A VitalWatford-tinted look at the Tractor Boys ahead of August 6…
A VitalWatford-tinted look at the Tractor Boys ahead of August 6…
Gaffer: Paul Jewell, who having taken over from the sacked Roy Keane last season enters his first full campaign in Suffolk.
Made his name in getting teams out of the second-tier, it’s very much in the Town thinking that the Scouser will deliver something similar this season.
Position 10/11: After the up-and-down nature of Keane’s tenure at the club, a solid 13th place.
In: Michael Chopra (Cardiff City, £1.5m), Ivar Ingimarsson (Free Transfer), Nathan Ellington (Free Transfer), Aaron Cresswell (Tranmere Rovers, Tribunal) and Lee Bowyer (Free Transfer).
Out: Conor Wickham (Sunderland £8.1m), Gareth McAuley (Free Transfer) and David Norris (Free Transfer).
Star Man: Michael Chopra is a striker with pedigree for scoring Championship goals and although last season was a frustrating one for the former Newcastle and Sunderland man, he will be looking to prove himself at Portman Road.
Eighty-seven goals in 200 league starts and the £9m spent trading him over the years suggests a goalscorer, and arguably in his pomp at 27.
Best Business: Selling striker Conor Wickham for £8m (rising to £12m), is an excellent fee.
Of course, Sunderland are buying potential but at 18 there’s nothing to say he will fulfill that. Thirteen goals in 65 Tractor Boys appearances wasn’t spectacular; that kind of money is.
Prediction: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is a set to sign today and you get the feeling Jewell isn’t done there. A tidy squad is in construction, I expect Town to finish in the top six.
Not sure i am convinced about Jewell, he has failed at more clubs than he has succeeded and I don’t expect him to be there at the end of the season.
Really? He’s obviously failed at Derby and Bradford to name two but I think the job he did with Wigan shows he has something.
Vital Ipswich editor here – good preview, and nice to note that folks think we might be on for a top-six finish! A little surprised though with the comment about Jewell not lasting till next summer. Against the usual trend in modern day football, Town have a good record of giving managers time; Keane was widely viewed as a failure yet was still given 20 months before being shown the door, so it is hard to believe that PJ will not be shown the same courtesy.
I always think of Ipswich as being a club that give their managers time to succeed even in the face of adversity. With that in mind I tend to agree with you.
Sheff Wednesday, he had time and money and brought wigan from the the lower tiers, so less pressure. I’d expect with the backing he has received, the owners will want to see a return and you can’t blame then, friends of mine who are season ticket holders at Ipswich suggest he won’t last the year!
I’ll have to get a 3rd job to pay for my Ipswich ticket this season.. Well at least there’s a great chance of seeing a Watford win… AGAIN..