x

Tactical Switch No Surprise to Hunt - Ipswich Town News

Mick McCarthy’s change of tactics that played a huge part in Town securing their first away win of the season at Blackpool did not surprise new signing Stephen Hunt.

With his team trailing 1-0 at the interval at Bloomfield Road — and Hunt making his debut — McCarthy went for a more positive approach in the second half that paid off handsomely in the shape of a very welcome 3-2 triumph for the Blues.

Hunt said: "At Wolves we played 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 on numerous occasions so he does change it for sure. You’ve got to trust the manager and what he plays. If you have to change it, like we did against Blackpool, then you do it.

"If he keeps the same 4-3-3 formation this week against Leicester we can always revert back to 4-4-2 if need be. Whatever we go with the players need to be clever enough to know how to play the formation to make it a success on the day. Once you cross that white line sometimes you are by yourself and you have to make the right decisions.”

Hunt is delighted to be teaming up again with his former Wolves boss, who paid £3 million to sign him from Hull in June 2010, at least until January when his pay-as-you-play deal will expire.

The Republic of Ireland winger said: "With Mick I know that if I’m not playing well I won’t be in the team, but I also know that if I am playing and training well I will eventually break into the team. That’s the way I see it.”

Although McCarthy was happy for Hunt to train with Town several weeks ago he made it clear a deal was unlikely, which led to suggestions that the player was beyond the club’s budget.

But Hunt added: "Circumstances change. I was more desperate to play and the longer I was without a club the more my pride was hurting. If I had to prove myself I thought I might as well go to a manager who knows what I’m all about and hopefully play some games.

"But there are others here who can play wide left — Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jay Tabb have been doing it — so there’s competition for places. I know I have to prove myself.”

Hunt was not concerned that his fitness might let him down on his debut at Blackpool, adding: "I kept trying to be positive and reminded myself that it wasn’t like I’d been injured for six months. I’d been training so I knew I shouldn’t be that far behind, maybe one or two games before I got to my fitness level.

"I had 20 minutes where I played left-back and then I played in a reserve game on the left wing, and I even surprised myself at how fit I was. That was all positive.

"Generally, when I’ve come back from injury and played a reserve game I’ve thought ‘Gee, that was hard work’ but that wasn’t the case, not physically anyway. I knew I was ready if called upon.”

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
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.