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McCarthy Targeting Wide Players and After More Midfield Goals
Monday, 16th May 2016 16:50

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he will be looking to add goals to his midfield during the close season with widemen again amongst his targets.

The Blues, whose midfield McCarthy admits haven't scored regularly enough, have lost a number of players who operate out wide this summer, while previous recruits such as Alex Henshall, Dylan Connolly and Cameron Stewart, who remains a Town player but is available for transfer, have failed to make an impact.

“It’s important to get our recruitment right this summer, but that’s no different from any other year really,” the Blues boss told the club website.

“The wide areas are an issue for us. We have lost Tabby [Jay Tabb]. Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] has gone back to Arsenal and obviously Ryan [Fraser] is back with Bournemouth so we need to look at that.

“Goals from midfield have been a problem for us over the last two or three years but we looked to have got on top of that with Ryan, who certainly contributed in that area. He was a real loss for us.

“Kevin Bru got a couple of goals, Dougie [Jonathan Douglas] is a goalscoring midfielder operating in the right system, we need to get Bish [Teddy Bishop] back fit and contributing in attacking areas as well. We certainly need more in terms of goals from our midfield.”

The Blues are already in talks with loanee Liam Feeney, who is a free agent following his release by Bolton, about a permanent deal and were recently amongst a number of Championship clubs linked with Southend's 21-year-old out-of-contract midfielder Jack Payne, who scored nine times during 2015/16.

Regarding 25-year-old Stewart, who has a year left on the contract he signed in the summer of 2014, having so far made just two Town sub appearances in the FA Cup during the 2014/15 campaign and spent most of the season just gone on loan at Doncaster, he added: “He’ll be looking to get a club.

“He’ll be back for pre-season, he was here [recently] and got weighed, his body fat was measured and got his programme for the summer. He’s in good shape at the minute, he’s not been playing, but he’ll come back.

“I’m always disappointed if it doesn’t work out, whatever it might be, because that’s a reflection on me because I signed him and it’s a reflection on him because he’s the player and he has to perform.”

Meanwhile, Maitland-Niles, who spent 2015/16 on loan with the Blues from Arsenal, has been named in the England U19s squad for two friendlies in Mexico on June 4th and 6th.


Photo: Action Images



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blueboy1981 added 18:06 - May 17
What the hell is that if it isn't a NEGATIVE post from ...... guess who ... Bohslegend ?

Can't help having a pop at any supporter that see's things different to himself - can he ?
Just like McC - doubtful change will occur. Certainly not with this one ... !!

Wish someone would buy him a dictionary ........ Xmas present anyone ? .... I'm sure he would benefit.
1

blueboy1981 added 18:11 - May 17
Round pegs in round holes - in the back line.

A bit of flair and creativity in midfield, equals service to the front men.

And we would be well on the way - SIMPLE really. How can that be complicated ... ?
1

hoppy added 18:56 - May 17
Also, slightly concerned about the brief mention of Douglas being a goalscoring midfielder in the right system... and hope that doesn't just mean he's planning on building a midfield system around Douglas in the belief that will be successful enough...
0

braveblue added 22:47 - May 17
He just can't stop talking about Douglas. The problem is playing with a back four who hoof it and two defensive midfielders. Seem to remember the same problem being identified last year and we did nothing.
2

BrettenhamBlue added 00:24 - May 18
we brought in Coke and Toure braveblue
-1

Elto added 08:52 - May 18
and Fraser, Oar, Maitland-Niles - Nothing done?
0

Walk_the_Wark added 19:51 - May 18
You still here Mick??
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blueboy1981 added 21:28 - May 18
Elto ......... maybe worth remembering they've ALL left us - or had it escaped your notice ? - conveniently or otherwise.
0

Elto added 11:42 - May 19
Blueboy - True, but irrelevant to my point.
0


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