Town left-back Aaron Cresswell has no fear of competition for his role in the side — in fact he welcomes it.

Manager Paul Jewell admitted the fact that Cresswell and full-back partner Carlos Edwards only missed a handful of games between them during 2012/12 was a welcome bonus.

But the Town boss is likely to add as many as half a dozen new signings to his squad in the summer and Cresswell said: “Competition for places is a good thing — for starters it gives you a push.

“The challenge is there for every player to hold on to his place in the side. If a new left-back comes in, for example, it will gee me up and every position in the team is the same.

“Don’t forget, Joe Whight is also going to be pressing for a place. I know he’s only young but he is not short of ability and I’m sure he will also keep me on my toes.”

Meanwhile, Cresswell was delighted to be selected as the supporters’ Player of the Year, an honour bestowed at the end of his debut season as an Ipswich player.

The ex-Tranmere player added: “I was thrilled to get it but I felt there were other candidates who would also have been worthy winners.

“Carlos hardly missed a game and was consistent, while both Andy Drury and Lee Martin were instrumental in us having a better second half of the season. Luke Hyam also came in and the team did well with him in it.

“If it had been Carlos, Andy or Lee I don’t think anyone would have complained. My vote in the Players’ Player of the Year poll went to Carlos and I was pleased to see him win it.”

Meanwhile, the Blues continue to be linked with Leicester’s Scottish international winger or striker Paul Gallagher, who was first reported to be the subject of Town interest early in the month.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

gypo added 09:00 - May 18 Got to sign players 1st
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We8Norwich added 09:10 - May 18 His is the last position we need cover for! So if PJ is looking for cover for most positions his shopping list this summer will be 2x 'keepers, 3x full backs, 3x centre backs, 2-3x midfielders and another 2 strikers!!! WOW!
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BlueBailey24 added 09:14 - May 18 If he get's injured we are a bit buggered We8Norwich but I see what you are saying, there are more important areas to sort first. Gonna be a long summer I think......
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buryblue77 added 09:15 - May 18 gypo - Exactly! We8Norwich - If that's the case then it's pretty much like last season all over again!
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Marcus added 09:28 - May 18 I think the ideal shopping list is 1xGK, 2 x CB, 1 x FB (who can play either side), 2x midfield (left and central) and 1 x centre forward. I see that as a minImum of 7 players.
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bluey420 added 09:34 - May 18 I think phil has linked the club with bout 20 players so far usual journalism guess work no concrete evidence other than J.Ward TWTD have some pretty poor sources of the clubs transfer activity. We need facts not rumours
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JimmyJazz added 09:40 - May 18 Even the players can see that Hyam adds something to the team
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jas0999 added 09:45 - May 18 Agree with the earlier posts - we need at least 7 more players - that's also including for players that have left the club. The point I have made all season is that PJ failed to build last year - he bought in loans (6 of them - all gone) and a number of ageing players - three of which will leave/have gone (ingimarrson paid off, Bowyer released and Ellington - well no comment!). JET and Cresswell were however good signings - and have assisted in the building process; but overall we wasted last pre-season and last season and are now having to start again! PJ has already admitted to making a hash of things last Summer - so lets hope he has learnt from it. We need to start building a team - starting at the back.

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Wallingford_Boy added 09:49 - May 18 bluey420 - I suggest you go to another site if you are not happy with reading stories on players we are watching/speaking to. Yes its frustrating that we seem to struggle to get these players to sign on the dotted line, but I for one am interested in who we are targetting than not reading anything at all. Phil - keep up the good work.
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muhrensleftfoot added 09:56 - May 18 I really don't think we should sign another left back, as that will only put Whight further down the pecking order. PJ seems reluctant to blood youngsters like Whight. Also remember that although not ideal, Smith and Delaney can both cover left full back. More important to get right footed centre halves.
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DiamondGezzer added 10:05 - May 18 Wallingford Boy :- Spot on !
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BergholtBru added 10:06 - May 18 Anyone who thinks we will sign 7+ players this summer is dreaming. We will sign a goalkeeper, a center half and maybe a full back ( hopefully who can play either side ), that`s all. We don`t need any more midfielders and won`t splash out on a decent striker ( we`re good enough in that dept anyway ).
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brian_a_mul added 10:13 - May 18 @ Muhrensleftfoot: Well I dont agree that PJ is relucant to blood young players. By the manager/coaching staff recommendation, Whight was not ready for first team action. He diddnt make the progress or show confidence in his first year as a pro. To throw him in for the sake of it could really damage a youngster if he in not ready for it. I have no doubt he will get first team experience when he is ready. The manager has played Hyam, Cresswell, Carson and Smith (all young players)regularly. Lawrence has trained with the senior teams and given some game time at the end of the season. I agree that he is relucant to play Whight and Im sure he has his reasons but to say PJ is reluctant to blood younger players doesnt make sence.

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buryblue77 added 10:17 - May 18 ebitfc, we're good enough in the striking department? We have 2 strikers, one we don't know which player is going to turn up in Chopra, although if he gets his personal issues sorted he could become more consistent (although I think he's been fairly similar throughout his career apart from his first Cardiff spell) and that could equal 20 goals, after all he scored 14 in an indifferent season, then we have Scotland, who I think is good at being a sub but is not going to start every game or even bring enough goals. So I will beg to differ, I'm not sure we are good enough up front.

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bluey420 added 10:18 - May 18 I like hearing players we are looking at but I know 4 a fact most of the players we have been linked 2 we r not interest in. We r unfortunately in rumour n agent heaven time. I'm not convinced J.Ward will sign love too b wrong seems another young player driven by Money. Like Cresswell r signing of the season we should look at lower league players this summer more commitment passion n hungry watching league 1 n 2 plenty of talent: Lowton, Hall, Ferdinand, Beavon, Powell, leitch-smith O'Kane etc

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petermorris added 10:39 - May 18 Can't you get a better picture of Cressy? He looks like he was born in Norfolk.
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fussysnake added 11:14 - May 18 preferably focus on a new CB and a RB please. Also need 1 new striker. Midfield is fine but i suppose we could have 1 more goalscoring midfielder
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Bangor31 added 11:22 - May 18 i think that we definitely need some super striker signings as we only came 5= in goals scored this season
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walberswick added 11:37 - May 18 when there's no concrete action from the club all that is left is rumours. and they multiply like rabbits
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walberswick added 12:00 - May 18 Town Fans Welcome 11 First Team Footballers
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:34 - May 18 Ah wobbleswick there you are. Was almost getting ready to put your door in to make sure you were ok.
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buryblue77 added 12:57 - May 18 Dozzell, he's happy. He's back in his dark room again!
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Jeff_winger added 13:06 - May 18 bolton released 12 players lets have all of them
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Tiggs added 13:55 - May 18 Spot on We8Norwich. Basically a new team.....
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SamWhiteUK added 16:35 - May 18 Disappointed that we are in pretty much the same situation as this time last year. When we played good football it was great to watch, and we seemed to almost be getting into stride, but now we have players leaving and PJ has admitted that he made a wrong decision with experienced players, so we have to spend this window bringing in youth, where we should have only needed two or three players to bolster a squad.

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