Blues boss Mick McCarthy is pleased to have options at wing-back as Town go into three games in eight days, believing the role is particularly tough. Brentford visit the Blues on Saturday, then Wolves are at Portman Road on Tuesday, before Town make the trip to Barnsley the following weekend.

Myles Kenlock has started the last three games at left wing-back with Jonas Knudsen, who had moved into the back three, taking over from him in the second half at Carrow Road, where he scored Town’s goal in Sunday’s 1-1 East Anglian derby draw with Norwich.

At right wing-back January signing Jordan Spence, who supplied the cross for Knudsen’s goal, has been picked ahead of 19-year-old Josh Emmanuel for the last two matches.

“We’ve got three games in a week and I think that wing-back position is a tough one as we saw with Myles [at the weekend],” said McCarthy, whose team has lined-up in a 3-5-2 system during their recent revival.

“Myles has been great and on Sunday it was a tough old game, I think the adrenaline and everything else would make you pretty knackered and it got tough for him physically.

“It’s nice now that I’ve got options because that is a tough position getting up and down. Jonas does well, he’s a bit of a machine, Jonas, to be quite honest. He just goes and plays at left wing-back, scores the goal, sorts the winger out, he’s very, very good.

“But the two young lads have done really well. I asked them both if they thought they’d have played as many as they have. They said they hoped they would, but I said hoping is one thing, but did they think they would?

“They’re both involved and they both look like first-team players now. So that’s great, it’s just really made the squad better.”

Photos: TWTD/Reuters

prebbs007 added 06:19 - Mar 2 Jonas is "very very good" ????? Are you sure ? Just cos he scored Sunday. He has been truly shocking for the large part of season at left back. This system suits him better because he is not isolated one on one which is when he is shown up as a very poor defender. Miles is a far better footballer technically and is a much better prospect. Knudsen should be cover at best if we ever think we can get out of this league at the right end.

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Dissboyitfc added 06:22 - Mar 2 well sais prebbs!
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battyblue added 06:59 - Mar 2 Also i thought it was very harsh to drop Emmanuel for Spence when he had done nothing wrong.
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Palestine added 07:56 - Mar 2 Lovely that Jonas scored a big goal, but clearly gets shown up regularly..! Eeeee
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iaintaylorx added 10:06 - Mar 2 I like Jonas, but not as a LB! Keep in at CB and let Kenlock own the wing back position!
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billlm added 10:29 - Mar 2 I think we all know hes gearing up to put smith back in, chambers smith berra, kenlock will be kicked out for jonas
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hogster1970 added 10:57 - Mar 2 billllm i think you may be right but cant see smith playing a full 90 mins as of yet, i also think its was harsh dropping josh for jordan, i think atm i would prefer josh as a starter against brentford, and actually rotate the 2 to keep them match sharp and fit and as long as its managed correctly shouldnt be a problem, also the same for berra and smith and jonas for the center and left spot of the 3 leaving myles as the left wing back as he is becoming very good . our mnain issue is going to be the center of the pitch, for me its has to be big dave with huw and ward atm, we play so much better from the off with them as the 3, and ofcourse tom in with didzy

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OwainG1992 added 12:13 - Mar 2 Lets not forget Spence created the goal for Knudson so they both deserve some credit. I do agree that Josh and Myles should be first choice as there is some serious potential in them.
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Ipswich24 added 13:32 - Mar 2 Spence was dreadful defensively on Sunday, repeatedly got beaten by their lefty back. Emmanual is one of our own, we have invested in him coming through the academy, but he always seems to be the player getting left out. He needs a run of 10+ games to really make position his own. No good one game here, 2 games out then back in again.
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runaround added 13:44 - Mar 2 Would prefer Kenlock & Emmanuel to play most matches as they are the future & we to start building a new team around young talent like that. I fear however that Mr Pragmatic will leave them out & it will be a back 5 of Spence, Chambers, Berra, Smith & Knudsen Saturday with the only youngsters in starting XI for foreseeable being loanee Lawrence. Hope I'm wrong though
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Beattiesballbag added 16:08 - Mar 2 Here we go again patting them on the head & then making out it's hard work for them before he returns them to the bench. "But the two young lads have done really well. I asked them both if they thought they'd have played as many as they have. They said they hoped they would, but I said hoping is one thing, but did they think they would?" The answer they should have given was," with you in charge No!"........but they're not going to say that are they, you cretin! He has no idea on how to bring youngsters on & build their confidence whilst at the same time gaining experience, even when he has a perfect example of how to do it at this club in the late & great Sir Bobby who managed it even when youngsters didn't get the protection from referees that they get today. Hopefully one day ME will say to him after sacking him....."but did you think that was going to happen"

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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 20:38 - Mar 2 Always tells youngsters how well there doing, then leaving them out for one of his " proper blokes "..emmanuel has played against some of the best left sided players in our league (knockaert , mcgeady , hemed, Neil Taylor) and not been given the runaround by anyone..what message does that give any youngster..Even bishop 2 years ago was in & out the side , this is the player who had 33 starts for town yet has only completed 90 minutes once..It seems to fit the bill with Dino you need to be 27-35 years of age, lacking in the art of the basic art in football , being able to pass a football , but prepared to run through walls & around like forrest gump.Don't give it we haven't got no money, with the squad we've got a decent attack minded manager could have us top six no problem!! #mickout

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