McCarthy: Alabi a Different Option
Tuesday, 25th Aug 2015 06:00

Town boss Mick McCarthy says new signing James Alabi is primarily one for the future but also provides a different option to his four senior strikers.

The 20-year-old former Stoke and Celtic frontman signed a one-year deal with an option for a further season yesterday after a successful trial in which he scored two goals in two games for the Blues’ U21s.

The Londoner travelled with the first-team squad to tonight’s Capital One Cup second round tie at Doncaster Rovers and looks set to be on the bench.

“He’s a big, powerful lad, very quick,” McCarthy said. “There’s lots of improvement in him and he wants to improve, he wants to listen, he wants to learn, that’s been evident since he walked in the door.

“Everything we’ve said to him, tried to advise him about, tried to coach him he’s worked at it, even in those two weeks.

“And he’s certainly made the U21s team better, up at Leeds where they won and we won here the other day against Coventry.

“He just gives us a real focal point and a bit of power, a bit of strength, a bit of pace up front and he’s travelling with us. He’ll be in the squad for Tuesday.”

He says he’s one for the future who will also give him an additional option to his four main frontmen: “I think so, I don’t see why not. He’s different to the others.

“There’s no doubt he’ll improve because he’ll work on Friday mornings with TC when he does his finishing sessions, every one of them has improved.

“That’ll help him as well and working and seeing the quality that he’s got in front of him can only help him.”

Also putting pen to paper yesterday was Academy left-back Myles Kenlock, 18, who has agreed a two-year pro deal with an option for a further season.

“Myles was progressing nicely,” McCarthy said. “I took him away on pre-season along with Josh Emmanuel.

“We saw Josh play in the first game against Brentford and Myles played against Stevenage and was excellent. They’re two good prospects at full-back and they’ll both be playing at Doncaster.”

He says the youngsters who have come into the team so far this season have benefited from their involvement in the senior side: “They’ve all played well. I think Josh Yorwerth, he had a tough time with the Stevenage goal, then he scored and I thought he was excellent in the second half.

“Both full-backs have been good. They’ve thrived on it and anybody who is playing at Doncaster is relishing the prospect.”

Fielding virtually entirely different teams in the Capital One Cup - McCarthy made 10 changes for the Stevenage match - has meant fringe players are closer to full match sharpness when they have been required for Championship action.

“We played well in that game and what that means is that now we’ve had the very sad withdrawal of Bartosz to go home because of his father, Gerks, who played in the Stevenage game, was up to speed and could come in and play. That’s vital in case you do get injuries or suspensions.”

McCarthy is pleased to see players progressing from the Academy with increasing regularity.

“I’m delighted for [Academy director Bryan Klug] that the youngsters are starting to come through and the Academy starts getting recognition," he said.

“Whenever you haven’t got any young players in the team or any of the Academy players, everybody is questioning it - why are trying for Category One? Why are we spending so much money? Why have we got this, why have got that, why have we got the other?

“Everything comes into question, a bit like at first-team level if we’re not getting results. For them the proof of the pudding is now that we’re starting to see the good young players coming through.

“And I wouldn’t for get Matt Clarke, who is at Portsmouth playing very well. Bish, who isn’t getting a mention because he’s injured, and these two young full-backs. I think it’s great, I’m loving seeing the youngsters play.”

Although they're are good prospects, McCarthy says the youngsters aren't ready to take over from the senior players en masse week-in, week-out.

“If I’m going to be honest we couldn’t play Josh Emmanuel, Josh Yorwerth, Myles Kenlock and Matt Clarke all season.

“But if I’ve got Chambo and Tommy and Bez and have to play Myles in one game or Josh in one game, they have to come in, then they’ve no problem.

“They’re not going to play the next 44 games and be a roaring success. But that won’t happen, when we need them they’ll be able to come in and play and play as well as they have done.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

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