Town boss Mick McCarthy believes summer signing Adam Webster will go on to play in the Premier League. The 21-year-old, who joined the Blues from Portsmouth in July for £700,000 plus Matt Clarke who moved in the opposite direction, was widely viewed as the man of the match in Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa.

“He’ll go on and play in the Premier League,” McCarthy said. “Hopefully it’s with us, if not it’ll be with somebody else because he’s quick and he can handle the ball.

“Maybe in another team, at Portsmouth he would have been asked to get it and play a bit more, and he can do that.

“We saw that when he played against us [for Pompey in the FA Cup last season], he’s a very capable footballer and he hasn’t done that as much.

“But I think that’s because he’s come up two divisions and he’s learning his trade again.

“What I love about him is he’s bought into our defensive side of the game and he’s got better and better. I’m really pleased with him.”

He added: “He’s a good player, I keep saying that. That’s what I like about him more than anything, his defending. We know he can play, he’s a very talented footballer.”

We understand West Wittering-born Webster’s performance at the weekend caught the eye of watching Premier League scouts, which is not something which would surprise McCarthy.

“People will be watching him, there’s no doubt about that because he can defend but he’s very comfortable with the ball,” he continued. “He can break forward, he’s got two good feet, he’ll play in the Premier League.”

The Town boss spent more money on the 6ft 3in tall former England U18 and U19 international than any other player since he joined the Blues and he says that as a result it’s particularly gratifying to see the move working out.

“It’s always nice, especially if you’ve gone and spent money on them and they turn out to be good," he said.

“If you’re taking free transfers in all the time and Bosmans then you are taking a chance because generally for some reason that’s what they are, but that’s the most we’ve spent on a player. But, to be fair, it looks like it, he’s a good guy.”

Photos: Action Images/TWTD

BrettenhamBlue added 06:34 - Sep 21 He's slotted really well into the defence and that usually takes a while for a new defender. I have been personally impressed with what I have seen to date and he certainly seems to be a bargain buy. Regardless of our Hoofball tactics, MIck has done a good job overall in the transfer market. He has made the odd mistake (Coke etc) but most of the time his signings have fitted in well and look better than the money we have paid for them. I do still think we need a right back and a replacement striker for Murphy and that we need to play a less negative brand of football. But it's easy in life to criticise. You never know we may well get that replacement in January.

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ipswich134 added 06:50 - Sep 21 This is what I like. Constructive suggestions and not pure moaning.
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Penguinblue added 07:21 - Sep 21 Ipswich134 - you may like it but I'd suggest you are deluded. The Ipswich defence is poor, no right back or constructive football and weak against any decent attackers. When McCarthy says 'he's bought into the defensive side of our game' it's worrying - because our defensive side is 80% hoofball. Ask yourself - is McCarthy trying to big up Webster or himself. Time is up for the tedious 'football' of McCarthy. McCarthy OUT

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Jimmy86 added 07:38 - Sep 21 Worrying that Mick is already starting to talk up Webster, like he did Cresswell, who I still think Mick sold far too cheaply. Webster is a real prospect and it's great he's being taught how to be a better defender, but don't do that at the expense of his natural game. He is capable of bringing the ball out from the back and is comfortable on the ball, but like Stones, teach him when and where to do this. There are times where you have to clear your lines, but there are also times where you can play a bit. Don't coach his talent out of him, because you want him to defend and get rid of it as soon as he gets it...

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Surco72 added 07:38 - Sep 21 I would suggest MM that he would not be playing unless of injury as you had dropped him for your same tired back four and only recalled him due to Smith being out ? But some will see this as a master piece of management to get the best out of him as MM cant be wrong , the same as playing Gerkin for so many games last season above Bart probably cost us a playoff place
3

Hoppersblue10 added 07:42 - Sep 21 MM was quick to drop Webster are after a slightly indifferent game v Budgies, now he has had to bring him back due to Smith injury. For me Webster has the potential to be the best CB at this place for years. I also think he will do a Cresswell, have a season or so with us before he gets a Prem side come calling and good luck to him. The other reason why MM is happy with him is due to Webster bailing out Chambers at the weekend, when is our RB back slot ever going to get sorted out!

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Dissboyitfc added 07:58 - Sep 21 It wont be with us sadly. Just think how good he would be if he could play without having to look after our out of position R/B. To all those fans who staunchly support everything MM says and does, You are helping to keep this once proud and great club in the second tier of english football. We are going nowhere with MM in charge. Season upon season of safety and boring hoofball, its not enough.

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itfcbam added 08:01 - Sep 21 A poor defence! 4 clean sheets in last 6 games and 3 goals conceded in those (2 of them penalties!!) The last goal conceded from open play was against the scum. God knows what a good defence has to do........ Really some on here do nothing but moan. We are defending well as a unit at no (hope not tempting fate). In other words the team are covering for each other and Skuse does an underrated job breaking things up and protecting them. After conceeding 4 in first 2 league games MM is addressing the issue, his challenge is now to build on that base and get us scoring more often again. Remember many in the division have far greater resources than us but we are competing well. Let's for once be positive!

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leahcar88 added 08:05 - Sep 21 Same old critics same old people same old penguin blue PENGUIN BLUE OUT
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iaintaylorx added 08:15 - Sep 21 Going to be a fantastic player for us! Just curious, I want to know what the general outlook on Mick is: - Vote this UP for the Mick in brigade - Vote down for Mick out
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DJ27 added 08:18 - Sep 21 Penguin blue and Dissboy. Your lives must be so miserable! You have commented on here at 7.21 and 7.58 respectively just to have a negative comment as you do on every single thread. You must wake up and think 'what can I moan at today?' It's depressing reading your comments constantly!! Tomorrow, how about wake up with a positive attitude and think of something positive to post about the club. It could be anything, surely you can both think of something, however small it may be. I guarantee you will have a much better day. I'm not a McCarthy lover, but I'm not a hater eother, there is some middle ground here and if we all found it, the Club would benefit hugely. So come on.... Think hard today and post a positive comment tomorrow, you might surprise yourselves!!

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Keaneish added 08:38 - Sep 21 Strange start to his career in truth. Brought in too early and exposed in his first handful of games. A mistake by MM but then again, next to a woeful Chambers and and an inconsistent Berra he hasn't had the best support. Dropped, then reselected through default, a couple of good games and now bigged up to play in the PL and being watched by scouts... Personally I'd rather MM played down his ability rather than putting him in the shop window so soon given his indifferent start. Sure Webster must be scratching his head a bit at the moment too. I would be.

3

londonben added 09:37 - Sep 21 People moaning about 'putting him in the shop window', do you really think scouts decide to look at players based on what their managers say? Could this not, perhaps, be our manager trying to give a little confidence and backing to a 21 year old lad who has moved half way across the country and up two ties of football, been thrown in the deep end and finding out if he can swim or not? Personally I think this is excellent man management...telling the world that he backs him as a player and that he thinks the lad can play the ball, might just free him up a little to add some creative ball play to his already impressive defensive performances. Top work Mick, COYB!

9

PJH added 09:59 - Sep 21 I would think that questions are being asked at a lot of Clubs as to how they did not see what MM/TC or whoever saw in Adam Webster. It looks like we have got a potentially top class player for £700k or whatever. Well done to all at ITFC-again.
12

wherescounago added 10:00 - Sep 21 Some time ago Mick said Scuse would play in the Premier League but this hasn't happened and probably won't. Webster and Scuse for that matter have a long way to go before they are at that level.
0

brendanh added 10:13 - Sep 21 Webster's had as many poor games as good. Eg lost his man at Brentford from corner, reckless challenge in box at Wolves gave them a pen. Both cost goals and points. His weak clearance vs Norwich nearly led to them scoring. However since his return to the team, his performances have been much better. Seems to have a better touch than Smith.
2

PJH added 10:19 - Sep 21 In the game that I was at at Wolves brendanh,Bart saved the penalty.
2

Penguinblue added 10:29 - Sep 21 DJ27 - get out your lazy bed. Nothing wrong in commenting first thing - best time of the day. Want a positive thought - get rid of McCarthy - he's done his bit ,now he is holding a once great club back. don't be so sure about him - you start criticising him and he will turn on you - supporters know nothing. Have agreat day
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Fatcatevans added 10:38 - Sep 21 Brendan's. wHy not damn the lad with faint praise? bLuey and Crazee have a better touch than Smith. Webster is a terrific prospect. As others on here have said, if he wasn't concerned with the right full back and could concentrate on his own game he would be even better. MM is right, the boy will play premier football
1

tractorshark added 10:51 - Sep 21 Webster made a mistake against Wolves but played well after that. And I'd add that watching hoofball is actually less boring than reading the same old tired, lazy vitriol from Penguin Blue.
5

theipswichman added 11:07 - Sep 21 So Mick the guy that signed this guy for double the amount he has paid for any other player cannot be praised because he dropped him? It was clear to see Webster made a few mistakes in the first few games (Penalty at wolves, His man against Brentford, Poor clearance vs scum) therefore Mick gave tommy a go, which in turn got us 3 points. Then Webster get's his place and performs great and now he's won his place in the team. It's all about competition and Mick should be praised very highly for this because he signed a player that could rise from 700k up to potentially 8 mil +

3

DJ27 added 11:08 - Sep 21 That's not technically a positive comment Penguin. There must be something about the club you can be positive about?.... Come on.... The message board will salute you! I'm not sure about McCarthy, as I say I don't like the style of football, but I do appreciate what he has done for the club as a whole. So while he is in charge I will back him. It's what being a supporter is about. Have a good day as well.

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battyblue added 11:25 - Sep 21 I remember McCarthy saying exactly the same thing when Sears signed before he turn him into a defensive winger come midfielder..now Webster is not allowed to bring the ball forward because his job is to defend MM is defend mad and i am fed up with this negative play game after game tow clean sheets and Micks boys think we are premier league material again.
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Hoppersblue10 added 11:26 - Sep 21 Theipswichman, you make a good point, MM has uncovered some gems, Cressy, Mings and now potentially Webster, bought in for relatively small fees being sold on for a much higher fee, all good up to this point, however most of the money in has not found its way back to strengthening the team, so that makes MM a good manager for Evans but I am not sure so good for us fans, yes he has had enough money to keep us in this division, more recently a bit more competitive but we certainly don't look like getting promoted any time soon. For me both MM and Evans seem happy to tread water in this division.

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Miles added 11:48 - Sep 21 Hoppers cressy was signed by PJ but I do agree that he's signed some gems as well as some poor ones but he's spent next to nothing to do it and I'm pleased with his business overall
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