New goalkeeper Alex McCarthy does not believe his move to Ipswich has plunged him into a survival fight.

The Championship table may not make pleasant reading right now, with Town hovering just three places and points above the relegation zone.

But the England U21 international, who has arrived on a three-month loan from Reading and is likely to make his debut at Birmingham tonight, is adamant things are set to improve.

McCarthy, 22, said: “I wouldn’t say Ipswich are in a relegation battle. There is still a long way to go in the season and I think results will improve.

“I am surprised to see how low they are in the table. I haven’t seen the games but I think it is only a matter of time before that changes.

“Results will get better and we will start to make our way back up the table to where Ipswich should be, around the play-offs.”

McCarthy’s move to Portman Road has seen him reunited with his former Reading colleague, central defender Ibrahima Sonko.

He added: “I’ve played behind Sonks before. I know his game and he knows mine. You can’t put a time on how long it takes for a keeper and a back four to gel but I don’t see it taking any longer than a couple of games.”

Unlike long-term transfer target Sean St Ledger, who sought assurances about Paul Jewell’s future before confirming his interest in a move from Leicester, the Royals’ keeper admitted: “That didn’t go through my mind at all.

“Obviously, results haven’t been going that great but I really believe it’s only a matter of time before that changes.

“He’s a great manager, everybody knows what he is capable of and time will tell.”

Photo: Action Images

uppersirbob added 12:52 - Jan 11 He must be the only one who doesnt think we are in a relegation battle
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blockb_steward added 12:55 - Jan 11 Let's hope he doesn't put his back out when picking the ball out of the net on his loan spell then
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Legend added 12:57 - Jan 11 Sorry to be blunt but what the hell does he know?? he has only been here five minutes! Ask him the same question after tonights and Saturdays games after his goal has been peppered with shots due to the leaky defence in front of him!!
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Sindre94 added 12:57 - Jan 11 Very good signing, still midtable a very realistic target
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Legend added 12:58 - Jan 11 If the future England goalkeeper couldnt keep them out with the same back four what chance has anyone got?
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eaii added 13:04 - Jan 11 LOL blockb_steward Repetative strain syndrome.
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PSGBlue added 13:17 - Jan 11 Has he still got a copy of a league table from September? Of course we are in a relagation battle! As for saying it will get better, how does he know? Or Maybe he justed watched the Barnsely game on Sky and formed his own conclusion!
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irishtim added 13:29 - Jan 11 Look at the league table pal.
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Somersetractor added 13:32 - Jan 11 He's obviously a 'glass is quarter full' kind of fella. Oh well, positivity is what we want!
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StowTractorBoy added 13:33 - Jan 11 Its just him and Murphy (EADT today) who don't think we are in a relegation battle. We are and will no doubt be further in it after tonight.
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bbkingsumday added 13:38 - Jan 11 FFS the lad is just trying to be positive and all you can do is slag him off.
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gainsboroughblue added 13:41 - Jan 11 There's being positive and hiding from the truth.
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MrCool added 13:46 - Jan 11 Don't think that he'd be too popular with the management if he arrived and started saying that we are in a relegation battle. Good luck to him - with our defense, he'll need plenty of it!
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llewej_tuo added 13:52 - Jan 11 JEWELL(HATE HIM) MUST HAVE DRUGED HIM ....
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DiamondGezzer added 14:09 - Jan 11 How refreshing to hear some positive mental attitude going on. Welcome aboard Alex . Show 'em what you're made of !
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Tractastic added 14:19 - Jan 11 Bright lad then!! Someone tell him he's on loan at Ipswich!!
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Lesta_Tractor added 14:27 - Jan 11 I just hope the management team and the rest of the squad aren't as deluded as McCarthy..
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:32 - Jan 11 eeerrrmmmm it has mate,hope you are up for it !
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cornishnick added 16:23 - Jan 11 He's on a win-win really. Gets paid and can booger off after 3 months to a decent team. The rest us are saddled for life
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bluearmy4life added 16:53 - Jan 11 I think you find if you look at the league table we are in the sh!te.
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s6blue added 19:37 - Jan 11 i m not surprised -- jewell s in charge
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richnblue added 20:49 - Jan 11 I'm sorry but what does a 22 year old from a playoff team want coming here. Did he look at the table before arriving... His quote is the best yet were by he claims to be here to se town into a promotion position......against his team....don't think so...FFS
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markw added 22:38 - Jan 11 we could have joe hart and pepe reina in goal together behind them wasters and we would still let in just as many
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:37 - Jan 12 Well, if we weren't in a relegation battle when you made your statement (highly debatable by the way) we certainly are now after the Brum result.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:24 - Jan 12 two past you mate first match, Welcome to the real world .
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