Ipswich Town's low-key preparation for their 2012/13 campaign provides a sharp contrast to last summer's wild optimism and transfer activity that saw 12 new faces enter Portman Road's revolving doors, the good old days eh? This difference should be noted. Some fans will argue the club are taking too long; others will welcome this new-found cautious approach. However, this summerâs inconsistent pre-season form and subdued transfer activity cannot be viewed as positives. After several years of stagnation, the gradual erosion of optimism is reaching wearisome lows. The ultimate question is can Ipswich improve on last seasonâs disappointing 15th place finish, and if so, can they make a spectacular promotion bid? While Paul Jewell's men should top last season's league standing, it would take the most optimistic of supporters to insist promotion is likely. The clubâs current transfer policy hints at a much-needed change. Jewell's focus on signing young, ambitious players are a welcome far cry from last summer's binge on fading 30-somethings, a few widely regarded as turning up solely for the pay cheque. But reinforcements are desperately needed. Evans and Clegg have scaled back investment as Jewell's transfer record has saddled the club with more mediocrity than talent, despite a few exceptions, notably Aaron Cresswell, Michael Chopra and JET. However, the club's unwillingness to cough up more cash has given some supporters the mindset that the club lacks ambition, particularly with Connor Wickham's transfer fee left largely untouched. Regarding the recent additions, Jewell appears to have spent efficiently and effectively with what he has. In Scott Loach, Jewell has sensibly bought a goalkeeper outright rather than continue the destabilising cycle of loan deals and short-term fixes. Loach has years ahead of him and despite dividing fan opinion in Watford, he has a boyhood affinity for the Tractor Boys which should ensure he gets off to a favourable start in the stands. The defence, which is in desperate need of an overhaul, has been bolstered by Nottingham Forest's Luke Chambers and James Hewitt from Macclesfield Town. While Chambers will be expected to adapt quickly, the promising Hewitt should take inspiration from Cresswell, who set the benchmark at the club for future young players adjusting to a higher level. Another right-back or centre-back could be useful to help plug last season's glut of 78 goals we conceded, the joint-second worse in the division. My personal concern is the alarming lack of options in midfield. The loan signing of promising Massimo Luongo is a step in the right direction, although experience will also be needed, particularly after the departures of trio Grant Leadbitter, Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer. As a result, the young players will have to start maturing quickly, particularly Jaime Peters, who needs to start meeting his vaunted potential. Josh Carson and Luke Hyam can hopefully build on the previous season where they both performed positively and win a first team position based on performance rather than necessity. In my opinion, our strength currently lies with our attacking trio of Michael Chopra, JET and Jason Scotland. Chopra is still rightly regarded as a potent goal threat, supported by his 14 goals last season despite an under-performing support. JET remains to be our most technically proficient player and despite a frequent work-shy attitude, his flashes of brilliance and ball control ability hints at a potential career in the Premier League. Scotland, whilst usually deployed as an impact player, remains a goal threat, having scored key goals last season. It will be interesting to see whether Ipswich can reverse their poor form that has blighted the starts of previous campaigns. If they do, while adding more talent to the squad, particularly in areas that urgently require it, then a play-off challenge will not be beyond the realms of impossibility. However, realistically I think a top-half finish will constitute a decent improvement and provide an attainable start-of-the-season objective. Apologies in advance, Iâm a bit rusty at opinion pieces so hope it was structured well enough. Should be on the boards more frequently now. What are everyoneâs opinions on the team then?
Iâm not sure that the transfer money has dried up because of PJâs transfer dealings lumbering us with dross, more probably that he let Magilton spend 8 million and Keano 10 million only to be left with a squad that was not only riven with mediocrity but with positions bereft of players, with legions of old fat loanees and relegation threatened to boot. Itâd put me off chucking more money in. Then PJ bowls up with a (comparatively) shoestring budget, cocks the squad up a bit more, has to get in even more loans and presides over multitudes of 3 to 6 goal margin defeats in the process. What a coach he must be! Christ, itâs been a depressing six years. With the current squad, Iâm least panic stricken (though still panic stricken) over our midfield. Our apparently most effective options last season were when Hyam and Drury were backing up Martin in the middle with JET and Murphy out wide. We still have four of them with Carson hopefully given his chance this season to replace Murphy. Then we have Stephenson, Luongo as you point out, plus this Lawrence feller that seems highly rated. Iâm more worried about the defence and the keepers. Your conclusion of a return to the Magilton era expectations of a âcomfortableâ upper mid-table finish is the best most would expect and would come as a relief to most - such is the result of the ravages of Keane and PJâs first season-and-a-bit.
Yes we do have options in midfield, although if we're playing five midfielders I would like to see some proven ability. I rate JET and Hyam, they have potential to become good Premier League standard players. Hopefully Stevenson will adapt to Championship football now he has more match fitness. However, I don't really rate Drury and Martin as first-team regulars. Squad players fair enough but if we want to make a dramatic improvement from years gone by, we could definitely use some creativity and movement in the middle of the park. Hopefully Drury and Martin can continue their improvement and rise to the challenge this year. Our defence needs numbers, as I mentioned, but I am impressed with the signing of Chambers. Not to mention Tommy Smith and Aaron Cresswell's recent development and form. We need strengthening there though I agree, Delaney looks past it nowadays. I just don't rate him. Oh I'd love a return to the 8th and 9th place finishes for the next couple of years! Would make a welcome change from lower mid-table for sure.
How ya doing Nuggets, long time no see, likewise to you Jonah. Must be the start of a new season, everyone's coming out of the woodwork. A well written piece which basically summarises where we are at the moment and I'm with you in hoping to at least finish in the top ten this season. Still think we are short of a striker and a CB.
Fairly good summary of the situation. I think expectations this season seem lower than they should be, after the previous 2 being stupidly high for the situation we found ourselves in. It seems the consensus is that we will finish in the same position as we did last season. I think we'll do better than that. I'm pretty pleased with the first team but there is no doubting that we need strengthening in almost every position. I think we certainly need 3 more players if we are to last the season, it might be okay for the first month or so but if we get an injury to a key player we could be in trouble!!! I do like the direction the club now appear to be moving in, for the first time in the ME era we seem to be building a team rather than just chucking money at it. It's starting to feel like the Ipswich of old again!! I'm actually more optimistic about the club than I've been since probably Jims last season!! I would actually say Jewells transfer record is pretty good at Ipswich, especially when he's spent money. I mean when you look at the players he's paid money for I'm sure most people would have said we could have paid alot more for them!! I would say CM is atm the area I am least concerned about although it does still need strengthening. I think priority position is CB, you can just see in the past few games with Delaney in the team we look alot worse and that's what is going to happen if Chambers or Smith get injured or suspended!! But then again that is the case in alot of positions although IMO it's not quite as worrying. And I'm not really sure why you mention Peters, he's on his way out of the club!! I also disagree with your views on Martin and Drury, I actually think these are 2 of our most important players at the club and I'd really like to see if they can step up from almost their break through season in the Championship last year!! As for Delaney to me he's always looked past it, I would prefer he came on as a striker than a CB for us, infact that could be quite a good tactic he looks like he's got a decent shot on him!!
" As a result, the young players will have to start maturing quickly, particularly Jaime Peters, who needs to start meeting his vaunted potential. " He's about to get released on a free transfer and he won't play a minute for us again, he wasn't even taken on the Dutch tour! Peters is not very good, lets be honest! He MAY have come on the basis of potential back in 2005, but 7 years on can we afford for this " potential " to be unlocked!? Royle didn't think so Magilton didn't think so Keane didn't think so Jewell didn't think so " However, I don't really rate Drury and Martin as first-team regulars. " How on earth do you NOT rate Lee Martin ? He is absolutely ESSENTIAL to the team! Your going on about Peters " potential " ( NONE ) yet you don't rate a player twice as good as him!? Laughable comment I must say. While Martin was dreadful at times under Keane, last season he was often brilliant. Much improved and long may it continue. Martin + JET + Chopra give me hope for this season. However, we need to fill the gaps!
I'm good thank you San Diego, just finished my degree and now job-hunting. Back in Suffolk after a while away so I guess I should clarify some of my statements. I'm obviously left out of the loop on the Jaime Peters situation! Always thought he had potential, very versatile as well, did a decent job at right back. But I won't be sad to see him leave, although at this stage we need to hold onto as many squad players as we can! We don't have long to replace them. Guess there is always the loan market but we shouldn't be reliant on that. As I've been up in Stoke I admittedly haven't seen us play that much. Last game I saw was when I came down for the Ipswich 1-1 Middlesbrough rearranged fixture. I have heard mixed things about Martin from my friends who claim to watch us regularly haha! Noticed he had an notable upturn of form towards the end of the season though. I hope he carries that into the new season. As many have mentioned, we do need strengthening in most areas. Maurice Edu seems like a decent signing, very talented footballer although he'll have to get used to games when we're fighting harder for the result than at Rangers.
i shall play it safe for you boys and say you will flirt with relegation before flirting with the play offs, only to finish in the middle as usual. on a side note but still related to nuggets article, i was sent this article earlier - thought you may be interested in reading it. its probably nothing new to you but i thought i'd post it regardless http://thetwounfortunates.com/ttu-s...w-2012-13-financial-questions-at-ipswich-town
Firstly good to hear from you Nuggets and hope the job hunt goes well. Its an eloquent enough piece of writing but I have to say that IMO there are major flaws 'But reinforcements are desperately needed. Evans and Clegg have scaled back investment as Jewell's transfer record has saddled the club with more mediocrity than talent' I cant think of one player Jewell has spent money on who has been a let down. The squad when he took over had had £15-20m spent on it by the previous managers and was shockingly poor. The short termist freebies were all let downs/ underachievers but the players he has spent money on have all improved the team. 'However, the club's unwillingness to cough up more cash has given some supporters the mindset that the club lacks ambition, particularly with Connor Wickham's transfer fee left largely untouched' The Wickham transfer fee was the only thing that stop us posting losses of £10m last season. The money didnt go untouched but countered the disasterous spending from the last regimes and the start of Jewells own 'My personal concern is the alarming lack of options in midfield. The loan signing of promising Massimo Luongo is a step in the right direction, although experience will also be needed, particularly after the departures of trio Grant Leadbitter, Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer. As a result, the young players will have to start maturing quickly, particularly Jaime Peters, who needs to start meeting his vaunted potential. Josh Carson and Luke Hyam can hopefully build on the previous season where they both performed positively and win a first team position based on performance rather than necessity' Agreed on your previous comments about the defence but I have to disagree here and say that I feel midfield is probably our strongest area. It probably needs an addition or 2 (1 central defensive option and 1 wide 1) but we have Lounogo, Hyam, Drury, Stevenson as established central midfield players and JET, Carson and Martin who can fill the wide positions with Martin also helpful in the centre. We also have Murray on the fringes and most of our more promising youngsters are midfield players. Regardless of formation I think the first 4/5 is strong 'In my opinion, our strength currently lies with our attacking trio of Michael Chopra, JET and Jason Scotland. Chopra is still rightly regarded as a potent goal threat, supported by his 14 goals last season despite an under-performing support. JET remains to be our most technically proficient player and despite a frequent work-shy attitude, his flashes of brilliance and ball control ability hints at a potential career in the Premier League. Scotland, whilst usually deployed as an impact player, remains a goal threat, having scored key goals last season.' I have already touched on the wide players so will limit this to the central options. On your highlighted line especially I would have to disagree. The Chopra off last season was definately not a player I considered to be a potent goal threat. He had a lot of issues and was playing in a fairly average squad so I will not be too harsh but he has a lot to prove. His workrate was poor and in many games he was left simply nowhere to be seen. I had similar feelings about Scotland 12 months earlier, which I think was mainly down to his bulk but to be fair to the guy last season he was looking sharper and more active and had more of an eye for goal. Hopefully the work Chopra put in during the summer will see similar changes in his play this time round It will be interesting to see whether Ipswich can reverse their poor form that has blighted the starts of previous campaigns. If they do, while adding more talent to the squad, particularly in areas that urgently require it, then a play-off challenge will not be beyond the realms of impossibility. However, realistically I think a top-half finish will constitute a decent improvement and provide an attainable start-of-the-season objective. Top half finish is what I am aiming for. A couple of additions, adding height in forward positions and a bit of depth to the defensive line would be food. Im not optimistic of a play off position but based on the tale end of last season I have at least got a sense that we should be seeing some entertaining games rather than some of the dross that has been served up in the previous 3 seasons Apologies in advance, I’m a bit rusty at opinion pieces so hope it was structured well enough. Should be on the boards more frequently now. What are everyone’s opinions on the team then?[/QUOTE] no apologies needed.
Thanks for the replies, seems I have misjudged a couple of situations but I'll do my best to argue my points a little more in-depth. Paul Jewell's transfer record Yes, Jewell has a decent record when it comes to spending money on player, but I would hardly argue it's brilliant. Those players, both new and old, were involved in the frankly forgettable previous season with an underwhelming 15th place finish. Hardly positive. Cresswell was a great signing and his performances will hopefully carry on into the new season as I am fearing his head could be turned by Premier League interest. Chopra can hit the back of the net and I'd agree with smug tractorbhoy that if his fitness improves he can become more dangerous in front of goal. JET as aforementioned is a huge talent although certainly needs to be a more influential figurehead in the team as he has the ability. However, Jewell's record does include frees (last summer's batch were a drain on the wage budget). With the benefit of hindsight, the transfers of Ivar Ingimarsson, Lee Bowyer, Jimmy Bullard, Nathan Ellington and Richard Wright did not work out at all. For me, the jury is still out on Jewell's transfer record. However, I'm impressed with what he's done so far in the market this summer. The midfield situation Upon second thoughts I do agree the defence should be the priority, particularly after the poor record last season but I stand by my opinion that Cresswell, Smith and Chambers are solid foundations to build upon at the back. My comments about the midfield is only because we have lost a lot of players in those positions. It's all well and good starting youth players like Hyam (who I rate), Lawrence, Lounogo, Murray and Carson but do we expect them to fit into the side and play consistently good football? For me, I want to see experience and proven quality there too, particularly if we use a five-man midfield because then our midfield would be key. It's pleasing to hear Martin and Drury improving from years gone by, but I don't want to be reliant on those players. Maurice Edu will be a good addition, I would like to see a winger to replace Murphy though. Michael Chopra's form I'm not sure I agree with you on Chopra. Yes, he wasn't at the top of his fitness or playing the best football he can. But that should be the scary thing for our league rivals. Scoring 14 goals in a season with poor fitness, distractions off the field and an underachieving support is a positive in my mind. With more creativity behind us and hopefully a better start, I wouldn't be surprised if he hits the 20-goal mark this season.
defensively, I think we need another centre half or 2 if we can flog Delaney off to some unsuspecting mug. Just as long as Watchdog doesn't catch up with us! Midfield, I would say we need a more experienced central player in there to bloster the ranks, I would feel nervous just having Drury, Hyam, Luongo and Stevenson. Out wide we aren't to bad, perhaps another lefty would do but not important. Upfront, Could do with another, but if we play one up top we could manage. Overall, as it stands without injuries we will be alright, but having injuries is part and parcel of the season and you need the depth to cope with them which i would worry about if i'm perfectly honest.
I would actually say Jewells transfer record is pretty good at Ipswich, especially when he's spent money. I mean when you look at the players he's paid money for I'm sure most people would have said we could have paid alot more for them!! You're kidding right? Ellington, Bowyer, Bullard, the crock from Reading, Sonko, Signing a GK on loan TWICE! - Yeah some pretty good signings and tactical decisions! Also take into consideration the absolute failure in signing a proper Right Back and Central Defender and the same incompetence persists with this years lack of defensive signings. Allowing Delaney to still be here is another masterstroke! Jewell and Clegg have set this club back 5 years and that's being nice!
If fairness to Nuggets, PJ's transfer record is a hell of a lot better then Royston and dare is say Jimbo. yes its not fantastic, but i would say we all applauded the signing of Bowyer and a lot of people with Bullard. This summer, i have been pleasently surprised and happy with the way these deals have taken place or not if the players present clubs haven't held us to ransom unlike the past.
Nuggets, I dont think anyone would argue that the players brought into the club by Jewell have been extremely hit and miss. It was the line that said the 'investment' has been scaled back which I was refering to. Obviously free transfers still include wages so it is an investment but the way you worded it (or I interupted it) was that he cant be trusted with cash (transfer fees) which I would say is wrong. On all players with a transfer fee involved, I would say Jewell has not let us down. For me, Chopra would be the biggest disappointment of our 'paid' transfers and even he wasnt terrible, just nowhere near the signing I was expecting. I would agree with you 100% that Cresswell, Smith & Chambers are a decent enough 3 but beyond that ...... well nothing. We have Ainsley (seen too little to comment) Delonkey (I would rather have a bag of cement on the pitch) Whight (struggled last season) and Hewitt (???) The jury is generally mixed on Edwards but for me, he is not a defender and its a weak spot. In midfield I can see your argument but would have to partially disagree. One of the reasons we failed (and something you alluded to in your list of poor signings) last season was bringing in experience and 'proven' quality. I dont think anyone thought that the likes of Leadbitter, Bowyer, Bullard lacked the pedigree to see us finish comfortably in the top half of the table. The spell when we started to play well coincided with a change of system but also a more youthful first 11. I can see why an experienced head may be helpful but looking back on last season I would prefere to watch our inexperienced potential over the proven 'quality' any day. Edu is also unlikely to happen. Reports suggest that he has stated that he has now tried the UK and is prefering to try a new experience. I know my views on Chopra are not agreed on by most fans but he was nowhere near the player that we expected when he signed and in my eyes was as responsible for our miserable season as anyone else. For a striker I would want one of two things. Either he has no 'team' (workrate, commitment, tracking back) qualities whatsoever but will score with any chance given to him or he will be a team player who will score occassionally but will contribute alot. Chopra done neither of these roles and if he let off the field problems effect him (and needed a loan from the club to keep his shins connected to the thighs) then it is his all his own fault. I dont think it was a lack of options for him from midfield and on many occasions he missed sitters. I'm not holding any grudges against him and do believe he will do well this season with both his fitness and his mental state much improved but I wont wash over the fact that he was nowhere near the standard that I expected from him.
I would suggest that 4 additions which improve your squad is a lot better than 10 new players who just make up the numbers. We are also hopeful of adding at least 2 new faces before the end of the transfer window so that would be half a team added to the squad this summer!
The obvious consensus is that Jewell needs to bring more players in. I agree with johnnywarkmoustache, it's concerning he is leaving it this late, there is not long left until the summer window slams shut. Regarding loans, I hope we don't bring many in because as aforementioned, I don't think it's a particularly good tactic at this level. By the way, I never said this quote: I would actually say Jewells transfer record is pretty good at Ipswich, especially when he's spent money. I mean when you look at the players he's paid money for I'm sure most people would have said we could have paid alot more for them!!
So on 1 hand you complain that PJ bought loads of garbage last summer, yet on the other hand you moan when he buys in small quantity but the quality is there (at the moment). JWM, in all due respect what the hell do you want him to do? No manager can say every signing works out, look at Sir Alex he has made some right howlers in the past!
My point is Guru that we have gone from the sublime to the bleeding ridiculus! Last year he signed en mass and it turned out to be a disaster now this year he has only signed 4 players including a loanee! The kid Hewitt is injured and wont be available until at least October, the kid in CM is only 19 and I can't see him playing in every game. The jury is definately out on Loach and that leaves Chambers who will need time to settle and work with Tommy. That leaves us with a paper thin squad which doesn't stand up to scrutiny when the inevitable injuries and suspensions kick in! We are desperate for cover in every area of the pitch and much as I hate to say it I agree with Gary Smegson who's verdict on us says that we will be one of the strugglers this season!
