Boss Kieran McKenna says Town are continuing to work hard on adding the the four players signed this summer.

The Blues have added midfielder Jack Taylor, keeper Cieran Slicker, returning former loan striker George Hirst and on-loan forward Omari Hutchinson with CEO Mark Ashton saying last week that he expected another two or three new recruits before the end of the window.

Asked whether he would have hoped to have made more additions by this point, McKenna said: “I think you can always want but we deal in reality. As I’ve said all along, we’re working hard to improve the squad.

“We’re happy with what we have brought in, I’m happy with what we have in the building, we have a good, well-balanced squad of hungry players, who are eager to make the step up and I’m sure everyone going onto the pitch is going to know their job and do it to the best of their ability. And that goes a long way.

“But at the same time, we want to add quality to the squad and we’ll try and do that over the next few weeks, but it has to be the right players for the group for now and the right players for the club not just for the short term but also for the medium and the long.

“We want to improve in a sustainable way, we want to make good decisions for the future of the club and we’ll look to keep working to that criteria and hopefully that will result in some more good players coming in to improve the group and improve the team.

“But again, I’m really happy with the mentality and the depth and the quality that we have in the squad here as well.”

Town had probably their best ever January window bringing in free agent midfielder Massimo Luongo, Harry Clarke from Arsenal, Nathan Broadhead from Everton and Hirst the first time on loan from Leicester.

Given the strong business they did in that window, did that take some pressure off coming into the summer?

“I don’t think pressure’s the right word, to be honest,” McKenna reflected. “I think in modern football, if you’re signing off of pressure, you’re going to make a lot of bad decisions because everybody always wants new signings, there’s always a clamour at every club in the world for new signings, for new players; new players are always better than the players that you’ve got when they haven’t stepped on the pitch yet.

“You can’t look at it from a pressure point of view, you have to be calm enough and clear enough to make decisions for the good of the football club off of the plan that you’re trying to work to.

“We signed good players in January, of course, the four boys who came in all did very well and it’s great to have kept that group together this season and have those players still here ready to go and attack next season, but that didn’t affect our plan in the summer to still try and improve the squad further, and that plan’s still the same.

“Of course, the business we did in January improved the team and when you improve the team, it makes it harder to sign players to improve the team because we have better players in the team, so that reduces the pool of players who can come in and improve that team again. But that’s still something that we’re looking to do.

“I’m working hard on that, of course, Mark and the club are working very hard on that but we can’t lose sight of what we have in the building and what we have in the group and a large chunk of the focus still needs to be improving those players, improving that team.

“And for the supporters, supporting those players, getting behind those players and backing them going into a really big season and giving them all the support we need in the good days and also in the bad days, if and when we have them.”

Meanwhile, we understand there is nothing in reports linking the Blues with a move for young Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe.

Photo: TWTD

earlsgreenblue added 16:45 - Aug 4 As normal speaking total logic & such a revelation to hear.
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johnwarksshorts added 17:05 - Aug 4 Everything's going to be fine.
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FrimleyBlue added 17:05 - Aug 4 Basically the clubs skint now due to ffp and we need to work with what we've got as we can't compete with other champ clubs for players who actually cost money.
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churchmans added 17:18 - Aug 4 Can someone tell me the process here? Does KM identify players and present them to the ceo,recruitment team? Or is it a recruitment team/head of football/transfers that identify players and then recommend to KM how much say does KM get? I really don't know who identifies players?
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portadownblue added 17:20 - Aug 4 We would have been no pushover with the core of the squad from last season and what we have now is shaping up to be a team to be feared in the Championship. There will always be ins and outs but we were by no means desperate. There will always be another round in January if there are areas needing improvement. I do think we might need to loan in some quality cover for Walton if he's out for a few months though.

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SpiritOfJohn added 17:24 - Aug 4 Great comment from Kieran regarding new signings: "there’s always a clamour at every club in the world for new signings, for new players; new players are always better than the players that you’ve got when they haven’t stepped on the pitch yet." The reality is there aren't that many players we can afford who will improve on what we already have, so it is up to the coaches to improve the players we already have, which they have been successfully doing since KM arrived.

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Suffolkboy added 17:37 - Aug 4 FB it seems improbable you’ve got a clear picture of what is possible , how we are placed under FFP AND I recall indications our owners were prepared to increase the capital base — if necessary . All comments and reports from KM and MA point to our ability to both pay for and introduce new talent into the ITFC squad — and that has always been the plan ! S o J , it appears we CAN recruit to better both for this season and the future ; I’d quite simply put my trust in what our Management Team are telling us ,and BELIEVE ! COYB

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ArnieM added 17:39 - Aug 4 ….”we’re Working hard to add to the squad”…. says to me were missing our original targets ….
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Churchman added 17:41 - Aug 4 The process for transfers has been explained several times. If the poster thinks or knows otherwise, I suggest a visit to the fans forum and call Ashton out. As for ‘basically the clubs skint now due to ffp’, what is the evidence? The numbers - what are they? Or is that just a guess based on us not signing ten new players? McKenna was crystal clear - if you are saying he’s telling lies, again call him out. I sense unnecessary panic from some.

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Stato added 17:54 - Aug 4 If the Jan window was anything to go by we should just be patient and let Ashton do his thing. He hasn't let us down yet
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micky_1560 added 18:17 - Aug 4 As has been explained numerous times, NOBODY comes into the club that McKenna doesn't feel is right or he doesn't want. He draws up a list, the recruitment team do due diligence and once a player is deemed right for the club, not just short term, but long term, then negotiations begin. Yes, sometimes first targets don't get signed for various reasons, but it still ends up with the right player for McKenna and right player for the club.

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Pettabelieveit added 18:48 - Aug 4 Nothing but logic from the manager. May we all enjoy his tenure for as long as possible!
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blues1 added 19:20 - Aug 4 Arniem. How do you work that out? Just more likely tge case that thd players we want are not being easy to sign. Not that any of us actually know who itcis we are after. Depends if you believe tgexrumours or not I guess. But for instance, if indeed Rak Sakyi is one of those wexwant, we're having to wait until palace decide whether he can come or not. So it's much more likely thats the situation with those we're after. Simply waiting for clubs to let them go.

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blues1 added 19:29 - Aug 4 FrimleyBlue. Oh my god. We're skint? Really? You are aware of how much money the club has, arent you? Clearly not, judging by that statement. And the ffp isn't a problem for us. Ashton has already stayed that when the accounts are announced next April, that our net spend on transfers will be zero. So we've got plenty of leeway on that. And remember, it's a different ffp in the championship to that in lge1. Based on incoming and outgoing, not on wages.

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FrimleyBlue added 19:33 - Aug 4 Blues1. We need player trading to afford certain levels of player in this league. Which you see from the other clubs selling for millions buying for millions. We've dipped into sub 2 mill markets as we have barely any trading going on. A competitive season may see us getting some good offers for some of our players which will then bring in new higher quality players but at fees higher than what we can afford at the moment.

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Karlosfandangal added 19:47 - Aug 4 Just hope the fans don’t get on the players back when they are not winning week in week out. It will be a hard season however Town are looking in good shape the 3 coming down from the Prem will be favs to be up the top of the table
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BeattiesBackPocket added 20:05 - Aug 4 Frimleyblue you’ve had a nightmare with that comment maybe go back to bed
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BeattiesBackPocket added 20:17 - Aug 4 Frimleyblue where are your facts coming from?? We’ve got owners who are happy to invest and have done especially behind the scenes after many years of neglect under Evans, sold out of season tickets and will probably be sold out every home game, we’ve sold 9000 plus shirts in July and home tops doesn’t include away, we had higher gates than most championship teams last season in league one so why do you think we wouldn’t compete with the rest now?? Noones spent big even leeds have sold a load of players. I’m happy that Ashton and McKenna won’t pay over the odds for someone if they’re not worth it and also happy with who we’ve brought in especially Hutchinson and Taylor who are championship quality and so is a lot of our squad. Also let’s not forget guys we may have the lad from palace and one or two premier league sides who won’t sell until nearer when they need to announce their squads for the season.

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FrimleyBlue added 20:20 - Aug 4 Investment doesn't mean anything unless you're looking to ignore ffp. For us to afford higher fees we need income via player trading. It's just how it works. It's shown by the levels of £ spent by clubs who've sold v clubs who haven't generated funds through sales.
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blueboy1981 added 22:46 - Aug 4 Sheff’ Wed had a rude awakening tonight v Southampton - 20 / 80% and 8 / 23 Shots - needless to say they lost at Home. Tough, tough season ahead … !! We needed 2 or 3 more signings - and less likely now for ITFC to get them !
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Len_Brennan added 00:32 - Aug 5 I think ArnieM is probably right, in that we've likely missed out on some targets, particularly defensive ones. Yes the market has been somewhat stop/start, & ridiculous fees paid at the upper end is affecting the cost of decent Championship quality players, but even still we have been surprisingly inactive over the summer, which most people will admit to themselves, even if they don't say it on here. We secured a permanent deal for Hirst & managed to finally land a longterm target in Taylor, both good signings that I am pleased to have on board; but while they have both played games in the Championship before, neither have proven themselves at this level ... yet. Hutchinson is an exciting young attacking player who will get us off our seats, while putting opposition defenders on the floor, thanks to his silky play, but again he is unproven at this level & has Edwards-like question marks over his final ball/finishing. He will certainly ask questions of tired defenders when he is sprung from the bench, but he is not 'big name' premier league level signing that we were expecting to see coming in, when we talked about what McKenna & Ashton were going to do following promotion. Defensively we are looking fairly weak if we are honest, and the long term injury to Walton adds to the problem. Thankfully the club had the foresight to bring in a strong 3rd choice option in Slicker. However, Edmondson has not been the same since injury a year ago & despire a heroic season just gone, we have to acknowledge that this is a big step up for Burgess, a player that can get turned against better players with pace. He'll be a lot busier with those types of players this time around. One new centre half with Championship experience, at least, is required; Matt Clarke's injury makes that even more urgent, anotwithstanding Dom Ball's flexibility. Yes the transfer window remain open for another 4 weeks, but the Championship has already begun now, and we are playing tomorrow. It is inconceivable that McKenna, Ashton & co have not pushed to bring in a centre half target before this weekend - they pride themselves on getting their work done early - and it seems likely that 2 who moved this week were indeed on our list; Auston Trusty & Luke McNally are exactly the profile of ball playing centre backs that McKenna would like, but Sheffield Utd & Stoke will now benefit from their talents. Hard to compete with a £5m bid from a Premier League side & who knows what Stoke offered for the loan, but we may have put a lot of time & effort into potentials deals, that came to nothing, similar to last season's pursuit of Hirst which ultimately ended with the late arrival of Ahadme. I hope we manage to bring in Cathcart at the very least. Now I'm sure the usual suspects will respond to this post with namecalling & suggest I'm moaning or not a true fan etc, but of course none of that is true. I am merely assessing where we are after the summer break & recognising the reality (at this point) against all the expectant talk of 'well we signed Championship players for League 1, so we'll sign Premier League players for the Championship' from just a couple of months ago. I still think we have a very good side, who were Championship ready last season & will be even better for knowing what that manager wants & how their teammates play; having that familiarity will help in getting off to a strong, confident start. I'm just a little less bullish about us pushing for a top 6 finish, than I was a month ago.

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Len_Brennan added 00:39 - Aug 5 *Harry Clarke of course. (I wonder would Matt fancy a loan move back to Suffolk though!)
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PhuketPete added 05:11 - Aug 5 As has been said we were already Champs-ready last season and Omari and Jack improve that. We’re also injury free except for CW but Vas is more than capable in goal and has had a full pre season to get ready. So our net position is we’re already stronger than last season despite what some say about the window so far. If now we get one or two more - great. Agree defence possibly needs a bit more experience, speed to cover if not for starters. Time to relax and let the players show what they can. Come what may, Sunday won’t define the season.

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PhuketPete added 05:11 - Aug 5 As has been said we were already Champs-ready last season and Omari and Jack improve that. We’re also injury free except for CW but Vas is more than capable in goal and has had a full pre season to get ready. So our net position is we’re already stronger than last season despite what some say about the window so far. If now we get one or two more - great. Agree defence possibly needs a bit more experience, speed to cover if not for starters. Time to relax and let the players show what they can. Come what may, Sunday won’t define the season.

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Dissboyitfc added 08:11 - Aug 5 Well whatever the reason is for struggling to sign players, it's not the same as in the Evans days, waiting to see who was left over and nobody else wanted! These days we are very precise and methodical in our approach to recruitment! Hirst for instance was a particulary drawn out affair, but worth it in the end! I suspect a couple of reasons could be that clubs know we have money and asking over the odds for players and we are waiting to hear who the premier league teams are naming in their squads! Patience is key, have faith!

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