Blues boss Paul Cook says he’ll be looking to recruit a small squad he can trust ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and is looking forward to incoming CEO Mark Ashton joining the club from Bristol City on June 1st.

Quizzed on whether he had an ideal number in mind when it comes to assembling his squad over the close season, Cook joked: “Forty-five! I want my new owners to think that I've got to bring 45 in.

“No, if you look historically back at my teams, I only ever work with small squads, and the reason I work with small squads is because I trust the players.

“At the minute at our football club, including Ipswich Town fans, they don't trust me, they've heard me speak a lot, but they haven't seen me win a lot. It's a knock-on effect.

“Our players don't trust me. I haven't given them new contracts and I haven't looked after anyone in the dressing room, so why would they trust Paul Cook?

“I look at our results and I don't particularly trust them and that's where we've all got to be a little bit clever, cute and respectful of each other. Over a period of time, this club will be successful without a shadow of a doubt.”

Asked when he’ll find out what budget he’ll be working with, when he’ll talk to chairman Mike O’Leary about those matters, Cook said: “As you know, the Mark Ashton situation over at Bristol City. Mark has been an amazing servant over a period of time over there. He's galvanised Bristol City with training facilities, stadium infrastructure, club infrastructure.

“I spoke about Bristol City well before Mark Ashton was coming over here as a club that I've always looked at and wanted to emulate when I was at Wigan.

“You know that infrastructure and going into the stadium on a matchday can only be supported when your team's good. All the infrastructure in the world can be great, but if your team is not very good, it doesn't mean a carrot.

“So I can't wait for Mark to be coming across to be able to sit down with him, to go through the plans properly about what he wants, what I want - can we guide the club together with a lot of help from other people whoever they may be coming in?

“But again, guys, it's for tomorrow. And I'm sure Mark's going through a difficult period over there because Bristol City has been the only thing in his life for a period of time, and that can be tough for everyone.”

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

bluesteal74 added 11:18 - Apr 23 I trust you Paul I just really hope I'm proved right like I think I will this time next season. COYB.. Your gotta have hope...🙏
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Europablue added 12:06 - Apr 23 The only way we are ever going to be successful is to back the manager. Obviously you need to pick the right man, and I still have faith that Cook is the man to do it. He is spot on with the trust issue. It's a total disaster of mismanagement to have so many players with contracts ending at the same time, but it's also an opportunity for renewal. I don't really care about the results for the rest of the season, I'm just expecting some green shoots to show at the start of the season. I'm not especially expecting us to be making a promotion push in the first few matches of the season, but we should be showing that the players are playing for the manager and the fans.

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Bleu added 12:38 - Apr 23 Hi Paul here's your P45
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Help added 19:09 - Apr 23 PC is already planning for next season and we are all going through the motions for the next 4 games. We will lose them all and not score a single goal, but we expect that and as soon as the season has ended and the rebuild can start. It is just going to be a bigger rebuild than the hoped. But if PC can get his own men in who are as committed to him and as he is we will see progress. Next season will be a better season to paraphrase Sir Tom Moore

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Suffolkboy added 19:37 - Apr 23 Looks as if he really doesn't give a hoot about anyone , or wants to convey that impression ; if he hasn't ‘looked after anyone ‘,and admits his players don't trust him then that truly explains a very great deal ! As a player I'd be totally p'd off with a ‘distrustful ‘ boss who admits this characteristic ; he may want to be his own man , he will jolly well need to be after such comments and very odd behaviours on the pitch !! If he doesn't come out smelling of roses ,he too might well find his services not required ! I hope I'm wrong ! COYB

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Juggsy added 20:45 - Apr 23 The situation is not his making suffolkboy - how's he meant to earn their trust, offer them new contracts? They all know the writing is on the wall and have given up and there's nothing that can be done to reverse it. Even if there was I'd question whether they would have the fitness, ability or pride to turn it around anyway. Judging Cook at this time in his role is massively unfair.

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Ebantiass added 10:14 - Apr 24 100% agree with Cooks view. For far too long players have coasted and enjoyed good pay for minimal effort. Remember our young goalie that quit football partly because the complete apathy he saw amongst players after a defeat? The players have to trust him and the staff and want to die out there on the field for the club, their teammates and themselves. This season i really dont can what happens just that there are some signs of growth and desire for the future. Poor sod Cook has to get 7/8 out at least and a good handful in. Thats not going to be easy. BLUEARMY FOREVER

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