Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s still thinking about whether to add to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, but believes younger fringe players such as Andre Dozzell, Adam McDonnell and James Blanchfield will have a part to play in the season ahead with emergency loans no longer available to EFL clubs.

“I think everybody’s the same, I think we’re all realising there are no emergency loans, so we need to have a good, healthy squad available,” McCarthy said.

“We were one of the teams to use the fewest players last season and that’s probably down to the fact that the back four was written in stone and the keepers only changed if it was through necessity, injury or whatever else happened.

“It was a pretty settled team and I prefer it that way. It’ll still be the same. Once you get in and you’re playing regularly it’s hard to get out of it unless you play really badly, that’s for certain.”"

He says further additions could be loans or permanent signings depending on who is available, but says his younger players will have a role to play as the rigours of the season take their effect in the months to come.

“We’ve got to utilise the younger players that are around if that’s the case,” he added. “To be fair, Dozzer’s come on and scored an equaliser at Sheffield Wednesday, I still think James Blanchfield is going contribute. Adam McDonnell will contribute, the young lads who have been in the team, Myles Kenlock and Josh Emmanuel, they’ll all contribute.

“They’re the ones who will be backing up the squad, the more experienced ones. And if we do get injuries, once we’ve gone past the deadline they’ll be the ones who’ll be picking up the pieces if necessary.”

The EFL Cup exit at the hands of Stevenage means the younger players won’t get the chance to gain some experience in further games in that competition.

“No, they’re going to have to be around here and play in the U23s,” McCarthy said. “They’ll have to get their football in elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, the Blues boss says 18-year-old midfielder Kundai Benyu, who has been on the first-team bench on four occasions without making his senior debut, is back in the fold having said that his attitude and approach needed to change if he was to have a future with Town early in pre-season.

“He’s come and apologised to me, and he had to do,” McCarthy said. “I’m not precious about myself but I don’t tolerate that kind of stuff.

“He’s done that and he’s showed willing, he’s trained hard and now he has to play well. He’s made his amends but he’s got to do it on the pitch and do it every day.”

Asked whether the issue was simply a lack of application, McCarthy added: “Things weren’t right.”

Photo: TWTD

prebbs007 added 06:26 - Aug 12 We absolutely need additions. This squad is nowhere near good enough for the top 6 !! Bart was player of the season yet he only played 20 games and if your keeper takes the top award it's coz he's been busy ! Not exactly what you want game to game. As for the "It'll still be the same. Once you get in and you're playing regularly it's hard to get out of it unless you play really badly, that's for certain.” ----- Chambers - Knudsen - Douglas - Murphy all prime examples !!!! While this continues and dinosaur continues to pick his love children not based on performance then we're in big trouble. Must win game tomorrow as much much harder games follow. Honestly feel Brentford will be close to bottom 3 this season but with our current squad so could we. ITFC forever

3

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:45 - Aug 12 Just reading the headline is enough to set alarm bells ringing, "McCarthy still weighing up further additions" if he is seriously "weighing up" additions, this tells me he thinks we might not need anyone else?!?! #deluded
5

KuqiCoup added 07:12 - Aug 12 'The back four was written in stone' So that's Smith, great last season but always got a mistake in him, Berra, who was well below par, Knudsen, who was very inconsistent and Chambers, who was largely abysmal aside from a couple of good games over November - January. Mick was happy to keep this as it was for most of the season. Oh dear. Yet we've made no additions in this area aside from Webster.

6

Wickets added 07:56 - Aug 12 I was surprised he didn't play Kenlock and Emmanuel against Stevenage as they give us more going foward!!
5

Currie10 added 08:10 - Aug 12 I still cannot believe people take anything Mick says in a press conference as gospel. He would be the king of poker. Of course he wants additions but simply because he doesn't come out and say " still 2 or 3 short I'd like more in " people love to slate him. More will come. Be patient.
4

Jimmy86 added 08:13 - Aug 12 Made me laugh when he said unless you play really badly then you'll get dropped. Unless your name is Jonathan Douglas of course. That means at 33 you're played enough to trigger an extra year on your contract when your legs have already gone.
7

cats_whiskers added 09:14 - Aug 12 McCarthy weighing things up! Is that in pounds or ounces
2

oldelsworthyfan added 09:43 - Aug 12 What we need more than anything is a decent Right Back.
3

Pilgrimblue added 09:45 - Aug 12 Right back right back right back you muppet. Until MM recognises that his defence is in dire need of attention we'll not be competing at the top. Webster should have been the start and Emmanual given a chance if no more additions.
5

muccletonjoe added 10:03 - Aug 12 Imo we need a leader in midfield. A box to box man who gives everyone a kick up the backside when things are not going well.
1

Surco72 added 11:06 - Aug 12 Will be Luke Varney !!!
2

Ferguson added 11:18 - Aug 12 I agree that Kenlock and Emmanuel should replace Chambers and Knudsen; but having blown the first opportunity by losing to Stevenage the question, of course, is when.? There'll never be a right time - so do it Saturday. George Burley, a right back as we all know, joined Ipswich Town in 1972 as an apprentice and made his senior debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 1973, being given the job of marking George Best. Makes you think, but that selection was under Robson. I respect him completely, but with the same players available to him as Robson had at the time MM would never have given Burley his chance in that game and stuck by him.We lst 2-0 at theirs, did them2-1 at ours. I think Burley was probably the best young full back I ever saw - from the off. re leaders - you would have thought that as an ex team captain at Brentford Douglas would take a lead. He doesn't provide assists but should be able to drive on and inspire. For whatever he's either not the player he was then or he's been managed out of that role ?

2

battyblue added 11:44 - Aug 12 Its Varney what the hell next,,Noble?
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls