MICK McCarthy has gone against the tide of his predecessors by claiming he is confident geography won’t be a sticking point when bringing in new players.

Town fans have grown tired of managers using the location of their team as a reason why the Blues have been unable to attract players to Portman Road.

Paul Jewell echoed the comments of Roy Keane when he admitted in September he was “up against geography a bit” as he looked to bring in loan players.

Try telling that to McCarthy who has moved with impressive speed to bring in four players in the first fortnight of the January transfer window – with the possibility of more following in the coming days.

Just four months after Jewell voiced his concerns, McCarthy today insisted: “The money generally decides where players are going to, but the manager, the coaching staff, the ground, the fans, the area all play a part – and we are alright in some of those aspects.”

McCarthy has already been backed by Marcus Evans, just months after the owner appeared to rein in the expenditure under Jewell.

And while the former Blues boss claimed Ipswich had one of the lowest wage budgets in the Championship, the situation appears to be changing.

McCarthy admitted: “In terms of attracting players, I don’t think there’s a problem. And we challenge most in the league when it comes to wages.”

The Blues boss will hope to tie up deals for Nottingham Forest keeper Lee Camp and Colchester United midfielder Anthony Wordsworth ahead of Saturday’s home match with second-bottom Barnsley.

But the manager knows the changing football climate means he won’t have to lay out big transfer fees to improve his squad.

With the Financial Fair Play all but ending the days of long contracts and big money below the Premier League, McCarthy said: “There are a hell of a lot of players coming out of contract this summer all around the country at different clubs. It does give me an advantage.”