CEO Mark Ashton says he and manager Kieran McKenna met earlier this week as Town start to lay the foundations for their summer transfer business.

The Blues had a successful January window but minds have quickly turned towards summer recruitment.

“I think it’s 83 or 84 days they were telling me this week,” Ashton told TWTD. “Kieran and I met this week and whilst Kieran’s absolute focus is on now, he’s got a job to do, I have to have and my team have to have two-thirds of an eye on the summer because we can’t be in this division or be in the Championship and suddenly start work. It just doesn’t work like that.”

Will Town have different targets depending on whether they’re in League One or the Championship next season?

“I don’t think there’s a huge difference between what we look for in the two divisions,” he reflected.

“I think it makes it easier for us to recruit in the division above, I think it opens up a different pond to fish in with players from Premier League clubs because it’s easier for them to get their head around.

“Kieran will be looking at blend and it is a blend. You’ve got the very young players like [Cameron] Humphreys, then the not much older [Harry] Clarke, Leif [Davis] and Broady [Nathan Broadhead], Woolfy [Luke Woolfenden] may be in that, to your [Sam] Morsys and [Massimo] Luongos, who are more senior players.

“He will always be looking at that blend in his younger and his senior players because you’re going to need all of them at some point in the season.

“But there’s no way his requirement on players in either division will be wildly different. I think now you start to see what a McKenna player looks like. Leif [Davis] is what he wants at left-back, for example, and we forget because he’s been here for a while, the re-emergence of Luke Woolfenden under Kieran is as big a success as we’ve had.

“We’ve talked about this before, under the previous regime, he was on his way out of the door.

“And Kayden Jackson, an incredibly improved player. For me, Kayden’s almost a selfless player for the team. An outstanding young man, I think he’s the type of person who typifies everything that’s good about this football club.”

McKenna dismissed a report earlier in the week claiming the Blues are considering a move for Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop in the summer.

“I haven’t even seen the first cut of names,” Ashton insisted. “The recruitment team are doing all of that. They’re certainly not down the line on anything to that extent.

“They’re doing all their initial cuts, then they’ll bring them to Kieran and they’ll bring them to me. That’s all in process, but it’s way too early for me to say ‘He’s in’ or ‘he’s out’.”

The Mark Ashton Interview

• Ashton Open to Debate on UEFA Article 48
• Championship a Natural Fit For the Tractor Girls
• New Pitch is On Track
• Work to Continue on Playford Road Pitches and Building
• We're Working on Development Master Plan With Local Authority
• We'll Forge an Informal Link With Rhode Island
• Kit Sales a Sign of How Big This Club Could Become
• McKenna's Contract Will Take Care of Itself at the Right Time
• Contract Conversations in the Summer
• First Summer Recruitment Meeting With McKenna Took Place This Week
• We Knew Our Top Targets and Got Them Across the Line
• Away Fans to Remain in Cobbold Stand Next Season But Discussions Ongoing
• I Wanted to Be Respectful to Fans on Season Ticket Prices
• No Explanation From Jamaica on Leigh
• We Will Be Relentless in Taking This Club Forward

Photo: Matchday Images

andehpandeh added 19:12 - Mar 24 Love that the first name he reels off is Cam. What an impression he's made!
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Lukeybluey added 00:47 - Mar 25 I can't think who would be cut from a championship team who we already have.... only I might say is that Cam Humphreys pushed towards a 10 role as he needs to bulk up for the no 8 role, but never let the team down, not that I would but I'm pretty sure I speak for the majority of the fans that we're proud of you, and the whole squad/team.
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MidlandsBlue92 added 08:21 - Mar 25 Still remember when we used to wait around until the end of the window to see who was left for free signings! Ashton is so impressive, his leadership is so refreshing and it's a good feeling knowing we have good people finally running our club.
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Bazza8564 added 09:39 - Mar 25 Love Ashton Love McKenna Love O'Leary (he's great fun after a couple of glasses) and I love our Board of investors and Directors Its a great time to be an ITFC fan.
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greenkingtone added 10:31 - Mar 25 I totally agree Bazza. The old Ipswich Town has risen from the dead. This year or in the fullness of time we will be up where we belong.
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BobbyBell added 11:04 - Mar 25 It's probably more a case of who we let go depending on which division we are in. There are one or two in the squad who probably won't get selected if we go up. So, to my mind it's strengthening the squad overall with any squad member being able to step into the team and maintain or improve the level.
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Orraman added 11:19 - Mar 25 It would appear from the two reports from Mark Ashton this week that the names of Luongo, Clarke, Broadhead and Hirst were on radar as far back as August, as no doubt several names are already on radar for next window and securely locked away in our recruitment files where they will remain until their actual signing is formally announced. I posted a few days ago regarding players suggested as being ‘of interest' and stated then that none of the names put forward by The Sun on Sunday or other gossip feeds ever came to fruition and this article substantiates my theory. We will all know when the deal is done. I also have to comment on Mr Ashton's comments on Woolfie and Kayden, neither of whom had much of a future at Town before the arrival of Kieran. I have always been a fan of Kayden, exasperating at times, but always ready to give his all. I used to cringe at some of the comments I heard from those sitting around me but he has proved his ability recently and is a more than capable stand in for Wes Burns when necessary

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Bazza8564 added 13:09 - Mar 25 Orraman, yep! Just shows what can be done with good management. KJ particularly has impressed me this season now we know where best to play him. Players I think could be surplus if we go up, Aluko, who i really like but his contract is up and he is 34, Adhame and Pigott will be moved on, El Mizouni wont get a kick next year, and Id like to think Hirst has an option to sign. The two loaned out CH wont have enough for higher leagues Im guessing I suggest we will buy in that position, but I think its all about who we move out, the squad is great already and one more 10 (assume JJ and Aluko arent here) and a CH will probably do it

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viewfromtheu2 added 12:37 - Mar 26 Such a great time to be a Town fan
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BerksBlue15 added 08:40 - Mar 27 Even if we didn't go up this season, I'm really excited for next season. The thought of this squad playing together having already gelled, going at teams for a full season with a few no doubt excellent additions to come? We'll genuinely be unstoppable. COYB!
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