| Relying on recruitment again 21:12 - Nov 29 with 2727 views | ringwoodblue |
The Jan transfer window is already being mentioned as the thing that will make the difference and help us secure a top two or playoff place.
However, our summer recruitment hasn’t exactly worked out as hoped and the “need time to gel” excuse was trotted out so why would the Jan recruits be any different?
I think more disruption to the squad is the last thing we need, we have enough quality already but McK needs to coach, get them playing together and realise their potential. After all that’s what he’s being paid to do.
Having said all that, I agree that we do desperately need another striker but that’s the only addition I would make in Jan. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 21:50 - Nov 29 with 2184 views | bournemouthblue |
Have we ever not recruited aggressively in January and not tried to trade up under gamechanger?
I would say some of the fat in the squad needs to be trimmed, we surely will recruit again and have money to spend
We are well overdue trying to secure a quality striker, preferably with either serious heading dominance or high pace
Burns may cover the right but we desperately need him at full pace, he would add that outlet
Will we look for another central midfielder to cover Matusiwa or perhaps another box to box midfielder who can carry the ball forward? [Post edited 30 Nov 10:20]
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| Relying on recruitment again on 22:28 - Nov 29 with 2144 views | Steve_M |
There’s a structural imbalance in a squad that has four right backs and one defensive midfielder, o clear solution to be a number 10 and is still a striker light. That’s what needs to be resolved. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 22:34 - Nov 29 with 2125 views | J2BLUE |
| Relying on recruitment again on 22:28 - Nov 29 by Steve_M |
There’s a structural imbalance in a squad that has four right backs and one defensive midfielder, o clear solution to be a number 10 and is still a striker light. That’s what needs to be resolved. |
Exactly. No one is suggesting we replace half the team. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 22:43 - Nov 29 with 2100 views | Nutkins_Return |
I've no idea why people take so much pleasure in trotting out the line "time to gel excuse" as if people were mad to suggest a new team will take time. Nothing has changed in that front. It is a thing. You'd be pretty forgetful not to remember Morsy and that that new team taking time.
Teams grow over a year or two. Look at Coventry. It's almost the same exact team!
You arent winning a point every time we draw or lose to act clever by saying it.
This whole post went in so many directions . Essentially saying time to gel is nonsense. Then saying we should buy and we should coach them (so time to gel). Then saying but we should buy. [Post edited 29 Nov 22:44]
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| Relying on recruitment again on 22:51 - Nov 29 with 2056 views | GlasgowBlue |
| Relying on recruitment again on 22:28 - Nov 29 by Steve_M |
There’s a structural imbalance in a squad that has four right backs and one defensive midfielder, o clear solution to be a number 10 and is still a striker light. That’s what needs to be resolved. |
This I believe we could have picked up an out of favour Ellis Simms in the summer. Much harder to get a striker In January
I said we should have gone for Lewis Travis or similar purest fur back up. We could have got a squad option in to give Matusiwa some cover. [Post edited 30 Nov 8:55]
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| Relying on recruitment again on 23:00 - Nov 29 with 2027 views | itfcsuth |
Don’t trust us in the market with big deals, we don’t spend well, we don’t spend wisely, we waste. Wouldn’t trust Ashton and co with another penny in the transfer market.
The window is a fairly straightforward one really.
- Chaplin recalled
- Any of the following out; Johnson, Azon, Philogene, J.Clarke, K.McAteer
Need to build towards Town 2.5:
Walton
Furlong - O’Shea - Kipre - Davis
Matusiwa - Taylor
Burns - Chaplin - Szmodics
Hirst
Palmer, H.Clarke, A.Young, Greaves, Cajuste, Nunez, Egeli, Akpom |  | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 23:04 - Nov 29 with 2003 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Relying on recruitment again on 22:43 - Nov 29 by Nutkins_Return |
I've no idea why people take so much pleasure in trotting out the line "time to gel excuse" as if people were mad to suggest a new team will take time. Nothing has changed in that front. It is a thing. You'd be pretty forgetful not to remember Morsy and that that new team taking time.
Teams grow over a year or two. Look at Coventry. It's almost the same exact team!
You arent winning a point every time we draw or lose to act clever by saying it.
This whole post went in so many directions . Essentially saying time to gel is nonsense. Then saying we should buy and we should coach them (so time to gel). Then saying but we should buy. [Post edited 29 Nov 22:44]
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Coventry don't have PL money.
Other teams even a level up have seemingly managed to gel quite quickly in terms of results. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 23:45 - Nov 29 with 1929 views | quirkie |
Our last few windows haven't been that good really, I don't think we have the people in place scouting wise to identify real potential targets that would make a drastic impact to our team.
This is something we need to improve and quickly and I hope the club are in the process of doing that. The likes of Brentford, Bournemouth, Fulham have this part of their clubs spot on. Until we get to that sort of level behind the scenes we are going to struggle to achieve the ambitions that the owners want.
I live in hope this will be identified and corrected. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 00:08 - Nov 30 with 1876 views | bournemouthblue |
| Relying on recruitment again on 23:04 - Nov 29 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Coventry don't have PL money.
Other teams even a level up have seemingly managed to gel quite quickly in terms of results. |
maybe not but they have had a reasonable squad which has underperformed in recent seasons
I'd suggest they have three strikers options, all good quality
Simms, Wright and Thomas-Assante, all very good at this level? | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 00:11 - Nov 30 with 1865 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Relying on recruitment again on 00:08 - Nov 30 by bournemouthblue |
maybe not but they have had a reasonable squad which has underperformed in recent seasons
I'd suggest they have three strikers options, all good quality
Simms, Wright and Thomas-Assante, all very good at this level? |
Yes, I’d rather then then our current crop tbh, which I think is the wider point about what we have and have not addressed in recent windows. | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 06:38 - Nov 30 with 1682 views | BlueOura |
| Relying on recruitment again on 23:00 - Nov 29 by itfcsuth |
Don’t trust us in the market with big deals, we don’t spend well, we don’t spend wisely, we waste. Wouldn’t trust Ashton and co with another penny in the transfer market.
The window is a fairly straightforward one really.
- Chaplin recalled
- Any of the following out; Johnson, Azon, Philogene, J.Clarke, K.McAteer
Need to build towards Town 2.5:
Walton
Furlong - O’Shea - Kipre - Davis
Matusiwa - Taylor
Burns - Chaplin - Szmodics
Hirst
Palmer, H.Clarke, A.Young, Greaves, Cajuste, Nunez, Egeli, Akpom |
Yes lets get rid of two of our main goal threats and replace them with Chaplin, who has of course been tearing it up at Portsmouth, and Burns who hasn't played for year.
Awful take. |  | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 06:49 - Nov 30 with 1667 views | Len_Brennan |
| Relying on recruitment again on 00:08 - Nov 30 by bournemouthblue |
maybe not but they have had a reasonable squad which has underperformed in recent seasons
I'd suggest they have three strikers options, all good quality
Simms, Wright and Thomas-Assante, all very good at this level? |
I'm not even sure that Simms, Wright & Thomas-Assante are a better 3 up front than Hirst, Azon & Akpom, in terms of pure ability & potential, it's just that they are currently more in form, in a side that is well balanced & constantly creating lots of chances for them.
Before the start of this season, having seen Simms in action for them, I don't think too many of us would have wanted to trade Hirst for him, while Akpom would certainly have been seen as a step up from Thomas-Assante. Personally, I've always liked the look of Wright, but again, he was a player that seemed to have 'gone off the boil' somewhat for them last season, so the prospect of Azon - a £10m player we specifically targeted to play in our system - seemed like a better call too.
They are flying at the moment, while we are largely ineffective against teams that are setting up to frustrate us, despite the depth of talent at our disposal.
The problem may be overcome by another window of heavy recruitment far beyond the capabilities of non-parachute teams, but the reality is, it shouldn't have to be. What is needed moreso, in my opinion, is a clear alternative way of playing when we are struggling to break stubborn sides down. The tactic of changing the entire front 4 (and the more offensive midfielder) post the 65th minute is known, expected & prepared for by every 2-bit journeyman league manager now; if we don't score early & draw a team out, we are destined for many more turgid hours of ineffective possession football across the back & midfield, with limited clear scoring chances created, regardless of who our centre forward is.
If we take out a number of Philogene wonder goals from distance, & a couple more from Clarke, we would be in the bottom half at this stage, with no real sign of improvement in how to cut through sides playing with the low block. We need to have alternative patterns of play, sharp touches & movement from our exceptional squad of players, that provides real scoring chances for the forwards, rather than us waiting for Philogene, Clarke or Walle-Eegli to once again cut in from the side & look to launch yet other curling strike around the covering defender, in a crowded box & hope their quality gets us out of trouble again. | | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 07:01 - Nov 30 with 1653 views | Blue_Heath |
The trouble is what saleable assets do we have that we are happy to lose and how much would we get say for a Smzodics or a Greaves (just examples) in comparison to what we paid.
Further striking options just leads to more rotation unless they start scoring or assisting immediately.
Also, who is out there in January? We way overspent last two seasons on wrong players why would our recruitment suddenly unearth a gem now?
That said we do a decent striker and also a no 10. | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 07:15 - Nov 30 with 1625 views | Devereuxxx |
The phrase 'relying on recruitment' is an interesting one - probably best served through a quick mention of our recent right backs. We currently have 4 right backs in the squad, which in itself is emblematic that our strategy there hasn't really worked last couple of years. Tuanzebe was a positive who we clearly would have liked to keep, but aside from him, it's been pretty scattergun. H Clarke doesn't look like he's trusted (and can't stay fit) and Ashley Young appears to be a rotation option as most, with his off the field influence probably more important.
Then we have Ben Johnson. I just can't get my head round how someone we signed to presumably be pushing for first choice in the PL is now struggling to get into the squad in the Championship. Is he just not up to the standard required? Were we just slightly desperate to get someone with PL experience in for free? The very fact we signed and immediately started Furlong suggests Johnson isn't trusted either. And presumably he's on large wages.
The crux of my point here is we keep on having to sign because we don't trust who we signed previously, and at some point that catches up with you. I expect us to be active in January, but i'm mindful that just signing more players hasn't really worked for us as a strategy recently. |  | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 07:21 - Nov 30 with 1607 views | ArnieM |
Unfortunately im now at the point where im not even excited about who we might bring in because McKenna will only try and covert ( likely striker target) to playing the #10 role, just as hes done with a fair few other Town players. What's the bloody point, he wont change his one tactic approach! |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 08:24 - Nov 30 with 1521 views | Churchman |
| Relying on recruitment again on 23:04 - Nov 29 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Coventry don't have PL money.
Other teams even a level up have seemingly managed to gel quite quickly in terms of results. |
One team a level up and they’re the exception that proves the rule.
Which teams in the Championship have ‘gelled quite quickly’ in the Championship this season? The point about Coventry is that they’ve built that team over time. |  | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 08:43 - Nov 30 with 1454 views | OldFart71 |
To be honest I would look at ending Azon's loan. He's done nothing of note and he is just taking up a space.
I feel the type of player we need is a David Johnson (Jonty) type forward who is more mobile.
We could probably do with another midfield player also. | | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 09:20 - Nov 30 with 1368 views | Blue_Heath |
| Relying on recruitment again on 08:43 - Nov 30 by OldFart71 |
To be honest I would look at ending Azon's loan. He's done nothing of note and he is just taking up a space.
I feel the type of player we need is a David Johnson (Jonty) type forward who is more mobile.
We could probably do with another midfield player also. |
I know what you mean re: Azon, can't knock his effort but the brutal truth is he's nowhere being a PL player.
The biggest issue is none of our signings look like becoming PL players, gone are the days where KM improved players. Players such as Smzodics, Akpom etc with proven records have regressed by being made to fit into tactics/steam they don't suit. | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 09:31 - Nov 30 with 1342 views | itfcsuth |
| Relying on recruitment again on 06:38 - Nov 30 by BlueOura |
Yes lets get rid of two of our main goal threats and replace them with Chaplin, who has of course been tearing it up at Portsmouth, and Burns who hasn't played for year.
Awful take. |
Burns and Chaplin wouldn’t be replacing Philogene and Clarke, the literally don’t play the same position.
Terrible ball knowledge from you. | | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 09:47 - Nov 30 with 1305 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Relying on recruitment again on 00:08 - Nov 30 by bournemouthblue |
maybe not but they have had a reasonable squad which has underperformed in recent seasons
I'd suggest they have three strikers options, all good quality
Simms, Wright and Thomas-Assante, all very good at this level? |
I’m pretty sure other fans will be looking at us and saying ‘Szmodics, Clarke, Philogene and Akpom are all excellent players at this level”.
Nothing wrong with our players imo. |  |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 09:49 - Nov 30 with 1302 views | Nutkins_Return |
| Relying on recruitment again on 23:04 - Nov 29 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Coventry don't have PL money.
Other teams even a level up have seemingly managed to gel quite quickly in terms of results. |
What point are you making? Doesn't matter where or what the money is a team takes time. The fact we have prem money is why we are a game in hand win away from being 3rd despite not actually playing particularly cohesively this season. The more this team builds on patterns of play, understanding etc the better it will get
O don't think the balance of the team is quite right yet and I do think we haven't got Azor's partner quite right. Cajuste has more than enough ability but hasn't got going and doesn't seem properly fit (peak fit anyway and his no pre-season certainly didn't help).
If we got Hackney or Louza for example I think we'd go up a level. | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 09:53 - Nov 30 with 1290 views | balticblue |
Sorry, fat fingered downvote by mistake. |  | | |
| Relying on recruitment again on 10:27 - Nov 30 with 1209 views | bournemouthblue |
| Relying on recruitment again on 06:49 - Nov 30 by Len_Brennan |
I'm not even sure that Simms, Wright & Thomas-Assante are a better 3 up front than Hirst, Azon & Akpom, in terms of pure ability & potential, it's just that they are currently more in form, in a side that is well balanced & constantly creating lots of chances for them.
Before the start of this season, having seen Simms in action for them, I don't think too many of us would have wanted to trade Hirst for him, while Akpom would certainly have been seen as a step up from Thomas-Assante. Personally, I've always liked the look of Wright, but again, he was a player that seemed to have 'gone off the boil' somewhat for them last season, so the prospect of Azon - a £10m player we specifically targeted to play in our system - seemed like a better call too.
They are flying at the moment, while we are largely ineffective against teams that are setting up to frustrate us, despite the depth of talent at our disposal.
The problem may be overcome by another window of heavy recruitment far beyond the capabilities of non-parachute teams, but the reality is, it shouldn't have to be. What is needed moreso, in my opinion, is a clear alternative way of playing when we are struggling to break stubborn sides down. The tactic of changing the entire front 4 (and the more offensive midfielder) post the 65th minute is known, expected & prepared for by every 2-bit journeyman league manager now; if we don't score early & draw a team out, we are destined for many more turgid hours of ineffective possession football across the back & midfield, with limited clear scoring chances created, regardless of who our centre forward is.
If we take out a number of Philogene wonder goals from distance, & a couple more from Clarke, we would be in the bottom half at this stage, with no real sign of improvement in how to cut through sides playing with the low block. We need to have alternative patterns of play, sharp touches & movement from our exceptional squad of players, that provides real scoring chances for the forwards, rather than us waiting for Philogene, Clarke or Walle-Eegli to once again cut in from the side & look to launch yet other curling strike around the covering defender, in a crowded box & hope their quality gets us out of trouble again. |
Simms I suspect would suit us less well that Hirst, he isn't quite as agile howeverbhe has a good touch and composure and looks a threat in the air
When we got Moore in, he gave us a real aerial threat and probably PL finishing quality really. Hirst is reasonably mobile for a big striker and fairly good in the air but hasn't like up play as well as you would hope, some of that is because we don't really have players bombing ahead of him. The players cutting, reduce the space for him to find passes.
If we are going to continue with not having classic wingers, going on the outside past full backs, we do need to look at a different kind of striker
I don't think Hirst, Azon or Akpom are bad options but would any other teams we play describe them as the best strikers in the league, almost certainly not? | |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 10:43 - Nov 30 with 1178 views | StockholmBlue |
Think we need a central midfielder, Cajuste is no consistent enough, might carry an injury (?) , while Taylor just dont have the quality, yes he tries /works harder then Cajuste, but his passing is poor, vision limited. When he comes under pressure he just wants to get tid of the ball and plays it blind. Would like an upgrade centrally.
If we cant get Szmodicz, Akpom, Egeli and Azon (or at least two of them) to start contribute with goals and assists we need to find someone that does. I wouldnt mind someone with more intensity and desire in the ilk of our south american loans previously. If, like someone mentioned, we can cancel Azons loan I think we should try to find someone better. |  |
| Ipswich Town FC since 1981 |
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| Relying on recruitment again on 10:44 - Nov 30 with 1162 views | WestSussexBlue |
All that said but then you agree we need a new striker. | | | |
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