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

pazelle added 11:19 - Feb 4 We play Bishop in central midfield and we go on a ridiculous winning streak - what's Mick on about here? Just play the 433 that got us to 2nd in the first place!
3

GiveusaWave added 11:37 - Feb 4 It really doesn't matter as we just pass it across the back until we get it to Chambers and then we hoof it forward. We don't play football we play hoofball. Bru occasionally looks threatening from midfield, but most of the time the midfield is only useful for winning back the ball and getting it to Chambers. Parr seems our best passer but he rarely starts. Bishop can play anywhere in midfield given our tactics. We do need a replacement for Murphy though. Collison, Haynes etc are better in a passing team- I don't think they suit our style of play. For those that lambast MM for playing hoofball- it's got us where we are right now and Wimbledon did ok with this style of football for many years. Given our lack of pace/ technical/skilful players its a clever way to win the game.

1

yorksblue added 11:53 - Feb 4 May as well go to 'Twickers' and watch egg chasing. Not much difference.
1

Michael11 added 12:04 - Feb 4 I'd rather he just played in the middle and we go back to the 4-3-3 which actually got us in this position. It's no coincidence that our form has dropped since he's not played. If we're going to play 4-4-2 then we need better wingers than Anderson and Tabb. Tabb's out of position so not as effective and I just don't think Anderson's top half Championship quality. Cameron Stewart's a very odd situation too, I'm not sure why he's not been given a chance. He has pace to burn which is what we're severely lacking.

9

Chicago_Blue added 12:40 - Feb 4 "learning different positions" Our promotion (currently) rivals are signing players for 4 million quid to push on. We're doing on the job learning.
1

StirlingArcher added 13:58 - Feb 4 Seriously if we win on the weekend, others around us don't.... will you still be moaning so much? we had a bad game v wigan, did our transfer business early I honestly think the lack of a panic buy has really jaded a lot of people on this board.
0

rickw added 15:02 - Feb 4 Yes potentially we could move to level top at the weekend, but if we stick with 442 long ball it'll be through luck (i.e against Milwall they gifted us early goals) We were so much more impressive playing 433 earlier in the season - which got us to where we are. Our form in January was W1 D2 L3 - we won't stay near the top for long if that continues!
3

Marcus added 15:05 - Feb 4 If he can play anywhere why did we need to sign Paddy Kenny?
2

battyblue added 15:22 - Feb 4 if you are going to try that strata gee Mick you may as well put Kenny in goal and play Barty as striker i am sure he would be able to win some hoof-balls.
3

MattinLondon added 15:42 - Feb 4 Personally I think that we have just become far too predictable - over reliance on set plays and if plan A doesn't work then hoof the ball forward. I don't think its in MM nature to go for the jugular and maybe that will cost us automatic promotion. Bishop, Ambrose and Bru are good passers of the ball who can link play up with the strikers but maybe lack the huff-and-puff of Tabb, Anderson and Hyam. And despite MM stating that he is pragmatic maybe his under-adventure and reliance on workhorses will be the difference between Championship or Premier League football next season.

3

Cloddyseedbed added 16:48 - Feb 4 McCarthy's reliance on workhorses is why we have not seen Stewart and Henshall. When I've watched them I have not been impressed by there contribution in the match and obviously nor has Mick.
1

carsey added 17:15 - Feb 4 I love what Mick and Terry have achieved, saving us from relegation, making us hard to beat, raising our expectations and having us challenge at the right end of the division. What I fear is that they cannot/will not change their tactics and play modern day football on the ground. For all their success in the past with Wolves and Sunderland they were found out in the top division by more tactically aware coaches - those like Eddie Howe at Bournemouth. We have arguably the best 3 centre backs and two of the best full backs in the division so why not play 3 CB's and 2 attacking FB's . Lets attack the opposition particularly at Portman Road. Make them defender against us. Bishop would have the time to work his stuff in mid-field with Bru and Scuse to protect him and Murphy, McGoldrick or Sears can concentrate on scoring goals. Please Mick try it - running around and working hard is great but all the top teams whether club or country keep the ball and pass it around so it has to be the way to go.

3

bluesince84 added 17:33 - Feb 4 he can even play on the bench so it would seem!!!!!
1

oddball added 17:37 - Feb 4 Relax people this means bishop will play and anderson wont and thats good :-). Think we have to play parr and drop smith and sears for mcgoldrick who is well below par. Gerken Parr chambers berra mings Bishop skuse bru tab Murphy sears
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Gazelle added 17:46 - Feb 4 Oddball that's exactly the team I'd pick, sorry Tommy but your lack of a right foot shows up in your distribution.
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jas0999 added 18:33 - Feb 4 I'm not convinced. Bishop is a central midfield player and would be best utilised in that position. I have no doubt he could play there, it's like Murphy could play a wide role, but he is better suited to a striker role. For me we should utilise players in their best positions. If MM thinks Anderson and others are not up to it, then he should sign a better option, not use an excellent central player on the right.

5

yorksblue added 19:12 - Feb 4 Ambrose needs more games and is a proven goal scorer.
2

Cloddyseedbed added 20:02 - Feb 4 Did anybody see Berra's distribution on Saturday? Far worse than Smiths.
1

Cloddyseedbed added 20:04 - Feb 4 Don't like the word " Distribution " certainly at Portman Road as it means kick it as hard and as far as you can.
2

TimmyH added 20:07 - Feb 4 C'mon Mick let's not get into the habit of last season and start playing midfielders out of position (particularly on the wings) and let's not use this excuse that Bishop can play in these positions just so we don't have to get a loanee in to fill this weaker creative width in our side. Bish will be a good player but YOU CAN'T EXPECT too much from the lad in his first season! we need the quality still out wide and a creative midfielder who can pass and run with the ball.

2

wayway added 20:26 - Feb 4 Bishop has to be playmaker in central midfield, who the hell else have we got
3

happybeingblue added 20:32 - Feb 4 Derby will go up think they showing ambition with signings they have made bent will get them the goals as Marcus Stewart did the year we last went up...play offs would be an achievement just a shame that we haven't added some real quality to our team ... Bournemouth and Derby the best footballing teams for me ...
1

SheptonMalletBlue added 23:42 - Feb 4 The Bubble has Burst!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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