Blues boss Mick McCarthy says signing Adam Webster was a “no-brainer” and that he was surprised Town managed to land the 21-year-old, who he has repeatedly tipped for a Premier League future.
"I hope he continues to blossom because he’s got fabulous potential, he really has,” McCarthy said of the central defender, who cost £750,000 plus Matt Clarke who joined Webster’s former club Portsmouth, with whom he spent last season on loan.
"I saw him playing against us [for Pompey in the FA Cup last season] and I said to [owner] Marcus [Evans], ‘Sign him. If you can sign him, sign him’.
"And that’s probably the first time I’ve probably really hung my hat on one and said, ‘Do that. If it’s within our budget, sign him’.
"And he did, so he backed me on that one. I’ve not made that many bad decisions in the transfer market, I’ve had a few.”
He added: "Some players do make an immediate impact and he did. It was an absolute no-brainer. I’m still surprised that we managed to get him, but I’m delighted that we did.”
Webster bringing the ball out of defence is becoming a familiar feature to Town supporters.
"Like I said at the weekend, he reminds me of me when he drifts out with the ball at his feet,” McCarthy joked. "I usually had a centre forward at my feet when I did it, hanging on to something.
"No, he doesn’t remind me of me at all in that respect. He’s much better. He’s a very promising, talented footballer and he can defend as well, that’s the nice thing about him.
"We’re not just saying that it’s nice that he breaks out and he passes it, I thought he was excellent defending on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy says on-loan Crystal Palace man Jonny Williams isn’t yet up to starting games despite making his fourth Blues debut as a late sub at Blackburn on Saturday.
"He’s not ready to start, that would be too much to ask. He’s been out for a long time but he’s part of it,” McCarthy said.
One or two fans raised eyebrows when the Blues signed an injured player on a season-long loan close to the end of the transfer window, but the Town manager says it's a no-risk move for the club.
"That was something I, in my own head, concocted,” he said. "He was injured, he’s only going to be coming back now, he’s not going to play for Crystal Palace, so we took him [on the basis that] we didn’t contribute [to his wages] at all unless he’s fit.
"That I thought was a bright idea to do and when he’s fully fit he’ll be a good player as we’ve all seen.
"Sadly for me and everybody else and all the people who would love to see him back playing, he’s not ready to start the game.”
Another loanee Conor Grant has had limited opportunities since joining the Blues from Everton in August but McCarthy says the 21-year-old will get his chance.
"He came into the team with Grant Ward in the game against Barnsley and they both contributed to that, and of course I’ve had a word with him,” he said.
"He’s come here to play football, it’s not transpired for him as yet, but there are still plenty of games.”