Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Clegg Delighted to Make Early Signings
Clegg Delighted to Make Early Signings
Wednesday, 22nd Jun 2011 15:00

Town chief executive Simon Clegg says he’s delighted that the Blues have made three additions to the squad relatively early in the summer, even if it meant his family holiday was disrupted once again. Yesterday, Nathan Ellington signed on at Portman Road, Michael Chopra and Ivar Ingimarsson having joined earlier in the summer.

Clegg said: “We’ve made three good signings and we’re really excited about how we’ve enhanced what we’ve got up front.

“It’s been a challenge to us over recent seasons, we haven’t scored as many goals as we wanted, and bringing in Michael and Nathan is seriously enhancing our firepower up front.”

The Blues chief says that despite the club now having more than its fair share of strikers and with interest in Connor Wickham and Jason Scotland, the new signings won’t necessarily mean that other frontmen will move on: “It doesn’t signal anything at all, it provides the manager with a choice across the board.”

Clegg, who was yesterday given an honorary doctorate by University Campus Suffolk, says he’s had a busy summer with Town’s transfer business having started much earlier this time around: “It seems to move to whenever I take my holiday!

“Last year I went away at the end of the holiday break and all hell let loose, so I thought that I’d do things differently this year and go away early doors, and it’s been a fairly busy three or four weeks.”

Clegg says boss Paul Jewell has dictated the timetable and is more closely involved in deals than his predecessor Roy Keane, who left the financial side of signings to the chief executive: “At the end of the day it’s driven by the manager and where the manager sees the opportunities, and then there are negotiations which have to be done.

“It has to be driven by the manager and the philosophy of this club is always to back the manager, and we’ve done that with Paul and with previous managers.

“Paul has been intimately involved in the signing of the players, perhaps in a slightly different way than previous managers have been.”

In keeping with Town’s general approach, Clegg wouldn’t comment on any other potential moves in or out: “You know what my policy is, I’m afraid you won’t get anything out of me.

"When we have something to say, we’ll say it but I don’t comment on speculation or whatever is out there on the Internet. It’s foolish to do so and it’s a policy I’ve had since I’ve been at the club.

“However, it’s certainly fair to say that this isn’t the closing of the book until the next window."


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Big_Foot_Blue added 15:19 - Jun 22
Wonder how long till someone makes a joke bout all the signings happening when Clegg goes on holiday?
0

Garv added 15:19 - Jun 22
Sadly idiots will still critisize.
0

John_Portman added 15:28 - Jun 22
Being honest, though Clegg was s@#t at the start, but am beginnint to think that hes gonna end up being prty good! hes improving!
0

WeirdFishes added 15:28 - Jun 22
keep em coming we still need a LB CB CM RM GK
0

Big_Foot_Blue added 15:29 - Jun 22
John_Portman

Everyone needs time to learn new skills and it definitly helps that he has a more focussed and more experienced manager in Paul Jewell working next to him.
0

fourth added 15:33 - Jun 22
I think Mr Clegg could plan his holidays for a less sensitive time of the year;
At other times in fact he could be on permanent holiday unless called back by Mr Jewell.

Would that be the right emphasis?
0

mutters added 15:34 - Jun 22
Well done Cleggy. You are starting to prove the doubters wrong by bringing in some good players without breaking the bank. Sign of things to come i feel
0

John_Portman added 15:35 - Jun 22
Big_Foot_Blue...agreed!
0

parkinshair added 15:37 - Jun 22
Clegg has managed to close deals quickly this summer thanks to the support of a decent manager.

He only started to become the devil incarnate when Keane threw his toys out of the pram because we didn't sign Derry and everybody wanted a scape goat as it couldn't possibly be anything to do with the mighty Keane not taking into consideration such things as wage structures and interest from other clubs.

I hope with the addition of what I would say are decent quality signings early doors will take some of the undeserved criticism off Clegg and we can all look forward to happier times next season.
0

tractored added 15:39 - Jun 22
2 out of the 3 are freebies no one else wanted.
0

harvey9267 added 15:43 - Jun 22
"we're really excited about how we've enhanced what we've got up front" oooo err sounds a bit rude lol

on a serious note, great that were deals wrapped up early so the teams "gel time" is pre-season like it should be!
0

chrisw2045 added 15:43 - Jun 22
Why would Clegg want to take a holiday at probably his busiest time of his year when he should be here negotiating transfers and contracts.
0

nearly50yearsblue added 15:46 - Jun 22
I know in days gone by the manager targeted players and the board backed him,as we have no board then the deals are sanctioned by MR Evans employees,this can only work if the employees actually have some idea and understanding of what they are sanctioning.
Any ideas.
0

bedsitfc added 15:48 - Jun 22
well done mr clegg

3 decent signings in ok 2 1/2 decent players left for nothing but i am happier going into the season with what we have now, rather than what we did have at the end of last season.
overall imo our squad is better now, i know some would say "what about jimmy" but at what cost.
0

pennblue added 15:57 - Jun 22
It is good to see Jewell involved with signings, this is clearly working better. I think Mr Clegg and the manager have a lot more hard work to do in the next 4 weeks to get anything like a top 6 team assembled..... We need another 6 coming in I would think, as you have to allow for at least 33% of the incoming players to not work out as hoped.....
0

Godmanchester_blue added 16:06 - Jun 22
Tractored:

On what basis are you assuming that nobody else wanted them? Presumably Baggies fans are saying the about GMac and Pompey fans about Norris?

We got them on a free but I'm sure other clubs would have made offers sooner or later.
0

Harry_Palmer added 16:17 - Jun 22
Perhaps it might be wise to take your holiday later in the year then Cleggy - perhaps when the transfer window has closed ? Just a thought.

Well done to PJ and Clegg though for wrapping these deals up early doors.
0

bedsitfc added 16:20 - Jun 22
clegg is the ceo of ipswich town he cant have a holiday once the season has started, just like pj can't.
0

Surco72 added 16:26 - Jun 22
Tractored whether free transfers or signings the deals still have to be put together , I am sure one of our old managers said "players wouldnt come to Ipswich " so early signings and deals of 3 players with Premiership and championship experience are a good thing well done Clegg and PJ
0

jas0999 added 16:40 - Jun 22
Yes, FULL credit to ME, PJ and Clegg for sorting these deals out early and delighted to hear there will be more to come.
0

whoppit added 17:00 - Jun 22
Cleggy is as useless as Keane was. Fact. At least he is a LIverpool fan so he will enjoy selling Wickham to them this summer.
0

itfc1981 added 17:01 - Jun 22
lets see him pull off a deal when other clubs are after a player as well
0

suffolkpoker added 17:16 - Jun 22
I feel much happier that the manager and the CEO are working togther on transfer dealings rather than having a manager to target players. i.e. players we cant afford or unrealistic lol

This system seems to be working much better, its still early days. Let see who they can bring through the door. I expect to see atleast two more permanant signings + loans later in the summer (aka JB)
0

parkinshair added 17:31 - Jun 22
itfc1981

You obviously know the players and their agents very well and know for a fact that there were no other clubs interested. I salute you for your insider knowledge.
0

itfc1981 added 17:50 - Jun 22
^^ ta
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024