New Blues boss Paul Hurst admits he’s been “surprised by one or two things” since taking over at Portman Road, which he believes are “nowhere near good enough” for him and his staff. The Town manager says the sale of central defender Adam Webster - who he doesn’t expect to be the last departure during this window - has allowed him to put his mark on a squad which he believes needs freshening up.

Hurst hadn’t anticipated Webster’s departure for Bristol City late last month, in a deal worth an initial £3.5 million, but confirmed that he had the final say in whether the move went ahead.

“Yes I did,” he said speaking after Saturday’s 2-0 friendly defeat at Braintree. “I wouldn’t have taken the job on if I felt that I wasn’t going to be making the decisions.

“I probably did expect to have him here. I wouldn’t have expected the interest coming so early.

“But overall I was more than happy to agree to that sale and to try and use that money to strengthen the squad overall.”

He says the Webster cash allows him the freedom to tweak the Town squad more than might otherwise have been the case.

“Yes, and I think it’s needed,” he added. “And again, I think I’m still very conscious and people might say I don’t need to keep saying it, but this isn’t a criticism of anything before me, this is about me wanting to put my stamp on it.

“And maybe we want to play a little bit of a different way, but I guarantee it wouldn’t matter who is manager, it all comes down to you wanting to win games of football.

“I think that the group needs probably some help, it needs freshening up and I’m sure there’ll be some more casualties as we move forward because, for me, people talk about standards and what they expect.

“We’ve been surprised by one or two things, shall we say, that are nowhere near good enough for us and we want to get people in that we feel are and can do the jobs and the roles that we would expect.”

Explaining what he means further, he added: “I’ve been told that some people are good players, that some people are very promising and I’d have to disagree on some of them.

“I’m not going to name names. Fitness-wise I’ve said from the start, I expected that we wouldn’t be able to perform the pre-season that we would like to have had and certainly if I’d stayed at my previous club that we would have gone through.

“But in fairness, in general, the lads have worked very hard but we’ve had to cut it back slightly because I think we would have broken them and maybe [they would have] suffered injuries more than it would have benefited.

“We’ve had to be a little bit cautious on a couple of occasions but in general, if you asked them, I think they’d be surprised to hear that because they’ll say they’ve worked extremely hard.

“[We’ve taken the edge off it] slightly, not altogether, but slightly. But it’s new and they have shown a good attitude to that, I have to say.

“But ultimately you have to deliver when it’s game day and, like I said, yes, we’ll be fresher [once the season proper gets under way], but they’ve got to do a lot better than they [did at Braintree].”

Regarding new signing Jordan Roberts, who will face his old club Crawley in this evening’s friendly at East Grinstead, Hurst says he primarily views him as a winger rather than a striker, despite starting him up front at Cressing Road.

“No, that’s where we’re at at the minute. He has played there, we just thought we’d have a look at him,” he said.

“He gives us a little bit of pace up there at times. But I would have preferred to have played him wide really.

“We switched it just before the end with Freddie Sears going down the middle. I’ll have to look at that moving forward, whether we give it another look or put him back out wide where he was really brought in to play.

“But at the minute we haven’t got too many options, in all honesty. We’ll have to keep looking at what we have got and try and figure out the best way of people getting the minutes and hopefully playing in positions that we want them to.”

....Smile for the camera Gwion 📸#ITFC pic.twitter.com/kWb3NOO7JG– Blue Monday Podcast (@BlueMondayITFC) July 16, 2018

Meanwhile, Town look set to confirm the signing of Peterborough United winger Gwion Edwards at some point today.

The 25-year-old was spotted being photographed in a Blues shirt at Portman Road last night with the image subsequently circulating widely on social media. Club photocalls routinely take place before deals are finalised.

Former Wales U21 international Edwards will join Town for a fee of £700,000 which was agreed at the end of last week.

Photo: TWTD

The_Great_Cornholio added 10:27 - Jul 17 Thirsty Hursty is not amused!
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BrettenhamBlue added 10:49 - Jul 17 Good. Though it was only a pre-season friendly the performance was completely unacceptable. I'm right behind Hurst on this.
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oldelsworthyfan added 11:01 - Jul 17 It's good to read so many thoughtful and constructive comments. All last season, like many others, I was concerned at our poor defence, particularly in defending corners and free kicks, so am wondering what the Manager will do about Chambers? Is there any news of other clubs 'showing interest' in him? Is he the rock in our defence?
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RRanger added 11:05 - Jul 17 Hurst is a young, ambitious manager who has succeeded at every level he has coached/managed (not always immediately) but he has left every club in a much better position than when he arrived. I'm sure this is the style that has brought him and the clubs success. By all accounts, the teams he ended up with at his previous clubs developed a fantastic team spirit and those that didn't buy into his approach weren't around for that long. I'm convinced that he will succeed here although I'm not expecting the instant success he had at Shrewsbury. Mid table survival this season and a strong push for promotion next season would be fantastic and I hope this is what he's looking for.

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AbujaBlue added 11:16 - Jul 17 Like others I'm pleased to see a fresh approach being adopted by PH. The ground does need shaking and I won't be surprised if we finish in the bottom half of the table this season, but if that's what it takes then so be it. PH knows that ME is patient and won't rashly sack him after a few games and will let him get on with his overall plan. BlueandTruesince82 - Isn't it a bit unfair to already be scapegoating Jonas when isn't even back from his World Cup break yet? How can the Braintree performance have anything to do with him? If anything his work ethic will be to his advantage with the new manager.

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Lightningboy added 11:18 - Jul 17 Well I personally hope he's seen through how ineffective Cole Skuse is in influencing the game in an attacking capacity...great if your expectations are low and just want to see the ball knocked sideways & backwards for 90 minutes but not for me...would love to see him shipped off of the wage bill.
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Oldsmoker added 11:20 - Jul 17 Hurst "Surprised By One or Two Things" That Are "Nowhere Near Good Enough" Some perspective. It's one headline from one interview. They are some initial thoughts picked up and amplified by the media. This does not define him. Hurst and his assistants will more than likely be singing a different tune days before the Blackburn match. Settle down everyone. The die is cast - we've chosen our leader so let's follow him wherever that might lead.

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BlueParadigm added 11:26 - Jul 17 Like a number of posts on here (StokeHigh97; Dog;Suffolkboy and Lightingblue) I am disappointed in the way PH is going public with some of his frustrations. He undoubtedly has potential to be a good Manager at this level in terms of player acquisition; tactical set up and fitness development but you also need motivational and media management skills. All he needed to say to the media was “ I have inherited a good set up at ITFC but there is still lots of potential to improve in different areas. I will use my own judgement to assess the capability and potential of each player and not rely on past reputations”. Even if he doesn't believe this statement don't wash your dirty laundry in public.

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BrettenhamBlue added 11:40 - Jul 17 Oldelsworthyfan I'd agree with you on Chambers, he's been inconsistent for a long time and Hurst and Doig are all about consistency. I do believe we need to sign 2 more centre backs before the start of the season (Spence to me is a RB not a CB), which would allow us some manoeuvre for injuries/suspensions. It will be interesting to see who is moved on in the next few weeks.

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Pilgrimblue added 11:54 - Jul 17 I'm not sure we can expect anything different. Hurst is under the spotlight and has to say something. I'm expecting a few more to go such as MM fav's (possibly Chambo and Skuse) before Hurst is happy or at least got the squad working t his standards.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 12:07 - Jul 17 And the contenders for over reaction of the season are.........
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runningout added 12:19 - Jul 17 some of you sound surprised. Our club has gone a bit stale, and following them around the country hasn't been great. Nothing will stop me doing the same again and again though :-/
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Osbourne_One_Nil added 12:24 - Jul 17 Hmmm , trying to think back to a time when a new Ipswich Town manager came in , didn't like what he saw , challenged the dressing room culture and stamped his authority (sometimes literally) on the team , rings a bell... ( and no I don't mean the Dark Lord)
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BigHibbs added 12:47 - Jul 17 Totally prepared for this post to receive a world record in down arrows This bloke is unbelievably arrogant for someone who's achieved nothing in the championship. Of course as a fan I'll give him a lot longer before I judge his managerial ability. But imagine you were one of downes, nydam, Dozzell, cotter or someone? And he's saying about not rating one of you publicly ? He already blowing his own trumpet straight aftera 2-0 loss to a oub team. Also I'm all for selling players to get some money to buy your own players, but league 1 and 2 players alone won't cut the mustard Anyone wanna bet he's not here come November

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TonyHumesIpswich added 13:26 - Jul 17 what does he expect? We have lost most of our players and haven't got in the replacements yet. And by the way, getting rid of yet MORE players is not the way forward. Of course our attack sucks. Losing McGoldrick and Celina doesn't help. I like Sears but he's hardly full of goals is he and with Garner injured we are going to struggle big time. iMHO need to sign: Right-back to replace Iorfa & Connolly Left-back as back up for Knudsen (Kenlock is a no for me) Two central defenders Midfield general Winger One target striker One back-up/impact striker with some pace from the bench At least 8 players IMO to make is competitive this season.

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Foreverdon_Blue added 14:05 - Jul 17 It is fantastic to hear our manager actually taking pre season seriously and not being afraid to criticise his players if it is warranted. I think there are several players who have been very comfortable in the last few seasons under MM who are are to find the next few months difficult!
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afcfee added 14:36 - Jul 17 We need a CDM who can come take the ball of the CBS and get us up the park
2

Bert added 15:54 - Jul 17 There is a balance to be had between speaking out loud and keeping things private. I'm not sure PH has found that yet. He undoubtedly wants to connect with supporters but I fear he may make a rod for his own back if he makes public his early reservations.
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gosblue added 16:04 - Jul 17 Even back in my day we were expected to come back from close-season in reasonable shape but the same two guys always came back a bit overweight and out of condition. They were two of our best players and they always seemed to get away with it. That was until a new manager came in and made them train with the U18s until they were fit enough to train with us. Surprisingly, squad morale was boosted by this and we had a great season. I admire what PH is trying to do wth this squad

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Taricco_Fan added 16:16 - Jul 17 So good to read Hurst's comments. Things need a shake-up. There were too many players coasting along under the previous manager, some blatantly not good enough and perhaps fitness and attitude is being brought into question here. He hasn't named names but Hurst clearly has very high standards and this is a shot across the bow of the whole squad; step up or ship out. I expect a few to be moved on and rightfully so. The cosy cliques need to be broken and a new ethos instilled in the squad. In Hurst I trust.

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mib added 16:42 - Jul 17 Osbourne one nil, Absolutely spot on.
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cat added 17:16 - Jul 17 FFS give PH a chance and judge him on what happens on the pitch. If he wears his heart on his sleeve fair play to him, least us supporters are more in the loop. Glad to read the anti Chambo and Skuse bandwagon is gaining momentum, I've been saying for a year now that these 2 will hold us back, literally.
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Dog added 17:51 - Jul 17 Benters - just because I think PH has been a bit of an idiot on this occasion does not make me out to be a MM lover. I have posted several times before how the club needed change. I just don't think after one friendly and a few training sessions he can call players out like he has done. I can see some on here like what he has done but I just would not have done this after one friendly where a number of players only played 45 to 60 minutes. What happens if we get beaten tonight - does he do the same again or will he say the players are here to get fitter. I couldn't give a stuff if he thinks some are poor - just get on do your job quietly and effectively, replace those players and ship them out and then in a couple of weeks explain your actions - perhaps before the West Ham game. Glad to see ME has splashed some cash. Still got £4,000,000 in the kitty. Get the players in and fast.

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BlueBlood90 added 18:27 - Jul 17 Am I the only person very concerned with these comments? I'm not sure if it'll fire up the players or rub them up the wrong way. It's good that he's not going to settle for mediocre but it's sounding more like he wants a complete revamp of the squad rather than adding a couple of quality players to what we already have.
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warktheline added 18:45 - Jul 17 McCarthy was 'free wheeling' for at least two seasons, thus it's hardly surprising Hurst has 'inherited' multifaceted substandardness! Players, fitness, pitch, etc! The issue to debate here is management skills. Hurst to date has quickly stamped his 'mark' on proceedings, adding 'players' he believes will provide his 'end product'.Has he concluded some of the 'old guard' are so entrenched with 'McCarthyism' that he's 'rubber stamped' their exits? I can only assume so! At least, his intentions are 'positive', and at worst, 'naive'! If 'new horizons' are being followed by all, without exception, then only time will tell if Hurst's 'eye' for a player and tactical awareness, will prove fruitful! I've mentioned numerous times the likes of Chambers etc need to be moved on ASAP! Let's not forget McCarthy's 'history' with departed clubs....act now say I, before it's too late!!!!! Let's rid ourselves of McCarthy and his 'ghost'!!!!

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