Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has emphasised how his relationship with manager Mick McCarthy was the driving force behind his decision to sign for Town.

The pair spent several seasons together at Wolves after McCarthy handed over £1.5 million to capture the ex-Manchester United youngster from Plymouth in 2008.

Ebanks-Blake said: “The move had been speculated about for a while. The manager kept in touch with me throughout my rehab and I’m delighted that I’ve got it done.

“The manager didn’t have to make these calls but it shows the relationship that we built up over the years at Wolves. Great respect to him, he’s a great man like that and I was pleased with it.

“I worked with him for more than four years at Wolves and he’s a very good manager. He’s very good at bringing the right set of lads together and you can clearly see that Ipswich are on the up.

“They all work hard for each other and want to be successful, and it’s clear what Mick is building here. There were other offers but Mick was always at the front of the queue because he’s that sort of man.

“The relationship we have, plus the fact that he stayed in touch with me after I was injured, tells you what sort of man he is. That goes a long way with me. It’s not always about who is offering you the most money, it’s the relationships you build with people.”

Asked if he would have been as enthusiastic about joining Town had McCarthy not been in charge, Ebanks-Blake added: “It’s a difficult question because Ipswich is a big club with a lot of history.

“But I must admit Mick and Terry Connor were a big pull. I’ve worked with them in the past and we had a lot of success. I’m hoping I can bring that here as well.

“One thing I’ve always said about Mick is that he is a very honest man. As a player that’s all you want — honesty. You want to know why you’re not in the team and what you have to do to get into the team.

“He gives you the answers quite directly, even if they are not the answers you want to hear. But you’d rather be told the truth.”

Photo: ITFC

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jas0999 added 17:51 - Dec 20 As others have commented, MM seems to have more success than the previous three managers of attracting players. It's not location, or money it would seem ... Just the draw of an excellent manager. We really are lucky to have Mick.
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irishtim added 18:09 - Dec 20 Thank God for MM. Think this club is on an upward curve at long last.
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Mark added 19:16 - Dec 20 Mick has attracted so many good players now and picked them up on free transfers, which is fantastic business. In recent years our free transfers have mainly been past-it players, but not any more.
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coolcole93 added 20:07 - Dec 20 Players don't seem to have a bad word to say about MM! PS: "He gives you the answers quite directly, even if they are not the answers you want to here. But you'd rather be told the truth." Shouldn't that be 'hear'? :P
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bluelodgeblue added 20:20 - Dec 20 spot on jas0999. nuff said
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warktheline added 20:50 - Dec 20 irishtim,again you are spot on.Many earlier doubters are now changing their tune,have you noticed?
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irishtim added 20:58 - Dec 20 warktheline. Have never doubted MM. Have always been a big fan especially saipan when he got rid of judas. My claim to fame refusing a drink from judas in a cork pub long before he became town manager. If we stick with MM we will reap the rewards.
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Cloddyseedbed added 21:14 - Dec 20 coolcole93 I seem to remember a player called "Keane" wasn't impressed with Micks management! Really excited by the revolution taking place at Portman Road. Looking forward to the New Year.
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warktheline added 21:15 - Dec 20 I ,like you,have backed MM from day one.ME pulled off a big coup attracting such a high profile manager.Mick has turned our club on its head.....without his appointment Town would of been playing Div 1 football now,(look at Bristol City/JET).The deadwood have gone,Mick doesn't suffer fools.Maybe some people on this forum will stop calling me deluded.I predicted at least a top 8 finish at the end of last season and have total faith in MM,TC and boys.

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tractordownsouth added 21:34 - Dec 20 Warktheline Agreed you are not deluded. In july i predicted us for fifth place and i was in doubt but now i believe we can be top 6
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irishtim added 21:38 - Dec 20 Absolutely agree with you warktheline. Hope your top 8 prediction can extend to top 6. We have a top manager who takes no crap, get's bargains in transfer market, respects his player's who in turn respect him. All things pointing to better times at portman road.
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