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

ArnieM added 10:58 - Jan 2 Mick McCarthy will NEVER bring in a high profile, expensive player. And he's right not to. His teams are always close knit, hard working with no "rotten apples" to disrupt that team ethos. He knows what he's doing. Every player he has brought into this squad has certain personal as well as football attributes that "fit" in. Just remember the swing doors policy this club had under Keane and Jewellery with journeymen constantly passing through this club. It showed on the pitch, we didn't have a "team". Now we do and I can't remember a time when the players and fans have been do close and as one. Keep faith in MM / TC

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billlm added 11:21 - Jan 2 prebbs I agree its not just about where we are now its building a sustainable squad for the near future before mm realises he can only taking us so far without also achieving his dream to one more crack at the premiership, me needs to help him and the club move forward after all he owns it
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Len_Brennan added 11:28 - Jan 2 Mick is a past master at throwing fans, other teams & journalists off the scent of potential signings, so, as a couple of others have said, I wouldn't take what he is saying here as gospel. Also if he has someone in mind, eg. Vela at Bolton, he wants them to know that we are not going to pay big transfer fees, as has been our policy. EstablishIng that will help in any potential negotiations. On the other hand, he can be quite stubborn & certainly would not risk bringing g someone in if he thinks it might upset the spirit of the squad, through higher wages or being the wrong type of character. A right back & a midfielder, such as Vela & Pritchard, would be great additions in my opinion & would leave us in a very strong position for achieving a playoff spot. There are 3 to play for, with Brighton slipping & Burnley just ahead of us (as of this moment). I think Mick is right about Middlesbrough & Derby being uncatchable for us, while Hull are a very decent side too, who will definitely invest again during the window.

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jabberjackson added 11:40 - Jan 2 I agree totally with the "take what MM says with a pinch of salt" crew
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ipswichdj added 11:42 - Jan 2 He says as we sign Paul digby on loan. See official club site
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phillo added 11:50 - Jan 2 So Mick says this one day & then the next signs someone on loan !!! I know its good to play your cards close to your chest (athough not sure how many top sides were vying for this isne!!!) but when does that cross over into outright lying & lack of respect for supporters ? Mick must of known the reaction his comments would get from some fans who do not necessarily share his (supposed) stated view that he can't get better than he has ..... so he really can't care too much about what supporters say/feel if he is prepared to say this, get the flack all the while knowing he doesn't really even believe it himself and behind the scenes they are busy singing someone ! I know many will say "yes but his job is not to be liked, just do well for the club" ; well I say if you want to be manager of our great club & be compared to the greatest (as Mick is in the story above this one)then having a good relationship with the fans - but more importantly treating them with respect - is a given ...... I am not sure Mick does this as this shows. Am growing tired of the "bluff Northern hard man" stereotype that Mick seems to like more & more to conform to ...... its amusing at tines but can get tiresome in the wrong context. Lost a little bit of respect for Mick over this tbh.

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ArnieM added 12:00 - Jan 2 Mick is doing his job ffs. What on earth is your prblem with what he says to the media. Accept the simple fact that he isnt going to divulge the goings on within the Club. Id be far more upset if he did. This is why the players trust / respect him, and frankly the respect of the fans is secondary, like it or not. Anyway our role is to support the Club both financially and vocally , as best as we can. COYB's

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Stato added 12:19 - Jan 2 Let's hope this is a bluff coz if Mick believes he can't find better quality than Coke and Tabb then we really are in trouble.
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WeWereZombies added 12:33 - Jan 2 Pele too old! Did you not see the goal he scored for the Allies yesterday Mick?
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Seasider added 12:41 - Jan 2 looks like Mick is the one who doesn't want to buy from the above,not Marcus so it is not fair to blame the owner. WE will never be privy to their discussions;so it is pointless speculating,but I notice that he has today signed Paul Digby on loan until end of season from barnsley
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phillo added 14:08 - Jan 2 ArneM I know & accept that there will be people with your opinion - and I have no issue with it - I just believe, maybe naively I grant you, that as not only do fans pay money to the club (that goes towards the managers wages) AS well as in the most part loving, following & cherishing the club for longer than most of the actual personnel employed by the club at any one time that (who by the nature of the sport come & go) they deserve ANY employee of the club to have respect for them. I don't think this does that OR the excuse that Mick should not "worry" about the fans opinions (I don't of course mean change the team etc ..... just be more inclusive with his comments/actions ..... not the "I don't need to listen to the fans" attitude!) I don't believe that is what the club I love is all about ....... that's all ! So "ffs" that us what I mean ....... & its my opinion - hopefully you can respect that !

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TimmyH added 15:51 - Jan 2 McCarthy and the owner are to chummy for my liking...I can't help feeling Mick is the one not asking for the funds for new additions and in turn keeps the owner happy. Just hope we don't make the same mistake as last January. We'll probably never know the truth.
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scunnyblue added 13:08 - Jan 6 Gotta chuckle at MM comments as like a week later he brings in paul digby. Just goes to show MM is always playing down his intentions.
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