With the lads back in pre-season training yesterday, I thought I'd write a short blog on what positions/players that could really improve us for the tough season ahead.

Goalkeepers
Personally think we're OK here. Bart is now established as number one (despite Mick's love for Gerken!) and believe we've got one of the best keepers in the league.

Defence
Interesting, since Mick McCarthy has taken charge now we've predominantly gone with the same back four. Tommy Smith, Christophe Berra and Luke Chambers have been almost ever present but I think Mick knows that now is perhaps the time to change that.

Adam Webster is a player im extremely excited about, can play with the ball at his feet but can also defend, some would say a better man's John Stones!

As disappointed as I was to see Matt Clarke leave, I wasn't surprised. The lack of balance in the defence has been our achilles heel for a while now and keeping Clarke would mean we have three left-sided centre-backs. Playing with a right/left-footed players in their correct position would also encourage to play a better style of play, not panic and hoof it up as soon as they're in possession.

As for full-backs, I personally am happy with the situation. Josh Emmanuel has a real chance of progression this season and Chambers needs the competition. Same with Jonas Knudsen and Myles Kenlock. When given the opportunity they have not let us down, so I can see why Mick has chosen not to invest in these positions. Plus, we all love Chambo don't we! Not forgetting Paul Digby. Hoping he learns more and improves as a centre back next season. Has real potential.

Midfield
This is key for me. Town fans have been crying out for an attacking midfielder for years now. Bish could eventually play the 'number 10' role but perhaps is better off learning alongside Cole Skuse at this moment in his career in a more defensive-minded role where he could dictate play and develop a vision for the game.

I think we may stick to 4-2-3-1 next season rather than 4-4-2. If this is the case the need for an attacking midfielder is a must. Didzy can play there but would prefer to see him higher up the field as he has a tendency to drop a little deep at times when in possession.

I was excited about Jack Payne, who eventually joined Huddersfield from Southend, being linked, hopefully that won't come back to haunt us next season.

A player I would love to see (highly unlikely I know) would be Henri Lansbury. A player that had so much potential as a youngster, with a bit more guidance and regular playing time he could still be outstanding and has always impressed for Forest.

Another player worth a think about is Lewis McGugan, always remember that belter he scored against Town! Barely played for Sheffield Wednesday last season and I think they would sell. A player with an eye for goal and the ability to play deeper when required

As I said these are just a few suggestions, feel free to comment any more below. Bradley Dack is another one who was linked last season. What a signing he would be.

Strikers
Another interesting one, seeing if Mick will look to invest in a striker for next season. Much will depend on (a) what system he thinks is best and (b) whether he views Freddie Sears as a permanent winger or if he'll bring him back as a central striker.

I personally think we will bring one in, perhaps on loan. Arsenal's Chuba Akpom maybe? impressed last season and would add competition for places as well as blistering pace with the ability to run in behind.

If we play 4-2-3-1 Mick could decide against it, as we already have Brett Pitman, Didz, Daryl Murphy with Sears who can play there and also a mention for Ben Morris who looks a seriously good talent.

One thing's for sure, it's a massive summer for this club and Mick. I'm a massive fan of his and believe he can be the man to lead us to the Premier League, but investment is key. I'm not talking millions and millions but invest in the right players is vital.

We are not too far away from making a statement to the rest of this league, who will no doubt believe (like a lot of us) will be 'same old mid-table Ipswich' again next season. Boy wouldn't it be great to prove them all wrong and get this amazing club back to where it belongs?

Let's get behind the boys and all the management team ahead of a tough campaign which will no doubt have its ups and downs. That's just part and parcel of being an Ipswich fan! As long as we keep the amazing support up every single week we can do no more. It's down to the lads on the pitch to step up and take responsibility, which I believe they will.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Here's to a promotion-winning season! COYB!

joepublic added 10:53 - Jun 30 itfccymru enjoyed the read and wanted to give a short appraisal of my views on our 4 areas of the squad. GK. With Bart as number 1 and Gerks as back up I have no concerns. Defence. With the addition of Webster it looks like Smith or Berra may drop to bench. Im happy we have a ball playing CB and will be interesting to see if we keep both Smith & Berra. Sadly I am concerned about RB. If MM keeps Chambers at RB i believe this will be a mistake. Watching Emmanuel and Kenlock play at end of season showed how the how the whole balance of team improved with two proper full back. Trouble is we cannot be sure our captain would slip back in to CB role after so long, So MM will probably keep him at RB. I am happy with cover at LB. Midfield as you said is key. Hopefully Sears will not be part of it. We need width and experienced attacking central midfielder imo. That is three key signings that will go along way to determine our season. I would be over the moon with any of the suggestions you have made for attacking CM. Strikers. Sears up top and leading the line every game for me. Supported by the other 3. His pace and directness is wasted out wide and i felt his confidence was low when he did play up front. I hope MM has a reasonable budget this year and we can actually use less loans. If we can sign at least 2 first team players of our own and maybe support them with a loan or two then great! Any way great Blog and enjoy the season! COYB

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itfccymru added 11:48 - Jun 30 Joepublic glad you enjoyed the read and can't argue with anything you've put across. I agree not having a natural right back can be destabilising but as you've said Emmanuel did a solid job there last season. Could really step up this. Re Sears I also agree. Tends to look isolated on the flank sometimes and drifts in and out of games, can run in behind and cause defense all sorts of problems as we've already seen up front. Thanks for your praise and look forward to hopefully a great season to be an Ipswich fan! COYB!

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DurhamTownFan added 19:27 - Jul 2 Sorry to sound like a broken record, but you can't be 'happy' with chambers at RB? If we're ever to get out of this division we need to learn to take control of games instead of smashing the ball back to the opposition. Chambers for me is the worst culprit here (although probably because he's trying to show the manager that he's following instructions). These days, a good full back needs to want the ball and go into the opposing half, and we've seen only glimpses of this from our captain. For me RB is the single most important area in need of improvement.

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Penguinblue added 11:59 - Jul 7 First and foremost we need a new (football) manager
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Sparky85 added 13:44 - Jul 8 Good blog and really wish I had the same enthusiasm for the season ahead, but I must say I am genuinely concerned about this year. I think for the last 15 years I have always had that 'we've got a chance' feeling before the season, but this is the first that it just isn't there. The reasons for my concern? Simple: 1. We are 2 or 3 quality players away from a decent team. No width in midfield and a very weak right side. MM has already stated that Stewart can make his way into the team and Bish can play right. Because it is the right thing to do? Absolutely not. Because he has no choice? probably so. 2. Too many unknowns. I am very happy with the level of youth, but MM should have been preparing them for first team action last year. Emmanuel and Kenlock were not given enough of a run. Dozzell and the other lad who's name escapes me got 1 game. 3. MM has already gone to plan B! Less than 2 months ago, Chambers was no longer a right back and wingers was the absolute priority. Since then we have signed 2 centre backs (not being critical, Webster could be class) and then announced that chambers IS first choice right back. 4. Square Pegs - I know, I am getting bored of talking about it as well. But with Chambers, Bish and Sears all probably going to play out of position its the same old story. It would be tragic for Bish, as I feel he has the potential to be a top drawer player. 5. Lack of investment. Yes £700k on one player is a miracle for us recently, but I fear now this deal is done it may be all she wrote in terms of paying for transfers. The freebies should have all been tied to a club by now (the good ones anyway), so its the loan market for us. 6. Strength of the division. Newcastle, Villa, Norwich joining us makes the Championship the most challenging I think I have ever seen it. Just look at the table and there are some great teams. I truly hate writing negative posts like this but it is just how I feel about the current situation. The only thing really left for me to say is "Mick & Marcus, prove me wrong....Please!

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sidtheswan added 10:33 - Jul 14 Excellent and well thought out post . Agreed with all the main points and without change in midfield can see us struggling although transfer window not closed yet .
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