Town boss Paul Cook has given his strongest hint yet that he is set to switch from his preferred 4-2-3-1 system to a formation featuring two up front.

Cook has said on a number of occasions that he has been considering pairing James Norwood and Kayden Jackson as a front two despite having utilised 4-2-3-1 throughout his management career and his successes at Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan.

“I wanted continuity and I wanted to pick the same team and wanted partnerships to develop,” he said.

“I wanted consistency in formations — I just can’t get it. And I’m not fighting it any more. I’m not fighting it.

“I’ve let that fight be won by what I can’t win. My new fight now is to get results and win games on a short-term basis. That’s my new fight.

“That’s my clear agenda for Bristol Rovers tomorrow and then we look at Rochdale the next one. But we’ve got to win some games to get this club into the play-offs, we have to.”

Asked whether he is tempted to move to using Jackson and Norwood as a front two, Cook added: “Yeah, why not? One things for sure I won't get to the end of the season playing 4-2-3-1 in a team that doesn't function playing that way.

“That's not going to happen for our supporters. I think our supporters would be grossly disappointed with me if they thought I was going to continue doing that. So the brutal reality is watch this space.”

He continued: “My job is to find a way. My job is not to sit and wait and watch and hope. My job is to find a way. I've been working with these lads for a month now.

“In four weeks, I've learned a lot about them and they've probably learnt a lot about me and the demands, and what going forward we can demand.

“But the one thing that all Ipswich Town fans demand is that we turn up and that we try our best to win that game of football.

“What the formations look like will remain to be seen. I'm not going to sit in front of everyone and say ‘this is my philosophy and this is my identity’. My identity is winning and that's the greatest identity any manager or coach can have.”

The week prior to the trip to Wigan was the first without a Tuesday fixture since Cook took charge and he had planned double training sessions for the first three days of the week, however, he subsequently said that the squad wasn’t able to train with the intensity he was hoping for.

There has again been no midweek fixture again this week, so was the plan to do much the same over the last few days?

“Again, you're just on a learning curve like everyone,” Cook reflected. “The reality is our supporters wanting to know so much, I get it.

“You know, as you learn it can change your own plan as you go along, can't it? My plan was a very set rigid one.

“Last week informed me a lot about the club and what goes on within the club. The plan this week has been different, but the outcome of the plan is winning on Friday. So we're just going to try and go about it, possibly in a different manner.”

Asked whether it’s been frustrating watching recent games, Cook laughed: “No! It’s tough lads because I watch all the manager interviews after games, I watch the big managers, the senior managers, you look at [England U21s boss] Aidy Boothroyd last night [as they conceded an injury time goal to Croatia to knock them out of the Euros], imagine the pain Aidy’s going through today, being in that winning position and it’s taken away from you.

“And I listen to what managers say and my biggest overriding thing in all my career, these players play for me, they play for the club, they represent us all and sometimes we’ve very quick to give them criticism.

“That’s not my style, that’s just not my style. My style is to make these lads believe that we can achieve something this year at Ipswich Town Football Club that could go in memories.

“We’ve got do that first and foremost, so there’ll be no negativity from me in any shape or form.

“Our fans will crave different formations, different stuff and I’m about to deliver that for them. And like them I’ll be sitting watching, hoping, praying that we get it right.”

Photo: Matchday Images

billys_boots added 22:11 - Apr 1 I don't really see the problem, all we need is a couple of reliable CBs, full/wing backs who can tackle and go forward, CMs who can defend and attack (that's the point of midfielders), wingers who can cross and strikers who can score. So my team would be.. um .. er ..
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:23 - Apr 1 robbie12345, he probably is desperate ,the shower of sh#t that is our squad could kill his reputation , or at least severely dent it .
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Pezzer added 22:49 - Apr 1 Dobra and Edwards could play wide with two up front.
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oldblue added 07:22 - Apr 2 Parrot in CM in a 442..he has presence a good touch is competitive and could score goals coming late.....
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:30 - Apr 2 Well, this would be a different approach to 4-4-2: Holy Wolf, Chambers Wilson Kenlock [assuming K V-Y not available] Dobra, McG, Dozzel, Edwards [assuming the Edwards Jekyll version turns up and not the Mr Hyde version] Norwood, Hawkins [ I agree.]
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:31 - Apr 2 *[not likely, I agree]
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Chocorange added 08:37 - Apr 2 Steve ItFc Mcg isn't allowed to play for us any more this season cos of the loan and EFL rules
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ArnieM added 09:19 - Apr 2 Hello winner ( Paul Cook), and cheerio 👋 losers ( aka the squad)!
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Linkboy13 added 09:36 - Apr 2 These formations look very good on paper, but it doesn't excuse the fact that the players aren't going enough doesn't matter what formation you play. You can't play Dozzell, Bishop and Judge in midfield they are just too lightweight,who's going to win the ball . I'll be very surprised if any of them will be in the team on a regular basis next season apart from Judge who at least puts in a reasonable amount of effort.

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Marinersnose added 11:02 - Apr 2 Please don't play Jackson up top. This boy has proven that he's not good enough. Yes he's quick but that's it. He can run but can't take the ball with him. I'd rather see Drinan up there with Norwood as he's a very good foil albeit not a goal threat but who is ?
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Razor added 11:15 - Apr 2 At least this guy is not dogmatic in his approach and is prepred to change things to get results. I also loved the way he mentioned the supporters so much as if we actually do mean something------two wins over the week-end and we will be right back in it COYB!!
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ThaiBlue added 11:27 - Apr 2 Just get on with getting 3points to much talk at this club and no action.
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gippeswyk added 11:30 - Apr 2 KVY is key to the ability to play 2 up front. We've not been the same team without him. If he stays fit we just might be able to be in the mix come the end of the season. PCs comments sounds like the chance saloon. He can't get results with the formation he prefers so he knows he has to change it and hope for a miracle.
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Linkboy13 added 11:45 - Apr 2 Fans have very short memories Jackson last season eleven goals and six assists and every game he scored in we won the game. I'm not saying he's any good but there's far worse in our squad just depends who your favourite player is. I don't suffer from favourite player syndrome haven't done for years.
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Ebantiass added 12:57 - Apr 2 My guess it will be 352 with wing backs getting forward but delighted with poosily two up front. I really rate this guy and have not felt this positive about a new manager since Royle.
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