Town manager Paul Jewell says the Championship could be even harder during 2011/12 with the likes of Southampton and Brighton having been promoted from League One. The Blues boss expects a very competitive division with plenty of clubs looking to get back into the top flight.

Jewell said: "I hear people say Ipswich have got Premier League facilities, stadium, training ground and Premier League history, and it's true. But if you look around the Championship, so have half the league.

"There are some big, big clubs in this division. It's a tough league to get out of and when you look at the clubs that have come down and the likes of Southampton and Brighton, who will be boosted by playing at a new ground, who have come up, you can argue it will be even harder next season.

"We're looking forward to the challenge though. The countdown has started. We'll be back in pre-season training in two weeks [June 29th]. The excitement of knowing a new season is around the corner will be there and we'll be ready to go on August 6th."

Meanwhile, released Town striker Kevin Lisbie says that although he’d like to return to Millwall, where he was on loan last season, he’d be pleased wherever he goes as long as he's be playing regularly: "I did enjoy myself there, but at this stage of my career I just want to be playing football and I'd be happy to get a contract anywhere to do that.

"Obviously, rejoining Millwall would be my ideal choice, but I'll be happy at any club as long as I'm playing regularly next season.

"I'm hoping that there will be a bit more movement and a few things in the pipeline by the end of this month,” he added.

"I've told my agent not to call me until something concrete crops up and at the moment I've not heard from him, so I assume that apart from initial interest nothing serious has presented itself."

Photo: Action Images

simplesuffolkfarmer1 added 19:25 - Jun 20 Our last manager started by saying how he had been given the task of being promoted within two years but he himself expected to do it in one. Well, I prefer PJ being a little more cautious, I would rather he under promised yet in the end over delivered.
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DiamondGezzer added 20:19 - Jun 20 You want your agent to phone you with something concrete, what about a job as a brickey on a building site ? Just a thought ! Talking about a waste of space, what ever happened to Chapman from West Ham ?
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broomfield123 added 21:24 - Jun 20 There's nothing wrong with being a brickie . Unlike lisbie they have a good use in socity
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h32 added 22:12 - Jun 20 .......... the Manager stating the obvious again - and what a fine time to be realising something that some of us have been screaming for adequate players to be signed for - to ensure we are prepared for it. On countdown now - only a few short weeks left - MUCH still to be done. All that really matters I suppose is that enough people have/still buy season tickets and the turnstiles keep clicking. The Club ambition of today defined simply.

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Sniegster added 22:39 - Jun 20 Speaking of 'Wastes of Space', we should start a Waste of Space All-Star 11!!! Anyone remember Adrian Paz? Used to get his head down and run with the ball and then run out of pitch for a goal kick, every time, a bit like a mini forest Gump... Wouldn't call him a big waste of space though (but only because he was quite small.)
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statto72 added 22:49 - Jun 20 a waste of space XI would have to include the likes of Brekke Skard, Holster and Axeldal
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algarvefan added 00:01 - Jun 21 What a fickle lot some of you are, PJ's not making pre-season excuses, he's just telling it like it is. We have a lot of work to do as a team to be able to challenge for promotion. Much of that will depend on the quality of new signings, I'm feeling positive that we'll do better this year than last but doubt we will make the play offs this season. Just being a realist!!

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GiveusaWave added 05:05 - Jun 21 Brighton won't be as strong. They have lost Bennett and their top striker. Favs for relegation I would bet. Southampton might well make the top 6. West Ham will be there. Leicester City will be super-strong next season and if Leeds can find a goalkeeper they should be up there. Bristol City will most likely be top 8 and Birmingham and Blackpool should both easily make the top 6 (Blackpool might well win the league). Crystal Palace will come back strong next year with the changes they've made and Derby look good (even better if they sign Shackell-who would be a great addition at Ipswich). Burnley and Hull should both do well and Middlesborough's range of exciting talent should be a joy to watch.Notts Forest and Reading should be top 8 and Portsmouth have always got the potential to be top 6 also. On the positive side, I feel Watford, Brighton, Peterborough and Coventry are all weaker than us RIGHT NOW so we should avoid relegation. With another 5 or 6 signings,we might make the top 8

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GiveusaWave added 05:06 - Jun 21 to summarise,- I think we will have a marginally better year.
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simplesuffolkfarmer1 added 07:31 - Jun 21 Brighton won't be as strong. They have lost Bennett and their top striker. Favs for relegation I would bet. Southampton might well make the top 6. West Ham will be there. Leicester City will be super-strong next season and if Leeds can find a goalkeeper they should be up there. Bristol City will most likely be top 8 and Birmingham and Blackpool should both easily make the top 6 (Blackpool might well win the league). Crystal Palace will come back strong next year with the changes they've made and Derby look good (even better if they sign Shackell-who would be a great addition at Ipswich). Burnley and Hull should both do well and Middlesborough's range of exciting talent should be a joy to watch.Notts Forest and Reading should be top 8 and Portsmouth have always got the potential to be top 6 also. On the positive side, I feel Watford, Brighton, Peterborough and Coventry are all weaker than us RIGHT NOW so we should avoid relegation. With another 5 or 6 signings,we might make the top 8 to summarise,- I think we will have a marginally better year.

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brogansnose added 07:40 - Jun 21 BT shares plummet on the back of Lisbies statement. Communication sector in crisis.
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comeonthegoodtimes added 08:56 - Jun 21 Boring now - this is why we have no faith, the season not even started and were already starting to predict the outcome of what should be a interestion season ahead, Lets just take one game at a time and not look to where we should be come next May, If we are going to to do that then lets set ourselves small goals such as 2 wins out of the first 4 games or 2 clean sheerts out of 3, Stuff like that. maybe just maybe we wont all get negative and down harted if were not winning the league by 10 clear points come Christmas. We have to be realistic and say were not in the top 5 clubs in this league, well not at the minute but we do have the foundations to be a real force this year. were not going to be able to spend the type of money Leicester and teams like that are, We have to just support our team as best we can and surely its alot better with people and more of an ensentive supporting you rather than booing if things aren't going to plan, who knows what could happen if we just show a bit of trust and believe that the people in charge are doing everything they can for our beloved football team......

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comeonthegoodtimes added 08:59 - Jun 21 please excuse the spelling - not my stronge point....
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