Should They Stay or Should They Go?

It’s about time Ipswich offloaded some of the deadweights at the club in a time when all we are interested in is moving forward. Today’s confirmation that Gavin ‘car vandal’ Williams is on his way to Bristol City for a reported £300,000 (although £100,000 has been banded about too) will hopefully open the door for a few more players that have - in my opinion - only managed to be able to wear the blue of Ipswich because we have been so poor over the past three seasons, both on and off the pitch. Jim Magilton has gone on record this week to say he’d like to bring in three more players before the end of the transfer window, which will mean three less places up for grabs for either first team or fringe players. So who should stay? Who should go?

Goalkeepers
Shane Supple has been offered a chance by Jim Magilton to fight for the number one jersey and with the hopefully imminent arrival of Richard Wright, will give Town two competent keepers.

Defence
A fantastic job by Jim Magilton to lure Gareth McAuley to Ipswich. With his arrival, now is the time to revolutionise our defence with perhaps another signing in this area. Cardiff’s Roger Johnson has been linked and would make a superb acquisition. The ever-improving Alex Bruce deserves his place in the Town squad and with the recent addition of Pim Balkenstein, competition will be fierce for a central defensive position. David Wright is a fine right-back and unlike last season should be able to stay in this position without having to play out of his comfort zone. A massive hole in the Town squad is at left back. Dan Harding for me is typical of the players that frequented the Ipswich squad in the dark years that preceded Marcus Evans’s takeover. It’s time for him to go. Likewise Matt Richards, who has spent almost all of the past two season at Brighton. It’s about time they took him off our hands full-time and at cost. I wonder where this leaves town veteran Richard Naylor? Personally I feel he’s had one injury too many and has also been responsible for one too many defensive mishaps. Perhaps it’s time for Bam Bam to move on? Competition for defensive places may also come from academy youngsters Chris Casement and Tommy Smith. For once I feel optimistic about the Ipswich Town defence.

Midfield
An area I feel we are very strong in, that needs little or no improvement. Although our midfield as a whole lacks pace, our fluid passing football at Portman Road last season proved we can gain the yards with clever balls. David Norris is a proven quality Championship player, Owen Garvan is a player on the up and up, Velice Sumulikoski has shown signs of considerable talent and Danny Haynes is justifiably wanted by a number of Premiership sides. I expect Tommy Miller to keep his place in the Town squad (but only as a substitute), however Gary Roberts should be sold and would have been if former club Acrington Stanley could afford his services again. As far as Jaime Peters is concerned; I don’t think he’ll ever deliver. His blistering pace down the flanks has always been spoiled by his inability to produce an end product. Time to sell I feel.

Attack
Firstly; what to do with Dean Bowditch? In the reserves he helps himself to countless goals and since scoring that hat-trick away at Coventry a couple of seasons ago we expected so much of him, yet he’s never delivered. Jim’s offered him another season, so we’ll see what happens there. Jon Walters has been a revelation and can also play a supporting role or on the wing. The expectations on him next season will be far greater than last. Alan Lee and Pablo Counago could make a great strike partner to what will hopefully be a proven 20+ goalscorer when Magilton finally bags his man, whoever that may be. As for Billy Clarke; I get the impression that Magilton has lost faith in him after giving him a run in the team last season. With first team appearances virtually non-existent in 2007/08, we could very well see the Northern Irishman on his way from Portman Road.

Category: Ipswich Town Team News

Tags: Ipswich Town Team News

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