Town boss Mick McCarthy says Bosman free transfers and loans are again the markets in which the Blues are operating this summer and has no problem that that's the case.

Having paid the largest fee since McCarthy took over at Town in November 2012 to Portsmouth for defender Adam Webster earlier this month, a figure understood to be in the region of £700,000 plus Matt Clarke, Town confirmed the addition of former loanee Paul Digby yesterday on a free transfer from Barnsley.

“That’s not going to change, I can’t see why it would. We’ve done particularly well in that market anyway,” McCarthy said.

And he says he’s happy with that approach: “I like rubbing people’s noses in it, people who have a lot of dosh to spend, to be quite honest with you. It suits me fine.

“If somebody came and said, ‘Here’s £40 million to spend’ I’m not going to say, ‘No, take it away’, but that’s not the case.

“I tell you every year that that’s my remit, that’s my modus operandi, that’s the way I’m working with the club and the squad of players and with [owner] Marcus [Evans]. And we do it well. And let’s hope we do it well again this year, that’s what we’re trying to do.”

He says no further additions are immediately on the cards: “Not at the minute, no. We’re looking at loan players. There might be. I’m speaking to people about other things.”

He added: “Loan signings are probably our best route. If we’re going to get them from the Premier League, what they’re doing is keeping their players because the ones that are at the European Championships will probably be given three weeks off.

“Then the younger ones who are behind those they’ll all be used for pre-season games, tours and then they’ll make their decisions nearer the start of the season. We’ve just got to be in the best place to get them when we can.”

The Town boss, who ruled out the Blues signing anyone who has been playing at the Euros, says even without further additions he's happy enough with some areas of his squad: "I’ve got eight really solid defenders. I’ve got a nucleus of midfield players with Teddy Bishop coming back, Andre Dozzell’s come into the squad to add some real quality and creativity.

“We’ve got Skusey, Dougie, Luke Hyam, Giles Coke’s been injured, Kevin Bru is coming back from international duty.

“Central midfield we’re in good shape, what we’ve lost is players in wide areas. But we’ve got four strikers still, so we’re all right.”

Does the signing of Webster, a ball-playing centre-half, indicate a change of style with the Blues more likely to play the ball out from the back?

“We’ve never not tried to play it out from the back, to be quite honest,” he insisted. “You won’t be seeing our two centre-backs in the right-back and left-back positions and everything going out, but I would love to be able to play more football in the team. And if that’s how it transpires that would be great.”

McCarthy says he quickly gets back into the swing of things after the summer break: “I had a great holiday, enjoyed every minute of it and I’m looking forward to the season now.

“On my way back, I have to be honest, I could have stayed another week. But I get back, start talking to people, the ball comes out again, we start talking about it again and it’s always exciting. I’m looking forward to the new season.”

He says the squad returned on Monday in good shape with players no longer coming back for pre-season training having put on the pounds.

“Anybody that does that is a mug now because they’d be so far behind these lads, that was proven yesterday in the bleep test where there were some incredible results. They’ve looked after themselves and they’re all ready for the new season.”

Photo: Action Images

Dwillams57 added 06:13 - Jun 29 After reading that I am glad I haven't renewed this season. Looks like it will be more of the same which is not what we want to hear
26

battyblue added 06:13 - Jun 29 Well let's see if you can rub them up the road noses in it for a start
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Jimmy86 added 06:21 - Jun 29 I thought the fee paid for Webster might have seen a slight change in approach, that was a sizeable fee in an area we were ok in. We need wingers and a goal scoring CM in my opinion, to challenge
17

Matthew_Crush added 06:31 - Jun 29 When reading this . Who else thought we aren't getting top 6 again then ?
32

Penguinblue added 06:39 - Jun 29 Apart from being nonsense in terms of not trying to play football his comments are actually disingenuous to his employer - talk about getting your excuses in first. Tactically inept, uninspiring and disrespectful to football supporters. McCarthy could never manage at a higher level so he is not good enough for Town. Every other team knows what he is about.
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jas0999 added 06:41 - Jun 29 Oh dear. I was hopeful after signing Webster that our approach may have changed. Not spending millions per player, but a modest fee for a decent one - increasing our market options. This would include the odd free and season long loan as well. Sadly, it looks as though the owner hasn't learnt a thing, as to be competitive you need more than just frees and loans. We simply won't be top six without some investment in the squad. Coke, Toure et al were cheap options last season and they didn't work out.

25

NSL added 06:42 - Jun 29 Time for Marcus to go now
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Knightsy added 06:44 - Jun 29 Same Old Ipswich taking the p**s Glad I didn't renew my season ticket. Enjoy it to the people that have.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 06:49 - Jun 29 Well I have to be honest my heart sank when I read this, this transfer policy will no doubt condem us to yet another season in the second tier of football, although Webster & Digby have come in, these really don't address the glaring lack of wide players we suffered from last season, again the fans have been given hope of real player investment when the club want to sell season tickets, to then be let down, the thing is we aren't paying fees to get decent players in, but on top of that we're not even able to compete on wages. (Feeney going to Blackburn) sad times.....

25

ChrisFelix added 07:00 - Jun 29 I m forever confident. Need s a fit Bishop & the younger players to emerge. However with Skues & Douglas as regulars I have my doubts
7

TractorCam added 07:08 - Jun 29 What disappointing news to wake up too
18

neil1968 added 07:34 - Jun 29 Have renewed 4 tickets but will all be cancelled today
8

muccletonjoe added 07:36 - Jun 29 We have dozzell bishop mcdonnell bru and skuse . A couple of decent wide men and we are away. Happy days.
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ElderGrizzly added 07:48 - Jun 29 Jas0999 - we know you are never happier than when moaning, but maybe Mick's not telling the truth and revealing his full hand.....
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blue75 added 08:02 - Jun 29 Looking forward to our solid midfield skuse, hyam, Douglas and Coke got goals and creativity written all over it! Deep down we all know would play them together if he wanted to!!!
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ArnieM added 08:03 - Jun 29 not even kicked a ball yet and some of you lot are already whinging. Those that haven't renewed, won't be coming to PR, won't ever watch Town again whilst Micks in charge or Evans is owner - fine that's your choice. But I suspect you will be missing a good season with some of your quality now emerging. We finished 7th with an injury hit squad last season.......Top 6 for us thus season and a win over the scum, .....your loss of you're not there with us all.

3

Mark added 08:03 - Jun 29 Surely the two ways ITFC can make money is to get promoted to the Premier League or to sell players for large transfer fees. Free transfers are usually older players and rarely become worth a fee, and loans are never ours so cannot be sold. Let's invest in some young players who could help us in the league and become worth millions themselves if a Premier League team later wants them.

4

Sir_Bob added 08:06 - Jun 29 “We've never not tried to play it out from the back, to be quite honest,” he insisted. Are you kidding me? We hoof it EVERYTIME.
24

jpring89 added 08:12 - Jun 29 We should be used to it by now. Excited about bishop returning and seeing dozzel a lot more. We can still get a decent winger on loan. We have half a chance if we keep players fit this season
1

iaintaylorx added 08:14 - Jun 29 Might be wrong, but I thought Milne said there is money to be spent... £700'000 is that all we get? Absolute joke!!
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jas0999 added 08:21 - Jun 29 Marcus Evans Reborn - I have said to you on several occasions, that I am entitled to my opinion as you are yours. We don't agree. End of story really. Suggest you don't read my posts. I'm afraid I personally don't think relying on loans or frees is a good thing - nor do I think we will achieve promotion on that strategy.You call it a 'moan' - fair enough; but it doesn't seem I'm the only one concerned. My opinion is we are not good enough, both in terms of squad depth, quality and style of play. I respect your opinion. Please respect others.

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cats_whiskers added 08:35 - Jun 29 Don't pin your hopes too much on Adam Webster The last player we bought that was crocked on signing was Elliott Hewitt Look where he is now, playing for Notts County and at the same league level.
2

Tufty added 08:38 - Jun 29 Winge winge winge The start of the season should be the time for optimism But we have to be realistic money is tight at Ipswich town and to all those who brag about not having renewed good riddance just a pity they don't resign from commenting on here at the same time. Good luck to mick terry and all the players I for one will be making the 360 mile round trip to support the team

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BlueMachines added 08:42 - Jun 29 I'm so inspired!!
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BrettenhamBlue added 08:51 - Jun 29 ArnieM: love your positivism which you always seem to have, but personally I don't feel inspired by this news. Iaintaylorx; correct me if I am wrong, but I think the "money to spend" related to the fact that if we sold a player for a significant amount (as we usually do), then we might get a small percentage of that money for transfer deals. Youth, loans and freebies is the way forward, but I did hope we would spend some money on a creative midfielder or winger. One key injury and we are in trouble YET AGAIN.

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