...that is in four years.......for me that is far to many...a far to high a turnover of players .......and I'm not picking fault with Ipswich or Mick, I think it is how football is these days and I for one don't really like it.
5 and a bit teams worth of débutantes in 3 and a bit seasons, actually not surprising when you consider how many attacking players have come in, started well then faded away. Somehow we're still on the search for a winger/attacking midfield that can deliver attacking play consistently. Micks own scouting network? training style, methods? Lack of Investment from Mr Evans? Probably some of all three. Either way the sheer number of debutants kind of puts doubt to the image of a stable team
Its all part of the policy of giving almost anyone a trial who wont cost any money in the hope of turning up a gem amongst the dross every now and again, its a prudent policy without a doubt but bloody tedious for us long suffering fans. Its hardly rocket science but if we want to progress to a higher level we need a higher level of player to get us there and more importantly keep us there, when we played our neighbours in the play offs we faced a team worth £30M and they have spent millions again and yet they are struggling in the relegation places of the Prem, so what chance do we have with a team of free transfers and out of contract cast offs?
I don't think it's just an issue at Ipswich tbh.......most clubs have a Huge turn over in players, any problem it seems can only be rectified with a new signing........I remember the days when you would be surprised if a team signed two players in a season. I've said before that I think we should aim for 11 to 15 quality players rather than a larger squad of average so-so players.....
Berra, Chambers,Bishop,Sears,Smith,Fraser, one out of the two keepers....just off the top of my head.......think a few others could be coached to be valuable to the team....
If you throw enough mud at a wall some of it will stick.. And in this case, some have to good effect. Though I do agree that the 'modern way' is to try & bring someone in to fix an issue. It is less about coaching players to develop and improve (part of the wider issue around the National team and player development) I always remember 'Arry at Tottenham saying he needed a couple of additions every single transfer window. Mostly because he'd given up on the ones he bought during the last ones (whether they'd even played or not) and knew that fans are always excited to see someone new come in. Football fans are so fickle.
I'm quite happy with the comings and goings actually. 58 IS high, however, we've kept a firm base of - Murphy / Tabb / Smith / Chambo / Berra / McGoldrick / Skuse / both keepers. Bru was a gamble worth taking, Banj not. That happens. Some have been loanees to bolster the squad - Fraser has worked, Niles did at the start, Wiliams pure class first time, second time a little injured - Woods / Fryers haven't.... Low risk gambles to save their careers / add some spirit have worked -Both Hunts/ Varney / even Chaplow have added things. Then of course there is pure rubbish like Nouble / Henshall.
