Town boss Paul Cook says the Blues are signing players that might have appeared out of reach for a League One club having made 10 additions already this summer.

Conor Chaplin was the 10th man to arrive at Portman Road on Tuesday, dropping a division from Championship Barnsley, following George Edmundson, who signed from Rangers having previously been the subject of bids from Championship sides including Peterborough and Millwall.

Joe Pigott and Scott Fraser were also understood to have been eyed by Championship clubs.

Town’s first summer signing, Wes Burns, was set to join Coventry on a free transfer until his former club Fleetwood took up an option on his contract, something they hadn’t been expected to do as it raised his wage.

The requirement for a fee priced the Sky Blues out of the deal and Town eventually fought off competition from two more Championship sides, Millwall and Hull City, to land the wideman.

“I can’t thank the board and [CEO] Mark Ashton enough because we are signing players that some might have thought were out of our reach,” Cook told the club site.

“We’ve kept our recruitment standards high this summer and the last two signings, with George and Conor coming in, are further evidence of that.”

The Blues' recruitment drive is far from over with areas of the squad still in need ot strengthening.

Middlesbrough's Hayden Coulson is expected to join on loan, his move to the Blues having been delayed by the lack of left-sided options at Boro at present.

Another central midfielder and a fourth senior central defenders are priorities.

We understand the Blues were approached by representatives of former England man Phil Jagielka enquiring whether they had an interest in the 38-year-old.

However, the former Sheffield United and Everton man is not currently under consideration.

Jagielka has been training and playing for Derby in pre-season despite their transfer embargo with manager Wayne Rooney having said he is keen to sign him once he is able to do so.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Borough Council has given the go-ahead for a 100-bedroom Travelodge hotel close to the Blues’ Portman Road ground on the land currently used as a car park between Suffolk County Council’s Endeavour House and the now-closed Better Gym.

Photo: Matchday Images

Jollyblue added 22:52 - Jul 29 Maybe Ed Sheeran in the stands rather than cheque book…
0

doodah added 23:36 - Jul 29 "Massive cheque book" Really? Not classy, and frankly rather absurd. The squad on paper looks a definite improvement on last season and I have more faith in Cook than the previous managerial aberrations. However we've indulged in this over-optimistic hyperventilation too many times in previous pre-seasons only for it to descend rapidly into frustration and anger. The incomings look promising, but the best of them have been nothing more than fringe championship players to date. Let's not burden them with expectations they may struggle to fulfill, as that soon ends up with them being slagged off when they don't turn out to be the Messiah. Much better to be realistic in our expectations and then delighted when they exceed those expectations, rather than heap on unfair and damaging pressure.

2

bluesteel added 06:44 - Jul 30 Cook: We're Signing Players That Nobody's Ever Heard Of Or Ever Seen Play. how does that translate into immediate automatic promotion in league with at least half dozen other clubs with better squads?
2

GiveusaWave added 08:34 - Jul 30 Humility.
0

Monkey_Blue added 22:30 - Jul 30 We've got ed sheeran on our shirts and you lot trying to make up songs? 😂😂😂 c'mon Ed, write us a classic.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls