Jay Tabb insists he will not be leaving Town to go on loan elsewhere and is also adamant that he is not frustrated by his lack of senior action this season.

Tabb, 31, said: “I told the gaffer the other day that I didn’t want to go anywhere on loan. I enjoy it here with my team-mates and I enjoy working with the gaffer and TC every day. I have no intention of going on loan.

“One of the things you have to do when you join a new club is sing a song — I’ve had a few of them and don’t fancy doing any more!”

The ex-Reading player was asked how frustrating it was that he has yet to feature in any of Town’s eight league games this term and responded: “Not at all. We’re doing well, I played in the two cup games, scored a goal and did okay. We’ve got a stronger squad this year, simple as that.

“Ryan Fraser has done exceptionally well, Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] has done well and Larsen [Touré] came in and played well the other night against Birmingham.

“We have also signed Tommy Oar, who looks really good in training. The fact of the matter is that we have a really strong squad with better players so it’s just one of those things.

“If the team’s winning, that’s the main thing, and when the team’s winning it’s a happy training ground.

“That’s the most important thing — you want to come into work every day and have a happy atmosphere, which is what we have at the moment because the team is playing well.

“If you’re not involved you’ve just got to make sure you’re fit and ready because you never know when there’s going to be an injury or a suspension.

“The gaffer knows that with this squad whoever he leaves out will be ready to come in if they have to. Frustrating? No, it’s life.”

Tabb, who clocked up 40 league appearances last term, is pragmatic about where he ranks in the current pecking order, admitting: “I think Ryan Fraser is better than me. We did 11 v 11 in training on Monday and it was two really good teams.

“It’s a stronger squad than last season and in years gone by, and with Ryan Fraser playing on the left I’m not going to be playing ahead of him.

“I just have to knuckle down and get on with it. I can accept it now that I’m more experienced.

"Probably, when you’re younger, you are desperate to play all the time and when you get to 31 — I’ve been playing for 14 years now and played a lot of games — you understand what’s important in football.

“It’s a team game and if you want it to be all about yourself you should go and play golf or tennis or something like that.

“Football’s a team game and if you’ve got better players in the team ahead of you all you can do is hold your hands up.

“As long as you train and work hard, that’s all you can do. If you start sulking or knocking on the manager’s door it doesn’t achieve anything, it just makes you stressed and it’s not good for team morale either.

“That’s what is so good about us here at Ipswich, we’ve got a great team spirit and we’re all together.

“If someone isn’t playing it doesn’t mean they don’t talk to anyone. We’re still joking and laughing with each other in the changing room and it doesn’t matter who actually plays because the bigger goal is always as long as the team wins.”

Photo: Action Images

battyblue added 06:20 - Sep 22 Good on you Tabby a true team man but if Mick picks the best team he needs to address the right back and goalkeeper positions because we have better options in the squad.
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blueherts added 08:01 - Sep 22 Good to hear these comments 'Ryan Fraser is better than me' - We have the strongest squad in years and we do have a strong second XI - Players like Tabby will be needed come Dec/Jan when injuries and fatigue will kick in plus he has that extra bit of experience if we are in the mix come April/May - Nice one Tabby - he must be playing off scratch now at Golf
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hampstead_blue added 09:36 - Sep 22 That is why MM loves him so much. No ego, there for the team, a real professional. I'd have him in my squad any day. Those who have critisized Tabb may have failed to look beyond the fact that he is humble, honest, and always gives his all.
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JewellintheTown added 09:54 - Sep 22 Decent bloke, is Tabby. Always liked him both as a squad player and person. Those moaning about the guy need to think about the bigger picture. We've had plenty of "better" players but at what price to the team?
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Razor added 10:13 - Sep 22 Decent bloke and makes a nice cup of tea!
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Cookycrew added 10:14 - Sep 22 "He's Quality, Tabby".........I think MM has used that phrase many times. What a superb & refreshing attitude to being part of the Team ethic.
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Jcarrell1 added 10:18 - Sep 22 Good Ol Tabby. Not the most technical player and i have had a moan about him as have most others probably. But you cant knock his determination and his professionalism. Great bloke. Would actually like to see him Play the Cup tie. He is a little Rottweiler in that midfield and doesn't stop running.
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Lathers added 11:06 - Sep 22 It's a great sign of the strength of our squad when Tabb is no where near getting a start. Hope he gets a game at Old Trafford though. It's going to take us a couple of months for all the new players to bed in and then I think we will be very hard to beat. Still not sure about Knudsen defensively and Smith and Berra have both looked shaky so far, but going forward we look like a different team this season.

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BackTheBlues added 12:13 - Sep 22 Agree with all - just shows where our squad now is! A few more games and a few more back from injury and Mick will know his best! Love Tabby though, 100%'er everytime! And always solid, rarely has a bad game! Great squad player to have!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:24 - Sep 22 But I though Mick would never drop Tabb because Mick only picks his faves, no? Good comments from Tabb, top attitude and I bet it spreads throughout the team, good role model and a good pro who gets too much stick for me
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RonFearonsHair added 19:02 - Sep 22 Not the best player but as good a role model for youngsters as I can remember.
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wayway added 20:23 - Sep 22 That is a shame
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blueboy1981 added 21:04 - Sep 22 Fine example of a true Professional attitude. His best playing days are behind him, as he acknowledges by admitting there are better players in the squad, but still an important squad member. Nice one Tabby - proud to have your kind on the payroll, setting examples to others on all fronts.
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coolcat added 21:42 - Sep 22 Remember meeting him at the Players Awards in April. Was really interesting meeting the players in person. He's a decent guy. Don't think we've seen the last of him yet.
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