Ipswich Town made seven signings during the January transfer window – two free agents, two players from non-league and three loans. STUART WATSON spoke to manager Mick McCarthy about the club’s failure to sign a seven-figure fee striker.

*To radio*

Q: When you look at some of the money spent by Championship clubs in January is it nigh-on impossible for Ipswich to compete?

A: It’s making it every difficult. Wolves have spent £13m – I didn’t have that much to spend there when we were in the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday having (Jordan) Rhodes lined up for £10m. It’s just pretty bonkers isn’t it?

Q: Do Ipswich Town need to change their recruitment policy to stay competitive in this division? Your supporters will say that Marcus (Evans) needs to give you more money to spend.

A That’s all well and good, but I don’t see anybody walking into anybody’s house and saying ‘get your garden tidied up, get a new car and make the street look better’, just because the neighbour wants it to happen.

It’s Marcus (Evans)’ club and it’s Marcus’ money. I think he has to decide... Well he has decided, that is what we do.

“To be fair, up until this season, we have been competitive. We’ve done particularly well to finish sixth and seventh, but it’s proving to be tough this year.

*To Stuart Watson*

Q: Do you feel that Marcus (Evans) gave you sufficient backing during the transfer window?

A: What do you want me to say to that? What answer would you like me to give?

Q: Whatever you genuinely feel…

A: I’m pleased with the ones we’ve got, but we did try to get others. I’m disappointed that we didn’t, but it wasn’t through a want of trying.

Q: Other clubs around you in the division did manage to buy players around the million pound mark. Matt Smith went to QPR, Omar Bogle went to Wigan. There were deals happening in your price bracket. Were they all players that you didn’t feel were suitable or would improve your team?

A: It’s easy to go and spend a million quid, just to say you’ve spent a million quid. The ones you buy for a million quid have got to be better than the ones you’ve got though.

If we’d have been targeting those players you mentioned perhaps we could have... I didn’t think they’d be valued for that sort of money.

Q: You didn’t want to spend a seven-figure sum just to appease frustrated supporters?

A: You buy one now for a million quid and then, with them contracted for the next three years, you realise they weren’t worth it.

A lot of the players you are talking about are similar to Kieffer Moore in that they are coming out of the National League or lower divisions. I think Kieffer will do well. I’ve been pleased with him.