Jo Hart played 26 first team games for Manchester City at the age of 20. Pickford was first choice 'keeper in the Premier League at the age of 22. When they did go out on loan it was to our level, not National League and they had better competition for places. It doesn't say a lot for the prospects of Harry Wright that he will be 4th down the pecking order at a League One side. I think being in the Football League Trophy group stages and the first round of the FA Cup would be a fantastic way to get him some competitive game time.
Not necessarily. New keeper will go in to the under 23 squad and we might send Wright out on loan to get 1st team football
https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/36144/millwall-linked-with-bialkowski Millwall........really?! He needs to have a word with his agent!
Looks a good prospect https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-linked-with-harry-brockbank-1-6096070
After a day of rumours and sightings, Norwood completes! For the first time in years I can finally say, fantastic signing. Welcome to Town.
Apparently there were a number of Championship clubs who offered him a contract also. Unproven at this level but think this is exactly the type of signing we should have made last summer. Lower league pedigree with a bit of nastiness
Town linked with another freebie defender https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport...n-linked-with-defender-dominic-ball-1-6102085
What are people’s first impressions on the transfer business so far this summer? I think it’s been relatively positive, albeit only the two signings so far. I understand it’s early days, but the free signings of Norwood and Holy are canny, low-risk acquisitions and the decision to release all the out-of-contract players looks like a string of relatively understandable decisions. Having said that, I feel we are several signings away from a credible promotion push, particularly if we’re hoping to build a team in the image of Lambert’s preferred system of attacking, attractive football. Looking at the state of the squad so far: Goalkeepers I’m presuming Holy and Wright will be the main squad goalkeepers and Bart will depart to a Championship club. It’s sad to see a loyal servant leave - particularly a three-time Player of the Year winner - but as the highest earner and somebody who probably requires a new challenge, it’s the right move. Judgement reserved on Holy, but with almost 100 League One appearances to his name at Gillingham, he should hopefully recognise what is required at this level. Defenders I think this is the weakest area of the squad, with competition needed for the full-back positions and some more competition required at centre-back. Hopefully, we have determined our playing style and approach to attacking football going into this transfer window. If we are to adopt Lambert’s apparent preferred system of attacking, attractive football, then we need to invest in our defence. Unfortunately, the likes of Chambers and maybe even Nsiala will have to be phased out if we’re looking for confident, assured centre-backs – is Curtis Tilt still available anyone? Woolfenden looks a promising prospect and should be given a chance from the start. Emmanuel and Kenlock will need credible competition, and I do question Kenlock’s quality and consistency going into the season. Midfielders On paper, the most promising area of the squad, but one that is still probably lacking a couple of players. The likes of Judge, Bishop, Huws, Lankester, Dozzell, and Nolan should all be comfortable at this level, fitness permitting. If we manage to retain Edwards and Rowe, we’ve got a couple of effective wingers, an area where we’ve typically struggled for quality (without resorting to the loan market). My main concern is the defensive midfield position, as Skuse looks to be struggling with fitness and form and I’m not overly sold on Downes’ ability to play a box-to-box, dynamic role required, especially if we are to start putting emphasis on building from the back and moving the ball forwards effectively. We need more threat out wide, particularly if we’re playing a lone striker and two wide players. Strikers Arguably the main reason we were relegated last season was the inability to effectively replace 2017/18’s top five goalscorers with proven quality. The likes of Jackson and Harrison struggled in the Championship, but at League One level – Harrison has a decent scoring record – they may be better adapted. A fully fit Sears may also score a few in this division. Norwood brings hot goalscoring form with him, albeit from League Two, but will hopefully make the step up confidently. I think we're still short of one striker, particularly if Jackson does move on and considering Harrison's and Sears' fitness troubles.
Reports that Millwall are in the final stages of taking Bart for a fee of around £1.5m. I don't know much about these new 'keepers, but this feels to me like a further step backwards. Before last season I would have said Bart and Gerks, the goalkeeping position, was the only area we didn't need to improve. Now it looks as though they're BOTH out the door.
Due to Bart being the highest earner at the club, I feel this was almost inevitable. A shame, because he would be one of the best goalkeepers at League One level. It’s clear we need to cut the wage budget though, and he wants to continue pushing for a spot in the Poland squad, which he certainly won’t get playing in division three. The issue for me is the lack of transfer activity so far, particularly given the clear issues we have in defence. There is the realistic scenario that we spend next to nothing on fees in this window. Norwood and Holy are good players for this level, and were clearly well-valued at their previous clubs, but if we think we can solve the lack of quality in this squad by rummaging around freebie cast offs that, at this stage, not many clubs fancy, then we’re in for a wake up call this season. I appreciate we lost a lot of revenue because of relegation and some belt tightening is required, but we’ve cleared a lot of deadwood from the wage bill and Bart and Harrison look all but certain to depart for fees. So now let’s target some in-demand players and bring in quality. Contrast our summer with the likes of Peterborough, and for me, it is worrying.
A good assessment. We have an awful lot of work to do to be able to compete at League One level, currently in defence and attack we are considerably short of the mark. Harrison is on his way to Pompey - they clearly rate him. Meanwhile, Knudsen has joined Malmo at the top of the Swedish league, and will be playing in the Europa League this season and likely the Champions League next.
.....and we have an owner who was happy to see us tread water for three years,did absolutely nothing to stop us dropping down to the third division .Does anyone really expect him to put serious money into funding an escape bid!?