start. The 2 goals at Forest still haunt me. Brentford tomorrow----an intimidating ground and bound to be a lively atmosphere, see you all in one of the four pubs of choice!!
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allezlesbleus added 10:15 - Dec 24 I posted a thread a couple of days ago about Bart. Since he has come back into the team, the record is as follows: Played 8, goals conceded 4, clean sheets 5, 20 points out of 24 Pretty impressive stats, I think. To have more clean sheets than goals conceded is fantastic. Never thought we would have been saying that a couple of years ago!
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Seasider added 16:09 - Dec 24 Blue PG,think we had been tracking him for some time.Was on loan here whilst at Southampton when our GK coach was also there (under GB). When Andy Rhodes left(GK coach) after falling out with RK(not difficult)his son left soon afterwards,Andy being replaced by Martin Webster who had been with GB at Southampton and here previously. He had kept in touch with Bart and hinted at the beginning of last season that there could be a place for him here,which followed a year later,presumably on a Bosman,as at that time there was talk of them wanting a fee. Yet another good bit of business by MM etc

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blueboy1981 added 17:23 - Dec 24 Confident and very good all round keeper - will only improve even further now he's playing regularly.
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