Fringe Strikers Face Tough Task
Saturday, 10th Jan 2015 06:00

Town boss Mick McCarthy says it’s currently “nigh on impossible” for the likes of new re-signing Noel Hunt to dislodge 17-goal Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick from his side.

Hunt rejoined the Blues on a contract until June on Thursday having left Leeds United a day earlier.

McCarthy says he's happy with Hunt, Conor Sammon, who is unavailable against the Rams today, and summer signing Balint Bajner as his alternative frontmen, but believes they have a tough task getting into his team given Murphy and McGoldrick’s form.

“The two lads who are playing, it’s nigh on impossible for anyone to get in the team at the moment and we want to keep it that way,” he said.

“We want to keep them fit, we want to keep them free from suspension and anything else which might leave them out. What we need is back-up and I’ve got good back-up with the other lads.”

McCarthy is pleased to have Hunt back at the club, the Irishman having briefly returned to Leeds following the completion of his one-month loan after the 3-0 victory over Charlton.

“Hunty needed to go and sort himself out at Leeds,” he added. “I think he was disappointed when I sent him packing, but there was nothing I could do, he had to go and sort out his own situation there.

“He’s done that, he’s had his contract cancelled, he was free to go elsewhere, so I was more than happy to take him.”

The Town boss has also secured Darren Ambrose on a contract to the end of the season and believes the 30-year-old could feature in a variety of roles: “He’s a goal threat from either side. He played on the left for a long time, drifting in on his favoured right foot.

“He played on the left on Sunday and played well against Southampton, and I still have a real fancy for him playing in behind a striker because technically he’s very good.”

Photo: Action Images

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KiwiTractor added 06:16 - Jan 10 Hope Ambrose will kick on from the Southampton game, with some renewed confidence I think he could be great off the bench with 20-25 mins to go and chip in with a few goals.
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Akaroablue added 08:10 - Jan 10 Hi Kiwi Tractor, is the game live in NZ, I can't find any link?
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bluemikey100 added 08:12 - Jan 10 consistency is the key word for the forwards where we struggled before murphy has been amazing
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Langdon_Blue added 08:16 - Jan 10

I know McCarthy must be careful with how he describes the turn of events regarding Hunt, but there's no way in the world we sent him packing and when his contract was terminated at Leeds, we then spoke to him. Hunt must have already known he'd be employed by us once the Leeds contract was scraped and that was a formality for him to organise so he could return. Looking forward to today's match, how good does this feel being in top of the league televised games once again COYB's!

jas0999 added 09:19 - Jan 10 It's rare these days, but for once I disagree with Mick. I see Hunt more as a winger, whilst I am doubtful whether any other championship team would want Bajner or Sammon.
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gorse added 10:43 - Jan 10 Not sure I would go that far jas, but neither of them can touch a 90% McGoldrick or 110% Murphy which is what we have at the mo. And that's what keeps me awake at night. Still, in Mick we trust etc!
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KiwiTractor added 10:48 - Jan 10 Sorry Akaroablue don't think it is on live in NZ........ not since Sommet went bust. We're just going to have to wait until next season when we're in the Prem!
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