New Blues boss Paul Hurst says his assistant Chris Doig is very demanding and “big on setting standards”.

Dumfries-born Doig, 37, a former Scotland U18 and U21 international, ended his playing career under Hurst at Grimsby where he moved into coaching before following the new Town manager to Shrewsbury and now Portman Road

A central defender in his playing days, Doig came through the ranks at Queen of the South before moving on to Nottingham Forest, Northampton, where he played alongside Blues skipper Luke Chambers, Australian side Central Coast Mariners, Indonesian club Pelita Jaya, Aldershot and York City.

“Chris wants to be a manager one day and has progressed up the leagues,” Hurst told the club site.

“He’s very demanding like me and we share the same views on many things in the game. Coaching-wise, we are on the same page definitely.

“He is big on setting standards. He also appreciates the job players have to do. Like me, he wants the players to enjoy going about their work.

"Players who we have worked with us in the past say they have enjoyed it and that’s important.”

Hurst and Doig are currently away on holiday with the new Blues boss set for his official unveiling at Portman Road next Tuesday.

The duo will start their roles at Town on Monday 18th June with the players back for testing as pre-season training gets under way on the Friday of that week.

The Blues are still finalising their pre-season plans with an overseas training camp still being organised. The now-familiar Ireland trip previously pencilled in remains an option, which would see a friendly take place at Drogheda United, while the club are continuing to assess another warmer alternative.

Hurst took his Shrewsbury squad to Portugal last year but despite having been considered that's not the other destination currently being looked at. If the Blues do end up making that trip then there won't be a formal friendly although there may be a behind-closed-doors match. You can find a list of the pre-season fixtures confirmed so far here.

Elsewhere, former Blues midfielder Byron Lawrence, 22, has joined Dulwich Hamlet having spent last season on loan at Leiston from Billericay Town.

Photo: TWTD

Barty added 08:15 - Jun 8 Talk is cheap. Its all about how we perform on the pitch. Time will tell but I am reasonably optimistic.
1

tractorboybig added 08:22 - Jun 8 The proof of a pudding is in its eating. Open minds and wait and see
1

woohoo added 08:29 - Jun 8 Unless the opposition is hopeless, you aren't going to win many Championship games by more than a goal (or two). What most fans are hoping for is much more on-pitch entertainment and positivity. Time will tell..
2

itfcbishop added 09:13 - Jun 8 I for one am glad the world cup is on! as i want the season to hurry up already! Paul Hurst's BARMY ARMY
1

BeattiesBackPocket added 09:53 - Jun 8 @Brian_a_mul I dont buy in to that he had a fit Dozzell season before hardly played him plus when Williams and Bishop were fit and Williams had played 2 games for Wales in that period neither were still played! Also he signed Huws and Williams in the past knowing they were extremely susceptible to injury so whos fault is that!? How about we support the new guy instead of people harping on about Mick. As a previous person said support the new guy and have your "I told you so" or "Careful what you wish for" if it goes tits up!

0

crazyblue68 added 09:57 - Jun 8 This is all begining to sound like Mick mark 2. I dont think we are going to see the football we are expecting. I think it will be hard graft again from the players and being hard to beat.
0

FenboyBlue added 10:26 - Jun 8 Who let the Doig out? Who ? Who ? Who? Who ?
1

FrankMarshall added 11:21 - Jun 8 Can't wait for the beginning of the season. Loads to look forward 2.
0

BlueSwede added 12:22 - Jun 8 Hurst and Doig haven't even started work yet and some people are already complaining about the way the team plays - without kicking a single ball. Come on ...
3

legoman added 13:38 - Jun 8 No good having a Doig and barking yourself. if Hurst turns out to be a superstar manager and is targeted by Mega clubs then Doig will get his chance to carry on the good work here so could be a long term relationship?
0

Skip73 added 16:21 - Jun 7 To553r
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls