Boss Mick McCarthy was quick to credit goalkeeping-coach Malcolm Webster for the recruitment of new addition Bartosz Bialkowski, having been responsible for the signing of Dean Gerken this time last year. The 27-year-old Pole, who previously played under Webster at Southampton and before that during a trial at Hearts, impressed during the second half of last night’s 0-0 draw with West Ham, having completed his move to the Blues on Tuesday.
"Let’s give somebody else a bit of credit because Malcolm Webster was big on Gerks last year,” McCarthy said.
"I can tell if someone’s a good goalkeeper, I can tell if he’s a hopeless goalkeeper, but I can’t tell you anything in between because it’s a really specific position.
"And that’s why I have a goalkeeping coach, who I trust. He went big on Gerks last year. I knew Gerks because I’d seen him play, not so much Bart, I’d seen a bit of him, but I trust Malcolm’s opinion.
"And even more so he’s got brownie points because if his decision with Gerks because he’s been excellent. If we get as much success out of this fella we’ll be doing well. It’s competition certainly.”
McCarthy, who revealed that Bialkowski had joined on a free transfer with his former club Notts County only receiving cash if Town are promoted or sell him, says Gerken is currently the man in possession of the number one shirt.
"Dean Gerken’s number one, as Loachy was number one last year,” he said. "And we saw what happened there, didn’t we? Dean Gerken played 40 games.
"I’ve said that to Gerks. As well as he’s done, as much as I love him, if he doesn’t play well and the other fella’s better, he knows what happens even if he’s got number 33 on his back.”
Has he got any other deals in the pipeline? "There’s loads in the pipeline, it’s all running underneath us!” the Blues boss joked, while keeping his cards typically close to his chest.
Asked whether he has any plans to extend any of his current players’ contracts — Christophe Berra is reported to be close to agreeing a new three-year deal — McCarthy said: "Let’s try and get some new ones in first, then we’ll start dealing with some of those.”
Freddie Veseli was back in action for the Blues following his trial with FC Luzern last week, but McCarthy says he is looking to move the Swiss U21 international on if he can: "He’s one of my players, so while he’s here I’ll continue to use him, but if I can get a deal for him somewhere, I will.”
The Town boss is yet to decide whether to send 18-year-old third-choice keeper Michael Crowe out on loan during the season ahead: "We’ll see.”