x

Jim: The Kids Are Alright - Ipswich Town News

Boss Jim Magilton says he will give some of the youngsters a chance in the first team before the end of the season. The likes of Jai Reason, Ed Upson, Tommy Smith, Jordan Rhodes and Ian Miller could all make their debuts in the remaining seven games of 2006/07.

Magilton has long had Smith pencilled in for a first team appearance before the end of the season, while he was close to fielding midfielder Reason in the Carling Cup tie at Peterborough in August.

The Town manager told the club site: "I want us to finish the season strongly and put down a marker for next year.

"If results go our way, I'd also like to push through some of the young players who have done well in the reserves and see how they handle the next step up, which is playing in front of 20,000.

"Tommy Smith at centre-half has impressed greatly in the reserves and is fast emerging as a candidate for first team football and if the opportunity comes up, he's one we might look at throwing in.

"Ian Miller is on loan at Darlington and doing very well by all accounts and I'd like to see him play a game or two in the blue shirt before the season is out."

Centre-half Miller joined the Blues from Bury Town earlier in the season, while striker Jordan Rhodes, son of keeper-coach Andy, was signed from Barnsley for £5,000 when a schoolboy. Midfielder Ed Upson scored the winning goal in the 2005 FA Youth Cup final while still at school.

Meanwhile, Magilton has told his more established players that they have to show their worth during the remainder of the season: "Every one of my players - regardless of when their contracts come to an end - must prove to me they want to be part of what we are building.

"Their futures are hanging in the balance. There will be no switching off. There is a great deal to play for, and my players are well aware of this.”

The Town boss says the win at Luton last week is the shape of things to come: "This is the way forward. The players generated their own atmosphere and they were all in it together.

"I don't expect them all to be best friends, but I want them to be buddies - to have a healthy respect for each other.

"This binding is coming together and I believe the penny has dropped.

"I am building an elite core, which is what we need to make the impression we intend to make in 2007/08.”

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

What to read next:

Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.