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McCarthy: Youngsters Can Emulate Bish
Friday, 22nd May 2015 12:44

Town boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues have plenty of young players capable of emulating the breakthrough made by Teddy Bishop this season during 2015/16. While McCarthy will be looking to make additions to his squad over the summer, he believes there are a number of youngsters who are making progress.

Bishop broke into the first-team at the start of the campaign, making his debut as a sub in the Capital One Cup in August, and quickly became a regular. The 18-year-old has now made 25 starts and 11 sub appearances and won a call into the England U19 squad before pulling out due to injury.

Defender or midfielder Matt Clarke, 18, also made his senior debut when he started at Crawley and went on to make his first four league appearances from the bench.

“We’ve got some good young players here, the likes of Kundai Benyu and Adam McDonnell, who we signed from Shelbourne,” McCarthy said in an interview with Ipswich Player.

“Obviously Teddy has broken through in the middle of the park and done superbly well and there’s a few others that are progressing well, too.”

Benyu, 17, emerged from the academy during the first year of his scholarship and was on the first-team bench on a couple of occasions.

McDonnell joined the Blues from the Dublin club on the final day of last summer’s transfer window, signing a two-year deal, but Town were unable to receive FIFA clearance for him to play competitive football due to red tape relating to his education programme.

The Irish U19 international, who was joined at Portman Road in January by another former Shelbourne player, 20-year-old winger Dylan Connolly, turned 18 earlier in the month and won’t have the same issues during the season ahead.

McCarthy has said that midfielder McDonnell would have been on the bench at Millwall early in the year had he been available.

The Town boss believes some of his other summer of 2015 signings ought to have made more of an impression.

“Players like Alex Henshall and Cameron Stewart should have been pushing the likes of Tabby, Ando and Hunty more last season,” he added.

“They should have been in my squad more regularly but, let me tell you, Alex in particular has shown a great attitude.

“He’s come back from being put in the U21 squad and training with them and done very well, I’ve been pleased with him.

“I’ve spoken with Alex and he’s of the mindset to come back, hit the ground running and have a good go at it again next season.

“Perhaps he could see that, as a young man, this opportunity was ebbing away and he wants to take it. He should be in my squad, and Cameron is the same.

“The opportunity is there for them and it’s down to the players. They get all the help, information and assistance from the coaching staff, it’s up to them to take it.”

Henshall, 21, has another year left on the deal he signed following his release by Manchester City last summer, while Stewart, 24, who was released by Hull City a year ago, signed a three-year contract after his switch to Leeds broke down.


Photo: Action Images



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TimmyH added 13:14 - May 22
...so the club again doesn't have to fork out any money on transfer fee's.
-20

BlueSwede added 13:23 - May 22
... or maybe we will have a really strong squad next year with the youngsters coming up and a number of new signings adding that extra quality.
Don't see no reason why - or quotes to suggest that - it has to be one or the other.
13

bluefeast added 13:42 - May 22
I think with 4 additions of championship quality we will have a top 6 finish again ,the difference between us and other sides that finished top 6 was the balance they all had within their sides. We didn't ,which is one of the reasons we spent more time without the ball than a number of others. We have chance to put that right over june and july ,and we must ,absolutely must correct those failings. Its time for a specialist rightback , balanced centre halves ,2 wide players who offer goals and assists. Tabb has no place in the 1st 11 ,if he is in their then something is very wrong
10

RobbieBobson added 14:37 - May 22
I have a lot of respect for MM and trust in his beliefs. It seems to me that above all he values a work ethic, that each player must give their all, every game, not just cruising along hoping their ability will carry them through.

The downside of this approach is that genuinely talented individuals will find themselves sidelined if they don't put in the effort.... which could mean we find it hard to attract and retain quality players (Think Matt le Tissier or Dimitar Berbatov, gifted strikers who were not known for tracking back and helping out the midfielders/defence). As we have kept the likes of McDonnell, Benyu, Connelly, Henshall and Stewart, but not really played them, suggests that they have the talent but perhaps not realised the level of graft they need to put in to get into Mick's team. I would rather us unearth and nurture the gems rather than spend over the odds on a former premiership player that was past their best

If these boys prove to have the talent and can match it with the graft MM demands then perhaps we don't have to spend big to get that extra quality we need to push on and get automatic promotion.

With McG and Hyam to come back, I am already excited at the prospect of getting revenge on Naaarich next year when they lose to 'Boro in the Playoff final on Monday!!
14

cats_whiskers added 15:12 - May 22
Ben Pringle of Rotherham is now a free agent.
a energetic midfield player who has a good left peg and likes to get forward.
He would improve the static midfield we have at present
5

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:19 - May 22
It's great when promising young players step up to the first team, and if we really have a couple more Bishops in the pipeline, then that will certainly be an asset. But we really do need a couple (at least) of proven talented additions who are ready to step straight into, for example, the right back and midfield positions.They would also help the talented youngsters to develop further. But I guess Mick knows this already, and hopefully he has some ideas up his sleeve. PS: Anyone else skiving off work on Monday to see the Destruction of the Budgies?
2

mattfrost216 added 15:26 - May 22
Have to say it, but I think a league cup run would be great for some of the youngsters - get them first team experience, so I hope we can make it past the first round this year.

On a side note, Matt Clarke went to my school, lives in my village, so I really hope he makes it. Promising young talent, would love to see him start a few games this season
4

Jimmys_Law added 15:41 - May 22
@cats_whiskers, I've thought exactly the same thing about maybe getting Ben Pringle in. Always seemed a hard worker and really stood out whenever I've seen him. Also think that Rodolph Austin might be a solid player to bolster our midfield a bit. An experienced, "proper" right-back is a must I think, like Chris Gunter from Reading possibly.
1

Jesney_Havoc added 15:49 - May 22
Does Elliott Hewitt agree with this ? This time last year he was the hot topic too
3

marco007 added 15:53 - May 22
What really bugs me is the disparity between the way that our youngsters play, compared with our first team. Having been brought up to pass and move I often wonder what goes through Bish's mind when he sees the ball constantly fly over his head. I just think that both Bish and Bru are wasted in our current team.
I know that we are not a Barcelona,a Bayern or even a Southampton but at theses clubs there is a consistent footballing philosophy revolving around technical skills, passing on the ground and movement.
Our clubs just looks so disjointed!
12

NSL added 16:00 - May 22
The problem we have is the overall standard of non-first team football, played at the training ground at mid-day during the week in front of no-one. Its not even properly reported on. How can they get themselves revved up for that and improve?! These guys don't even get the experience of playing in a proper stadium since the reserve league was abolished. Something needs to be done.
4

Lightningboy added 16:11 - May 22
This statement by Mick makes the decision to release Hewitt even more baffling?..he looked like a great little prospect to me and surely would've been an inexpensive back up for the right back slot?
9

brassy added 16:15 - May 22
phil, did the young lad from Cardiff sign.
0

jas0999 added 17:22 - May 22
I sincerely hope this doesn't mean we won't be replacing those that have left. Evans has to spend this summer in order for us to push on. Attendances were up this season.
3

bluefeast added 17:39 - May 22
Hewitt looked very good to me ,but Mick did not rate him for some reason , so much is about trust ,his first 11 he trusts in full to carry out instruction ,Hewitt perhaps could not be trusted. We i hope have cleared the decks to the tune of about 40 grand per week. Thats 4 good championship players isn't it ,so lets balance up the team and work out how to play balanced football again. Create chances for our forwards as opposed to our forwards having to create their own chances. If we can get Murph , Sears and Mcgoldrick on 15 each. Central Mid on 5 each ,wide players on 7 each central defenders on 4 each ,fightback with 3 left back with 3 our total will be 83 goals. If we keep 15 clean sheets i.e. one in 3 games we will be top 2. So come on lads spread the love /spread the goals.
6

blue_movies added 17:50 - May 22
perhaps we can get conor sammon on a free
-5

BlueBadger added 17:56 - May 22
A competitive squad? Players all pulling together and an excellent team spirit? Promising youngsters coming through?

It's been said before and I'll say it again: thank you Mick McCarthy for giving us back our club.
12

TimmyH added 19:55 - May 22
Don't get me wrong I'm all for our own youngsters coming through but they don't go from the reserves to being a star within a season, Bishop has had a good season but too much has rested on his shoulders to be the 'main' play maker of our midfield, hopefully next season he'll push on - I should think very few on here would have thought he'd play as many games as what he has done. So in turn the comment I made (top of page) about youngsters coming through like Bishop has done no doubt in my mind would please Mr Evans both on and off the field.
This said I still believe we need experienced quality alongside him and out wide if we are to progress from this season - whether MM and ME see the same thing is another matter.
7

mow_the_lawn added 20:06 - May 22
Summer 2014 signings.
0

blue_movies added 20:15 - May 22
youngsters wouldn't learn anything about football playing in a MM team

0

warktheline added 21:01 - May 22
Would be good if these wide men made the grade next season....if not, we really need to move on and find better.
5

Walk_the_Wark added 21:59 - May 22
What's scary is that now we've made the playoffs even more fans seem content with the non-football this manager delivers. Anyone with skill and flair is managed out of the club. More dour, 'honest hard work' rubbish to follow next season...
1

algarvefan added 23:53 - May 22
Walk-the-Wark, think about where we have come from in 2 years, it can't be all 'tippy tappy' one touch football if you don't have the money to entice those players in. Mick has done an excellent job with what he's got& spent 2/5ths of feck all. The football will come but right now I'm happy with honest hard work as it so nearly paid off!!!!
2

battyblue added 05:03 - May 23
The whole problem is MM has not given the likes of Stewart,Henshall,Hewitt,etc first team football because of their flair verses work-rate Mick wants direct route one(hoof ball) these lads want to play it the proper way so are not considered until they change their game which is crime for these young prospects who have been brought up on skill and pace,Bish and Bru are being held back as well to fit the MM style of play imagine every team playing this style in the championship other countries would think our football was behind the times .Sincerely hope it changes but i cant see it prob Chambers will still be starting the new season in the right back position i would rather have seen Hewitt in there he is a good young player but obviously doesn't fit Micks style.
6

footyblue added 07:15 - May 23
Battyblue I couldn't agree more I also believe they should have been given the same chance as the others, Cameron Stewart was wanted by a host of other clubs and I thought yes we are getting a good player but to see him as little as we have has been disappointing.
Elliot Hewitt should be our RB without a doubt he is a good player that would have improved greatly had he been kept in the team playing football rather than sitting on the sidelines he played at the start of last season for 5/6 games did nothing wrong and yet hasnt been given a chance since. I do fear for some of the youngsters at the Club 2 examples are Michael Crowe he is good enough that we don't need a 3rd keeper but when Gerkin had an injury all of a sudden he wasnt good enough!!!!
Matt Clarke he is more than capable and I'll throw him in if needed but it cam to it and what happened we loan in Zeki Fryers who in my opinion was awful

MM made a thing about Connely and Benyu but havent seen them on the bench and being given their chance The academty plays good passing football just a shame the first team isn't the same!!!!!
5


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