Blues skipper Luke Chambers is excited to be back at Playford Road for pre-season training after “a great first day” working under new manager Paul Hurst and his assistant Chris Doig, a team-mate of the Town centre-half at Northampton early in his career.

“It’s an exciting time,” the 32-year-old told iFollow Ipswich. “There’s a lot of excitement around the town and we can’t wait to get started.”

“We’ve had a great first day and it was good to meet everyone officially. We’re looking forward to getting going again.

“With new members of staff I think first and foremost you have to make an impression.

“It’s means a clean slate for everyone, regardless of what players have done before, whether it be an experienced member of the squad or a new kid coming through, everyone will have an equal opportunity.

“None of us set out at the start of the season to be mediocre and I think the things Paul and Chris are talking about implementing should push us in the right direction.

“No stone will be left unturned and we’re looking forward to really having a go and seeing where it can take us.”

Photo: TWTD

cat added 19:39 - Jun 25 There's no doubt Chambo will be nailed on to start, with the proper bloke image and blood and guts approach, that's probably warranted imo, but that's not the issue here. Looking forward to seeing how he adpts to a more progressive and possession based approach, cause I personally don't think he's up to it. Would have liked to see the likes of Chambers and Skuse follow the beleaguered Dino out of the door and had a proper fresh start. Llet's not forget here, they have formed part of the spine and were an integral part of what's probably been the worse footballing team to ‘grace' (lol) the PR turf, EVER!!! Just saying😂

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TheSelkirk added 20:16 - Jun 25 Exactly the opposite of what I've just read above and from Paul Hurst. No-one is guaranteed a spot in the team!
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muccletonjoe added 20:18 - Jun 25 Much to be said for a fresh start and a new line up . Why anyone would be against that is difficult to understand.
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jas0999 added 20:24 - Jun 25 I'm afraid I'm also not convinced Chambers or indeed Skuse are nailed on starters. Both were under the previous manager, but Hurst will want to put his own stamp on the team. Both may be in the starting 11 on 4 August, but I certainly wouldn't say it's nailed on.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 20:59 - Jun 25 No one is nailed on yet. Chambo is a blood and guts defender and I too would question if he can play a more possession based game. Skuse migjt addapt, I feel like we did get a glimpse of what he can do in the last a couple of games and maybe with the shackles off.....? Interesting seeing Rio Ferdinand talking about England . Under a Hoddle a possession based game and encouragement to step into the MF, Hoddle has a breakdown in comes Sven who says my CBS don't play out from the back and as Rio says.... if you want to play you do as told. I wonder if MM had Skuse shackled to the back 4 but with a bit more freedom he might show us more....

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runningout added 21:00 - Jun 25 can't be sentimental when change is a must
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cat added 21:39 - Jun 25 Just to clarify my post fellas, my nailed on comment was regarding the start of the campaign, not the full season. Ive brought into PH fresh approach as I said on another page earlier. 👍
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ArnieM added 21:52 - Jun 25 Despite the much acclaimed players support of Mick McCarthy, I can't help but feel there is a collective sigh of relief in the camp that a truly new era is about to begin, and the players sound truly excited to get on with putting this Club back where we belong . The Premier League. It will be interesting won't it, to see how the players whose games were stiffled / ruined? by MM's archaic approach to the game, prosper / change under the new attack minded , high tempo game that Hurst will demand. I think we are going to see a totally different ITFC animal this season and like the players I think there is genuine excitement / expectation amongst the fans. Thus Club is finally uniting with its fan base again. COYfB's !!!!

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warktheline added 22:05 - Jun 25 @cat, agree, would have preferred Chambers to have quickly followed McCarthy out of Suffolk! Time will tell, but presently, I'm 'encouraged' by Hurst's 'clean slate' approach! I'm sure the managers 'directness' will soon upset that 'long time settled apple cart'!
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Bildestoned added 22:49 - Jun 25 FFS guys, these are professional footballers we're talking about here. Some of you go on as if one or two of our players have just stepped off Chantry Park. Let's just wait and see shall we? Me? I think Skuse is a highly under-appreciated Town player and I'm gonna suggest that some previously underwhelming players will prove to be revelations this season. I can still recall Micky Stockwell's exploits as a makeshift striker all those years ago. Please give OUR players a chance.

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TBT added 05:49 - Jun 26 Spot on Bildestoned, In my mind Skuse was often made to look ordinary because of the defensively minded people Mick partnered him with. He was class in the last few games and hopefully he will pick up in the same manner. A statistical leader in all divisions for interceptions, Skuse can be a strong asset to our midfield as long as we only have one holding midfielder!!
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rfretwell added 08:43 - Jun 26 From the clips I've seen Chalobah is going to put alot of pressure on Scuse for that defensive midfield role. He gets in great blocks and can ping 50 yard passes to the forwards.
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PortmanTerrorist added 09:30 - Jun 26 Fair comment BlueandTruesince82. Had Skuse down as part of the problem until (esp) our last home game where he looked the complete midfielder. I still cannot fathom why MM or any manager would not have wanted to exploit that, and maybe PH will. If not then we have options even without additions. For me it is really about finding a formation that works and a first 11 capable of passing the football and progressing up the field with some quality. HOWEVER, never forget that even in Sir Bobby's day we always had big, tough, ungraceful tacklers and ball winners. You need that balance and maybe Chambers is as close to that as we have got, and maybe necessary for balance alone.

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MoscowBlueMule added 10:35 - Jun 26 i do think a lot of you are far too hard on Skuse, Knudsen and Chambo. Yes, all nailded on starters for MM and all left blood on the picth for their manager. But that does not make them bad pro's and sure will give their all for PH. Chambo has been a great captain, when the chips were down, he did truly lead. At CB he's more than able to hold his own in this league Skuse has other have mentioned is a star when it come to breaking up opposition attacks and yes, he does have a forward pass, just wasn't allowed under MM Kundsen is an international at a WC! He can hardly be called useless. Lets play 15-20 games under the new leadership and then start making opinions. I'm 110% behind the boys, and looking forward to those fist-pumps after cracking entertaining wins!

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ArnieM added 11:48 - Jun 26 Knudsen is a good squad player for Denmark and I feel for us going forward. He's not a very good LB but he can play left of a 3man CB pairing. . I wouldn't be surprised to see Hurst bring in another left back at some point if Kenlock can't make that position his own. I prefer him to Knudsen at LB as things stand .
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Hegansheroes added 12:34 - Jun 26 Cat, couldn't agree with you more, I thought Chambers might have been offered a free transfer, he was a McCarthy player through & through. Exponent of hoof ball. Even Hoig referred to his passing ability recently. Would like to see Hurst make a clean sweep of things. Somehow I can't see Chambers or Skuse being automatic fixtures in the team. I would like us to be as far away as possible from the MM way of playing and that would mean those two don't play.

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SheptonMalletBlue added 13:17 - Jun 26 Spot on Cat. Fresh start needed, Chambers has been poor for a couple of seasons now time to move on. All that fist pumping as well, you never saw Millsy acting that way!!!!!!!
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Southamptonblue added 14:45 - Jun 26 To all you people wanting a clear-out of players: Bear in mind that you don't always get a good price for a player when you're trying to get rid of them, so decent replacements will cost more than we get.
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cat added 17:55 - Jun 26 Thanks for your support guys. We are in a period when any post with a negative content will get seriously lynched, which I completely get, and in all honesty was totally expecting. Last time I posted a anti Chambo post I got an impressive minus 20 odd so you can say my latest post was a step in the right direction. SheptonMalletBlue- Chambo fist pump is nothing more than a attention seeking opportunity to show off that ‘full sleeve' (yawn) Be seeing you. 👌

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therein61 added 18:35 - Jun 26 While Chambers(along with Skuse) enjoyed a game every time they were fit in the past this will now come to an end and rightly so they are not the future on the park!! while Chambers maybe a good motivator his own performances have let him down he has been carried by willing runners covering up for him, same for Skuse if he does get over the half way line he cannot get back quick enough if an attack breaks down(usually due to a poor pass from himself) but he will stand from distance pointing the finger at other players all the time, so come in no/ 4 and 8 your time is up!!

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TimmyH added 21:40 - Jun 26 Saying the same thing as Skuse...but will Chambers and Skuse be the bosses favourites as per years gone by under McCarthy? - I doubt it, times are a changin'
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Talbs77 added 21:50 - Jun 26 I think some of comments on Chambers is a tad harsh. He's not Alan Hanson but don't underestimate his leadership and defending we will still need people to put head in where it hurts. Do agree though that the days of McCarthy favourites may be over and so it should be everyone should have to fight for their place.
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