Town boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues have no intention of selling Freddie Sears or anyone else during the January transfer window.

Asked whether he thought anyone might make a move for in-form Sears, who recently signed a new contract until 2019 with an option for a further season, McCarthy said: “I’ve had no indication that they would, but I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t be interested in him because he’s very good.

“But what would I be doing trying to sell players? It’s not on my agenda at all to be selling them.

“We’re in the top six and it’s going to be a real struggle to stay in that top six all season long, to finish in that top six, so selling players isn’t going to help that very much.”

He added: “There’s no chance, Marcus doesn’t sell players, not good players, that’s for sure.”

McCarthy is delighted by 26-year-old Sears’s form, the ex-West Ham and Colchester man having largely played in a wide left role this season rather than as an out-an-out striker.

“Having players that are versatile or adaptable, especially when you get injuries, that you can mix and match [is very useful],” McCarthy added.

“And he’s found a real slot for himself, Freddie, wide on the left. I thought he was brilliant the other night, just outstanding.”

On Thursday, Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division side Barwell’s manager Jimmy Ginnelly revealed that his side’s 19-year-old midfielder Brady Hickey would be joining the Blues on trial.

McCarthy wouldn’t be drawn on his interest in the former England Schoolboys international but believes it’s important to keep an eye on non-league talent given his previous successes.

“Everybody’s doing it, we’re all looking for players and we’ve got to continue doing it,” he added. “If you pick one up like Tyrone Mings, why wouldn’t you look at other players?”

Photo: Action Images

muccletonjoe added 06:21 - Dec 19 I can imagine the comments if we sold Freddie, I don't see it happening in january
2

Jimmy86 added 07:23 - Dec 19 Thing is Mick, Freddie is happy to do a job wide left, if it helps the team, but he primarily is a striker, so again it's a case of square pegs, round holes. We could play 4 3 3 and then have pitman, Murphy and Sears up front together.
0

Vic added 07:41 - Dec 19 "Marcus doesn't sell players"! Clears throat - u hmm, Mings, Cressy! But that aside I'd be hugely surprised if Sears went mid season.
2

Moisha added 08:14 - Dec 19 I think it's clear we are 433 when attacking and 442 when defending. You can't just stay 433 when the opposition has the ball as you'll be overrun in the middle. I like Freddie out there, he is still dangerous coming inside for a shot, or he can go outside and cross, either way he is running at the defence and they don't know what to do with him. Big game today. COYBSSSSSSSSSSSS

4

jas0999 added 08:47 - Dec 19 Marcus does sell players Mick. Good players like Mings and Cresswell. He then frees up money for freebies and the very occasional small fee, spouting money spent on wages. This is despite saving millions on wages of players released such as Taylor. I'm afraid I continue not to believe the PR spin machine. Let's hope Evans learnt from last year and frees up some money to Spend in the January window. We have a chance of promotion. Let's not waste that opportunity again.

5

bedsitfc added 08:50 - Dec 19 Vic Don't forget Rhodes and wick ham
4

BlueMachines added 08:55 - Dec 19 Clearly MM isn't refering to Mings/ Cresswell etc. They were sales that needed to be made to balance the books. He is saying that when we don't need to balance the books players won't be sold. EG when Leicester came in for McGoldrick. We didn't sell despite a substantial offer.
7

Vic added 09:08 - Dec 19 Rhodes? Who's he? 😉
0

Kikapu added 11:14 - Dec 19 jas0999. We still had a £5mil operating loss last year that Evans absorbed ie it comes out of his pocket. An expensive way to support a team.
-1

commuterblue added 11:37 - Dec 19 It's very easy to spend someone else's money isn't it.
3

pistolknight added 11:46 - Dec 19 Spot on Kikapu!! Football is a business and if you don't run it as a business you'll go bust!! The job the chairman and manager has done is spot on for me in regards to the stability of the club. What people forget is where this club was 3 years ago not 15 years ago or 35 years ago!! We may not go up this year but I'm hopeful we'll be in the mix which as a fan makes my match days a lot more interesting and optimistic. Going forward with these guys running and managing the club I hopeful of better times ahead!!

1

Dissboyitfc added 11:56 - Dec 19 Good post Jas...
1

Mark added 12:23 - Dec 19 To be fair, I seem to remember it reported/speculated that we turned down a £3M bid for Mings a year or so before selling him, rejected £4M for Murphy this year and £7M for McGoldrick the year before. I am fairly confident that Ipswich will hold onto players as we seem to properly sell them on our own terms. Everyone agreed the Mings sale was great, and let's remember we got Pitman and Fraser (loan) from Bournemouth so possibly the best bit of trading in the club's history I'd say.

3

yorksblue added 12:51 - Dec 19 Rhodes, obviously wasn't any good! He's been rubbish ever since he left us.
1

tractorshark added 13:16 - Dec 19 Maybe he's referring to the fact we don't sell players in January. Summer movement is more likely as it gives you time to rebuild. But sell players in January and you're limited both in time and availability to replace.
2

bedsitfc added 14:08 - Dec 19 I think M.E can sell who he likes as its his club and we only support it. If we don't like what he does then we can vote with our feet, and as we struggle to get 20000 on a Saturday it seems many people have. Now I admit due to work commitments I don't go as often as I would like but I am sure many people on here can go often but would rather sit on here moaning like hell about the club, Marcus and Mick. Get down to Portman road support the club and give Marcus the means to invest

1

TimmyH added 16:11 - Dec 19 Not intrested in sales...what about who we're going to buy!
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls