That's an Ian Dury and the Blockheads pun before anyone asks...

I think the fact that Mick McCarthy hasn't given Max Watters a single minute on the pitch in recent weeks speaks volumes. Yesterday's game against bottom-of-the-table Wycombe looked an obvious opportunity to give Watters some first team game time, but McCarthy left him sitting on the bench.

Since signing for City in January in a deal reported to be worth £1 million, Watters has started just one game (the 0-1 defeat to QPR, during which he was subbed after 55 minutes and after which Neil Harris was sacked). Under Mick McCarthy, the player has made just two sub appearances - he was brought on for 16 minutes at Luton with the side already 2-0 up, and at Sheffield Wednesday for 18 minutes with the score at 5-0 to the hosts.

Watters has recently turned 22 years of age, so he has time on his side. However, it looks increasingly likely that McCarthy simply doesn't rate him.