Kelly Youga

McCarthy: Kelly Youga could be ‘signing of the century’ for Ipswich Town

Dave Gooderham Wednesday, November 21, 2012
10:22 AM

KELLY Youga’s move to Ipswich Town would be the “signing of the century” if the former Charlton left-back managed to push Aaron Cresswell out of the team.

That is the frank admission of Blues boss Mick McCarthy who is delighted to have brought in Youga as cover, but whose expectations of his first permanent signing remain very much grounded.

Youga was signed on a short-term deal last week and has played for Town in the Suffolk Premier Cup at Walsham-le-Willows and for the Under-21s in Monday’s 5-1 defeat by Millwall.

McCarthy admitted: “I know Kelly from his days at Charlton and I thought he looked set for a really good career. Then he got an injury (cruciate knee ligament) and it knocked him back for a bit.

“We’ve had nothing in terms of cover at left-back. I know Tommy (Smith) can play there, but he’s a centre-back when all’s said and done.

“I just thought he (Youga) could give us a bit of balance and an option – that’s not a loan – until the New Year at least.”

Speaking prior to Saturday’s big defeat by Leicester, the Town boss played down talk of Youga pushing Cresswell for the left-back berth.

He explained: “That’s a challenge for him because Cressie has been excellent for the three games since I’ve been here.

“Cresswell was well fancied this year and I don’t know why his form dropped. Maybe it’s indicative of when a club is having a bit of a tough time.

“Kelly is here until January and he might not play at all for us. If he (Youga) can play well enough to get Cressie out of the team it will be the signing of the century! If we get a game out of him, I will be delighted.”

Youga, 27, McCarthy’s first permanent signing, saw his first-team chances at Charlton hit by a knee injury.

He has also had short-terms spells at Bristol City, Bradford, Scunthorpe and Yeovil.

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14 comments

Ha ha what a clown you are mccarthy!!! lol

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ged scott

Thursday, November 22, 2012
He may turn out to be a brilliant player, we'll have to see, but couldn't we for once just invest in a few who are not cast offs and rejects. Like Rhodes for instance ;perhaps he'd score a few hat tricks for us!!! Oh I forgot, he was one of us under that very knowledgeable summariser on the telly, who must make a good manager eh if he can prognosticate on the box.

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JOHN BURLS

Thursday, November 22, 2012
am sure Wark, Beattie, Mariner and Gates, et al, would be up for a game, and couldn't do any worse. At least they would care about the badge and sweat blood. With the current lot, you just get the feeling that too many of them just turn up to receive their pay, and can take losing fairly comfortably.

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Tom

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Rejects is all I.T.F.C can afford when your in a position they are in ..

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MIGUEL100

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Blue,I to have been a supporter for over 50 years,and yes I feel the same as you about the way this club is going,but we MUST give Mick time.He is a very good manager and I'm sure would not have come here had he not seen some promise..Remember it was PJ who left us in this Hugh mess and it will take a fair time to solve the problems.Mick has no choice but to use loan players until january(try before you buy)one or two of the loan players will be fine and Mick will sort it.Ther e are still too many so called supporter moaning about Mick.They are not real supporters or they have no idea what goes on behind the scenes.GIVE MICK A CHance and gets behind the team,DON'T knock them.

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brisie58

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
a century that has a further 87 years left?

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Tom

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The heart of our problem.... a lack of real investment in the future – too much short-term ad hoc quick fixes which solve nothing. We now really do face extinction as a professional club – unless there is some real investment in the long-term – i.e. excellent management, coaching and playing. We need to build the team around someone of outstanding quality – and there is still no sign of this happening any time soon – before the next stage of decline to League One and then further down. Fifty years a true blue and now hurting like never before to see what is happening (or not happening) at this once amazing club.

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Blue and true since 1962

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Charlton are only a few points better off than us. How come we want to take players they have rejected?

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Rod Cross

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
It is my opinion that ME is looking to cash in on Cresswell like he did on Wickham, with only half the money going back on new players for the team.

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Cyril Baker

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
These are worrying times. If Mick McCarthy wants to hang on to his job he had better get his act together and fast...

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FRANK WESTON

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
If McCarthy thinks Cresswell has had 3 excellent games since his arrival he must be as myopic as the previous regime

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Ted Maul

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
bring back ted phillips

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hen1943

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Only one reason to have him - and that is if Creswell is being sold. "If we get a game out of him, I will be delighted.” is surely the most depressing soundbite ever given to a Town signing.

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Russell Sprout

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
If Youga, by some miracle (failed at Yeovil!), ousts Cressie from left back, then give Cressie a go at left midfield. Can’t be worse than the dross we’ve had there for years now.

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Pete James

Wednesday, November 21, 2012