Town legend Ray Crawford says he can’t understand why the Blues allowed skipper David Norris to leave on a free transfer this summer. Crawford, 74, hopes to see Norris in action again next season but with his local club Portsmouth, one of a number of sides chasing the 30-year-old.

Speaking to the local Hampshire press, who appear certain that Norris is joining Pompey, although with Hull, Nottingham Forest and Leeds also understood to be contenders, Crawford says the Blues should have acceded to the midfielder’s insistence on a contract beyond the next two seasons: “Do you know what, I cannot understand why Ipswich have allowed him to go.

“Apparently, he wanted a three-year deal. Well, give it to him because I think he is a fantastic player. He’s captain, scores goals, defends well, is very mobile, has great energy — the lad does the lot, he really does. The complete midfielder. How do you replace somebody like that? They all love him up there.”

Former striker Crawford was clearly a big fan of the ex-Plymouth man during his time with the Blues: “He has this amazing energy to get up and down the pitch, which means he will perform in any position you ask. I actually think centre midfield is his best role.

"He will cover people, when they are caught out he goes across and will challenge anyone breaking through either side.

"For years I watched him home and away for Ipswich and he never had a bad game, always top notch.”

Elsewhere, Watford are claimed to have turned down Swansea’s £3 million bid for reported Town target Danny Graham, while Wigan are said to be the club who have had a £3 million offer for Craig Mackail-Smith from Peterborough. Town had also been linked with the Posh frontman but with Paul Jewell playing down his interest.

Photo: Action Images

BrettenhamBlue added 00:20 - Jun 4 Ray, most of us can't understand the decisions made by this football club. There is a deep poison in our system and no-one can quite work out where it is coming from....
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DiamondGezzer added 07:14 - Jun 4 H32 :- Agree with you. If we look back at our form when he was injured, it dipped. As far as I can see, the stumbling block in his new contract was his wages, and are we going to replace him for less ? Time will tell.
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