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Milne: There Are a Few Things Going On - Ipswich Town News

Town MD Ian Milne hinted that the Blues might be close to making their first addition - or additions - of the summer when TWTD interviewed him on Wednesday.

Speaking prior to news of the Blues' move for Portsmouth's Adam Webster breaking, a deal which will see Matt Clarke move in the opposite direction, Milne said manager Mick McCarthy and owner Marcus Evans are currently in constant contact.

"They’re continually in touch with one another at the moment,” Milne said. "There are a few things which are going on which look very good but I’m not going to tell you what they are. I can’t go into any detail, but I think they’re good. It’s kicked off quite early this year. We’ve got to get out there.”

In addition to the annual summer recruitment, Milne believes it’s important that the youngsters progressing through from the academy are given chances during 2016/17.

Andre Dozzell and Adam McDonnell made their debuts in the final weeks of the season, while Myles Kenlock, Josh Emmanuel and Paul Digby added to their first-team appearances.

"I think this season, me personally, I think we’ve got to start thinking of the future and bring some young players in, bring them up from the academy,” he added.

"It was great to see them at the end of the season, Myles Kenlock I thought was particularly good, and Josh Emmanuel.

"It was great to see those guys in and I think we’ve got to start thinking about the future as other contracts come to an end this season and next season. And they’re looking at that.”

Reflecting on 2015/16 he believes the Blues suffered from the loss of the likes of David McGoldrick, Ryan Fraser and Teddy Bishop due to injuries.

"It started off pretty well but as soon as we started losing the creative players our performance on the field and our league position suffered,” Milne continued.

"I know the criticism, I totally understand the criticism that we then played unattractive football, and I think it was a fair criticism sometimes.

"But I think it was the case that Mick took the decision that we really had to tighten up and grind out the results. You’ve heard that from Mick.

"You play very attractive football, very free football without creative players you’re going to have a problem, you’re going to end up at the bottom of the table. But I think we played it right in the end

"And I think we also proved with David McGoldrick and Teddy Bishop coming back that we had lost that creative flair, hence the results were better towards the end of the season.”

Even though the Blues finished seventh and were unable to repeat last year’s play-off finish, the MD believes Town still punched above their weight.

"I think so. Looking at the ones in the top six and how they’re faring at the moment, Brighton and Derby, and it’s no surprise that it’ll probably be Hull who will go up along with Middlesbrough and Burnley. The money has talked in that area.

"I think we would have come closer if we had had the creative players available.”

More from the interview will be posted on TWTD over the course of the next few days.

Photo: ITFC

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