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Parr Happy to Play Anywhere - Ipswich Town News

It is a question that many a Town fan — and apparently even manager Mick McCarthy — has wanted answering. Is Jonny Parr right or left-footed?

The Norwegian defender or midfielder looks so comfortable with either that it almost impossible to determine which is his stronger. So who better to ask than the player himself?

Parr said: "I pride myself in being able to kick with either foot. I have played right-back and left-back, right midfield and left midfield, and it is one of my strengths that I can use both feet.

"I think even the manager still wonders whether I am right or left-footed — I suppose that could be a really good thing or a really bad thing!

"To answer the question I am left-footed from when I was a kid and now I’m pretty even. Put it this way — if we reach the play-off final at Wembley, it goes to a penalty shoot-out and I am nominated to take one I will definitely hit it with my left!”

Blues boss Mick McCarthy has been delighted with Parr’s first season at Portman Road, the Norwegian having joined Town on a two-year deal in the summer following his release by Crystal Palace.

"Whether he’s played at left-back, right-back, left wing, right wing, he’s been excellent,” McCarthy said. "I think Jonny’s been very, very good.

"He can occupy either side which is particularly useful when you haven’t got such a big squad and if you get injuries.

"From scoring against Millwall when he came on, he’s shown that he’s very versatile and is quite happy playing [in midfield].”

Parr, controversially omitted from the Norwegian squad for the European Championship’s qualifier in Croatia earlier this week, has no problem with his utility player label, having recently played in wide midfield, largely on the left before switching to the right for the last couple of games.

Speaking prior to his latest positional move, he said: "Left midfield is okay and I’m used to playing there from when I was younger, which means I know the position well, even though I’ve been playing as a full-back in recent years.

"The gaffer picks the team that he thinks can do well and if that means me playing in midfield that’s fine.

"We all just want to do well and I’ll do my very best wherever I am asked to play. It’s fun to play a bit further forward and it’s been good working with Tyrone on the left.

"I think we have been working well together and it’s been solid. It’s good to have one position that is your main position but it’s no problem playing elsewhere in the team. I’m fine with whatever position the gaffer decides to play me in.”

He added: "Would I like to revert to playing in defence in the longer term? It’s difficult to say. I’ve played some good games in midfield and it’s not really that much different to playing at full-back. When we play 4-4-2 it’s not massively different so I’m happy to play in either position.

"Now that I’m playing a bit further forward I need to try to get some more goals. That’s definitely something I am trying to do.

"I would also like to thank the fans who have said I should be in the team. It’s nice and I appreciate it. I want to play every game and just try to do well when I can.”

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