Do friendly results mean much? A look back at Ipswich Town’s pre-seasons under Mick McCarthy

Things get a little un-friendly at the Abax Stadium as Tommy Smith takes exception to Peterborough's Ricky Miller and his challenge on him (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Pre-season 2017

Following the usual week-long training camp at Carton House, just outside of Dublin, Town have enjoyed three dominant victories after undertaking some unusually early transfer business.

Summer signing Joe Garner has netted five goals, teenage midfielder Flynn Downes has caught the eye, while the likes of Emyr Huws, Adam Webster, Tom Adeyemi and Andre Dozzell are yet to be involved due to minor injuries and international action.

2016: Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy can't hide his frustration during the 2-1 home defeat to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Picture: Steve Waller. (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Drogheda United (a) W 5-0

Southend Utd (TG) W 4-1

Peterborough Utd (a) W 3-1

Today: Gillingham (a)

2015: Ipswich Town's players celebrate during a 4-3 defeat at german side Fortuna Dusseldorf. Photo: Christof Wolff (Image: Christof Wolff)

Tues 25: Colchester (a)

Sat 29: Charlton (a)

Opener: Birmingham (h)

2014: Hungarian striker Balint Bajner celebrates his friednly goal at Southend. Photo: PAGEPIX (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976 935738)

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Pre-season 2016

2013: Paul Taylor is congratulated after scoring in Ipswich Town's 3-3 draw with Notts County. Photo: PAGEPIX (Image: PAGEPIX LTD 07976 935738)

The warning signs for a dull season were there as Town scored just five goals in six friendlies and Mick McCarthy voiced his transfer frustrations.

Allowing a very poor Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to record a come-from-behind win at Portman Road set the tone.

Shelbourne (a) W 2-1

Barnet (a) L 1-0

Colchester Utd (a) W 1-0

Cambridge Utd (a) D 1-1

Charlton Ath (a) D 0-0

Royale Union (h) L 2-1

Opener: Barnsley (h) W 4-2

Points in August: 10 (from 15)

Finished: 16th

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Pre-season 2015

New wing additions Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles looked good, summer signing Brett Pitman netted four, but on three occasions the Blues leaked three or more goals.

Town’s new open approach didn’t last long, with McCarthy slamming the tactical breaks on following a 5-1 defeat at Reading in early September.

Shelbourne (a) W 6-0

Fortuna Dusseldorf (a) L 4-3

Cambridge Utd (a) W 3-2

Peterborough Utd (a) D 0-0

Colchester Utd (a) L 3-2

Utrecht (h) D 1-1

Opener: Brentford (a) D 2-2

Points in August: 10 (from 15)

Finished: 7th

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Pre-season 2014

Big Hungarian striker Balint Bajner became an instant cult hero by celebrating a pre-season goal at Southend like mad, Frank Nouble bagged a couple of friendly finishes, as did teenager Jack Marriott, but none of them ended up setting the world alight.

Instead it was Daryl Murphy, now with the number nine on his back, who went on to score 27 times as the Blues finished in the play-offs.

Shelbourne (a) W 4-0

West Ham (h) D 0-0

Colchester Utd (a) W 3-0

Gillingham (a) W 2-0

Southend Utd (a) W 2-1

Leyton Orient (a) D 1-1

Opener: Fulham (h) W 2-1

Points in August: 5 (from 15)

Finished: 6th

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Pre-season 2013

Murphy (5) and David McGoldrick (4) scored nine goals between them as Town enjoyed a near flawless first pre-season under McCarthy’s management.

Only a couple of late goals conceded at Notts County prevented the clean sweep of six wins, but that form didn’t carry into the season as Town managed just one victory from their opening six games in all competitions.

Shelbourne (a) W 2-0

Crawley Town (a) W 2-1

Gillingham (a) W 2-1

Barnet (a) W 1-0

Colchester Utd (a) W 3-0

Notts County (a) D 3-3

Opener: Reading (a) L 2-1

Points in August: 4 (from 15)

Finished: 9th