Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he’s in no hurry to add to his squad during the January window, believing that it would be difficult to recruit players better than those already at Portman Road.

“I’m not that bothered, I’m not desperately seeking any others,” McCarthy said. “The reason for that is where am I going get them that are better than the players I’ve got?

“There’s always that age old problem of getting players to come in on loan. If I can get better than I’ve got in on loan, they want to come and play in the team straight away. I’d be doing very well if I could do better than what I’ve got on loan, that’s for sure.

“And then do I start signing players [on a permanent basis]? I’m not going to do that, we’re not going to be going out and buying anybody.

“I’m not fussed, we’ve got the loans that we can take and I’m cool with what we’ve got. And it might have the adverse effect, bringing them in.”

He added: “Unless, and the players are the same as I am, if we could get somebody that would strengthen the squad, enhance our chances of being in the same position at the end of the season as we are now, all the players would take that. But that’s that fine balancing act.

“And do you know, I don’t know if they’re available. It’s a shitty old window anyway, the January window. You tell me how many really good bits of business people do.”

He says there is a tendency to make panic signings, particularly at Premier League level where emergency loans aren’t available outside the window.

“We’ve got until March in which we can take a loan deal to supplement the squad in case we get an injury,” McCarthy continued.

“I think that month, more so for Premier League clubs because they can’t do anything when it’s shut, it does make you go out and panic and feel you’ve got to get something in and the reality is that I don’t know how many of those deals make such a big difference.

“If we can get somebody, of course we will. We’re looking but we haven’t got any plates spinning that are going to fall on my head immediately.”

He says that in any case there are positive aspects to having a smaller squad: “There is nothing worse than sulky-faced players who aren’t playing, nothing worse at all. And those that do that only let their team-mates down anyway.

“There is an advantage to having the guts of the squad involved every week. There are 18 in the squad, there might only be a couple sat in the stand. At least if gives them a chance of being involved.

“If you’ve got four or five disenchanted and they’re staying here and having to train with the U21 squad, that’s not great.”

In terms of possible exits, McCarthy said: “They’re all under contract, long-term contracts, all of them. I cannot stop bids at all. I can’t stop interest. I’m delighted there’s interest.

“Funnily enough two years ago sat here nobody cared about any of us, they didn’t even know where Ipswich was or what they were doing, ‘They’re struggling, it’s in Holland somewhere, isn’t it?’.

“Now, of course, we’ve got all this interest and I’m supposed to get upset and worried about it. Not in the slightest.”

He reiterated that owner Marcus Evans illustrated his willingness to turn down bids in the summer.

“I’m sure Marcus is enjoying it more this year than he was last year and the year before because I certainly am, we all are. Everybody is," he continued.

“I said on Friday, that’s the support that I want when somebody comes knocking. And I said if somebody comes in and upsets them with a bid then it’s up to me to deal with it and upset them for a second time and tell them ‘no’.”

Photo: Action Images

Moscow_Blue added 07:35 - Dec 30 "You tell me how many really good bits of business people do" - Marcus Stewart.
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KiwiTractor added 07:49 - Dec 30 it's in Holland somewhere, isn't it? Hahahahaha
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KiwiTractor added 07:53 - Dec 30 Moscow Blue, Stewart was a GREAT January signing. But the fact that you came up with 1 name from the last ~14 years, backs up MM's point.....
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Suffolk_n_Good added 08:15 - Dec 30 When reading the article my mind turned to Marcus Stewart Moscow_blue, he was a great signing at the right time, for me MM has a fair point, he would struggle to get better than we have without spending a hefty fee, but like most Town fans my biggest concern is injuries to Murphy & McGoldrick, we really have no plan B, Sammon isn't the answer, think a 3rd QUALITY striker is needed, but then if Murphy & McGoldrick remain fit & in form, I think we have one of the best pairings in the league, difficult decision, stick or twist?!?

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jas0999 added 08:18 - Dec 30 We will be fine as long as injuries don't bite and the front two perform well week in week out. This of course is unlikely and our downfall could be injuries and a lack of options up front. With players leaving recently our squad is even smaller. If we want promotion we need additions even if for back up. For me we desperately need a striker as back up to Murphy and McGoldrick ... Bajner and Sammon won't score many, if any! We still lack a goal scoring central midfielder, someone who pops up with a goal when the strikers are having an off day, and experienced defensive cover.

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svupper added 08:43 - Dec 30 A talented striker would be nice. McGoldrick and Murphy have consistently been injury free for most of the season, but if this changes, who do we have to step up? A talented, young striker on loan from the premiership with an option to buy if promoted would fit.
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RedDust added 08:43 - Dec 30 DARREN BENT
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groovyASH added 08:54 - Dec 30 Marcus Stewart was signed in the days before January transfer windows, when you could by anybody at any time. If memory recalls Stewart signed for us in February/ March
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joepublic added 09:28 - Dec 30 Instead of just saying "no comment" to the usual question of "Are you going to sign someone in January" MM takes the opportunity to praise his existing squad. A good Manager and keeping his transfer business quiet as before. COYB
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Fixed_It added 09:39 - Dec 30 MM explains his reasons for not signing anyone, and yet still people think they know better. The loan system is set up to help us in 'an emergency'. Until then - we are ticking along nicely without any need to upset the apple cart.
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brittaniaman added 09:55 - Dec 30 Red Dust I believe D.Bents wages were far more than we were willing to pay !!!!!
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oscarwhiting added 10:14 - Dec 30 on the topic of needing a back up striker, patrick bamford (at middlesborough) comes to mind, his loan spell ends in january and im sure he will be available for loan again. young passy and knows were the net is. just a thought.
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tractorboybig added 10:24 - Dec 30 If its fixed dont mend it. I think any new additions will beto replace any unwanted outgoings.
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Carlosfan added 10:29 - Dec 30 I am pretty sure I heard that Bamford is likely to renew his loan at 'Boro- am I right in saying that Karanka worked with Mourinho at Real? He would be an amazing loan to get but it seems unlikely.
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Razor added 10:34 - Dec 30 This must be a clever smokescreen by MM------surely he knows and can see we need at least one new back up striker to get to the end of the season, look what happenned last year!! If nobody leaves that should be the absolute minimum to see us through, a no brainer.
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Palestine added 10:59 - Dec 30 OUr first 2 strikers are quality, but the cover for them is v weak. Sammon is not a threat at this level. To rely on our 2 not getting injured would appear to be a 'Arsene Wenger approach', which has proved costly to him for the last few seasons. Get a decent back up striker, keep the strikers on their toes (and maybe let Sammon go). I wonder if MM has an ace up his sleeve and this is his poker face....or not!

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pazelle added 11:18 - Dec 30 Absolutely don't sell anyone! And see if you can nab Bent on loan, we can afford him if we outlay the fee against the money we'll make in the summer either from a big player sale (Mings) or promotion! But absolutely don't sell anyone!
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:18 - Dec 30 if we dont lose anyone from our first team ,and just those surplus ie, Nuble, i would not be bothered if we dont sign anyone .
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Luka added 11:24 - Dec 30 1 - We should all know by now that Mick will keep all cards close to his chest 2 - Our window effectively shuts in March, so we've no rush
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blueherts added 11:25 - Dec 30 Doyle from Chesterfield - scoring goals , and Irish -
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Surco72 added 13:13 - Dec 30 All I would say is look what happened when Dids got injured last season , all promotion teams need options for injuries or lack of form , we certainly do not have back up at present . I would also say their have been a number of January success Swansea with Martinez, Saints with Sharps goals a certain Suarez and Sturridge both Jan signings . MM knows his team and knows he has no real goal threat cover , someone will arrive or Hunt would have stayed

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rickw added 14:22 - Dec 30 I agree with most others - another striker please! I'd send Sammon back to Derby, when he came on vs Boro he looked to be putting in less effort than those who'd already been playing for the past 70 mins..... Bent would fit the bill but all depends on what wage deal we could get him on
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MedwayTractor added 15:02 - Dec 30 RedDust: just seen an online Sun report (but who beleives that rag?) suggesting that Darren Bent is about to join Derby on loan. On the other hand, it seems that he missed yesterday's Fulham match with a groin strain, so with a bit of luck Derby won't complete the loan signing until he's over that, therefore might miss our game on Jan 10th.
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DerryfromBury added 16:46 - Dec 30 Nice to hear a genuine and honest man manager for a change, the result and respect for MM can be seen by the tireless effort and camaraderie shown on the field game after game, regardless of what 11 the manager selects. Though to be honest, this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, we all know WYSIWYG with our Mick, and what a pleasant change from some of the rubbish sprouted by some of his fellow managers around the league's.

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miltonsnephew added 18:08 - Dec 30 Would love to see us sign forgotten man Scott Sinclair from Man City on loan.
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