Town boss Mick McCarthy believes he has a much stronger squad at his disposal than he did going into the start of last season. The Blues manager has added Danish left-back Jonas Knudsen and on-trial pair Giles Coke and Larsen Touré to his squad in the last few days.

“I had a look at the team photograph from last year the other day and the names on it and thought that it does look considerably better now,” said McCarthy, whose side finished sixth last season.

“While I’ve got 17 players, 19 with the keepers, we’re trying to get 20, maybe 22 if we can, and I can hang my hat on them all, every single one of them is a proper Championship player, so it’s a nice feeling.”

The Town boss believes his team has - aside from the first half against Utrecht - been more comfortable in possession of the ball during pre-season, although says this may in part be due to the less competitive nature of friendlies.

“It’s pre-season and I’m not so sure that all the opposition are closing down and it’s all a bit tentative,” he added.

“But all along my beef with my team, with us, is to be better with the ball, all along, because we’re pretty good without it, we can go and get it back.

“They’re such great lads at working hard and competing, my mantra always is ‘Can we be better with the ball’. And I think we’ve proved that we probably can be.”

He says new left-back Knudsen showed those same qualities when the Blues were checking him out: “We wouldn’t have signed him, he wouldn’t have come in if he hadn’t.

“What the lads had seen on the Wyscout system and what I saw - he follows people in, he tackles, he competes.

“We thought sometimes he’s a bit over-keen to do it, but I prefer that. You can get people to temper it but if they don’t do it you can never get them to do it.”

As for the young Dane’s long throws, McCarthy said: “That’s an added bonus, I think we’ve got a good defender.”

In addition to Knudsen, McCarthy has decided to sign former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Giles Coke, 29, and 31-year-old Guinean international winger or striker Larsen Touré following their trials.

McCarthy says Coke, who featured in the friendlies at Peterborough and Colchester as well as as a sub on Saturday, has settled in at the club very well.

“I knew Cokey anyway but he’s fitted in well and he’s another good person, a good bloke,” the Blues boss added.

“He’s fitted into the dressing room and the lads like him. I’ve been really pleased with him.”

The Westminster-born midfielder played youth football with QPR before moving on to Kingstonian, Mansfield, Northampton and Motherwell before joining the Owls in 2010.

While with Wednesday Coke spent time on loan at Bury, Swindon and towards the end of last season Bolton. He was released in the summer and was on trial with Blackburn prior to joining up with the Blues.

Touré, who featured briefly at Colchester and also came on as a sub against Utrecht, is a former team-mate of Kevin Bru’s with Levski Sofia.

The 31-year-old started his senior career with Lille and had spells on loan with Gueugnon and Grenoble before joining his hometown club Brest on a permanent basis in 2010.

Three years later he moved to Bulgaria and Levski where he spent a year alongside Bru before returning to France and playing with Ligue 2 Arles-Avignon last season with whom he made 21 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring five goals, while also picking up three red cards and six bookings.

The 6ft tall attacker has won six full caps with Guinea. His father, Mady Touré, also played football in France, for Brest and Orléans.

McCarthy says Touré junior is currently some way off peak condition: “He hasn’t done enough with his fitness, but I’m not worried about that. You can get players fit but at 31 you can’t turn them into good players.

“He’s fitted in with us, he’s one of my players - he works hard and he’s got good ability, definitely.”

No fan of friendlies, McCarthy says he and the squad are ready to finally get the campaign proper under way at Brentford next week.

“If I said no I’d be in serious trouble: ‘No, we could do with another two weeks of pre-season!’. No, we’re busting a gut to get going. I don’t want any more pre-season.”

Photo: Action Images

BlueTich added 09:57 - Aug 3 its like eBay, you only get something cheap if no-one else wants it
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BlueTich added 09:57 - Aug 3 its like eBay, you only get something cheap if no-one else wants it
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StowTractorBoy added 10:03 - Aug 3 I would agree that the squad is stronger but the balance at the back is still not right and that is a concern for me. It looks as though Chambo will be right back and whilst I love the bloke and his infectious enthusiasm, opponents target our right flank and we concede goals in that area all too often. Tommy Smith bless him has a mistake in him and is another reason Chambo should be in the centre of our defence with a new right back. This is an issue with many of our fans but MM does not seem to think its a problem in fact he rarely comments on it. To bang the same old drum I believe we also need a new goalkeeper as in my opinion neither is top class. Adequate yes but not top drawer. Time will tell as they say.

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WeWereZombies added 10:17 - Aug 3 And if you can't get a good price on eBay you go to the charity shop and find something better at a tenth of the price, and you get a chance to look it over too.
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BlueNomad added 10:23 - Aug 3 BlueTitch, is your blue Chelsea blue???
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BlueTich added 10:27 - Aug 3 no its ITFC BLUE. PRAGGERS
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Razor added 10:39 - Aug 3 Lets just hope MM now plays the wide players, like he did not Henshall and Stewart. I think the squad is most definitely better---slightly worried about goalies, neither top class. Tabby------get the teas old son, thats a good lad.
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Bluebell added 10:53 - Aug 3 Slightly concerned about Toure's 3 red cards in 21 games but hopefully Mick can calm him down a bit. I've not been able to get to the pre-season games this year but I am really looking forward to Saturday. We have some great new signings and with our amazing players from last season, I can't wait for Saturday. COYBs.
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topguy added 11:00 - Aug 3 The squad as it stands is better, as at the start teddy wasn't a known quanity and neither was mings there were times when if we thought they were ready, so I think Knudsen will be fine, AMN and fraser has already show in preseason what they will bring, going down the line and cutting inside occasionally to make an opportunity. pitman you know what he is 1 in 3 through out his career, But MM has said he would like 1 or 2 more faces who they are is anyones guess, I would like a quality RB vela from Bolton or Byrne from Swindon with pace and skill who is comfortable in that position, im sure we could russle up a bit of cash to get em, not sure about a goalie, but we do have more strings to our bow this year.

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BlueTich added 11:05 - Aug 3 What has MM been doing all summer? Less than a week to go before the season starts, £8m in his pocket, the green light from ME and all he had to do was get in was a right back??
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ipswich134 added 11:34 - Aug 3 I think he had been work hard and training his players. No point buying a 8m player and realise he is useless.
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BlueNomad added 11:55 - Aug 3 Just like Football Manager isn't it Titch!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:20 - Aug 3 I agree with those who point out that players like Bishop and Bruce are better and more established this year than last. You can bet one or two more will come through this year as well. Emmanuel perhaps? People moan about not spending on big names. Look at the 2011 summer: excitement at signing Chopra Bullard Ingimarsson Bowyer JET. A lot of money spent for what?

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maninashed added 12:20 - Aug 3 Did nobody see Emmanuel on Saturday? He did not look out of place and could be the right back answer given a few games. He was better than Chambers with his clearances and was not afraid to run with the ball rather than just clear it. He also seemed to have a good understanding with Maitland-Niles. And, guess what, he cost nothing (ignoring the cost of going through the academy).

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joepublic added 12:30 - Aug 3 Why are so many obsessed that we must spend big to find the right players? That plan has not worked for ME previously and MM seems to have a good track record of unearthing players for cheap or free that suit his philosophy. I am more than happy that the management team keep progressing season on season. If we get one or maybe two more players capable of pushing into the first eleven then that is major progress. It may not be before Brentford as we all would like though. Hold your nerve boys as its going to be a fun season! COYB

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neillrumsey added 12:39 - Aug 3 Squad does appear stronger with a lot more pace and in Maitland Niles real quality as well. Agree we still need a right back of pedigree as Emanuel is still learning his trade albeit he does look like a proper full back with pace and defensive qualities. Chambo has to play centre back imo. We also need another keeper as Gerken clearly not up to it as demonstrated at Col Utd. Hull have got some decent additions from the Gunners. The Dane looks a steal and should provide us with a decent replacement for Mings. Up top we appear strong. McG will be like having a new signing. Just need to keep him fit. Roll on Saturday..

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jas0999 added 12:50 - Aug 3 I appreciate its a matter of opinion, but I don't agree with Mick. Only last week Mick was stating the squad isn't big enough, now after signing a good defender but two very average freebies, he thinks it's better. Not for me I'm afraid: Goalkeeper: no stronger nor weaker than last season. In fact, one fewer keeper with Kenny leaving. No big deal, but I don't think either keeper good enough for promotion challenge. Defence: weaker. Losing Mings is a loss, whilst fringe players have also gone. A good left back signing in return, but little else. We face the real possibility of starting the season without four senior defenders. Appreciate Berra is only out for a game, but don't recall being in a position where we didnt have enough experienced defenders last season. Certainly not for the first game. The club knew Parr is injury prone, they knew Berra would be missing for the past three months, so I'm seriously struggling to understand why it hasn't been addressed. Especially as we apparently have money to spend. Midfield: lots of players leaving, including Jonny Williams. Although I accept he missed a lot of games, we haven't signed that type of player. The signing of Fraser is a good one. Niles is only 17 and clearly decent, but will he be consistent for an entire season? Big ask for a youngster. Coke not rated by anyone at sheffield, in fact most fans delighted he was released. I was expecting better. With Bishop struggling with niggling injuries, we still seem light and certainly have fewer options than last year. Tabb not good enough and remain surprised his services retained. Two good additions though. Strikers: stronger. No doubt. Pitman an excellent addition and we now have four great options. Game changers. Very pleased with strike force. McGoldrick returning a big plus too. Takes pressure off Murphy. So, overall we don't have a bad squad, but I don't see its stronger than this time last year, nor stronger than the squad which finished the season. Defensive reinforcements a must. Whilst still no attack minded, goal scoring central midfielder in a Williams mould. I would prefer a better keeper, but accept Mick doesn't.

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blueherts added 13:45 - Aug 3 Good to be back talking football - although Ashes is always a good distraction ... Opinions - yes - I think , IMO , MM is probably right but as ever lets see where we are after 10 games - Got a tough opener . Like the additions of Fraser , Pittman , Knusden and Niles Coke - cant really comment on - no recollection of him and Toure ? who knows I am pleased to see MM has faith in young Emmanuel and fantastic we have some Academy boys in squad - but feel an experienced RB/CB is needed DIDS is like a new signing and just hope he has injury free run He can be that 'creative player' off the front two IMO Finally , some on here seem to think just cos we have £8m in our pocket we need to go and spend it big on a player or two ? why ? Splashing the cash - at this level is no guarantee - just look at us and few others in recent years Getting the right TYPE of players in is key I think we have a good balanced squad - One more defender and happy Cant wait for Saturday - COYB !

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BackTheBlues added 14:14 - Aug 3 A little comparison for those who don't think we're better off... Keeper - Same as last year, think we all agree we'd like a slightly better one but they're hard to come by - Bart does a job at least in my eyes. Defence - Made some good money, bought someone of equal ability (maybe even better work ethic than that of Mings especially back end) - Parr needs to step up and be the player he was 2 years ago and we'll be alright there. Midfield - we have genuine wingers instead of hunt and ando, of which I did like but no doubt these loanees are of higher calibre (hence the dropping down of 1 and non move of the other). Teddy's a year old, Bru's settled in a season, Coke looks alright. Overall I'd say we've improved. Would like a creative midfielder but that is where the money is - AND THEY AIN'T CHEAP! Strikers - Definitely improved. A full season of Sears, Didz looks sharpish, Murph undoubtably a threat even with just about reaching 20 in my eyes and Pittman - well he's proven so... All in all yes we're 1 or 2 players away from a great team but you I and everyone else knows Mick will make them work tooth and nail for each other the shirt and us! And I predict we'll finish roughly the same if not slightly better than last year! Mick normally wins the league after a play-off loss - just saying! ;)

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BlueTich added 14:49 - Aug 3 Really pleased for all those people who believe that spending nothing and getting frees is the way to win this league. I think you'll all be in the championship forever with that ambition. Nobody gets any extra points for FFP or supporting an owner who is asset stripping their club and giving out endless old flannel. In Mid-table Mick we trust.
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TimmyH added 11:45 - Aug 4 As mentioned by few probably a bit stronger but in some area's GK, RB and attacking midfield there are still question marks and if Maitland-Niles doesn't come up to scratch in the left wing position we are back to the same problems as last season, saying that a pretty good attacking force now. So pluses and minuses for me.
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