Former Blues boss George Burley believes continuity is the key to success in the Championship. Whilst the likes of Fulham are paying huge fees for new players, Burley says the Town squad will benefit from most of them having played together last season and manager Mick McCarthy signing a new three-year deal.
The Cottagers, relegated from the Premier League along with Norwich City and Cardiff, completed the £11 million signing of one-time Town target McCormack from Leeds United yesterday and it comes as no surprise to Burley that they are splashing the cash.
"Clubs that come down from the Premier League it’s such a big loss for them that they’re going to gamble to try and get back,” he said.
"The Championship, for me, has always been about continuity. It’s a great bonus for everybody at Ipswich that Mick’s signed a longer contract.
"I’m sure that all the players will be going into the season with that in mind and are used to Mick and his methods and that will help during the season coming.
"Continuity and the faith in the players that Mick showed last season will stand them in good stead. There’s not going to be too many changes, he might bring one or two more in, but he’s got a good squad, an experienced squad.
"They showed that they were almost good enough last season and I think that experience will do them good enough last season and I think that experience will help them this season.”
The 58-year-old former Scotland manager says Town will also be boosted by David McGoldrick’s return from the knee injury which curtailed his 2013/14: "He was a big miss. I gave David his debut when I was at Southampton and he’s a quality player and you need these players fit. Fingers crossed he will be.
"I’ve seen him up the gym once or twice in the summer and hopefully he’ll be there to show what a good player he is come the start of the season.”
Having sold Aaron Cresswell to West Ham for an initial £3.75 million - potentially rising to £7 million with top-ups - McCarthy will use that cash to strengthen his wider squad in much the same manner as Burley did on an annual basis during his time as Blues manager.
"We sold players like Alex Mathie, Mauricio Taricco, Kieron Dyer and Ian Marshall each year to keep going, but it doesn’t always weaken you because you’ve got the group anyway and that group will be stronger,” he said.
"One goes out, but you don’t lose too much. It’s not all about spending money, it’s about getting the right people in.”
Burley’s former Town team-mate John Wark expects McCarthy to make a handful of further additions to his squad, having recruited Alex Henshall, Cameron Stewart and Jonathan Parr and extended Stephen Hunt’s time at Portman Road already this summer.
"I still think we need two or three players,” Wark said. "I think the top six should be where we’re aiming for.
"We definitely need two or three players and hopefully Mick can get some more money and do the business.
"I still think we need somebody in midfield who can get goals. We’ve not had anyone like that for a long time, and maybe they’ll be looking for a goalkeeper. They’re the two positions I’d be looking at.”