Town MD Ian Milne hinted that the Blues might be close to making their first addition - or additions - of the summer when TWTD interviewed him on Wednesday.

Speaking prior to news of the Blues' move for Portsmouth's Adam Webster breaking, a deal which will see Matt Clarke move in the opposite direction, Milne said manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans are currently in constant contact.

“They’re continually in touch with one another at the moment,” Milne said. “There are a few things which are going on which look very good but I’m not going to tell you what they are. I can’t go into any detail, but I think they’re good. It’s kicked off quite early this year. We’ve got to get out there.”

In addition to the annual summer recruitment, Milne believes it’s important that the youngsters progressing through from the academy are given chances during 2016/17.

Andre Dozzell and Adam McDonnell made their debuts in the final weeks of the season, while Myles Kenlock, Josh Emmanuel and Paul Digby added to their first-team appearances.

“I think this season, me personally, I think we’ve got to start thinking of the future and bring some young players in, bring them up from the academy,” he added.

“It was great to see them at the end of the season, Myles Kenlock I thought was particularly good, and Josh Emmanuel.

“It was great to see those guys in and I think we’ve got to start thinking about the future as other contracts come to an end this season and next season. And they’re looking at that.”

Reflecting on 2015/16 he believes the Blues suffered from the loss of the likes of David McGoldrick, Ryan Fraser and Teddy Bishop due to injuries.

“It started off pretty well but as soon as we started losing the creative players our performance on the field and our league position suffered,” Milne continued.

“I know the criticism, I totally understand the criticism that we then played unattractive football, and I think it was a fair criticism sometimes.

“But I think it was the case that Mick took the decision that we really had to tighten up and grind out the results. You’ve heard that from Mick.

“You play very attractive football, very free football without creative players you’re going to have a problem, you’re going to end up at the bottom of the table. But I think we played it right in the end

“And I think we also proved with David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop coming back that we had lost that creative flair, hence the results were better towards the end of the season.”

Even though the Blues finished seventh and were unable to repeat last year’s play-off finish, the MD believes Town still punched above their weight.

“I think so. Looking at the ones in the top six and how they’re faring at the moment, Brighton and Derby, and it’s no surprise that it’ll probably be Hull who will go up along with Middlesbrough and Burnley. The money has talked in that area.

“I think we would have come closer if we had had the creative players available.”

More from the interview will be posted on TWTD over the course of the next few days.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

WhoisJimmyJuan added 21:33 - May 19 Actually, for once, I agree with Milne.
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miltonsnephew added 21:34 - May 19 Hope it doesn't just mean Webster and Digby are signed up. This season we need to spend and get in 5-6 really good young hungry players of real quality, or were gonna struggle even more next season. Clear out the really poor players we have right now and get in, Moncur, Payne and Willis as a start. I also think we need a new striker. Can see Murphy this season being a Impact player only, Last 20 mins job.

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ArnieM added 21:41 - May 19 Bloody hell, give the Club a chance!! I think this is the earliest we have ever signed anyone, in the close season. I suspect Southend's midfielder Payne, will be the next. That ok for you for starters?
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iaintaylorx added 21:45 - May 19 Someone please tell me why the EFF Clarke is being sent away!? Absolute joke, fed up with the hierachy of this club and it's beyond a joke now!! Don't say "yeah but Mick knows best" and "he see's them play every day" or any of that!! Also, releasing Sam Ford to West Ham!!? What is that all about?! JOKE!
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JimmyJazz added 21:46 - May 19 The season is not even 2 weeks gone and already i'm getting excited about next season.
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jas0999 added 22:04 - May 19 If it's Digby, Feeney and Webster, I'm not sure how that will improve us of such, but nonetheless pleased to see us active, although may be a ploy to sell season tickets. Injuries shouldn't be used an excuse though. Could and should have acted in January to compensate. We got rid of more than we signed.
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Warkys_Tash added 22:12 - May 19 There certainly needs to be Mr Milne. Go and get Evans to pull out all the stops for Ryan Fraser! It needs a big shake-up, Town did their business far too late that pre-season & ended up with the scraps.
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legal_blue added 22:31 - May 19 We looked a totally different prospect with Ryan Fraser in the side. I wonder how much he's going to feature in Bournemouth's line up next season? Or what they would want for him?
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Jblue added 22:44 - May 19 Fair play to Ian Milne, whenever he is interviewed he talks sense and appears pretty honest.
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braveblue added 22:48 - May 19 What does Milne know about style of play or why we were poor. Why did we play two defensive midfielders against bottom clubs and leave Bru on the bench. That was the problem - not injuries.
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NSL added 22:49 - May 19 How can the yearly mandate be promotion to the premier league, then when we finish 7th he says we have punched above our weight? I'm a bit confused. Either we are promotion contenders or we are not, unless the board like to pretend.
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StuartBrett8 added 23:24 - May 19 We punched above our weight last season in all honesty, without the flair players this year we certainly did. We need quality and depth this year and that is being addressed, I'm excited :)
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Global_Blue added 00:37 - May 20 I'm a little tired of hearing about how the injuries to key players last season affected our chances. It's true that they did. However, it must have been abundantly obvious to everyone that Didsy and Bish were not going to make it back until late on in the season, why did MM not seek to strengthen the squad in January or before? MM has said for months that he's not going to bring in anyone unless they're better than he's already got, but by admitting that the injuries to Bish, Didsy and Fraser hurt us the club are admitting that the replacements we had were not good enough to step up into their roles - a fact that's been plainly clear to the majority of fans since before Christmas. If we are serious about pushing for promotion we desperately need a strong, creative and competitive central midfield. That's where this division is won, you only have to look at the promoted sides to see that. We have more than one defensive midfielder, we now need an experienced creative midfielder to share the burden with Bish. That will cost, but it has to be the priority, followed by a refresh in some areas of the back four, if we are even contemplating competing next season.

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prebbs007 added 05:55 - May 20 Milne - what do you actually do ? What need do we have for you ? How do you make our club better ? We don't give a flying about your opinion on the style of play or if we punched above our weight. It's another salary and another cost for no return or use. Why don't you go away and take the dinosaur with you !!!! As others have said if the early moves are for Webster Feeney & digby I don't see the Newcastle and Villa's of this world quaking in their boots !!! Need much much better than that to get the 3.5k season ticket leavers back !!!!

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BrettenhamBlue added 06:14 - May 20 prebbs007 You forgot Foley.
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BlueNomad added 06:38 - May 20 Prebbs - has it not occurred to you that the club, like any other business, needs a Chief Executive. As for him commenting on style of play etc he is at least as well qualified as most people on here! Still I suppose a Chief Exec isn't necessary on Football Manager!
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planetblue_2011 added 07:41 - May 20 Is Webster any good?! Sign Payne & Fraser things will be looking up even if we get Fraser on a season loan again. COYB
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ivegottheblues added 07:56 - May 20 Prebbs007 I'm sure you're right. The only purpose of this interview is to sell season tickets.
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BlueMachines added 08:12 - May 20 No chance with Fraser surely? Would be brilliant to have him and fit for a full season.
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Pendejo added 08:19 - May 20 Nice piece Mr Milne, however, have to say something about your attire @ Derby - pin striped jacket with plain non-matching trousers tut tut, not a patch on how you were presented in Dusseldorf. Would love to see Fraser again, even if in patches of fitness between injuries. So exciting and would link well with McG & Bish.
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tractorshark added 08:27 - May 20 I have quite a few friends who are Pompey season ticket holders and they are gutted. Webster is one of their best players - big, strong and good on the ball. He broke into their first team quite young, I think. They also tell me he is far better than Clarke, who didn't play week in week out. I don't think they're unhappy to get him in return but I can assure they think we've got the better deal. They also believe if they had been promoted, it wouldn't have happened.

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blueherts added 09:00 - May 20 My Pompey regular mate never really saw much in Clarke but is gutted if the Webster link is true Also would take a punt on Bradshaw at Walsall - scores goals and that is what we need !
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blueherts added 09:00 - May 20 My Pompey regular mate never really saw much in Clarke but is gutted if the Webster link is true Also would take a punt on Bradshaw at Walsall - scores goals and that is what we need !
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blueherts added 09:00 - May 20 My Pompey regular mate never really saw much in Clarke but is gutted if the Webster link is true Also would take a punt on Bradshaw at Walsall - scores goals and that is what we need !
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blueherts added 09:00 - May 20 My Pompey regular mate never really saw much in Clarke but is gutted if the Webster link is true Also would take a punt on Bradshaw at Walsall - scores goals and that is what we need !
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