Town boss Mick McCarthy thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s Open Day and training session on the main Portman Road pitch, which was attended by a record crowd of 8,040 - well up on last year's 4,700 - as well as TWTD’s camera.
The players - including trialists Giles Coke and Larsen Touré and released striker Noel Hunt who is currently training with the Blues - were put through their paces on the pitch by McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor before signing autographs and having selfies taken with supporters, while there were also plenty of attractions on the FieldTurf behind the East of England Co-op Stand.
"It was great,” McCarthy said. "I thought the lads out on a good session, TC put on a great session on for them and they all enjoyed it. I said to put something on that’ll entertain them and he did just that.
"It was part of what we do, passing and moving and finishing, crossing and finishing and then a game. You’re practising your techniques, your skills, your disciplines on the pitch, it’s a bit more enjoyable than just standing around and being coached.”
He says his squad are ready for the start of the season at Brentford a week on Saturday: "Yes, they’re all fine. They came back in great shape.
"I keep getting asked the question, ‘Are we ready to start after the hangover of last season?’.
"What hangover? We were great last season, we had a great season. I think we all feel a sense of pride in it as opposed to anything else.”
Larsen Touré
Giles Coke