Blues boss Mick McCarthy is delighted that former loan duo Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb opted for a return to Portman Road on a permanent basis, despite interest from elsewhere. The duo recently agreed two-year deals with Town following their release by Celtic and Reading respectively.

McCarthy says that as well as the players impressing him during their loan spells, he’s pleased that the club also did enough to persuade them to stick around: “There are two ways at looking at that. They did enough [to be offered contracts], but what about the fact that we did enough to convince them?

“I’ve no doubt Murph could have had [other clubs interested] but Murph’s been on loan here for 10 years, he’s had a testimonial!

“He loves it here and he wanted to stay, which I think is great. And he wasn’t looking for the earth, moon and stars, he wanted to play here, stay here and play with us.

“Tabby had other offers and better offers financially, but he wanted to stay here. Has that got a bit to say about me, about Terry Connor, about the staff, about the club?

“That’s a nice thing because I heard that you can’t get players here, so perhaps we can if the circumstances are right. It doesn’t matter that we’re 80 miles away from wherever.

“I think that it says a lot about the club that we’ve had players like David McGoldrick, who was here last season, who actually want to come back and play here.”

In addition to former loanees Murphy, Tabb - who was reportedly targeted by Middlesbrough and Birmingham before committing to returning to Town - and McGoldrick, McCarthy has also added Cole Skuse to his squad this summer.

He says he has high hopes for the 27-year-old Bristolian midfielder or right-back: “He was on a Bosman, that helped. He’s a really good character, he was the captain at Bristol City and he’s a talented, tall, rangy midfield player who can play in a number of positions. He’s certainly versatile and that helps.

“If you’re going to have a squad of 20 or 22 players then you need players who can play in other positions.

“He was the captain there, he’s a good guy, a good character and having signed him, the more people I’ve met who know him, I’ve never heard a bad word about him. He’s going to be a good player for us, he’s a good personality.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 06:11 - Jun 26 Definately feel more confident about the new season than I have for some time. Time for a wager methinks !
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Dissboyitfc added 06:44 - Jun 26 starting to get the buzz, really feel that we could have a good season.....coyb
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Len_Brennan added 06:54 - Jun 26 These are 4 good permanent signings, no question, and not a penny has bden spent on fees - that's a great start to the summer. 3 of them are risk fee also, in that we know what they can do in a town shirt & the type of characters they are (more importantly Mick knows). On top of that Skuse was a team captain, regular & worker at Bristol City, which says the same about his character & commitment. The fact that they came for less money than they could have gotten elsewhere is the icing on the cake. These are the right types of players that we should want to see at our club & see us move away from the era of high wage short term loanees and the attitudes that Shane Supple spoke of when he got disillusioned with the game. I know not everyone is a fan of Murphy, but I like him & I respect what he does for the team. He gives us good options to change also. I remember seeing Jay Tabb about 4/5 years ago & thinking he was going to be a top Premiership player. That has quite happened, yet, but I saw enough of him last season to know what a great addition he is to our club. As for McGoldrick, I am delighted he is back as I was really impressed with his overall play, especially his touch & hold up play. His goal scoring at Coventry also shows that he can bang in 20 a season when the opportunities & service are provided. I am particularly looking forward to seeing him play at the front of a 4-4-1-1 system, with Taylor in behind, as I think they could slice open Championship defences with awareness, pace, touch & trickery. Keep them coming Mick & roll on season 2013/14.

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village_blue added 07:11 - Jun 26 Now lets just hope we can add Stearman to the list of ex loanee's turning into permanent players for the new season,
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Baldric added 07:39 - Jun 26 Mick- Murphy's been here on loan so long he has had a Testimonial, Brilliant.
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bluemikey100 added 07:56 - Jun 26 mc goldrick and taylor upfront cud be best strike force weve had for years
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cooper4england added 07:58 - Jun 26 Stearman and Grant and the worlds a happy place. COYB
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hollywoodginge added 08:41 - Jun 26 When I hear things like this it makes me glow with pride a little bit and restores a bit of faith that not all modern day players are greedy so and so's, the fact that money doesn't rule Tabb and Murphy and the fact that pulling on a town shirt is more important says that these players are exactly the kind we need here, and with that kind of attitude in the team who knows what can be achieved, it's gonna be a hard season but I've a good feeling about this one.

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itsonlyme added 08:53 - Jun 26 This season is going to be as hard as any season in the last 8 years. I really hope we can squeeze into the top 6 as that would say something about the closeness of the squad and Mick's worth ethic. I feel that Bolton, Reading, & QPR could be the teams to fight for automatic promotion. But hey, there is always one team that surprises and why can't that be us!
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bluelodgeblue added 09:32 - Jun 26 Maybe Chopra & Jet should read this article, might make them think a bit (if that's possible??)
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brendenward35 added 10:11 - Jun 26 I think the main reason these guys have joined us is Mick and Terry. You can show them all the nice stuff, training facilities the ground the shopping center but if the managers and coaches are rubbish they won't come. Obviously Mick left a great impression on them when they left, enough for them to forget about the cash and want to be in Micks team next season. Like everyone else really have a good feeling about next season been totally behind Mick all through the time he has been at the club. ITFC are very lucky to have such a great manager and coach. COYB Micks blue and white army

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SouperJim added 10:19 - Jun 26 The Mick McCarthy effect. No better proof, if any were needed, that having a proper decent manager is absolutely vital. Hopefully Marcus is learning.
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Tractamatt added 10:48 - Jun 26 Sign Stearman and keep Cresswell and we could be looking at finishing higher than the play offs
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ArnieMsBigToe added 11:30 - Jun 26 Cor blimey!! Best I have felt before a season start in many years. 4 permanent new players plus Taylor (who is like a new player). We are gonna be there or thereabouts. COYB!!
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MathieandMarshall added 12:21 - Jun 26 lets not forget Wordsworth will be fully fit with a pre-season under his belt so could also be like a new signing. Showed glimpses of quality in the small amount of time he had on pitch at the end of the season. Keep hearing great things about Hewitt from people connected to the club too. all very positive!
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dawoolah added 12:48 - Jun 26 Nice dig at 'The Dark Lord' there MM! “That's a nice thing because I heard that you can't get players here, so perhaps we can if the circumstances are right. It doesn't matter that we're 80 miles away from wherever." hahaha On wards and upwards - In Mick we trust!
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Karlosfandangal added 14:46 - Jun 26 Murphy, Tabb, Slkue, McGoldrick Fit Wordsworth the return of Taylor plus Nouble, it could be quite a season if we get 2 or 3 more in, ie keeper and right back. nothing wrong with Loach but need a back up keeper or better than Loach and let them fight it out for number 1
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tcannITFC added 15:56 - Jun 26 We definitely need a right back, Stearman would be a good signing, Bradley Orr wasn't too bad at the club either.
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whosroundisitanyway added 16:06 - Jun 26 The Town are goin up! The Town are goin up! & now your'e gonna believe us & now your'e gonna believe us & now your'e gonna belieeeeve us. The Town are goin up! Oh roll on August 3rd, I cant wait!!! Sorry, just having one of those moments.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 16:20 - Jun 26 I fully understand that commenting on Paul Taylor's recent issues is discouraged and I concur with that. However, we should not forget him when talking about new players. Paul will be like a new player to us. I really like what MM & TC are doing at town. He has kept everyone that I would've and has ditched everyone that I would've. Also, don't forget Wordsworth, Mings & Hewitt. I think we have picked up some gems there.

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BuckieBlue added 17:56 - Jun 26 Players basically want success and money (ok some are also into loyalty such as Murphy- love the testimonial joke, Mick!), so those joining us, despite better offers elsewhere, obviously think Town are going places in 13-14......great to hear. The ingredients are there: as others have said, above, MM/TC are a big plus factor but I think the settled squad (even if we get 2 more in, that might still only leave 3-4 who weren't at the club last season) could be equally significant.

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Warkys_Tash added 22:17 - Jun 26 It's great to hear that we have players coming back because hey enjoyed their footy and just want to continue doing so, unlike some of he mercenaries we have signed since ME put his own money into the club from mid 2008. We now appear to be going back to the traditional. 'Ipswich way', which is heartening & motivating. Well done MM, TC & ME.
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