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Great Pro Tabb an Option at Left-Back
Saturday, 25th Jul 2015 06:00

Town boss Mick McCarthy says Jay Tabb has done well at left-back in recent friendlies and views him as an option for the role if required. Tabb and the rest of the first team squad play their fourth pre-season game at Peterborough United this afternoon (KO 3pm).

The 31-year-old, more usually a left-sided or central midfielder, has filled in at left-back in the last two friendlies with Jonny Parr - Town's only recognised senior left-back since Tyrone Mings was sold to AFC Bournemouth for an initial £8 million - missing due to a minor thigh problem.

McCarthy says he knows Tabb will never let him down wherever he plays him: “I know full well what Tabby will give me, he’s just a great pro. He’s done all right, he did fine at left-back. It’s an option.”

Tabb, whose stay at Town was extended to the end of 2015/16 when an option for an additional year was activated on his contract in May, seems unlikely to start at left-back at London Road with Parr having returned to training earlier in the week and set to be involved.

Midfielder Darren Ambrose, who is training with the Blues as he looks to win another contract, is also fit after a minor knock and will also make the trip.

Striker Daryl Murphy, who was given extra time off having been on international duty and then eased back into training having suffered injuries in pre-season in previous years, will play his first friendly against League One Posh.

David McGoldrick and Christophe Berra will be involved in their second games having featured at Cambridge on Tuesday. As at the Abbey Stadium, McCarthy plans to give his senior players around 60 minutes each.

McCarthy has said he’s looking to add “two or three” more senior players to his squad, while he views youngsters such as Josh Emmanuel, Josh Yorwerth and Myles Kenlock, who have been involved with the first-team squad in the first three pre-season matches, as players who can play a part during the season if not yet up to being regulars.

“I have 13 fit first-teamers that I know I can hang my hat on and then I’ve got Murph and Jonny Parr coming back,” he said, reflecting on the make up of his team at Cambridge on Tuesday.

“I reckon I’ve got 15 that absolutely know they’re top players in this league. I had to take [the starting line-up] out of them. I’ve got 17 with keepers.”

The Town boss is in no doubt what the main concern is when going into pre-season matches: “Getting fit. I prefer to win but it really is just about being ready for the start of the season.

“I’ve been in enough pre-seasons where you win all the games, everybody thinks you’re great and then you lose the first game.

“You lose them all and everybody thinks you should be sacked before the season starts, and then you have a great run at the start of the season.

“They are just a pain in the backside, pre-season games. They are a means to an end, get fit and let’s get cracking on with the season.”

Peterborough boss Dave Robertson says facing the Blues will be a useful workout for his side: “Ipswich will provide a really good test for us. They are a strong Championship side and are ideal opponents at this time in pre-season.

“We have done well in pre-season so far both performance-wise and results-wise and we want that to continue.”

Midfielder Jack Collison, who was with the Blues for a short spell last season without breaking into the first team, is expected to play some part having joined Posh earlier in the summer.

After today’s match the Blues travel to Colchester on Tuesday (KO 7.45pm) before Dutch Eredivisie side Utrecht are at Portman Road next Saturday (KO 3pm) with the season proper kicking off at Brentford on Saturday 8th August (KO 3pm).


Photo: Action Images



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Flewitt85 added 06:27 - Jul 25
nnnnnooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1

dannym09 added 06:30 - Jul 25
Don't panic guys this wont happen !. Mick Mccarthy stated tabby has done 'alright' . From what we know of Mick if he was that impressed with tabb in that position he would come out and say it . We all know we are desperate for a couple of full backs and I'm sure Mick and Terry are too. We do need them sooner rather than later however as they need to bed into the team . Looking forward to this season as I'm sure everyone else is !!!
6

rendoblue added 06:43 - Jul 25
Please no, Surely the position is Parr's. If tab has to fill in let's hope the opposition don't have any wingers that can even move a little. Failing that it is not as if Berra hasn't had to cover a mistake by a town left back At some point each game. We'll be fine but I just hope that defencive signings are made and our squad will be looking the best it has for ages.
1

BrettenhamBlue added 06:47 - Jul 25
Think Tabb has done ok at left back so far and it certainly sounds like MM is considering him for the position. Don't forget Skuse can play at right-back too so we may find that MM feels he has cover in both positions.

Here Henshall is also able to play in a wing-back role so might be another option.

Of course; I hope we do sign another left-back and a right-back, but I think we are all getting a clearer idea of what the actual situation is.
1

muccletonjoe added 07:11 - Jul 25
Dear oh dear
2

parhamblue added 07:15 - Jul 25
Striker? Whether we love him or loathe him, it seems MM will always find a place for Tabb in his team. As predicted, LB is a firm option, and it's far from out of the question that for several games this season Tabb will play there and Parr will play at RB. Selling Mings or any others of our valuable "assets" is not for ITFC because as we have seen before, they have trouble spending the money on replacements. Keeping them and topping up with cheap signings, and eventually, the occasional six-figure one, is definitely the way forward for us.
3

flyingdutchman added 07:15 - Jul 25
Here we go again will make do. Money available yeah
2

rendoblue added 07:22 - Jul 25
Would be interested to see what Hyam could do at right back when fit, not good enough to play in midfield when others are fit but I think he could be solid at rb.
2

jas0999 added 07:26 - Jul 25
I don't rate Tabb and was disappointed when he was offered a new deal. Accept many like him, and football is about opinions. I personally think he offers very little.

However, like him or not, one thing Tabb isn't is a defender. I still have thoughts of the Norwich player going passed him as if he wasn't on the pitch for the third goal in the play offs. With £8M received from Mings, comments from Milne and MM that money will be re-invested (not necessarily all of it), it's not unreasonable to expect the club to sign a couple of new defenders in time for Brentford. Sorry, but if Tabb starts it really does demonstrate our lack of ambition in the transfer market. He is NOT a left back.
4

Mark added 07:33 - Jul 25
Well, an emergency option maybe but if we are serious about promotion we can't afford to drop points because of players in makeshift positions due to lack of proper cover. We just sold a left-back for £8M so surely someone new will come into the defence?!
2

homer_123 added 07:36 - Jul 25
Great management by MM, again, beautiful over reaction from our rapid news posters, again.
10

dude added 07:38 - Jul 25
Did I read a different article from all those above? I Think he's just saying tabb is an option, not his first choice and because tabb knows this and gives his all anyway, how much of a pro he is. why does this chap your bottoms so much?
12

prebbs007 added 07:56 - Jul 25
If we go into the season with Chambers & Tabb as our full backs we have absolutely no chance of success. Chambers is a central defender and Tabb is useless !!! Queue all the minus marks but you all know we need two full backs and fast !! Parr won't play every game due to his injury record and if MM really thinks Tabb can cover he is in a dream world. He is not good enough in midfield let alone at full back. Square pegs in square holes please Mick. Didzy can be our attacking midfielder behind Murphy & Pitman. I think Sears will be back up. But we are most definitely weaker defensively compared to last season and with chambers & tabb at full backs we are very vulnerable.
2

runaround added 08:08 - Jul 25
I now expect us to sign a left back in the next week. It's a typical Mick comment where he says one thing in public whilst other things are happening behind the scenes. Also he only says Tabby is an option at left back, not that he is number one choice!
I would be concerned if Mick did see him as number one but he sees more of the players than we do I guess
5

Marshalls_Mullet added 08:16 - Jul 25
I feel sorry for some posters on here, such over reaction, I fear they'll never be able to handle a job with any pressure.

Mick clearly sees Parr as first choice LB, and is looking at Tabb as a back up option.

Seriously, what's the problem with that?

Also he hasn't ruled out signing anyone else.

2

Pip50 added 08:16 - Jul 25
Can someone tell me how Boro can bid £12m for a player and why this Tabb news is about as exciting as it is getting at Ipswich!!

Fair play rules Kaput !
3

Popeye added 08:28 - Jul 25
WTF! What next, Tabby playing in goal?
4

Michael11 added 08:40 - Jul 25
This won't happen. Mick's just letting Jonny Parr know that he's not the only option. I still fully expect a defender to join soon which is probably why the Matt Clarke deal is taking so long to go through. I hope Murph gets a good runout today as there's only two weeks left and he hasn't had any minutes in his legs at all.
3

Cakeman added 08:45 - Jul 25
I think it is Mick just trying to be cautious in case he cannot add to his numbers before the season starts.
It would be an unusual one if Tabb did start at Left Back.
One of the smallest players we have replacing the tallest player we had last season.

My view on Tabb is that hopefully he will not end up playing at left back. That really would mean we have no ambition. He is no more than a useful squad player but not really a specialist in any position.
3

chenners17 added 09:22 - Jul 25
Luke garbutt has joined FULHAM! He would have been the perfect replacement this season! Come on MM prove us wrong
0

StirlingArcher added 09:23 - Jul 25
I think Mick was mis-quoted, "Tabby was great when he was left back at home, and we all went out to play"
3

jas0999 added 09:24 - Jul 25
Yet again, I fear some people have forgotten that this board is about OPINION. There really isn't any need to start commenting that people couldn't handle a job with any pressure just because fans - who pay their money - don't believe Tabb is a left back option. Not even in an emergency. It's also in my opinion, not unreasonable to expect the club to spend SOME of the £8M received on ensuring we have an experienced back up player for left and right back. Not an unreasonable comment at all. For the past five weeks I have heard from some that Mick will have it in hand. Well, with two weeks to kick off there is still nothing in place. We have had ample time to sort it out.

Please could people respect others opinion. I see nothing wrong in stating we need two new defenders. I also see nothing wrong in people voicing a concern that the season starts in just two weeks. Nor is it unreasonable to expect the club to spend some of the Mings money. In fact Milne stated that we would be competitive in the transfer market. To date IN MY OPINION we haven't been.
7

happybeingblue added 09:28 - Jul 25
good old tabby! dont forget that header v boro
1

bluefeast added 09:35 - Jul 25
Anderson at right back is a good bet ,far more mobile than chambers ,quicker too ,also gets forward ,allows for balance ,we are going into the later stage of pre season with square pegs in round holes ,as it stands anderson is released ,but why
2

IpswichLewis added 09:42 - Jul 25
DOES ANYONE HAVE A BRENTFORD TICKET FOR SALE??? I WILL PAY MORE THAN FACE VALUE!!!!
0


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