Blues boss Mick McCarthy says Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has impressed him both in training and in the 5-1 reserves victory at Spurs last Wednesday, in which the 21-year-old scored twice.

McCarthy said: “I’ve seen somebody who is wanting to try and learn and is trying to do what Terry and I are asking of him, putting him under pressure to be the type of player we’d like to see.

“When he came on in the second half at Bolton he did really well. He played up front on his own at Spurs and I thought parts of his game were excellent.”

Another young player who has caught McCarthy’s eye is Tommy Smith, who has fought his way into the starting XI since the change of manager at Portman Road.

The Blues boss said: “Tommy’s been excellent, whoever he’s played against. I’ve been really pleased with him. The fact that he went and played in China was the reason I left him out [at Leicester], but he’s been excellent.”

McCarthy was also a central defender during his playing days but says he’s not yet given the 22-year-old New Zealand international too much private tuition on playing the role.

“I’ve had a couple of chats with him but we’ve just worked with him and talked to him and put the team together,” he said.

“We’ve had loads of games which makes it difficult to do any defending work. We did in the free week that we had. I like Tommy and I think he’s a really solid defender.”

Photo: Action Images

muhrensleftfoot added 06:51 - Dec 11 Good - let's hope JET gets the message that talent alone is not enough. Got to work hard and keep learning. Then we'll have a real asset.
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irishtim added 07:06 - Dec 11 Maybe he will be a major player for us in 2013.
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TR11BLU added 08:10 - Dec 11 More psychology from MM and it seems to be working, top manager. Keep up the good work Mick.
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RaymondovicBlue added 08:19 - Dec 11 So had that Tommy Smith has done the right thing and silenced his critics by solid performances on the pitch consistently. also I saw him at the end of the Burnley match and he was the one showing the most passion in his reaction to the SBR stand fans There is also a lot more to come from JET and he has got a great managerial team working to bring it out of him! Things are seriously looking good!

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RaymondovicBlue added 08:20 - Dec 11 He's still not "JET" yet? !?!?
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pazelle added 09:22 - Dec 11 JET at 100% = Nw*nko Le Tissier
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brian_a_mul added 09:28 - Dec 11 Im sure MM will start calling him JET when he does the business in the first team! I can see MM using JET as a striking option when DJ leaves in January. Murphs and JET up front would be tough for any defenders. Actually the inpredictable + talanted JET up front would make it very interesting regardless who his strike partner is. To hear him play well up front as the lone striker may indicate that MM +TC could have a few nice tactical surprises coming our way in the new year.

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petermorris added 09:44 - Dec 11 How refreshing to finally have a manger that we all want to listen to. The players are no different and it's really showing on the pitch. Haven't felt this positive since Big Joe. If Jay Emmanuel-Thomas ever becomes 'JET' we'll be in for some footy treats. Tommy Smith nearly got my MoMatch vote on Satuday.
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SomershamBlue added 10:51 - Dec 11 MMs language gives both the players and fans confidence. The performance and results on the pitch demonstrate that the confidence is well-founded.
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shoopdelang added 10:53 - Dec 11 I can see all our players like JET and Smith doing the business for us next season under Mick. I think we will be a force to be reckoned with
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Michael11 added 11:39 - Dec 11 I think we've got some really good players coming through such as Smith, JET, Hyam etc that will all be at a better age next season to really hit their peak and handle the demands a bit more. I'm not comparing them obviously but Thierry Henry started at Arsenal as a left winger so it can work if he puts his mind to it! I'd still just take avoiding relegation this year with signs of improvement but believe we can really kick on next year!!

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Blue_Dwarf added 13:05 - Dec 11 JET was very very good 2nd half of last season. Expect him to come on strong this season too. Maybe he just takes longer to get going throughout the course of the season.
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bluey123 added 15:26 - Dec 11 He has some improvement to make as yetr I liability and if he is so good why doesnt MM play him talking him up to get rid I reckon as he will Chopra if DJ signs
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Bergholtblue added 16:50 - Dec 11 Good man management by MM. JET must be getting frustrated by his lack of first team starts. A lot of praise by MM about his work rate and progress in training will keep him on track. PJ used to say the same thing about then need to impress him in training to get into the first team. The difference is MM is so much positive and ebcouraging about then way he says it. Let's not get carried away, a couple of bad results and we could be right back in it, but MM has really impressed me with the way he has gone aboiut things and a lot of credit also needs to go to TC. All the best managers have had a good right hand man and in TC, MM has one of the best.

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Talbs77 added 19:46 - Dec 11 Love the fact MM doesnt call him JET, he's right, I've never liked it, its way too cheesey. I think he knows theres a really good player in there somewhere and totally agree with muhrensleftfoot, he needs to realise ability alone isnt enough, hard graft has to also be applied.
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TimmyH added 20:31 - Dec 11 Yep get a sweat on or we'll start calling you Ballojetti! - Hopefully the gaffer saying this will inspire him to greater things! (Sorry for talking like one of the players).
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wayway added 20:46 - Dec 11 Total waste of space, should be out of the door a s a p
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terry_butchers_twin added 22:25 - Dec 11 Just have to add that at last Tommy Smith is getting positive recognition. I have said it on here before that he will be a fixture and dependable for years to come if given the chance and encouraged and someone shows belief in him. With MM he has that and will only go from strength to strength, on top of which he comes across as much more humble than some of our other "stars".

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ITFC1958 added 22:38 - Dec 11 He's nothing special compared to the 80s team. I don't rate him.
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