McCarthy Wanted Tunnicliffe Return - Ipswich Town News
Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he tried to re-sign former loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe — who is back at Portman Road with Wigan today — before he joined the Latics on a similar basis last month.
TWTD revealed that the Blues were attempting to bring the 21-year-old back to Portman Road after his previous spell had been cut short when parent club Manchester United sold him to Fulham on transfer deadline day.
"I did,” McCarthy said. "I enquired and Wigan enquired and I guess they were flying. I’ve no bad feelings towards him.
"He maybe thinks that they’ve got a better chance of going up, and they have got a better chance because they’ve got more points than us and two games in hand.
"And they’ve got a bigger and stronger squad than we’ve got, to be fair. It’s a squad that’s been added to. And he’s from the North-West anyway.”
McCarthy was delighted with the former England U17 international’s performances for the Blues during the first half of the season: "Tunners is a good player. It was strange that he left us and then ended up leaving Manchester United to go to Fulham.
"He could have come back here and he’s gone to Wigan on loan. Who could have predicted that when he was playing for us two or three months ago?
"His contribution here was really solid and vital for what we were doing and I’ve a lot of time for Tunners.”
What to read next:
McKenna: A Tough Game, an Increase in ChallengeManager Kieran McKenna felt today’s 3-0 victory away against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre was a tough game and an increase in challenge in the final fixture of pre-season and has been pleased with the way preparations for the campaign ahead have gone over the last few weeks.
McKenna: Townsend and Philogene Injuries Don't Look GreatBlues boss Kieran McKenna says the injuries suffered by Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene don’t look great, while Leif Davis missed out due to a knock and Harry Clarke could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but keeper Aro Muric is making good progress.
McKenna Tight-Lipped on Hackney and CajusteTown boss Kieran McKenna remained tight-lipped when quizzed on the Blues’ approach for last season’s loanee Jens Cajuste and also Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney’s decision to remain with the Teessiders.
AJ Auxerre 0-3 Ipswich Town - Match ReportGoals from George Hirst, Jacob Greaves and Ali Al-Hamadi saw Town to a 3-0 victory over French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. Hirst put the Blues in front on 38 and Greaves added the second with a header from a free-kick in first-half injury time, before Al-Hamadi added the third with five minutes remaining of the match.
AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ipswich Town - Half-TimeGoals from George Hirst and Jacob Greaves have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead against French Ligue 1 side Auxerre in their final pre-season friendly at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps.