Town reportedly weren’t the only club targeting QPR striker Conor Washington on the final day of the transfer window.

According to the Daily Star, Brentford, Blackburn and Reading were also keen on adding the 24-year-old Northern Irish international their squads with both permanent deals and loans having been discussed.

Washington was the striker the Blues made a bid to sign on a permanent basis on deadline day, but despite lengthy negotiations which went on much of the day were unable to agree a price with the West Londoners.

QPR were also keen to sign another frontman to cover for Washington had he moved on but missed out on Newcastle’s Adam Armstrong, who joined Barnsley on loan, and French U19 international Roli Pereira from Paris St-Germain.

Washington has made nine starts and 11 sub appearances since moving to Loftus Road from Peterborough for £2.5 million in January, scoring his only goal in the 2-2 EFL Cup draw with Swindon earlier this month.

Photo: Action Images

blueblood66 added 11:26 - Sep 2 glad it didn't happen ultimately, goal record is poor for the money they want. Should have gone for Lee Gregory, opportunity missed.
5

OwainG1992 added 11:37 - Sep 2 Lee Gregory would have been decent!
3

jayaps added 11:45 - Sep 2 So.....QPR wouldn't let Washington leave because they didn't get Armstrong......... The same Armstrong that Newcastle had just put out for loan when they signed Murphy......Just about sums it all up for me ....priceless.
10

BlueandTruesince82 added 11:53 - Sep 2 I'd rather we signed Armstrong as part of the Murphy deal
9

Superfrans added 11:55 - Sep 2 To be fair to Washington, he's not really clicked at QPR, but there could be many reasons for that. Assume we were looking to buy him for his 27 goals in 82 games for Posh and 52 goals in 50 (!!) appearances for St Ives - we would have been scouting him there, I assume. That said, Gregory seems to be in the last year of his contract at Millwall - he'll be worth looking at in Jan...

6

bedsitfc added 12:04 - Sep 2 Adam Armstrong obviously isn't what MM wants get over it!!
3

unknown100 added 12:09 - Sep 2 Seems such a strange target, paid quite a bit of money for him and he hasn't played that much why would they even consider selling him? Im disappointed we didn't get the striker in we wanted because I think we would have walked the league but the additions he did bring in, throughout the whole window I think have been brilliant, grant and ward are solid good players, Webster may need a season but clearly our long term replacement for Berra, Lawrence and Williams are premier league hopefuls, and I think best will surprise us, looking good, I don't mind a midfield orientated midfield as long as we have players happy to go forward which we do, be an interested starting 11 next game

8

unknown100 added 12:10 - Sep 2 *midfield orientated team
1

borat_the_blue added 12:16 - Sep 2 Will Grigg was a missed opportunity in my opinion
1

bedsitfc added 12:36 - Sep 2 Will grigg would have been ideal but I can't see Wigan willing to sell unless it ridiculous money, and we have a don't pay too much policy (not a bad thing).
4

Len_Brennan added 12:45 - Sep 2 Hey steady on there Superfrans, that's far too reasonable a post for this messageboard. Thought Washington looked ok for Northern Ireland too & has a bit about him. I'm not broken-hearted that we missed out on him, but all those having a go at his scoring record based purely on the last 6 months at QPR are being seriously unfair to him. Had he not moved during the January transfer window & continued the form he was showing at Peterborough, every Championship club & a few Premiership ones would have been looking at him and in the current market his price would have been well beyond £2.5m. Mick, as usual, had spotted an opportunity to sign a player without splashing out ridiculous sums of cash - didn't quite happen, but worth a shot. What is clear is that we are moving to a more passing creative game, with less options to play long balls up to the big fella, and that I applaud.

9

Surco72 added 13:27 - Sep 2 Len how is it clear that we are moving to a more passing creative game when we have not played a game since the dealings ? Are you saying the only reason Chambo , Smith and Berra continually pump the ball long is because Murphy was playing ? Best has been signed as a direct replacement for Murphy and the play will be the same as MM has done for every team he ever managed including Ireland . Our best passer and most creative young talents Bishop and Dozzell are hardly getting a look again as the pairing of Skuse and Douglas is back together . As for Washington he is yet to prove his ability in the championship and it seems strange Jimmy Floyd was already willing to let him go if he could get a replacement in after only 8 months ?

3

BlueFinn added 13:35 - Sep 2 Didn't impress in the Euros this summer. Looked out of place there but hell you can always develop.
1

BackTheBlues added 13:45 - Sep 2 @Surco72 - The signings made in this transfer window are a move towards a more footballing team. The selling of a target man - is a move towards passing football. And only the first 5 games where we have been trying to pass the ball more - might have an indication. Webster is going to be a very good PLayer - Knudsen is getting there - Right Back could of been an addition. Midfielders are in abundance with talent! Creative Wide players - we now have 4!!! Just missing that 20+ Goal Striker... Who knows - Best might have his 'Best' season under Mick - Pits may be the player we signed from Bournemouth with Regular football! One thing is for sure - I think we will see more goals (maybe at both ends of the pitch) and more entertainment!

7

Surco72 added 13:52 - Sep 2 I hope you are right BacktheBlues ... because the last game we had exactly the same back four as last year , the same 2 in the middle , and Best has less movement than Murphy .and has been predominately used as a target man rather than a finisher during his whole career ? My point was that it is too early to say the style of the team will definitely change as large sections of this season have been the same huff and puff football always associated with MM teams

3

Len_Brennan added 13:59 - Sep 2 @Surco: Back the blues has pretty much said what I was thinking I'd reply to you, & a bit more too. You are right, it is too early to tell for sure, but the signs have to be encouraging surely.
2

BackTheBlues added 14:28 - Sep 2 Think the thing with Best - is he hasn't had a good run at a club for years. But I always remember his younger days as seeing his name pop up on the score sheet. Scored against us last year and scored in first game for U23's (standard is not the same but principle is). To be honest, I think the style should change as a result and more goals from midfield will hold the key - Grant Ward is going to get 10+ - Freddie needs to sort himself out if Wardy is doing it - Pitman will get 10+ As I said on another post - be there or there abouts in January - show Marcus the team is good but its lacking 20 goals and a breath of new life into the team may just push it into the Play offs - alla Marcus Stewart!

2

runningout added 14:36 - Sep 2 Best doesn't have distance with clubs, which is not a good trait, one I wouldn't wish to guess why.. Hope he's not a two game wonder, and can shine for a decent spell with us
1

dubblue added 14:45 - Sep 2 I remember another A Armstrong who was very effective for us up front, scored 14 goals in 79 matches including 1 against Inter Milan. Funny he finished up with Newcastle (Blue Star). Not convinced we have a regular goalscorer now Murph is gone but we can hope that Pitman, Sears if played up front or maybe Varney or Best can get the goals needs.
2

Lightningboy added 15:31 - Sep 2 I see Niklas Bendtner is a free agent - ok,you never quite know what you may get with him but in this league he could be a great signing...i'm guessing he's on biggish wages though?
-1

bedsitfc added 15:32 - Sep 2 Apart from 2014/2015 season is Murphy a regular goal scorer?
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:02 - Sep 2 Bentner? I'd rather we signed Kyle Lafferty! Bentdner is the MOST over rated player on the planet, in his mind and almost everyone else who has ever signed him. So conviced he's so good he refuses to work for anything. Frankly I'm better than he is and I can barely kick a ball. Adebayour on the other hand is trouble but dies score goals on short terms deals. If we could afford withers wages that's the one I'd pick.

1

braveblue added 18:32 - Sep 2 Love all the talk about M's passing team. Pitman or Best will be up front and Chambers etc will hoof it to them.
2

Tractorboy1985 added 21:50 - Sep 2 We had a 33 year old who we sold for a fantastic deal! Both for him and the club! The current market is ludicrous for someone of the age of 20-28.. I stand by the clubs philosophy! We have done it before.. Been ripped off for players and where did that get us? I would like Evans to release more funds to mick as I believe he is the best manager since big joe! Ok we moan about his 'hoofball' but look what he's been given! The man is straight down the line.. No cr@p do it my way or it's the highway and that is how a football club should be run! We have signed Williams Lawrence and best who all like to play the way us fans want and we should give them time to gel and see what happens! Murph a great servant yes but he was the long ball option and both full backs looked for him every time! I believe pitman/best can score 20+ given the right service! Johnny gets fit and watch us play! COYB!!!

3

Tractorboy1985 added 21:54 - Sep 2 We have to give it at least 5 games before we moan about these players who most don't think are good enough! Let's bide our time! COYB!
4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls