The sight of Teddy Bishop lining up on the right of midfield might become more familiar in the weeks to come with manager Mick McCarthy believing that the 18-year-old is capable of operating in a variety of roles.

Bishop has played most of his senior football in central midfield so far but replaced Paul Anderson on the right during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Wigan, having played the same position for the U21s in their 1-1 draw with Cardiff earlier last week.

“He’s not a winger as such but somebody who can play on the right-side of midfield,” McCarthy said. “There is a difference.

“I wanted him to play there in the U21s, it’s another string to his bow to play there. He played there at Blackpool.

“Teddy could play anywhere, I think, when he’s got the ball. It’s just understanding the position.”

The Town manager says it’s useful to have players who can play in several positions given the small squad at his disposal.

“I think we’ve got 22 players, I’m including Murph, Gerks and Luke Hyam [who are currently injured], and I think it’s important that they can play in a number of roles,” he added.

“Jonny Parr went and played wide left and scored the third goal at Millwall, so I think [it’s useful] them learning different positions.

“Certainly for Ted, he wouldn’t be an out and out winger, but he’d certainly be a threat playing there.”

Darren Ambrose, who played just off the main striker for the U21s last week, is a similarly versatile member of the squad.

“I just think Darren’s a good footballer, a capable footballer,” McCarthy continued. “He played on the right against Southampton, there’s no doubt that he can play on the left.

“But he’s not a winger, he’s somebody who will come and play on the inside and cause a threat that way. That’s a way we can play.”

Meanwhile, former Blue Danny Haynes, 27, is training with League One Gillingham having so far failed to find a club since his Notts County contract was terminated by mutual consent in December.

Photo: Action Images

BlueMachines added 06:22 - Feb 4 Square pegs in round holes!!!! Ffs!!
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MickMillsTash added 06:32 - Feb 4 Looked decent at Brighton - had a bit more space and changed our game. But Chambers already looking exposed so defensively a bit of a risk. Bishop needs to play
6

stevelincsexile added 06:52 - Feb 4 Shame about Danny Haynes I really thought as a youngster here he would go places.
9

Suffolk_n_Good added 07:10 - Feb 4 He can't play anywhere if you keep leaving him on the bench?!?!
6

prebbs007 added 07:29 - Feb 4 NO Mick !! Play people in their right position. We are being found out by playing people out of position (chambers etc). Play Parr & Mings at full back. They're the only 2 we have. Play bishop centre mid, he's the best we have there ! Get some reinforcements in as our squad is too small. Don't blow this fantastic chance we have by being stubborn and sticking with favourites when they're not good enough.

18

BLUEBEAT added 07:40 - Feb 4 how about trying Stewart on the right? Way faster than Anderson.
10

bluefeast added 07:41 - Feb 4 Stunned on three fronts. One , that MM is encouraging good players to try new roles ,when the very same players are better than those that start certain positions. Two ,that Danny Haynes is only 27. He loked a great prospect under Magilton. Finally and the best bit ,there is an indication or hint that both Ambrose and Bishop are going to start.That would be great. I hope Murphy is fit though for Saturday.

8

Surco72 added 07:44 - Feb 4 Play Bishop centre midfield and build our team around him for the next few years
8

Surco72 added 07:54 - Feb 4 Towns record this season when Bishop starts is better than I thought - P 12 W 7 D 4 L1 and the only loss was the Derby game . He has to play
7

BiGDonnie added 08:02 - Feb 4 Cmon Mock, stop fookin about and play in him in his natural position. He's better than any of our central midfielders.
8

RaymondovicBlue added 08:32 - Feb 4 Haynes in on a short term contract... Very short... One particular game in April .... Why? He always scored against Norwich!!!! 😄 Meanwhile, back at the story, Mick is being real.... Sometimes you have to play players out of position.....occasionally.... But not as a norm, please!! (England never quite managed to pay well with a good Shape with both Gerrard and Lampard because one of then was always out of position)

4

Cloddyseedbed added 08:40 - Feb 4 So what is Anderson supposed to be? Is he a winger or is he a wide midfield player? What is Chambers, is he a centre half or is he a right back? I'm as confused as some of the players looked last home game.
6

yorksblue added 08:43 - Feb 4 Bit pointless having a midfield atm. They're by-passed by balls flying over their heads.
20

kuyski added 08:43 - Feb 4 Mick，very simple,would you like the manager to told you change your best position to what you didn't likes position ALWAYS when you a player before!you will happy?really??
1

Ipswich58 added 08:49 - Feb 4 The right back situation now is not dissimilar to that with Carlos Edwards. Another played out of position and cruelly exposed and we suffered because of it. History repeating itself. Come on MM grow a pair and make the right decisions. You might know of a player called Stewart you signed who would fit in well on RHS of that Norwegian bloke who's getting splinters in his backside from sitting on the bench so much.

2

hampstead_blue added 08:50 - Feb 4 It's irrelevant. When the defence always ship it over the top we may as well have Skuse plus any three. The only time we looked threatening against Wigan was when Bru had it on the floor, and when the rest of the team was trying to AVOID that by going long, it was destined to fail. Parr's goal against Millwall was as a result of a passing move ALONG THE FLOOR. Bishop can play on the right, of course he can. But there is no point with the current tactic.

8

dirtyboy added 09:05 - Feb 4 Mick seems frightened to use Bru and Bishop with Skuse behind and I'm not sure why, all three good with the ball and the link up to McGoldrick I feel would work. I also hate saying it, but I think Chambers and Smith in the middle, Parr and Mings out wide is a far more balanced set up, but fully appreciate Smith's qualities in the air defending and attacking. Mick has some problems knowing his best players at the moment perhaps...I'm sure he'll do what's necessary.

1

bellazzurri79 added 09:13 - Feb 4 Mick trying to back up his decision to not sign anyone I hope I don't hear 'that was a valuable point against Rotherham, they are better than their league position suggests' ... We need reinforcements and they are out there....
4

BergholtBru added 09:20 - Feb 4 I can`t believe there are so many people who think they know better than Mick. Really, some of you haven`t a clue.
0

OldClactonBlue added 09:35 - Feb 4 Why would you think of not playing Bishop in the middle? He's streets ahead of anyone else in the club in that role. Just play him and leave one of the workers on the bench. If we keep the ball we won't need to keep worrying about stopping the opposition.
4

OldClactonBlue added 09:36 - Feb 4 Sorry BergholtBru, if you were watching on Saturday it was obvious those on the pitch didn't have a clue!
4

Mariner1974 added 09:50 - Feb 4 We don't have any great natural wingers vying for a first team place at the moment. Henshall and Stewart were both bought for that reason, but neither has broken through as yet. Some aspects of Anderson's game I like, but he just doesn't look like he can beat a man. Tabb's been great, but lacks that ability also...get more width from Mings and Parr, so better formation with the players we have would be 3-5-2 with a tight midfield of Skuse/Bru/Bishop when it needs to be so they can compete, and Bishop freed up to link with McGoldrick when we're on top Bartoz Berra Smith Mings Skuse Bru Bishop Parr Murph McGoldrick

4

Mariner1974 added 09:51 - Feb 4 Chambers was late on the bus....he's in now Bartoz Chambers Smith Berra Mings Skuse Bru Bishop Parr Murph McGoldrick
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Razor added 10:19 - Feb 4 Well play him then!!!
1

Popeye added 10:58 - Feb 4 Dont think he would be very good in goal tbh!
1

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