I was starting to think we were going to completely sink this season and would only not finish bottom due to others getting point deductions, but with these potential new signings on the way I'm more optimistic. I thought we'd done well to get in the first few signings quite quickly and was generally impressed. I also though our strength was our consistency from last season, having a longer rest time as our season finished earlier and no players at the euros. But then the signings stopped and we've got a few injuries and players short of fitness (Clarke, Al Hamadi, Hutchinson, Burns, Hirst, Broadhead) we were only a couple of injuries away from a crisis probably even at league 1 level. Part of our strength last season was being able to bring on players like Hutchinson, Al Hamidi and Sarmiento to add some energy and tenacity at the end of the match. I've been wondering where that's going to come from (even with Harness looking decent on the wing in pre season). With Phillips and Szmodics things are looking a little brighter although I do think Phillips is a big risk but also there's the potentially for big reward there. Think we will still need at least a nether 3 players on top of these 2 to be competitive, another midfielder, another wide forward and a striker.
Agree, I think McKenna could be quite cautious in particular with Phillips and wait for a while for him to settle in....unless captain fantastic decides to scythe down Salah. As McKenna has said it takes a little while for players to get up to speed with how we play. I wasn't initially keen on the Phillips signing but if McKenna gets the best out of him it's pretty much the perfect upgrade for that LDCM position next to Morsy, a role which Luongo has played so well in and actually plays in a similar style to Phillips.
We now have a proper Prem team in the making, well done Ipswich! I shall head down to the pub showing the game, and might see Nuggets there! Cant wait for KO.
And there was I thinking the Sammi Szmodics bargaining was finished and he was scoring goals for Rovers for fun. Are the ITFC deal breakers, lawyers also poker players or heart surgeons?! Like ptc I suspect there are more to come thru the door. And has Hladky given the club sec a call to say sorry, I f....ked up and I wanna come back!
Dunno what all the fuss was, we was always going to sign at least 3 or 4 more quality players, just takes time!!
Phillips and Szmodics through the door. Apparently the Cajuste loan deal is also on the verge of being completed today, with a mandatory fee agreed depending on certain conditions being met. Potentially three players snapped up in as many days. Not to mention Ed Sheeran being a minority owner. Massive buzz of activity ahead of the season opener. Good work from Ashton and the team.
Looking a lot more positive. Squad was looking a bit threadbare a couple of weeks ago. Still anxious that we'll have a tough season but I think we'll be at least competitive. I just hope we don't take too long to get points on the board and these players don't take too long to get up to speed. For all of McKennas strengths new players take a few weeks to get up to speed with him and the way we play.
So, all going bonkers, we now have three of last year’s Championship team of the season (Szmodics, Davis, Greaves), one was the top goalscorer and the other our very own Leif was top assist. And now we hear Cajuste is on his way too. It couldnt get any better, morale must be super high and Sheeran chips in too.
I know some manage it but it's hard to fault our business. My only small gripe is that we didn't sign Sarmiento. The balance between hunger and experience is just fantastic. If we can get Cajuste in then the final positions to strengthen would be the number 9 and the goalkeepers - but we can strengthen again in January.
Do we need another number 9 tho, if you look at our attacking players, we certainly have plenty. Omari, Delap, Hirst, Chaplin, broadhead, Szmodics, Burns, Harness and Al Hamadi. Obviously wouldn't say no to another 9 but we must be pretty close to breaking ffp. A loan for Broja would be ok but I think someone to play alongside Greaves is priority, I know you all love Wolfy but I honestly think Prem strikers will tear him a new hole!!
If Delap got injured - then yeah massively we do! Even if he’s not injured, there’s no-one to come in and give Delap a rest. Those other players can’t do what Delap and Hirst give us.
We sign a number 9, we have Hirst and Delap, Hirst will be back in about 6 weeks, then what....we have 3 number 9s. We can't sign someone every time we have an injury. I mean what if Delap gets injured.. are you saying sign 2 more number 9s, just in case 1 gets tired or injured? Then when all fit, we will have 4 number 9s. I mean I am happy for us to sign another 9, I would love it but ....not at the expense of more important positions. If we can afford both then great but CM and CB are more important atm imo!! I actually do think we need one more striker but first we need to bring in at least 1 CM and 1 RCB
