Berra: Wing Men Could Be Key
Friday, 31st Jul 2015 06:00

Ipswich could wing their way to promotion in the new season — just as Wolves did when Town boss Mick McCarthy was in charge at Molineux and Christophe Berra was a key man in defence.

Berra, 30, is encouraged by McCarthy’s recruitment of wide men Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who are on season-long loans from Bournemouth and Arsenal respectively.

He recalls the influence of wing pair Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis when Wolves clinched the Championship crown in 2009 with a nine-point gap separating them from runners-up Birmingham.

Berra said: “It’s a wee bit similar actually. Kightly and Jarvis are players who can provide crosses or come inside and have a go. Hopefully the wingers who have come in can be a great weapon for us by providing the strikers with the ammunition they need.

“We have four strikers and if you want to challenge at the top end of the Championship you need at least four high-standard strikers. They can all score goals and if they can all stay fit and hit form it is going to be a great asset to us.”

Berra has welcomed the addition of loan duo Fraser and Maitland-Niles, as well as frontman Brett Pitman, who will compete alongside Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick and Freddie Sears for places in the Town attacking set-up.

He added: “Pits is a proven goalscorer from his time at Bournemouth and Bristol City, and we’ve already seen what he can do in the pre-season games.

“He scores goals and he has done it throughout his career, although I can’t say I can remember him doing it against me. I’ve played against him a few times and I’m sure I have handled him quite well. But you just have to look at his goalscoring record because it speaks for itself.

“Ryan is a wee Scottish winger, very nippy and quick, just what we need to help with our counter-attacking. He’s small and dynamic, and I know from personal experience that he can cause defenders problems.

“He has pace, he can shift left and right, and with his good feet he could cause anyone problems.

“You can see why Ainsley is an Arsenal player because he’s got great technical ability, he links up well and although he’s still young he’s only going to improve and I think he’s going to be a great asset to us.

“The new guys give us another tool to our armoury. With their pace it helps to relieve pressure and it also puts fear into the other team, who might not press too high in case we get in behind them.”

Photo: Action Images

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BrettenhamBlue added 06:07 - Jul 31 Would agree completely with everything that has been said. Very happy that Berra is in our first team too. Just need 2/3 extra people in defence.rb /lb and cover cb.
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dude added 06:40 - Jul 31 "Pits"? Please stop.
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goperryrevs added 06:53 - Jul 31 'The Pitster'? 'His Pitness'? 'El Pitsterino?'
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carsey added 07:08 - Jul 31 How about Brett or Pitman. Me thinks Berra has been working for McCarthy too long. On a serious note I have been waiting to see all out attacking play down the wings since MM arrived so hopefully this is the season
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parhamblue added 08:15 - Jul 31 The pacey wingers we have are even younger than Kightly and Jarvis were in that Wolves promotion season. Hopefully we will see a change of formation and more use of the wings. For this to be sustained, and not go back into a defensive shell, the other positions need to be strong and, unlike last season, fewer injuries to key players.
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Razor added 11:00 - Jul 31 May be an option to play 3-5-2 as well if thought appropriate. It is great to have options when you have the players to do it---and now I think we have.
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TimmyH added 13:06 - Jul 31

Lets not get too carried away, if these players don't perform along to Mick's 'work horse' thinking/management style thus far since he's been here they'll soon find themselves warming up the bench at best. It will only be 'key' if they do their tracking back duties as well as being in possession of the ball. Should be interesting how the teams style will change if we do get more progressive with more width in our play.