Town boss Mick McCarthy says he hasn’t written off centre-half Piotr Malarczyk and has praised the Pole’s professionalism during a first seven months at Portman Road in which he has rarely played.

Malarczyk, 24, was signed from his hometown club Korona Kielce, where he was skipper, in August, when the Blues triggered a release clause of 50,000 zloty (around £8,500) in his contract.

But since then the former Poland U21 international, who was close to winning a senior international call-up in September, has made only three starts - all in the cups - and three Championship sub appearances.

His last game was the FA Cup replay defeat at Portsmouth in which he was sent off having picked up two yellow cards after conceding a penalty (above).

Recently, having been out of action for three weeks due to a kidney stone, he has been out of the senior matchday 18 and playing in the U21s side.

But speaking in the Polish media last week Malarczyk said he wasn’t ready to give up on his time at Town and had two choices, either to “complain that the manager’s not giving me enough chances or train very hard and show him that I am always ready to play. I am choosing the latter”.

McCarthy praised the centre-half’s attitude: “He’s a wonderful example as a pro. He went down to Cardiff with the U21s [a week ago on Monday], played in the game beforehand and played very well in it.

“He’s trained with the U21s if he’s had to and he’s trained with the first team today. He’s been terrific, he’s been a really good pro.

“Coming in and whinging at me wouldn’t make any difference anyway, so they might as well do the second one. But he has done, he’s been great, I’ve nothing but respect for Peter.”

He added: “I don’t write any of them off, certainly not with eight games to play. If you analyse the position he plays, we’ve had three players that have played right-back, centre-back and centre-back since Christophe Berra came in three years ago and have played almost every game.

“They’ve been remarkable in terms of consistency and resilience and playing. The only additions we’ve had to those have been the two goalkeepers that have played and three left-backs, Cressy, Tyrone and Jonas.

“There have been all-comers come in. Jonny Parr he’s been here, couldn’t get in the team.

“Those lads [have been consistent and resilient] - and it’s been just as well they’ve have because really we’ve only had five or six defenders - and Peter’s another one that just can’t get in the team, he’s not as good as the two lads who are in there.”

Photo: Action Images

petermorris added 13:00 - Mar 23 No mention on here of the half time penalty taking sensation. Surely a trial on the cards?
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hoppy added 13:08 - Mar 23 “There have been all-comers come in. Jonny Parr he's been here, couldn't get in the team." That's not to say he shouldn't have done at times tho, eh Mick?
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alfromcol added 13:19 - Mar 23 Like many in the Town squad, he has never been given a real run in the team to show what he is capable of under match conditions. It is beyond belief that the back 4 wouldn't have benefited from a change or two during the last 12 months or so. The current back 4, leak goals for fun.
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Mr_Evans added 13:30 - Mar 23 Our back 4 is our biggest liability. RB Chambers - not his natural position, even if he played at CB he would not get in the starting 11 of any other team in the top 6 of the Championship. CB Smith - as much as he seem up to the battle, he simply is an average championship CB, like Chambers, he would not get in any other starting 11 from the top 6. CB Berra - arguably are best player, been inconsistent this season but without doubt out best CB. When in form he would walk into any other team in the Championship. LB Knudsen - the jury is still out on this one, shows glimpses of goodness but needs to learn. Needs to hit the ground running next season. At this time he would not get into the starting 11 of any other top 6 Championship team. We are I desperate need of a Championship quality RB & CB this summer. If we invested in a defender or two who isn't scared of being in possession of the ball then naturally we'd become a better passing team.

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cornishnick added 13:56 - Mar 23 Jonny Parr (sigh)
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nhabo added 13:57 - Mar 23 I wouldn't be too harsh on the defence. We've simply not posed enough of an attacking threat/scored enough goals this season to take any pressure off them.
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onthehoof added 14:19 - Mar 23 Apologies this is a broader post in reaction to many recent subjects read on TWTD. If you do what you always do, you will get what you always get! For long time fans that do give a hoof about the current style played on the field and the choice of players on the pitch, you should be encouraged to write and shout with passion! After all you pay for it in many ways. When can we get back to a time when players get picked on current form, when youngsters are given a chance and when the ball gets played around the pitch as it did in the Robson era. We want to see novel ideas, playing to our strengths and attractive football. If we win a few and loose a few in this format, fans will be more supportive if they pay to see entertainment and attractive football. I refrain from commenting usually but I agree with the many posts and encourage Mr Evans to read the best before end date on his current manager since its going off! We need something new and the sooner the better.

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iaintaylorx added 14:29 - Mar 23 I though Piotr actually played reasonably well against Man United when I was there. Him and Yorweth, considering how much game time they had had and how inexperienced they are/were, I thought they both played really quite well against a world class forward. Berra has been too inconsistent this season and I don't think, due to his age, he will repeat last seasons form now. I know defenders can go on for longer than most positions, but it's just my opinion. Mr Evans, I have to disagree about Smith. I would personally say this season he has been overshadowed by the amount of goals we have conceded which the majority of them having come from wide positions. If we had two solid full backs, I think you'll see how good Smith is. Plays with his heart but he does have the odd mistake in his locker, but so does everyone.

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braveblue added 14:40 - Mar 23 Parr could not get in the team. Sums up our problems. Good full back but we play with two poor full backs because their face fits.
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Arnie added 14:46 - Mar 23 Mr. Evans, I also disagree about Tommy Smith, he is a playing out of position to accommodate Berra. Long term bet is Smith who is 5 years younger and as Iaintaylorx says, Berra is inconsistent this season, I will add that Berra may have cost us points recently due to poor marking at nearpost corners, resulting in 3 goals against us and defeats in the process. Find a RB, move Chambers back to CH, Smith to replace Berra left side.

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Moisha added 14:46 - Mar 23 It was telling that when Eddie Jones took the England rugby job one of the first things he said was 'just because you start in the team doesn't mean you'll finish in the team' therefore nobody's place was automatic, they had to be on top of their game all the time. Yes you want consistency in a team, but even when they're playing poorly and on a bad run there is no danger in them losing their place because Mick won't change it. Players appear too comfortable at Ipswich.

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Bluetone added 14:47 - Mar 23 Quote McCarthy “There have been all-comers come in. Jonny Parr he's been here, couldn't get in the team." This says a hell of a lot more about McCarthy than it does about Jonny Parr and none of it complimentary.
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alfromcol added 14:53 - Mar 23 iaintaylorx added 14:29 - Mar 23 Agreed on your comments on the Man U game. It has been the only time this season that I have seen our CH pass the ball along the ground to our CF and it happened more than once!
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JustSpivvyChops added 15:05 - Mar 23 Paid a signing on fee of £8.5k and awarded a 2 year pro contract (with option of a further year) for a 23/24 year old unknown Polish builder, but the 22 year old kid Morphew down the road who gets decent reviews is sent packing and told he should be 2 years younger??? You work it out......I give up
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blueherts added 15:35 - Mar 23 Defence has been very very suspect at dead ball and set pieces this season - not what you would expect - and as always play at least 2 defensive mids - not sure what excuse he has maybe if we tried to 'play the ball out or through the midfield instead of lumping it out for it to come straight back may make a slight difference Sorry but defence has been bang average for at least a year - Bart has saved us of late

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vanmunt added 15:44 - Mar 23 Is it too much to ask that we can just start to play some football with players in their rightful positions, I can't see it happening anytime soon. I watch Premier league games and even Champions League games where mangers feel confident to blood youngsters yet our incumbent dinosaur see's them as only good for cleaning his car. I hope we get a full managerial assessment of our play style as not only is it incredibly embarrassing but will drive away a generation of future town fans and even young academy players. I won't hold my breath though.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:46 - Mar 23 I haven't seen him play, so my post is purely based on opinion, but I just get the feeling he would come good if given a fighting chance. I actually feel really sorry for the guy. If he is sniffing around the Polish international side, he must have a bit of quality about him. Maybe it just needs a run in the team to let his talent materialise.
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therein61 added 16:05 - Mar 23 It must be sole destroying training all week working you nuts off knowing that the current back 4 will always be chosen however badly(and that's lot) they perform(or should that be go through the motions!!)
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MattinLondon added 16:07 - Mar 23 We do ship goals for fun — you only need to look at the ‘goals against' column to figure that out. It's not all the fault of the defence. Our midfield simply invites pressure by lacking mobility or being average on the ball. I think this simply invites pressure onto the defence. Even if Bishop had been fit for all of the season I doubt if MM would have played him in his best position which is in the middle. Also none of our defenders are good on the ball and by hoofing it all of the time, again this invites pressure onto the defence. Is Malarczyk better than Berra or Smith? To be honest I don't know but having witnessed so many defensive errors this season, if it isn't then there should be no place for him in the squad yet alone the first team.

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Portman51 added 16:26 - Mar 23 Many supporters writing off McCarthy.
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jas0999 added 16:33 - Mar 23 True, it is difficult to judge on only a couple of appearances, but sadly that's all we can comment on and sadly, unlike Mings who was signed for a few thousand and went on to be a real star, Malarczyk looks like an £8K signing. Hasn't looked great from what I have seen so far.
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alfromcol added 17:21 - Mar 23 jas0999 Did better than average against the "stars" of Man U including Rooney.
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Blue_badge added 17:41 - Mar 23 What I don't understand is - who's the guy in the blue Portsmouth shirt in the photo at the top of this article ? If it's Piotr that explains why we lost - we fielded 10 and they had 12 ...
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essexboy added 17:45 - Mar 23 MM,Parr could have walked into the team,you just couldn't see his potential.Chambers has done ok,but he is being told to play out of position.Need we say more.!,
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pup12 added 19:51 - Mar 23 Berra by far the best CB we have had for years!He has had a drop in form now and again this season but he is covering Smith nearly ever game.Smith is turned far too easy.Yes it's Mm fault (a little ) by playing him on his weaker side but come on in the big games he has messed up.Chamders there is no doubting his leadership and passion but a season long Rb he is not.I feel sorry for Parr as I though he was solid when he played.Piotr in my humble opinion is never gonna get a game,obviously not up to speed so a waste of money and wages.Rather we saved the money and brought a championship ready CB .

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