Town have again been linked with a move for West Ham defensive coach Wally Downes. The 49-year-old former Brentford boss and ex-Reading and Southampton coach has been mentioned in connection with the Blues on a number of occasions over the last 10 days.

According to today’s report, Downes would cost Town £100,000 in compensation if they want to end the one-time Wimbledon striker's spell at Upton Park, which only began in November. Downes's situation could also be affected if Hammers boss Avram Grant is sacked, as is widely expected.

Paul Jewell is keen to add an experienced assistant to his backroom staff and on Friday the new Blues boss confirmed that his long-time associate Chris Hutchings is very much in the running for the role: “I’m going to bring in a senior coach to work alongside me. That will happen next week.

“Chris is a terrific coach and we’ve enjoyed success both at Bradford and at Wigan. Chris is most certainly well in the frame.

“I’ve got a couple of people to speak to and hopefully I want to get it nailed down no later than Tuesday if I can.”

Jewell has already appointed his former Bradford strike partner Sean McCarthy to his coaching team, while many of the incumbent backroom staff are set to stay at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

Guthrum added 15:32 - Jan 16 Strengthening the backroom staff could be just what we need. Get the players we already have performing better, rather than having to lash out on new ones.
0

Oxblue added 15:34 - Jan 16 Get him on board please.
0

rosseden added 15:42 - Jan 16 still gutted charlie went, think hes a top coach / motivator...... shame he didnt get to show it before the game against arse......
0

dirtydingusmagee added 16:25 - Jan 16 we get rid of a Charlie and bring in a Wally, this is a new era bring it on .
0

SinghyITFC added 16:43 - Jan 16 We need them both! Then all we need is Klug back, which I can't see happening now he's at Tottenham. If not somebody with experience who can fix out crumbling youth system!
0

AJblue added 16:54 - Jan 16 Dones seems to be respected throughout the game. Tells me he must be good at what he does, so certainly would welcome his appointment. t DirtyDingus... I knew your previous avatar wasn't you, glad to see you have changed it for your passport photo!!! LOL
0

Back_The_Boss added 17:02 - Jan 16 dirtydingus quality mate! The simple gags are so often the best!
0

Mark added 17:11 - Jan 16 Chris Hutchings is the man who worked so well at Bradford and Wigan with Jewell, and as he is available I'd most like to see him snapped up. It's up to Paul of course and if paying a fee to get Downes then so be it. Building a strong backroom is so important, and I include scouts in that.
0

tom_the_blue added 17:24 - Jan 16 What a very unfortunate name. But if he is a good coach, get him on board.
0

dirtydingusmagee added 19:08 - Jan 16 nearly right injuredanimal , thats my bus pass photo !
0

jas0999 added 19:22 - Jan 16 Good. What we need more than anything is WINS! Results. If these boys are going to help - then sign them up! Some people don't seem to understand the situation - we don't have 6 to 10 games spare for Jewell to 'find his feet'. This is NO reflection on him. But I hope he has some transfer targets in mind. As most people on here agree - loan signings are not the answer.
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 20:49 - Jan 16 come quickly we gave away 2 stupid goals on saturday
0

dirtydingusmagee added 22:04 - Jan 16 TractoroyNo1 your mate has gone, and all he has left is club in shyte ,and his pyjamas for you, bless
0

whippet added 05:26 - Jan 17 Didn't know touting was allowed on the site. I have an old Ipswich Town FC shirt from 1983. Any offers?
0

BrettenhamBlue added 05:35 - Jan 17 I have a used duvet for sale... On a serious note, you shouldn't be trying to sell tickets on the site adtr2012.
0

Paul_Jewell_Manager added 05:39 - Jan 17 Are we all sure its not allowed????? Only big Phil will know for sure!
0

GiveusaWave added 05:50 - Jan 17 Can't imagine its allowed on TWTD, but doesn't seem to be blocked! Can we start talking about Wally again? lol Sooner PJ gets in his background staff, the better. Getting McAuleys and Norris' contracts finalised are crucial. Forget about further signings, lets get the best out of what we have. If we can beat Arsenal, we can beat anyone.
0

whippet added 06:13 - Jan 17 Is anyone else a tad concerned that Palace have signed Iverson and Jermaine Easter (both really good forwards). Looks like they are investing heavily on making sure they are in the Championship next season. After such good investment, I can't see them going down. Can we say the same? (don't want to be negative,just feel a couple of quality signings at this point would allay most fans fears). Sick and tired of seeing other teams sign players that I would like to see at Portman Road. Jermaine Easter is miles better than anything we have at this club at the mo

0

BrettenhamBlue added 07:53 - Jan 17 Have to strongly disagree Whippet, think Iverson and Easter would struggle to get into our frontline. I would rate Wickham, Scotland, Priskin and Fallon as better than these 2. The problem has been lack of quality service to our strikers. I'm not worried about lack of quality up front. Previous comments about the need for a right-back,- I would totally agree with. Zuiverloon, Colback and Townsend have all left with no replacements. No wonder we are a bit thin on the ground. I would rather PJ take his time over good signings than making panic buys/loans to fit positions. PJ has a difficult task on his hands. I wish him all the best. Just keep us in this division this year and lets rebuild for next season.

0

BrettenhamBlue added 08:06 - Jan 17 Phil, is there any chance of writing a brief update about the 21 players out of contract so we can all make our voices heard? (I am sure there will be plenty of comment on it)
0

whippet added 08:20 - Jan 17 rkeaneisagod priskin is slow and over rated. Wickham is better in a left side role and scotland is lacking in confidence, don't even get me started on fallon!!! Iverson and Easter are a better strike pair than any combination of these clowns. Easter is faster, has better ball control and a better finish than any player we have at the club. i will bet with you now, palace will stay up because of this strike combination and we will go down with our present bunch. paul jewell can't do miracles and won't be able to make poor strikers into easters or iversons.

0

Paul_Jewell_Manager added 08:29 - Jan 17 Fallon is no longer part of our plans. He has returned to Home Park.
0

dobbie73 added 08:43 - Jan 17 I thought I'd change my profile pic in response to yours Dirtydingus, lol ...
0

dubblue added 09:26 - Jan 17 Didn't know you two got hitched!
0

bluelady added 09:33 - Jan 17 have to agree RKeaneisaGod think that Inverson is quite typical of Palaces recent short falls signing players that were once very good but are getting a little old for this league now. He is about 35 i think. Easter has a great scoring record but he seems to score more for the lower divisions so not sure how it would translate into our league. I think CP are in bigger trouble than just up front tbh. I for one would not be excited about these two signings, the fact Fallon has gone to me suggests that we have targets that are on there way. A striker maybe (although Prisken, Scotland and Wickham one of the best in this division given service and confidence.....) but we must have decent wingers and a creative midfield....

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls