Town assistant manager Chris Hutchings says he and boss Paul Jewell are looking to strengthen the spine of the team over the summer. Jewell has previously stated that the club are looking for around six signings during the close season.

Hutchings told the club site: "It's important to get the spine right, as it is in any successful organisation, and we're no different to that.

"We've identified a number of targets and that has been an ongoing process for some time now.

"It doesn't just happen now that the season has finished, we've been watching players throughout the season both at home and abroad.

"Ideally we would like to bring players in early, so that they can be around the squad in time for the start of pre-season, but we know that we may have to show a little bit of patience on that front."

The Blues squad are due back at Playford Road for the start of pre-season training on July 5th.

Photo: Action Images

riley26 added 17:31 - May 21 TractorClarke: You've just proved my point, season riddled with off-field and fitness problems. I said if he does not sort that out then he is not the answer, I hope for his, and the clubs sake that he comes back a new man and can fire us to the Premiership, of course! And yes despite those problems he has done well to score as many as he has, however those goals often came in bunches and braces, he didn't actually perform in a great deal of games this season. Jewell says he likes 4-4-2, whether or not that is how we will play next season we'll see. Really admire Scotland's work rate, scores great goals too, can't see Scotland/Chopra being a first choice front pairing though, will be interesting to see what Jewell does in that area.

0

riley26 added 17:37 - May 21 BlueBoots: Cheers for pointing out we should look to sign players better than what we already have in order to improve the squad!
0

scunnyblue added 17:50 - May 21 Magic had his critics. i was one of them. but right now i would love to see him walk back into portman road. there humble pie eaten.. come on jewell prove me wrong .
0

Dissboyitfc added 18:07 - May 21 Ryan_tractorboy, chopra is our most prolific scorer since Allan Lee in 2006/7 but the point you make is correct... going back to the main story, we have been saying for ages that our spine is missing, how much are these experts paid to state the obvious?
0

bluey420 added 18:21 - May 21 It's amazing not even end of May n fans complaining we havent signed any1 Jesus club officials need a summer break like Jewell Clegg Evans players home n aboard on holiday if it was 1st August n no signings I'd b worried hardly any club signs any1 till June: Leeds n Leicester only championship sides who brought any1, Leeds a player who got relegated with Pompey (Pearce) n Leicester 2 man u reserves n a v over priced non-league player (vardy)

0

ITFCforlife added 19:28 - May 21 team atm GK: ALB RB: Edwards CB: Sonko (now gone) CB: Smith LB: Cresswell RM: JET CM: Leadbitter (now gone) CM: Hyam LM: Martin CF: Scotland CF: Chopra so we need a new gk ( i don't think any team can be fighting for promotion with ALB in their team, 1 or 2 CBs to replace Sonko and someone else. maybe a right back. our wingers are good but we need a centre mid and possibly a striker to get at least 10 per season A team I'd like to see GK: Heaton (just been released) RB: Edwards or maybe Caddis CB: ? CB: Smith LB: Cresswell RM: JET CM: Stevenson/ Hyam CM: Boyd ( we can dream) LM: Martin CF: ? (Madine or Robinson) CF: Chopra

0

TimmyH added 19:32 - May 21 I think the coaching staff are all a bit slow on the take up...
0

Pettitt10 added 19:44 - May 21 Tom Heaton's contract has expired at cardiff and he is now a free agent... surely we are looking at him?!
0

brendanh added 19:50 - May 21 Must avoid needlessly causing the hugely disruptive squad changes that have blighted previous campaigns. We scored a lot of goals this season, our focus should be a keeper and defensive cover. The principle should be: if he isn't or won't become better than we have, don't buy. In order of priority: GK, CB, LM (assuming Murphy leaves), CF, RB, CM.
0

brendanh added 19:55 - May 21 But I think we'd have a successful season if we only fill the first three positions on my list well.
0

alliedaz added 19:55 - May 21 move over jewell i will help you with signings 1st try and get micheal owen whos sat on his ass al season 2nd craig gordon (keeper) been released 3rd gallagher and dont tell every1 and just think of al that cash ur wasted so far so wots a few more million to splash out
0

Talbs77 added 20:13 - May 21 Its not about the number of signings but the quality of them. Pay the money and get them in!! Goalie, right back, 2 centre halfs and a striker
0

AlanMahon2011 added 20:26 - May 21 May aswell chuck the towel in with clegg in charge!!
0

BuckieBlue added 21:30 - May 21 Alliedaz. Good call with keeper Craig Gordon; if he's injury free now he would be a great addition- defintely premiership standard.
0

eaii added 22:07 - May 21 "Ideally we would like to bring players in early, so that they can be around the squad in time for the start of pre-season" Its like groundhog day.
0

JewellintheTown added 11:11 - May 22 So who's the spine then? I'd be interested to hear who is the kidneys, liver, heart, brain and lungs. I'd say Scotland for the belly and smith could be a rib. I can think of plenty of candidates that suit the gentlemans front and back bits, plus moobs, but the rest is open to debate.
0

ITFCforlife added 17:36 - May 22 we have very little chance getting craig gordon but if we did then i could be an a mazing player fort us. I think we could get heaton
0

Ipswichbusiness added 20:45 - May 22 If we are looking to strengthen the "spine" of the team, why do we keep being linked with wingers and full-backs? How about a 'keeper, a centre-back, and a centre-midfielder?
0

brian_a_mul added 08:47 - May 23 I wonder if Brian Murphy (GK) would come back from QPR. He could have been our No 1. Halford and Ward would be quality & versatile players to bulk our def. Alan Judge would be another good addition for midfield. Daryl Murphy would give us good option up front. All are a good age and would compliment whe players we currently have.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls