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

RYITFC added 17:12 - Jun 29 My real issue with this is we've spent our whole budget on the part of the squad that didn't really need strengthening, if we only have a small budget at least use it on one of the key positions we are short in i.e Right Back or a Wide player.
4

mrmorisato added 18:04 - Jun 29 If there is no ambitious investment in the playing squad this time round then it will be unlikely that we will be serious promotion contenders :( we've spent £700,000 on a youth player that is unproven at this level. Mick needs players that has a little bit of quality about them to increase our chances of making the premier league. I must admit that there wasn't any doubt in renewing my season ticket but now I'm starting to have second thoughts which is very unusual for me. Mick dare not make a dodgy start to the season as fans expectations have risen sharply in the last 12 months.

1

blueboy1981 added 18:18 - Jun 29 ........... and guess what ? - the Club couldn't give a 'flying fcuk' - and neither could MM, he has his contract neatly signed .... !! Again, a reminder: Who are the MUGS ? ....... the Season Ticket holders, because I can't see too many casual supporters wanting to pay thro' the nose again to see more of the same.
2

itsonlyme added 18:47 - Jun 29 New season same sh!! If we play the same style of football this season as last season Mick will be gone inside two months because the fans won't put up with it! Let's hope the owner will be able to get a manager who will be told no money is available
2

stiffy501 added 19:03 - Jun 29 Well it will be see what the first 5 home games are like for me, if its the same old dross being served up that we finished up with last season it will be direct debit cancelled and call it a day for me !! CANNOT STAND ANOTHER SEASON OF THAT RUBBISH FOOTBALL !!!
2

Seasider added 19:11 - Jun 29 I understand that Mick is now the longest serving manager of the longest continual club in the Championship. His remarks certainly will not sway any of the many season ticket holders who have not renewed,making the club extend the renewal date by some three months into July.Having renewed myself,must admit his interview came across as downbeat overall;but this was Mick saying it as he sees it,which certainly isn't through rose tinted glasses. I agree that it will be extremely tough this season to get anywhere near the top(Mick seems to have already ruled out the top 2);bearing in mind he is up against two Champions League Managers in Rafa and Roberto managing the football giants of Newcastle and Villa;he is probably right.Think he could though have been a bit more upbeat,and Chambers at right back!!!!!! Think McCarthy is hoping Ipswich can do a Leicester or Iceland;but feel he must spend some money,as well as Loans and freebies,not forgetting the youngsters like Kenlock,to achieve this goal.

1

pup12 added 20:09 - Jun 29 Unbelievable !!!Same mistakes being made time and time again.So close last season but failed to invest at right time .This time we spend on a ball playing CB and then nothing?!why are we not putting in bids for atm with goals in his locker or wide players we are very much in need of.Lets face those idiots up the road are gonna smash us twice again this season and that is the worst feeling in the world.Ive renewed with my dad again ,our 15 season .So I'm no fly by night supporter.This makes me question our loyalty and spending more money on broken promises or at the least a false impression given.Wheel out Dozzel and tell us there is money to spend then after one player that's it!? What the hell is going on.MM must be having a laugh ?i hope I'm proven very wrong ,I really do!but I'm questioning my own mind as to why I put myself through this! Coyb

3

Warkys_Tash added 22:58 - Jun 29 Pup12, agree with everything you say. Spot on, that's how most of us are feeling. Who is atm? We should be absolutely trying to re-sign Ryan Fraser - he is the signing from the Premier we all want. Loan or otherwise. GO GET HIM MICK, FFS!
1

GiveusaWave added 00:45 - Jun 30 There are a huge amount of comments about the kind of football (i.e hoofball) that we played last season. I am in total agreement, most of the games I saw were tedious beyond belief. Yawning or asleep spectators became a common theme at PR and screaming kids were in abundance (I.e desperately bored kids). I remember during one home game a kid (perhaps 8 years old?) sobbing as the football was so mind numbing. Most of the entertainment came from the opposition. I was damn unlucky last year too. I went to Peterborough away (friendly). Result was 0-0. Then saw Huddersfield. Followed quickly by a long trip to Hull and then Blackburn. Cardiff, Boro, Derby. Birmingham, QPR, Hull (again). Rotherham, Charlton, Brentford. I saw 13 games last season and only saw us score 1 goal (when we got easily beaten 3-1 by Brentford). I was meant to be going to the Old Trafford game but didn't go and kind of glad I didn't (as we got beat 3-0). Also wanted to go and see Pompey but looked at train prices too late and they were horrific. Pleased I didn't go to that either as sounded like they defeated us easily. To put a positive spin to this, I feel most of these poor performances were down to lack of Bishop and McGoldrick. The return of these 2 players playing regularly may well lead to less hoofball and more football. We resorted to hoofing it as we didn't have any other strategy. Foley played really well when he came in but I just have memories of unbelievable goalkeeping by Bart and (to be fair) Gerken. How they kept us in games at times!!! I remember a few Sears runs and a couple of great passes by Douglas but to say it was a bad season from my perspective is an understatement. You know I am usually behind the team and manager but please, please, please play some football this season.......

1

Bluedandy added 06:54 - Jun 30 I'm no fan of MM's style or ME's record as custodian, but we finished 7th last season despite losing Bishop and McGoldrick for most of the campaign. If they stay injury free and Dozzell justifies the hype then logically we will be more pleasing on the eye and possibly more successful. I suspect we will make at least two more competitive signings to cover losses primarily in wide areas, so to write off this season before a ball is kicked is insane. Finally, you support your club through thick and thin, bums on seats loyalty is a more effective long-term remedy than self-important boycotts. When the budgies were relegated to League 1 they still got 25K through the gate and within two years they were watching Premiership football. Get a grip.

1

prebsa added 08:52 - Jun 30 Such a shame. When we spent whatever it was on Webster I thought that might if started something not 10s of millions but at least a few. Yes I'm sure it costs a lot to run a football club but what the fans see is transfers and we always seem to be going for freebies. We have done well in this market but this market is never going to win us the league (I hope I get proven wrong). We probably will challenge for the play offs again but with loans frees and no doubt a couple of injuries we may see ourselves sticking just outside again. I'm not being negative I'm just being realistic!

-1

TractorBoy666 added 10:48 - Jun 30 Just looking at the promotion odds for the new season, and seeing the likes of Huddersfield above us really does show our lack of ambition. Our squad currently looks weaker than last year without a doubt, with us needing some real quality in the wide areas for certain. I do not want to go through another season of watching Sears played out of position in a wide area as you can tell that is not his favoured position.

0

essex57 added 12:02 - Jun 30 Oh dear here we go finished before we've started why do so many people read between the lines of these articles to suite their own agendas. Can we please before a ball has been kicked put the Jonny Williams and Ryan Fraser issue to bed they are both sick notes of undoubted ability but two much of a risk. Nice to see you all back in such good form especially Blueboy. .................!!!!!!!..........!!!!!. 1981☺

0

TomJamesLW added 13:41 - Jun 30 Hopefully Kenlock and Emmanuel can provide width then in a 4-4-2 Diamond or 4-3-3. If not it's gonna be a standard 4-4-2 with Sears and a loanee out wide again...
0

marco007 added 15:35 - Jun 30 I have to confess to not being overly optimistic when I look ahead to the new season. Yes, it will be lovely if we can get back a fully fit Bish and add the creative skills of Dozzell but Skuse, Dougie and Coke hardly inspire confidence and unfortunately the latter three fit the"modus operandi" of our Mick. Loan players can be a an okay short term fix but I have always favoured looking at the lower leagues to unearth bright, hungry, young talent rather than do all the development work for cash rich Premiership leaches. On the positive our Academy appears to be flourishing and let's hope that young players are given a chance. We can only live in hope :)

0

blueboy1981 added 18:06 - Jun 30 essex57 ........ thought you weren't going post on here again ........... more b/s from you. You're just like ITFC - nothing changes. Just enjoy your delusionment - and of course, another season of Hoofball. And leave the rest of us to want a bit more for our money, and retain our ambition for our Club. Doubt you'd understand that.
-2

Currie10 added 19:09 - Jun 30 No doubt I will attract about 15 minus arrows for my comments here, however this is my perspective - Do you REALLY think Mick is going to come out and say " we've got ££££ to spend and will hopefully be signing X amount of players ? " Come on now. Other clubs would add ££££ to their players valuations and make us pay more. We've already spent some wonga on a much needed ball playing CB which should in turn increase our ball retention, allow Skuse to do the other side of the game and get us on attacks quicker. I don't think we're a million miles away - People may laugh when they read that. Clearly, out wide we need to start over. Strikers, providing McG can stay fit / same with Murphy, Sears can fire and Pitman we have as good a four as any in the league. CM - better. Should have Bishop a lot of the season, promise coming through in Dozza / McDonnell. Douglas will play less. Hyam good when fit / not a guaranteed starter. Bye bye Tabb, got a feeling bye bye Bru but we'll see. Defence actually wasn't a problem from a defensive record standpoint. Conceded 1 or less in over 30 of the games. Bart will hopefully carry on where he has left off. I have no doubt if the opportunity to sign a wide boy for maybe £300 - £500k that Mick feels will significantly make us better that we won't do that! Also, the loan market isn't the worst option in the world if used properly, which Mick will. Fraser was terrific ( when fit ) last season, Niles okay didn't always happen. Less said about Feeney / Toure / Oar the better. However, that does bring me back to the original point. Do we WANT to spend £2.5 mill for the sake of it? Civelli anyone? Ulrich Le Pen? We can ill afford to spent a fee on one egg and it not work out. Interesting season ahead, Championship looking as tough as ever. Bring on the Barnsley.

1

pup12 added 21:36 - Jun 30 Warky met to be attack minded midfielder but in my rant it went wrong.And thanks for comment.I try to say it how I feel.I love town and am desperate for success
0

essex57 added 07:18 - Jul 1 I see we are in for another dictatorial season of sarcasm from Blueboy and his crew of dreamers.......!!!!.......
0

blueboy1981 added 18:43 - Jul 4 ........ no bigger dreamer than you essex57 - and to make it worse - deluded too.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls