Jim: Players Need to Raise the Bar - Ipswich Town News
Boss Jim Magilton says his players need to "raise the bar†once again when 2008/09 starts on August 9th with a home game against Preston North End. The Town manager says his players are already itching to get back into action.
Magilton told the club site: "Now the players have been back for a few days, the buzz is there and the banter is flying around.
"I think the players have already got the bit between their teeth and are looking forward to the new season.
"We were close last year, but not close enough. Sometimes we were very good, sometimes not so good, but there was certainly a big improvement overall.
"Now we have to raise the bar again. We have a couple of new faces and there will be more to follow before we kick off against Preston, and they will help take us forward.
"We will be reminding the players of what is expected of them, but they know and will be ready for the challenge."
Meanwhile, released Town full-back Michael Synnott is training with Eircom League side Bohemians having failed to find a club in England. Irish U21 international Synnott had spells on trial at York City and Luton last season after being told he had no future with the Blues.
What to read next:
Robins: I Think They've Been FantasticCoventry City boss Mark Robins was full of praise for Town following his side’s 2-1 home defeat to the Blues, which took Kieran McKenna’s men to within a point of promotion to the Premier League.
Morsy: We Showed ResilienceTown captain Sam Morsy highlighted the squad’s resilience after the Blues moved to within one point of promotion to the Premier League with a crucial 2-1 victory over Coventry City.
McKenna: Burns Injury Cramp, Clarke Knee ProblemTown boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Wes Burns and Leif Davis, who were both seen limping during this evening's 2-1 victory at Coventry City, have no big issues while Harry Clarke was unavailable for selection due to a knee problem.
Coventry City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Match ReportTown are one point away from a return to the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal gave the Blues a 1-0 half-time advantage, but the Sky Blues, who were in charge for long spells, levelled through Haji Wright on 64, however, Cameron Burgess restored the lead with his second goal of the season five minutes later and Town saw out 11 minutes of added-on time to secure three vital points and put them a single point away from back-to-back promotions.
Three Changes For Town at Coventry as Davis StartsTown boss Kieran McKenna makes three changes for this evening’s crunch final away game of the season against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena but Leif Davis is fit enough to start at left-back.