TWTD understands that Southampton midfielder Simon Gillett is amongst Town boss Roy Keane’s summer targets. The 24-year-old is out of contract at St Mary’s at the end of the season and is set to leave the League One club with former loan side Doncaster Rovers and the Blues leading the chase.

Gillett has been out of Alan Pardew’s plans with the Saints this season and has made only one Carling Cup start and five sub appearances, including the FA Cup tie against Town.

In October he joined Doncaster on loan, making 10 starts and one sub appearance, with the move almost becoming permanent in January. The switch, which would have seen Brian Stock move in the opposite direction, fell through at the last minute with personal terms already agreed. We understand Doncaster still want him to return to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Gillett has been with Southampton since his days as an academy trainee, but in addition to his time with Doncaster, has had loan spells at Yeovil, Blackpool (twice), Bournemouth and Walsall.

The Southampton official site says the 5ft 7in tall midfielder isn’t hampered by his lack of height: “He may not be the tallest player on the park but makes up for it with his lower-body strength, work-rate and undoubted ability on the ball.

“His ability to get forward and defend makes him well suited to a midfield berth - as well as his set-piece skills - but his versatility has also proven an asset for the second string where he has turned in some excellent displays at full-back.”

Gillett, who usually operates in the centre of midfield, won a League One play-off final winner’s medal with Blackpool in 2007 and a Johnstone’s Paints Trophy winner’s medal earlier this season when he came on as a sub in the final.

On Friday Town boss Roy Keane said he was targeting “one or two players whose contracts are up” this summer. Gillett fits that bill and may be viewed as a direct replacement for Jack Colback, who will return to Sunderland when his loan is up at the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

mickeyjb added 18:20 - Apr 20 lol @ itfc1981 Who else is on a free at the end of the season, can we be linked with our own players?
0

Mark added 18:31 - Apr 20 I would write this off as silly speculation as the player is nowhere near good enough, but then I thought that when we bought C.Healy! I totally support buying up-and-coming players from League 1, hungry young lads who can improve and maybe make it to the top. We should be looking at the cream of the league though, not a 24-year-old who is "out of favour" with his club! With 2 career goals, he is hardly the sort of attacking midfielder we need. Re. a direct replacement for Colback, Colback is a central midfielder who we are playing on the left. Surely what we need is a quality left-sided midfielder?!

0

Lowestoft_Tench added 18:35 - Apr 20 That healy purchase was definately to help Cork out, which in the end was a waste of time, I wouldn't want him playing for the mighty Lowestoft let alone Ipswich, not when Lowie have got Gary Holt :) Regarding Gillett, i hope they are barking up the wrong tree and it's actually Lallana, now there is a midfielder to wet the appetite!!
0

sonian_blue added 18:36 - Apr 20 Why????
0

Surco72 added 19:29 - Apr 20 Out of the whole Saints squad this is probably one of the worst players we could get, but from a man who bought Priskin , Edwards, Healy,Martin loaned John and Healy and gave new contracts to Trotter and Bruce making one captain and gets rid of a young natural goalscorer, isolates our flair players for much of the season ,loans out our top scorer and tells last seasons captain he is not wanted only for him to go on and get player of the season IMO i am not suprised . Get another work hard midfielder who trains really well for Saints and get rid of Garvan because he had a couple of bad games ,who hasnt this season ,look at Walters never dropped and has been dreadful for majority of season . Whether this is speculation or not Keanes dealings are not impressive Delaney and Colback apart, for me for £3.5 million Leadbitter has been a little disappointing compared to a lot of midfielders in this league and been outscored by our centre back

0

RobbieScarlatti added 19:37 - Apr 20 Nice to be linked with someone that isn't in Sunderland reserves. Unless Keano saw the kit and was mistaken.....
0

Mungo added 19:55 - Apr 20 I'm surprised to hear so many negative comments. If no one knows much about him, how do you know he is no good? He hasn't played much for Southampton this year, presumably because he doesn't get on with Pardew, who once did the same thing to Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, two world class players! Not expecting this guy to be that good, but there is clearly potential there and we will need extra midfielders following the inevitable departures of Colback, Quinn, Trotter, C Healy and Garvan. Keep an open mind people. Some of our best signings of recent years have been the inexpensive signings from the lower leagues.

0

16_Jack_ken_16 added 20:05 - Apr 20 Omg please not this player I want sucess with the club not deverstation :(
0

blueherts added 20:21 - Apr 20 I am all for lower league signings but you would expect them to have done something pretty special at that level and the only risk would be whether they can step up This lad hasnt exactly set League 1 or 2 alight!!
0

runaround added 20:21 - Apr 20 Its just speculation but if he does join the club he will get my support. Just because no-one has heard of him it doesn't mean he wont turn out to be a good signing. Also just because he isnt in Soton's team right now, it doesn't mean he isnt a good player. after all Garvan and Pablo dont get into our team right now yet many fans think they are top players. I think however he is just the first of many to be linked to us between now and end of August

0

cmarkchips added 20:46 - Apr 20 I like the mention of a set piece specialist because this has been a major weakness. Assuming there is a major clearout of up to another fourteen players and the four loanees are not retained which seems likely Roy will inevitably need to employ guys like Gillett who he has recognised as showing promise but may find their game time limited to substitute appearances, especially if he is a central midfielder. My main hope is that the savings made on the salaries of all those that leave, bearing in mind Thatcher has already gone, is invested in at least two decent strikers such as Chopra and Hooper. I do not think there is a need for more than four players because unless there are some major injuries players will get fed up with being only substitutes. I have supported town for 41 years but I fear the writing is on the wall for the likes of Garvan and Pablo , unfortunately to reach the playoffs you cannot afford luxuries and Newcastle are a good example of a small tight squad without flair players who have excelled this year. Quality needed ar the expense of quantity please Roy. I also sense the likes of Billy Clark and Tom Eastman will come more into things as the next season develops.

0

blueoveru added 21:03 - Apr 20 if he's not good enough to get in the Div 1 Southampton team, then how the hell is he good enough for us, I know lets buy Rhodes back for twice what we sold him for shall we
0

Jimmy86 added 21:39 - Apr 20 Gillett was part of the southampton team that played us off the park during our midweek home fixture last season, I seem to remember whilst being fairly short he did seem able to knock the ball around quite well. For all you people who wax lyrical about Garvan, reality check, he isn't up to it and whats more he's slower than a 75 year old man !!! no dis respect intended to the older generation mind you

0

italiano added 22:25 - Apr 20 Great... yet another midfielder who gives 100% effort but with no end result ala Norris, Quinn, etc.....
0

tipperarykeano added 22:37 - Apr 20 because of Roy Keane every " free " or "out of contract " player in football will be linked with Ipswich...I know some people on here hate him,but get used to it.Keane is a legand and worthy press speculation.Sky Sports love him because he tells it like it is.The whole summer will be speculation.some true the rest just " silly season " get used to it people....judge keane after 2 seasons...

0

cobbold_fanatic added 00:24 - Apr 21 who next Barnets left back of Bradfords keeper, but im pretty sure this is just speculation
0

bennyblue added 04:37 - Apr 21 i reckon
0

These_arent_the_days added 08:06 - Apr 21 I'm not the only one having sleepless nights abt Keane's past & potential signings looking at the time of your post Benny
0

J45 added 09:19 - Apr 21 We all need to calm down it is just speculation.
0

Bergholtblue added 09:23 - Apr 21 Linked with Chopra, now with this feller and the season's not finished yet! Christ, its going to be a long summer. The pappers will link Keane with every misfit from now til the transfer window closes. I am not going to get upset or excited about anyone until pen is put to paper.
0

oldmanblues added 13:11 - Apr 21 Why the bl*ody hell do we want him when Alan Pardew doesnt even think he's good enough to play for Southampton in League 1!!??
0

pottyblue added 15:50 - Apr 22 a player that can,t get in a 2nd div first team hmmmmm dont think so come on phil siffer out the sh#'
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls