Looking at our squad

Just thought I'd have a look at what the options are for each position:

GK: Gerken, Bialkowski, Crowe

RB: Hewitt, Chambers, Parr, Hammond
CB: Chambers, Smith, Berra
LB: Mings, Parr

CM: Skuse, Hyam, Wordsworth, Bru, Tabb
Wide: Anderson, Stewart, Henshall, Hunt

ST: McG, Murph, Bajner, Nouble, Taylor, Marriott

Some players are duplicated due to being able to cover a couple of positions, also I haven't included the likes of Wyatt, Clarke, Suwomni, Lawrence, Bishop and McQueen as I doubt they'll get much action in league matches.

Looking like a decent squad with options (particularly if including the youngsters above) from the bench and can add some variation to our play.

I count 24 names from the squad list so might see one or two leave to bring someone else in as Mick previously said 22 was the number he would look to work with

 

what a change from a couple of years ago when we had more loanees than our own.

 

Mick has told reporters he believes he has a squad capable of a top 6 finish. Personally I dont see that but as Guru has said above we have moved forward brilliant to have a contracted squad. It will be interesting to see how we line up in 8 days time.

 

I have a feeling that we will actually surprise a few people, our own supporters included. I think we will be more attack minded in the majority of games and we'll be the team that nobody really talks about but we'll just go about our business and sit comfortably in the top eight for the season.

 

I think if MM has said we can challenge top six then I believe he will be targeting top2 behind closed doors....

 

I am off to Leyton Orient tomorrow, will post a brief summary sometime over the weekend.

 

It's refreshing to see that Town could be playing with 2 quick, forward thinking, direct and tricky wingers!

I think that could be key this year in Ipswich being high up the table, and is now what most successful teams use.

I just hope MM knows how to use and get the best out of them. I remember a certain Mr Keane bringing in one of the most promising English wingers in on loan (Andros Townsend) and not knowing what to do with him!

 

All looks good apart from Hyam and Skuse, CM is the heartbeat of every side and you need quality in this position, in my opinion Hyam and Skuse are not good enough and that will be where we fall short, unless Mick breaks up that partnership by bringing in a little more quality on loan, cant see it though.
Other than that, things are looking good!!

 

We are talking about a guy,who,if given an Ipad, would try to bang a nail in with it!

 

Skuse is a QUALITY player if he has runners. Trust me. I live in Bristol and know what the guy is capable of. With pacy wide guys attacking Skuse is quite capable of playmaking all day long, no problem. He will have a very good season for us this time around.

Hyam however in the holding role I have my doubts over.

 

Westy
For Brizzle maybe but for us..... Have to say i think he is one of the worst CM's i have seen in a Town shirt!!
Will MM play two speedy wingers, yesterday he started Tabb one side and Hewitt the other, i dont get it when we have two natural wingers on the bench and started two players out of position!!

 

A playmaker needs runners or he won't look very good.

If a playmaker has runners it does give him options. Skuse is a very capable player and will be a lot better this season for sure.

I hope like you Spanish Mick plays two winger. I don't want to see Tabby LM - I'm more than happy for him to play central when he's in form but not LM !!! Nooooo !

 

i have to say looking at that squad on paper it looks really really average and on paper definitely a bottom half team probably bar our CBs and potentially our fullbacks but it is nice to have all contracted players and a pretty balanced looking team.

If Mick were to leave part way through the season with that squad we'd be in trouble IMO

 

You said the same thing last year ptc.

 

I have no doubt Skuse has quality but by god he's one of the most frustrating players I've ever seen, really needs to up his game IMO next season and do more than just the simple stuff then sitting back, given his ability I think he's capable of far far more in a Town shirt.

As for Hyam I think he's good enough at this level aslong as he's not the player who's expected to be the more creative out of the 2 in CM. I think we all saw toward the backend of last season how much better Hyam looked when he was playing with Wordsworth over Skuse

 

I did you're right not sure what you're point is?

 

Not sure I have one mate
I guess it was just an observation that you said similar things last year. I feel that at least we will have more danger men on the bench this season and better options to change our style of play than last year when we had a lot of similar players. If Mick was to go we would still have the same playing staff and I'm sure there are other managers who could set them out to get results too.

 

Haha fair, I had my back up ready to defend myself

I think we probs have more depth than last season and the bonus is we haven't had a major overhaul this summer and have a team who have been together nearly 2 years. I just think it's all pretty average bar Chambers and Berra you wouldn't put any of those players in the top players in the division would you?

I think we'll do about the same as last season unless like I said these 2 unknowns are really something special but that isn't neccessarily a bad thing given our budget and the strength of teams in this division. Would like to see Mick take a few more risks this season though in playing style and personnel (I think that is wishful thinking though)