Mick McCarthy says he’s not frustrated despite being unable to pay fees for new players during the January transfer window. The Blues boss says he understands the constraints of Financial Fair Play and will interested to see those breaking the rules receiving sanctions from the Football League.
On Saturday, McCarthy said he would be looking to add to his defensive options during January but would be only be able to look at loans or players close to coming out of contract elsewhere.
"I understand the gig, the parameters of it, Financial Fair Play and if that is what we’re doing, what we’re sticking to,” he said. "If it’s coming in then we should stick to it.
"I’d just be interested to see all the fines that are given out to people who break the rules and whether they do get implemented and what happens at the end of it.
"I’m happy with the lads I’ve got, we’ve got a great set of players, blokes, they’re terrific. If we can keep them fit, that’s the reason why I won’t be playing some of them tomorrow. Yes, they’ll miss Tuesday, but they might be fit for the next 10 games, which is vital for us.”
Under the Football League’s Financial Fair Play rules, Championship clubs are able to make a loss of up to £8 million during 2013/14 with those who spend beyond that limit set to face sanctions, including a transfer embargo.
Those transgressing the rules who are promoted to the Premier League will be subject to a Fair Play Tax on their additional spending, ranging from 1% on the first £100,000 to 100% on anything over £10 million.
McCarthy says he’s looking for players to augment his squad and fight the current incumbents for their places rather than replacements: "I always listen to managers and they’re all saying they need this player or they need that player and I wonder sometimes what those players who are there are thinking.
"I’d sooner give my players a bit of toffee because they deserve it. We were in the top six up until the weekend and we lost to a team where one player probably cost more than my whole squad and there might be one player who is earning more in a week who isn’t even playing.
"Do I get too upset about it? No, I think we’re doing great with the squad we’ve got. I think they’re a great set of lads and if I can add to it I will, but not just beefing the squad up with players who are not going to get in.
"It’s got to be somebody who’s got to come in and compete and if he gets in he stays in and keeps one of the others out. And that’s not easy to get.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy was surprised to hear that Town were including on a list of scouts watching yesterday’s Benfica-Porto match: "I’ll have to check, I doubt that very much unless we’ve got somebody on holiday who fancied going to watch the game!”
