x

McCarthy Delighted With Centre-Halves - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he’s delighted with his central defensive pairing Tommy Smith and Luke Chambers. The Blues boss has stuck with the partnership — along with full-backs Bradley Orr and Aaron Cresswell — for the last eight games

McCarthy said: "They’ve been excellent. I’m delighted with them. They’re both playing well.

"I thought they were excellent again on Saturday [at Wolves] and even more so at the end of the game when Wolves put Roger Johnson up and were just lumping balls into our box, the two of them were excellent, they headed everything.

"They’re not the biggest, they’re 6ft 1 or 6ft 2 at the most and Luke’s not even that. They’re two good competitors and I’m very pleased with them. They’re doing themselves real justice.”

The Town manager was a centre-half in his playing days and says he spent some time working with the duo and the rest of the defenders when he first came to the club at the start of November: "We did a bit of that when I came in, in terms of defending individually one v ones, full-backs and centre-backs, and partnerships in terms of the full-back and centre-half and centre-halves together.

"But I think they’re both just good players, nice steady players. Both good competitors, that’s what’s nice about them, they want to go and win the first ball.

"Chambo’s played a lot of games, he’s played for Nottingham Forest and Northampton, and I think Tommy’s played a few games too. They’re comfortable with each other, a nice left footer, a nice right footer, there’s a good balance.”

However, with Danny Higginbotham joining Sheffield United from Stoke at the end of his loan spell with the Blues, McCarthy knows he needs to add to his central defensive options during the transfer window: "That’s the fragile nature of the team, the spine is there, but that is the spine, the two of them and nobody else."

What to read next:

Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: We Got What We Wanted From the Game
Town boss Kieran McKenna said he got what he wanted from the 3-1 friendly win at Aberdeen and believes his side is in general on the right track.
McKenna: Nothing in the Air Regarding Omari's Situation
Town boss Kieran McKenna says there’s “nothing in the air” regarding Omari Hutchinson’s future with the forward having remained behind in Suffolk to train while the Blues were in Aberdeen for this evening’s 3-1 friendly victory.
Aberdeen 1-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Jaden Philogene scored twice and George Hirst once as Town beat Aberdeen 3-1 in their friendly at Pittodrie. Philogene stroked home from close range after good work from Sammie Szmodics and Hirst on 28, then Hirst added a second with a predatory rebound 10 minutes later, before Philogene netted the third just before the hour with Aberdeen pulling one back in the 79th minute remaining and the Blues having replaced their entire starting XI.
Aberdeen 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from Jaden Philogene and George Hirst have given the Blues a 2-0 half-time lead in this evening’s friendly against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.