Town captain Carlos Edwards has called for reinforcements to revive the club’s play-off prospects, which have suffered thanks to a recent run of just one win in seven league games.

Edwards believes the introduction of one or two new faces before the end of the January transfer window would provide a much-needed tonic to one of the Championship’s smallest squads.

Town have used 23 players this season, the fewest in the Championship, and have dropped down to 10th place in the table from a top six berth earlier this month.

Asked what he thought was required for a return to winning ways, 35-year-old skipper Edwards said: “There’s not much needed. I think the guys just need to motivate themselves again. The gaffer has done wonders with the squad that he has and whatever budget he has been given.

“Maybe he can add one or two players but that’s just me as a player saying that and it is down to him and the board to decide if he wants to bring in anyone else.

“The guys themselves need to dig deep. We know the situation and how many bodies we have in the squad. We need to go back to being hard to beat to pick up the points we need to take us back up into the top six.”

When quizzed as to whether he felt fresh blood was needed at Portman Road, he added: “I would say yes and I would always welcome a new face in the training ground any day. Obviously, you want there to be competition for places and for players not to take their eyes off the ball.

“It’s easily done and guys might get too comfortable because they are playing week in, week out, and they might not be getting the push that they need to look over their shoulders. At the end of the day it’s down to the manager to decide if he wants to do those things.

“He’s done a great job with whatever players he brought in during the summer and we just have to stick with him, have faith in him and then hopefully we can start getting the points that we need to get back up the table.”

The Trinidad & Tobago international was also asked if complacency had contributed to Town’s recent dip in form that has seen them suffer three successive defeats in all competitions.

Edwards said: “I’m not saying no but I’ve never seen it in the changing room. You always need that bit extra and if everyone gave an extra one per cent that’s a lot. I’m not saying that guys are complacent — I’ve never seen it in the changing room and I hope I don’t see it during the rest of my time here, however long that might be.

“As club captain the last thing you want to see is players moping around and thinking that they are better than what they are. I’m not seeing that and fair credit to all the players, and to the manager for keeping us down to earth. He’s done a great job.”

Despite the fact that Town have not won in their last six league and cup outings Edwards added: “I don’t think it’s that worrying. I’d rather go through a blip now than nearer the end of the season. I think it’s just one of those unfortunate situations that we find ourselves in.

“We have used fewer players than the other Championship clubs and over the Christmas period maybe the legs went a bit. But, obviously, I’m not making any excuses. We are all professionals and we need to make sure we look after ourselves away from the training ground and get as much rest as possible.

“I don’t think it’s a crisis. The lads are a bit upset about losing — no one wants to lose — but we are going about it the right way to try to get back to the unit we were before when we were getting results and picking up points.

“We have gone back to the drawing board to polish up a few things that we have been lacking in the last few games.”

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 16:06 - Jan 23 An attacking midfielder who can threaten on goal is a main priority, please bring one in Mick!
8

LiamCP123 added 16:08 - Jan 23 We sure do need new faces. Especially in midfield.
8

itfcjc added 16:17 - Jan 23 We need new faces to replace that clown Edwards
-32

Mark added 16:28 - Jan 23 A creative central midfielder and a winger with pace and dribbling ability would be my priorities. Hopefully they can chip in with a few goals too. I worried at the start of the season that our midfielders would not score goals, and so it has proved. Hyam, Tunnicliffe and Skuse haven't scored at all this season, have they? I think Edwards and Tabb have one each, adn Anderson two but that's it?

2

Sindre94 added 16:30 - Jan 23 I agree. By the way I saw this clip on BBC, where Symonds said that the door would always be open for Mick to ask for transfer money? I can't see that as we are basically just picking up free agents, which obviously is great if the players are good enough. Here is the video: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25688008
1

AbujaBlue added 16:34 - Jan 23 “As club captain the last thing you want to see is players moping around and thinking that they are better than what they are. I'm not seeing that and fair credit to all the players, and to the manager for keeping us down to earth. He's done a great job.” If there was ever any doubt whether Carlos treats his role as club captain seriously, then these words should be reassuring. With Edwards and Chambers we have two leaders who can only be a good thing for the club.

9

Gooders7592 added 16:34 - Jan 23 A creative midfielder is a must.
1

Surco72 added 17:00 - Jan 23 Complacency is bound to creep in if MM picks the same side no matter what the result or opposition which he has done for large sections of the season , it is also demoralising for those training hard and not being given the chance , fine when a team is winning regularly but not when you do not get results as we have apart from one run of form
0

ChrisMakin2012 added 17:08 - Jan 23 A Creative midfielder to stop us playing hoofball
1

blueboy1981 added 17:15 - Jan 23 ....... new faces are one thing - but being asked to play a certain way is another - whoever we bring in (certainly anyone with flair) may just be haltered. Can you really see MM changing his ways ??
-1

bluefeast added 17:38 - Jan 23 rightback who attacks , right wing who can look after the ball , left wing who can look after the ball , central mid who can create pass and move attacking dimension to the team ,ie the basics , pass the ball , go again and receive it. I wonder if within our squad and youth team any of the above exists. If not then in order to progress and get the fans back in numbers investment is needed.

1

essexboy added 17:40 - Jan 23 MIDFIELDER with vision.
1

bluefeast added 17:42 - Jan 23 I like MM he has done a remarkable job . He is working within unfair limits , ie we are the lowest spenders of the top 12 sides this season . We are more desperate for players than the sides above us yet they are recruiting and we seem not to be. The time to of done our business was Jan 2nd 3rd and 4th. I bet if we had the whole squad would of driven us up the table as opposed to down.

0

Guthrum added 18:30 - Jan 23 Only six teams in the division have scored more goals than us so far this season (without us having handed out any major beatings) - that's pretty creative. Our strikers are scoring the goals (except for set pieces, where it's the big CBs), the midfield are feeding them. Why do we need midfielders scoring instead? The defence is a bit leakier than the second half of last season, but still only seven teams have conceded fewer goals than ourselves. Committing one of the central midfielders to a more attacking role runs the risk of weakening our defence and cancelling out any increase in goals scored. One of our problems is clean sheets - only three teams in the division (Barnsley, Bournemouth and Sheff Weds) have a worse record than us, tho another three have about the same (Millwall, Bolton and Derby - who are even higher up the table than we are). So perhaps it is a goalkeeper or defenders who are needed?

3

essexboy added 18:47 - Jan 23 The problems in defence started when Chambers was moved to wing back.Teams can see this is now our weak link and always attack down that side.It should be Smith and Chambers in the centre with Cresswell and Hewitt on the flanks.
7

bluelodgeblue added 19:02 - Jan 23 A bit upset??? I'd be extremely p****d off if I had been in a team that's played so badly and conceded some diabolical goals!!!!
-1

WickedBlue added 19:05 - Jan 23 @itfcjc the only clown is you. Having met Edwards several times I know how devoted to the club he is and he deserves far more respect than you are giving him. Unlike you he has earnt respect where as you fool have only earnt contempt.
6

Michael11 added 19:18 - Jan 23 Saw that Billy Sharp re-signed for Doncaster until the end of the season, shame we didn't get him. Think we could do with a goalkeeper, right back and creative midfielder.
1

thebeat added 19:19 - Jan 23 essexboy and Wickedblue totally agree with your posts, spot on
1

ArnieM added 19:27 - Jan 23 Over to YOU Mr Evans. Now whatca gonna do. Time for yer cards in the table.
-1

MathieandMarshall added 19:38 - Jan 23 Mark, Hyam scored against Blackburn but agree with your general point. All successful sides have goals from midfield.
1

shaunest1 added 19:39 - Jan 23 .......george boyd on loan maybe....?????
0

itfchorry added 19:42 - Jan 23 ITFC JC If Carlos is taking the bus... You should take a hike
1

bluefeast added 19:45 - Jan 23 Theres only one jim magilton , one jim magilton
0

amurtiger added 20:16 - Jan 23 Find it hard to believe that players need motivation, they should try living in the real world on minimum wage lol
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls