Boss Mick McCarthy wonders what Leeds failed to see in striker Noel Hunt that they were willing to let him move on and join his elder brother Stephen at Portman Road. Hunt junior signed a deal to the end of the season earlier this month following his loan spell before Christmas.

Hunt, 32, endured a frustrating 17 months at Elland Road, failing to score in only 14 starts and eight sub appearances, with his only involvement this season in the opening two games of the campaign.

However, he made a dramatic start to his loan spell with Town when he scored the winner deep into injury time at Charlton in November.

And, having left Leeds and rejoined the Blues, the Irishman was handed his first start at Millwall 10 days ago and scored twice within 14 minutes to set Town on the road to their 3-1 victory. At Brighton on Wednesday he set up Daryl Murphy’s 18th goal of the season as Town were defeated 3-2.

“I wonder what other people saw in him. It was Brian McDermott that signed him [at Leeds] and I know what Brian saw in him because he had him for years at Reading,” McCarthy said.

“Then I just wonder what they don’t see in him that we could end up getting him after he’d had his contract cancelled.

“We already knew about him but having seen him play at Millwall I thought his performance was very, very good, even taking his goals out of his performance. His goals just made it an excellent performance.

“Like his brother, he’s just a great character to have around. I’m really delighted to have them both.”

Asked about the Hunt brothers as a double act, he added: “With one they're nuts and with two of them they’re completely nuts. It’s great, I love it. They’re fantastic guys.”

Meanwhile, former Blue Sean St Ledger is on trial with MLS side DC United. St Ledger was with Town on a short-term deal before Christmas but failed to break into the first team before being released.

Photo: Action Images

bluewein added 07:19 - Jan 27 Maybe if his name was Noelio Huntessio he'd be getting picked week in, week out... Ah well, sod 'em. He's ours now and I'm more than happy. Keep it up Noel...
11

bluefeast added 07:32 - Jan 27 He has made a great impact for us.
7

distractored added 10:56 - Jan 27 Bonkers.
0

JewellintheTown added 11:10 - Jan 27 We've had many players over the years leave us due to poor performances here, only to move on and surprise us by doing well at their new clubs. Glad to see we're on the receiving end this time. Long may the "nutters" continue to do well for us. Well done to all those responsible.
2

Kirbmeister added 11:36 - Jan 27 JewellintheTown - I actually can't think of hardly any who have done better after leaving us in the last 20 years, who did you think of?
3

NoCanariesAllowed added 11:47 - Jan 27 Perhaps it's not what they couldn't see in Noel. It's what they couldn't get OUT of him. Credit to TC and our coaching staff there.
2

NeverGoingUp added 11:48 - Jan 27 Only Jordan Rhodes has improved after leaving the Town.
3

Kirbmeister added 11:57 - Jan 27 Forgot about Rhodes- he never got a chance here due to our delightful manager but he has bettered himself. Struggling to think of many others though Stead, at least for one game, was superb against Chelsea.
2

RomeoZondervan added 12:03 - Jan 27 Creswell is doing well at West Ham - quite a lot of articles have been written about how well he has been doing Gareth McAuley has consistently been in the West Brom team for the last few years. Walters is a fan favourite at Stoke Just a few off the top of my head :)
6

linhdi added 12:17 - Jan 27 But Cresswell, McAuley and Walters were hardly Town rejects. It's a fair point that our rejects rarely do better elsewhere. Rhodes an exception, of course. Interesting to speculate whether he'd get in our current team though...
3

charsfield added 12:33 - Jan 27 Delaney springs to mind - derided constantly for us and yet has now been a regular centre back at PL level for years
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dawoolah added 12:57 - Jan 27 Jon Stead based on Saturdays performance! haha
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Kirbmeister added 13:56 - Jan 27 Yeah the thread was bettering themselves after poor performances here - agree Delaney is one and good for him. Others? I'm struggling!!
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Portman51 added 14:12 - Jan 27 Charsfield - yes, but Delaney was often played out of position at left back, where his lack of pace and passing ability was regularly exposed. Rather like Chambers now on the other side. As for Noel Hunt, good start, but let's wait and see. Everyone gets a lift from a move, especially if they haven't been playing.
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WarkOn added 14:28 - Jan 27 I don't think you can say ' Well he's great for us, why not for his previous club?' Some managers and players click, some don't. Like anyone, I imagine a player needs to feel happy at a club to play well. Can you imagine anyone feeling happy at a chaotic club like Leeds over the past few years?
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weddings added 17:28 - Jan 27 If we go up bet Walters will be back at PR next season
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purplealien added 18:33 - Jan 27 Leadbitter?
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jas0999 added 19:31 - Jan 27 A good addition to the squad, but not convinced he is a striker, but more a winger. Great up front against Millwall, not so good against Brighton.
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BillBlue added 21:44 - Jan 27 One word - Jet! He is doing well at Bristol, they are playing good football and coming up!
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ElephantBlue added 14:41 - Jan 28 Lee Martin....oh wait!
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