Town boss Mick McCarthy says he hasn’t written off centre-half Piotr Malarczyk and has praised the Pole’s professionalism during a first seven months at Portman Road in which he has rarely played.

Malarczyk, 24, was signed from his hometown club Korona Kielce, where he was skipper, in August, when the Blues triggered a release clause of 50,000 zloty (around £8,500) in his contract.

But since then the former Poland U21 international, who was close to winning a senior international call-up in September, has made only three starts - all in the cups - and three Championship sub appearances.

His last game was the FA Cup replay defeat at Portsmouth in which he was sent off having picked up two yellow cards after conceding a penalty (above).

Recently, having been out of action for three weeks due to a kidney stone, he has been out of the senior matchday 18 and playing in the U21s side.

But speaking in the Polish media last week Malarczyk said he wasn’t ready to give up on his time at Town and had two choices, either to “complain that the manager’s not giving me enough chances or train very hard and show him that I am always ready to play. I am choosing the latter”.

McCarthy praised the centre-half’s attitude: “He’s a wonderful example as a pro. He went down to Cardiff with the U21s [a week ago on Monday], played in the game beforehand and played very well in it.

“He’s trained with the U21s if he’s had to and he’s trained with the first team today. He’s been terrific, he’s been a really good pro.

“Coming in and whinging at me wouldn’t make any difference anyway, so they might as well do the second one. But he has done, he’s been great, I’ve nothing but respect for Peter.”

He added: “I don’t write any of them off, certainly not with eight games to play. If you analyse the position he plays, we’ve had three players that have played right-back, centre-back and centre-back since Christophe Berra came in three years ago and have played almost every game.

“They’ve been remarkable in terms of consistency and resilience and playing. The only additions we’ve had to those have been the two goalkeepers that have played and three left-backs, Cressy, Tyrone and Jonas.

“There have been all-comers come in. Jonny Parr he’s been here, couldn’t get in the team.

“Those lads [have been consistent and resilient] - and it’s been just as well they’ve have because really we’ve only had five or six defenders - and Peter’s another one that just can’t get in the team, he’s not as good as the two lads who are in there.”

Photo: Action Images

Lathers added 20:15 - Mar 23 Makes you wonder how much due diligence goes in to some of our signings. Did MM even really know this lad before signing him or was he told by a scout that he was captain of a Polish premier league team and he'd only cost £5k? Also MM admitted that it was TC who did the scouting on Knudsen. If he can't get in our very average back 4 then just let the poor guy go home and play some football again.

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TimmyH added 20:17 - Mar 23 McCarthys a joke wen it comes to Parr - 'couldn't get in the team' hahhahahahaha!! Agree with a few others regarding Malarczyk has he been glven a chance? the answer no and he never will be as he's a right back the same as our captain who plays in that spot (and yes we know shouldn't).
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dukey44 added 20:52 - Mar 23 It makes me laugh that the man that needs to see what the fans see seems to watch the wrong team every week? How many of our back 4 would get in any of the other top teams weekly teams? Ok chambers does a good fist punch.... And what else? Mm please do watch how Ipswich Play every wk or do u have neck ache watching the ball too much?
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Garv added 21:21 - Mar 23 Alfromcol - did he? Rooney shrugged past him on the way to scoring the first goal.
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alfromcol added 21:26 - Mar 23 Gary Still thought he did better than average against top opposition. Our regular back 4 do not a lot against mediocre opposition.
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blueboy1981 added 21:47 - Mar 23 There was only one problem with Jonny Parr - his face didn't fit with McCarthy. One of the few quality players we had on the books - shameful to see what he was up against - never had a fair chance here under McCarthy, and never would. Personally, I am fed up with the garbage McCarthy spouts, rarely makes sense to anyone other than his entourage of 'yes' men, which progressively includes certain long serving staff whom I never thought would succumb to such....... !! Things won't change under the current Ownership and Management - we have, what we are now known for within the game - HOOFBALL. Much else with square pegs in round holes, just isn't to be expected, or anticipated.

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Steelmonkey added 22:03 - Mar 23 "Malarczyk contract cancelled by mutual consent" Guess this will be the next we hear about him. Never going to get a chance to play unless there is a serious injury to one of MM favourites. Piotr, tell him you can play at left wing, he will slot you squarely into that round hole, and you will be there for the last eight games. You wont need to be brilliant in that position because none of the other square pegs are either. What's happened to all those promising youngsters that we sign, any strengths of natural talent gets coached out of them, they then don't enjoy doing what they are forced to do ie "Mick's way" and rot their most vital years away. If that sounds depressing its because i'm totally fed up with the sh1t i have to watch at PR these days.

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essex57 added 22:31 - Mar 23 Dream on on the hoof lose some win some the fans would accept that don't think so still we can wait and see.
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SpiritOfJohn added 22:33 - Mar 23 There are reasons why the incumbent back 4 are Mick's favourites. They may not be the most gifted footballers but they would tun through a brick waĺl for MM and play through any injury niggles. Parr may have been more talented but when he got chances to hold down a place he invariably got injured within a few games.
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essex57 added 22:38 - Mar 23 Correct spirit of John As was Jonny Williams both sick notes.
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Michael11 added 23:08 - Mar 23 Our back 4 could just sit by the corner flag drinking tea and eating biscuits for the whole 46 games and McCarthy would say they're terrific. I actually think that's the main reason that we've conceded more goals this season as they know no matter how poor they play, they're always going to be picked so why bother.
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Elto added 23:10 - Mar 23 Blueboy You accuse MM of not making sense in a post that, generally, makes little sense. Keep 'em coming. You always make me smile.
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Len_Brennan added 07:09 - Mar 24 Agree with alfromcol; he looked decent against Man U, although fair point on getting shrugged off too easily by Rooney. The Portsmouth game was a disaster,but the team picked was a joke with the defence just thrown together. The biggest problem Malarczyk has, in my opinion, is that he looks like a footballing centre half & that is not what Mick wants there. The £8k value of his fee is a bit of a red herring as it was just a nominal value he had written into a new contract he negotiated with a view to moving to England or Germany.

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H1960 added 07:55 - Mar 24 Blueboy1981 my thoughts exactly
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planetblue_2011 added 08:26 - Mar 24 Yes he's a strange signing really he's never gonna get in the team while Smith & Berra are there, only if one of them gets injured. He must be half decent or Mick wouldn't of signed him. Hope we can see more of him he could be a good asset to the team given a chance!!
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blackcat added 09:34 - Mar 24 He is totally rubbish, how he git any chance is beyond me, He has some front even thinking of complaining! He cost us goals in both Portsmouth games, he was the weak link I'd like to say Goodbye now
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Seasider added 12:01 - Mar 24 Seems like blackcat has written Piotr off quicker than manager McCarthy. From reading above it is obvious that McCarthy will never change,he has his favourites like the back four and Skuse and regardless of how badly they play will always include them if fit. Very sad how McCarthy has stamped his boring ethos on this once great club.
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