Manager Mick McCarthy said he was glad to have Jay Emmanuel-Thomas back in the fold after the midfielder came off the bench for his first 10 minutes of Championship football this year during Saturday’s 1-0 home victory over Leicester. The 22-year-old made a vital contribution to the Blues’ win when he made a superb block when Foxes midfielder Andy King looked set to equalise in the closing moments.

McCarthy says the former Arsenal youngster, whose last league appearance came in the final seconds at Charlton on Boxing Day, won himself a return to the 18 with his display in the 4-3 U21s victory over Colchester on Monday after impressing rather less in an earlier second string fixture.

“He did great,” McCarthy said of the former England U19 international’s showing against Leicester. “He got back in the team on the back of his performance on Monday.

“He played [in the U21s] at Charlton about six weeks ago and it was the most abject performance I’ve seen in a long time.

“And nobody will get in my squads, in my teams if they’re playing that way. I’m not bothered if it’s the U21s or the reserves or training games, you don’t get in my squads, in my teams if that’s the case.

“Do what he did on Monday, he gets back in the squad and he’s probably saved us the three points with his block.

“I’m glad to have him back, onside, playing the way he is, training the way he is. It’s lovely to have his ability.

“I hope the spell out of the side has shaken him up a little bit,” he added. “If it doesn’t, they don’t ever get back in the side, but he’s trained really, really well.

"I’ve been pleased with his training and I thought on Monday night that he was excellent.”

The Blues boss felt Saturday’s display illustrated how far his team had progressed since the 6-0 hammering by the Foxes shortly after he took over as manager in November: “It was our fourth game, we’d been thrashed by Palace as well. We were fresh into it, we were trying to get them organised and to work the way we wanted them to work.

“Leicester were excellent on the day but we were garbage. We gave a penalty away and were all over the shop. We were poor. It’s progress, isn’t it? From 6-0 to 1-0, it’s progress.”

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, who was unhappy about some of the treatment meted out to his skipper Wes Morgan, thought his side should have got something from the game: “We didn’t deserve to lose the match.

“But credit to Ipswich, they’re working very, very hard and Mick’s got them well organised and they’re a lot more difficult to beat now than they were when he arrived, and credit to them for that. But I’m disappointed and the players are disappointed.”

Regarding Foxes striker David Nugent, who missed out due to a neck injury having scored 11 goals in 11 games against the Blues and seven in six matches at Portman Road, Pearson says he was a long way from being considered for inclusion: “He wasn’t close to playing otherwise he would have travelled.

“Who is to say whether we would have won if he’d played or not? We’ve had enough chances, we’ve got good players on the pitch and sometimes that’s how it goes.”

Photo: Action Images

Radlett_blue added 07:04 - Mar 4 Hmm..let's put this in perspective - he's come on for 10 minutes. Can't be anywhere near match fit as he's played just 2 U-21 games in the last 3 months.
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Mark added 07:29 - Mar 4 It's a real shame Emmanuel-Thomas hasn't pushed on, as although his performances were mixed to say the least there was a time when his dribbling ability was setting up goals and he was hitting superb long-range strikes every match (OK most hit the post, but he just needed to improve his accuracy by about 1cm!). Real talent, but will he make it? I think it is up to him.
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BlueMachines added 08:29 - Mar 4 If anyone can get the best out of him, Mick can. His creativity is evidently needed!
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Kesgraveblue57 added 08:34 - Mar 4 Emmanuel things are looking up of you now the Boss called you Jet, push on now let the past stay in the rear view mirror Ipswich Town FC is a very good place to be under MM be part of it
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Marcus added 08:47 - Mar 4 This season he's been more Air Crash Investigation than JET. If he can play to his potential then he could be the creative spark that we're missing. I know in previous comments I've suggested we should offload him however I'm happy to be proven wrong. @Radlett_blue MMc did mention training matches as well.
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Edinburgh_Blue added 09:09 - Mar 4 @Kesgraveblue57. He still hasn't called him JET yet. That's just Phil's headline.
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pazelle added 09:21 - Mar 4 Go on JET, prove the doubters wrong and keep working hard!
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Alwaysablue added 09:28 - Mar 4 That block was top draw, 100% commitment was great to see
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AbujaBlue added 09:34 - Mar 4 Edinburgh - listen to the post-match interview and you'll find that MM made a point of calling him JET because of that performance.
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Tractorog added 10:16 - Mar 4 Great man management. If these comments don't get him motivated then nothing will.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 10:16 - Mar 4 Both Radio and TV interviews MM called Emmanuel- Jet I heard it but it must have past your bedtime Edinburgh Blue
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yorksblue added 10:36 - Mar 4 He's been here a year, and the best he can do is get a block in Speaks volumes.
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Michael11 added 11:13 - Mar 4 I've been his biggest critic but i was very impressed with his attitude on saturday. If he can show that desire to work for the team like that every week then he can develop into a top player for us! Good management by Mick too!
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kerryblue added 11:45 - Mar 4 Id like to see Emmanuel T doing well here but he hasnt been bothered so far since his move from Arsenal,If he doesnt finish the season strongly Id say he will be on his bike in the Summer
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thechangingman added 12:12 - Mar 4 I am NOT looking to be witty or cynical - it's just that every time I see Thomas being referred to as, ahem, 'JET' (sic) I can't help smiling and thinking that it's the least appropriate nickname EVER given to a footballer....
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MathieandMarshall added 12:40 - Mar 4 Havent met the guy so just my opinion but I get the impression that JET may have a bit of an Ego and maybe think he is "big time" Being guaranteed a place in the squad each week is no help at all for someone like him but being dumped out of the 18 will hurt the Ego! - and hopefully put a rocket up him. Great man management by Mick who continues to impress me.
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blueherts added 12:40 - Mar 4 I think TC deserves alot of credit here - he has worked with JET and I think Mick dropping him may , just MAY be be the rocket he needs He will never be a 90 minute give it all u got type player BUT during a tight 0-0 scrappy affair he may . just MAY have the key to unlock , that bit of JET MAGIC I really hope so coz we have very few players available with his natural ability BTW when is Wordsworth back -

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Bergholtblue added 13:08 - Mar 4 I don't want to keep harping back to Roy Keane, he has been and gone and its all history. But the difference in man management between MM and RK is why I lioke MM so much. A player puts in a "most abject performance" and MM tells the player. RK tells the press! e.g. that the player(s) will never play for Town again, as per McCauley, Garvin and Counago. I agree, if MM and TC can't get the best out of J E-T then its not in there to get out. It's all down to the player now and how much he wants it.

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Tractastic added 13:45 - Mar 4 Jet is an undoubted talent and offers something different to the team including goals and creativity from midfield,something we clearly need. If MM can get the best out of him and i trust he can then he might well have an important role to play in us staying up. Great 2nd half performance on Saturday, well done to the team and in MM we finally have a manager to believe in again. COYB.

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RetroBlue added 14:17 - Mar 4 MM definitely referred to Jay as JET, and made of point of saying he was doing so because he was pleased with the way the player has responded to being dropped and for his contribution in the game v Leicester. Lets just hope JET can push on now. He has so much ability its unbelievable talent that needs to be harnessed ...then we'd have a problem trying to hold on to him!!

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bluey123 added 16:01 - Mar 4 Ten minutes makes one block and you lot think he is a world beater you pathetic LOT
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SorrentoBlue added 19:34 - Mar 4 Great post Kesgrave57. As for Edinburgh Blue get your facts right !!
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TimmyH added 19:37 - Mar 4 Yes it is a bit strange that Mick welcomes back JET and points out that he did great for 10 minutes, I could probably do ok for 5 minutes if I knew that's all the time I had to play. JET has been given chances before and played more continuously especially under PJ and in all honesty has not done that much but only occasionally comes up with the odd flash of brilliance, like Martin he needs to start effecting games more.

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Ollie added 19:43 - Mar 4 Maybe getting a taste for playing first team football again will spur him on to work harder again, time will tell!
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Knightsy added 19:56 - Mar 4 Totally Agree with Kesgrave57....MM is the Man to get JET Playing to his potential, and also MM won't stand for any nosense and kick him up the backside. It's time for him to Push on now......COYB'S
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