Town boss Mick McCarthy believes 21-year-old left-back Tyrone Mings has a big season ahead of him following Aaron Cresswell’s departure for West Ham for £3.75 million last month. Former Chippenham Town man Mings started last Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Fulham before being rested for Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat at Crawley.
"Tyrone’s great, he’s been excellent, as we thought he would be based on his past performances, how he’s done when he’s played and the sort of lad he is,” McCarthy said.
"He can be a huge player for us this season. It’s a different challenge for him because last year he was never going to play unless Cressy was injured or suspended.
"Now, the chance for him to play is there, the chance for him to make that position his own is there and he’s got to play well and he’s got to continue to play well, not have a good game [every now and then].
"I know he’s a young lad and his performances might fluctuate, but my point is that the pressure is a different one now.
"It’s there, the position’s his if he wants it, if he can grab it and keep it. He’ll be challenged by Jonny Parr.
"Jonny’s injured, so it’s a really good opportunity for him. The pressure is now to keep it.”
He added: "When you’re not the number one relied on every week, you come in and you can play with a bit of carefree abandon; ‘I’ve got my chance, I’ll have a go’.
"Now he’s got to keep doing that, keep playing that way when he’s in the team because that’s what’s got him in the team.”
The Town boss views Mings as a full-back, although says he could ultimately move into the centre of the defence: "He’s a full-back predominantly. I think he could play either side, Ty.
"I think because of his size we all look at him and think he could be a centre-back.
"I hear midfield players or centre forwards say they’ll go back and play at centre-back as if it’s easy playing at centre-back!
"But it’s not quite that easy. Ty could end up there because of his size and his stature, but he’s so athletic and quick, he’s a really good full-back.”
Meanwhile, despite having the likes of Ted Bishop, Jack Marriott, Matt Clarke and Darren McQueen on the fringes of the first team squad, McCarthy says it’s premature to start getting too excited about the emerging crop of youngsters.
Defender Clarke, 17, midfielder Bishop, 18, and 19-year-old frontman McQueen were amongst those to make their debuts in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat at Crawley, while striker Marriott, 19, made his first start for the Blues.
"I don’t get that excited, I’m not that sort who comes in here and waxes lyrical about them,” he said.
"We’ve got a couple of good ones who have progressed. And don’t forget Elliott Hewitt, having gone out and played on loan, I thought he was excellent on Saturday.
"But Teddy Bishop and Matt Clarke are doing really well at their level, they come and train with the first team and they’re doing well.
"I’d be excited if they get in the first team. But I don’t get excited about the prospect of it happening because I’ve seen so many get to that and then not really play.”