Town boss Mick McCarthy says he currently has no plans to add to his squad during the January transfer window, believing he wouldn’t be able to sign better players than he already has at his disposal.

“It won’t affect me one iota one way or the other,” he said when quizzed on the transfer window opening. “It just means if we want to do something we can.

“FYI and for everybody else, we haven’t got a whole load of names lined up, and why would I? Because if I’m looking at loans or frees or Bosmans or what we’ve looked for traditionally, then where am I going to get better than I’ve got?

“I don’t think I am. And I’ve said to [owner] Marcus [Evans], I’m not looking really. Don’t get me wrong, we’re looking [more generally], but I’ve not got players coming in because I think the squad I’ve got is great, I’m delighted with it.”

He says he has had players coming back after injury adding to his squad, while there are others to still to return, such as Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick, who are out with hamstring injuries, although he admits he might be a little short of experienced defenders.

“I’d like Teddy Bishop back and fit, Didz is going to be out for a while, but then I’ve got four strikers [with Luke Varney returning].

“Supplementing the team I’ve got on the pitch, I’ve got Tommy Oar and Ainsley Maitland-Niles that can come back as wide players.

“I’ve got Tabby, Giles Coke and Bish, who can come and play in the centre of the pitch. Jonny Parr’s back, I’ve got Piotr Malarczyk.

“Defenders, I’ve only got six of them in reality if I’m not counting Josh Emmanuel, Josh Yorwerth and Myles Kenlock, but they’re just lads.

“I’m talking about lads who have played, and even Piotr Malarczyk hasn’t played here despite the number of his appearances in Poland." But that can be done on an emergency loan basis.

"I’m not bringing them in because I won’t put them in the team, unless Pele or Johan Cruyff or somebody like that’s available on loan to me and I can take them. But they’re both a bit too old now.”

Photo: Action Images

Toronto_Tractor added 06:58 - Jan 2 With everyone fit, we do have a pretty good squad and better than last year... If a miracle did occur, I would like to see a box to box centre mid and maybe another full back come in. The reality is though that good ones will be expensive. Im Not getting my hopes up nor do I think it'll make or break our season if we invest or not. Derby invested heavily at this stage last year and finished outside the playoffs..

2

battyblue added 07:19 - Jan 2 Okay in MM eyes lads are not good enough to play for town,stating we cant get better players than we have is absolute crap,i know we are doing well again but we can do better ambition ambition ambition its called you have to keep looking at a higher level to achieve .
2

BlueBoots added 07:23 - Jan 2 MLS are on a break at the moment - I wonder if LA Galaxy would let us have Gio back for a couple of months until Didz is fit again? :^)
3

prebbs007 added 07:28 - Jan 2 Same old story !! Think we have to read between the comments. "Can't get better than we've got@ ??? Really Mick ??? The aim surely is promotion ?? Then you have to compete with the top 2. Not one of our back 5 would get anywhere near the Boro or Derby teams !!! So think the statement is really "can't get better than we've got FOR FREE" !!!! Once again it seems that ME will not be investing in the playing squad even though once again MM has a squad lacking in true quality in a position to challenge. Such a shame as the teams around us most certainly will do so. We massively over achieve with this bunch of hard working but generally very average players but our owner is not willing to take the risk due to poor decisions made by previous management. This is both short sighted and disrespectful to a manager who has achieved so much with his hands tied behind his back. Marcus be very very careful that you don't lose the man who could take us up by your continued no fee transfer policy. Where would we be left then ??? Get the cheque book out and support your manager and maybe just maybe we will reach the premier league !!!!

14

runaround added 07:55 - Jan 2 Any potential new signing would have to fit in with our wage structure, team ethic & be aware that they probably won't be first choice to start with. Therefore I can see what MM means as to find someone who will do that AND who is better than who we already have in the squad would be difficult. Defence apart we have coverage in most areas & any shortage due to injuries can be fixed with an emergency loan. It will be interesting how much the likes of Derby & Boro spend as both have very strong squad already. Sheffield Wednesday are one team I think may go for it but sometimes the old adage of if it ain't broke don't fix it is the way to go

5

muccletonjoe added 08:04 - Jan 2 Agree with mm. We do have a good squad, It is a bit short sighted to presume everyone will stay fit until may. If a capable defender came up for a fee, surely it would make sense to spend some money
5

sidtheswan added 08:05 - Jan 2 Basically MM hasn't been given any money to spend as there are obviously better players out there but that would involve transfer fees. Also it's a bit of a catch 22 situation as we have a tight knit squad and any new additions could be disruptive. I think MM will be aiming for play offs with current squad and hoping to get promoted that way as top 2 looks out of reach at this stage .

3

Keaneish added 08:07 - Jan 2 Why aren't we renewing our interest in Jordan McGhee at Hearts? It's a mistake not adding to the squad. We don't need much but we do need strengthening.
3

DanLyles added 08:11 - Jan 2 I would be very surprised if there were not players out there who could improve us. These are likely to be on loan and as much as I would love Gio back for a few months I'm not sure he would fit into Mick's work ethos. Joniesta would make a huge impact on our quality and creativity in midfield, ditto Pritchard who is on the preriphery at Spurs. We are a far more attractive proposition than Forest at present and the formers loan runs out in two weeks, but I must confess my knowledge on loan regulations is limited so he may be a no go. If Bishop and Didz were fit then I may not have suggested this position but I think the team that started against Brighton could be tweaked slightly. Bru impressed with his passing and I would play him with Skuse. Have Murph flanked by Sears and Fraser, then a hardworking yet creative force between the midfield and attack. When joniesta played in that role for us we had arguably our best spell last year. From what I have seen of Pritchard he could fulfill a similar role.

3

JCBLUE added 08:12 - Jan 2 Wonder where Bamfird will end up, did a great job for Boro last year ......
-2

Flewitt85 added 08:17 - Jan 2 Don't think it's ME not investing, I think it's MM not wanting to get anyone, not that I disagree with it as I think we have a set of players that will get us promoted via playoffs or maybe automatic. But can't help thinking he might regret getting anyone cause for some reason we always seem to go on a bad run in new year, its happened for a few years now. Let's see what happens today against a good Burnley side!! COYB!!!!!!

2

Priskin9 added 08:26 - Jan 2 If it ain't broke don't fix it I say
2

Jimmy86 added 08:39 - Jan 2 We certainly have a better squad than last season with slightly more strength in depth, what with Didz and Bish to come back, but for Mick to turn around and say he can't find better than what he's got is false, in my opinion. Possibly not if we continue on the shoestring model we seem to have adopted. There are better players out there, that would of course cost a fee. Sears came in for 100k a low fee, but what a success he's been. Not saying we have to go and spend big, but to not strengthen again in Jan would be extremely poor in my eyes and possibly not down to Evans not making funds available, but more Mick being stubborn

4

toxtethblue added 08:48 - Jan 2 Anyone who thinks we're even maybe going up automatically with the current squad is in cloud cukoo land. We've only beaten one of the top 6 sides once all season- what does this tell you? Playoffs as we know only too well (those over 30 particularly) are a lottery. Have to be putting ourselves in a position to challenge for top 2 and that means investment, no question.

1

martyblue added 09:01 - Jan 2 Bamford no thanks !
2

Archer4721 added 09:27 - Jan 2 MM never divulges his transfer policy,he said the same last year and Freddie Sears walked through the door. I'd take everything Mick says about his transfer policy with a pinch of salt.
16

RegencyBlue added 09:29 - Jan 2 Unless you are managing Barcelona there are always players who will improve your squad! This is MM preparing fans for the fact that once again ME will not fund any meaningful transfer fees.
1

Suffolk_n_Proud added 09:32 - Jan 2 We've beaten 2 top 6 sides this season. Not that any of us know but judging by what MM has said in article and milne among others previously I think ME is willing to spend but its just MM who doesn't think we need to currently.
4

Kikapu added 09:48 - Jan 2 Archer4721 - well done. A* to you. Not enough of the rest of the students are following the teacher closely enough - Bs for the rest of you.
2

vanmunt added 10:15 - Jan 2 In a way I do agree with MM. Attack has lots of options, if Bishop ever gets fit then midfield has options as well. The elephant in the room is Chambers at right back but ole' stubborn won't address that issue so there is little hope. Although Gerkin has played well the last few games I would like to see a better keeper as it is obvious MM doesn't see Bartz as a number 1...

0

bedsitfc added 10:20 - Jan 2 Prebbs - Berra would get into any championship team and maybe chambers
3

bedsitfc added 10:23 - Jan 2 At centre back
1

warbeat78 added 10:25 - Jan 2 Its called man management hes hardly going to say anything to rock the boat,at moment they all want to play new faces must be worry for those in squad already
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alfromcol added 10:47 - Jan 2 Just a RB please and I think we are well set. Money doesn't buy a good team, nor promotion! Take everything MM says with a pinch of salt, re buying players - or anything for that matter.
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blueherts added 10:50 - Jan 2 Bamford no thank you = bad apple and also gonna want too much - I do think with Bish and Didz out for while would like to see anew addition - Moncur at Colchester? Or possibly someone in the Bolton fire sale , I think we will see how the squad players do vs Pompey - I want to see McDonnell and Alabi again
1

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