Cresswell Welcomes Competition for Places
Friday, 18th May 2012 08:53

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

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Blue041273 added 17:00 - May 18

Anybody expecting a massive influx of players is going to be disappointed. Three or four at most with maybe only one of them being what could be termed as a 'marquee' signing. If we are going to live within the FFP rules (and all the signs suggest we have to) we simply won't be able to indulge in large squads anymore. We simply won't be able to carry players who have no real chance of playing. A leaner, meaner squad will be required with loan players being brought in in times of emergency.

TimmyH added 19:35 - May 18

We don't need a massive influx of new faces - how many times must this be told! Too many and we are back to last season with Jewell fiddling and faddling about with only a consistent starting 11 until January. I say no more than 4 new faces in the starting 11 and maybe 5 overall coming in. 1XGK 1XRB 1XCB 1XS 1XM maximum and with our stock falling faster than Newcastle Rock of a few years ago I doubt we won't get too many established new faces but look shrewdly to the lower divisions for some young hungry talent.

Blue041273 added 22:11 - May 18

Tommy, at least we are on the same wavelength here, but in one sense I feel you are missing the point. Take the team that finished the season against Donnie and how many, and who, (excepting the mighty Sonko) would you expect to be replaced ahead of the new season? Of course it will depend on who we can attract but my estimation of what new players we will see brought in is 1 CB, 1 GK, and 1 CM; we might go for a back up striker as well particularly if Scotland doesn't re-sign. But on the whole I don't think that the players we bring in this summer are likely IMO to be guaranteed to be starters in August. Budgets will prevail. PJ has already told us, albeit in in evasive language, that a wind of change is blasting through PR. There is absolutely no chance of us signing premium players on superstar contracts at least for the foreseeable future. Even the so-called cheaper options might be beyond us short term. We are in transition. Our aim must be to survive. That will be ensuring that our footballing strategy is better than the likes of the promoted teams as well as Watford, Millwall, Barnsley, Bristol and the like. We cannot, at the moment at least, consider ourselves to be in the promotion chase. I for one cannot see us, in the new FFP regime trying to chase the Dream, at least not until perceptible progress is made on the field.

Sindre94 added 23:02 - May 18 Great player, cant wait for next season
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Sindre94 added 02:33 - May 19 walberswick or whatever. You are not wanted here, sorry.
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ericgates added 06:32 - May 19 I see Joe Mattock and Nicky Shorey have been released from west brom. Some good competition for cresswell, or maybe even allow him to move on to the left of midfield.
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