In Mustapha Carayol, Mick McCarthy believes he has signed a potential game-changer who will be motivated by only signing a short-term deal at Ipswich Town.
The former Nottingham Forest man completed his move to Portman Road on deadline day and is contention to make his debut tomorrow at Sunderland.
McCarthy challenged his new winger to earn himself an extended stay in Suffolk and believes the uncertainty that comes with a short-term deal could bring the best out of the 29-year-old.
“I love those, they’re great,” McCarthy said of signing players with a point to prove. “He’s out of contract, he’s 29 and I guess he wants to play to 35 – why shouldn’t he? He’s got six more years, where are they going to be? Could it be here?
MORE: Ipswich Town Fans’ Jury: Sunderland win ‘vital’ but never underestimate a wounded Black Cat
“Wherever it’s going to be he’s got to earn that now. He’s been at Forest, he’s been a sub and a bit-part player, and now he needs to play. He needs a job and he needs to stay in football.
“That bit of insecurity makes you work harder.”
McCarthy believes both Carayol and midfielder Stephen Gleeson, who is also on a deal until the end of the campaign, can earn longer stays and has backed his new winger to be a game-changer for the Blues.
MORE: McCarthy on ‘mindboggling’ wage demands, managing for the future and being ‘cool’ with Evans
“Why not? They are proper, solid Championship players,” McCarthy said. “I’ve no doubt they will love it here and they’ll like the lads and enjoy the atmosphere in the place. If we can get the atmosphere going at Portman Road they’ll enjoy that a lot more too.
“He’s just been a good Championship player, he’s got that ability to change and win games.
“He played against us for Middlesbrough and ripped us apart and I think he’s got that ability.
“We all know what wingers are like because they are the first to get hauled off, but it’s generally because nobody’s given them the ball or they can’t get it.
“We talked about my cover in wide areas and I said I was continually looking. We’ve got Santi (Bersant Celina) and Grant Ward there but if they play in a three it’s slightly different as apposed to a four.
“We’ve not got that much cover in wide areas and I think he’s s good signing for us to put pressure on the others.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here