Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has adapted well to life in Suffolk

Money talks and the stats don’t lie but there is still time to silence Ipswich Town doubters

Friday, June 22, 2012
4:08 PM

PAUL Jewell knows he will never be able to sign every one of his top targets.

Town still an attractive proposition

IPSWICH Town remains an attractive place to play football.

The league table might currently suggest an average Championship side, but the facilities smack of the Premier League.

The training ground is one of the best in the league. And while Portman Road might not be the newest ground, it still ranks highly as a fine place to play football – occasionally to the detriment of Ipswich themselves, according to managers past and present.

On the pitch, Paul Jewell’s side has potential, at times last season looking more like a top-six team than the 15th they found themselves after the last ball had been kicked.

The likes of Michael Chopra, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Araon Cresswell suggest the team is heading in the right direction, even though a few more additions are crucial.

Then there is Paul Jewell, one of only a handful of managers to get promoted to the Premier League with different clubs. He has tough spells on his CV, but Jewell knows how to get out of the Championship.

That is a huge selling point for players, as the comments of Elliott Hewitt testify.

Thanks to Marcus Evans, the club is on a sound financial footing compared to many and Jewell’s assertion that “young and hungry” new additions are his way forward can only be welcomed – as seen by the reaction to the signing of Hewitt.

However frustrating the last few weeks have been, and the fact more clubs in the Championship are starting to flex their muscles, the summer transfer market still has two months left.

Right now, it is concerning but things can change very quickly. The right centre-back brought in, the right new keeper and suddenly the mood would be very different going into the new season.

Now it is up to Jewell, as well as Simon Clegg and Marcus Evans, to prove the doubters wrong and show that Portman Road is still a great place to play football.

But with 18-year-old Elliott Hewitt his only purchase thus far and rival clubs starting to bolster their ranks, some supporters have already become resigned to an underwhelming summer spree.

DAVE GOODERHAM looks at the reasons why Messrs Pearce, Ward and Kuszczak might have gone elsewhere.

Money talks

The Financial Fair Play rules might have seen Ipswich, among others, look to cut their cloth accordingly. But that doesn’t mean there is no money in the Championship. While Town are looking to reduce wage bills and make players’ earn their lucrative contracts, others are eyeing a financially-backed push for the Premier League. Jewell has spoken in the past of how he won’t be held to ransom when it comes to wages or transfer fees and that he doesn’t want players who appear to put money ahead of all else. Alongside that, the sheer wealth of Town’s reclusive owner Marcus Evans probably doesn’t help the impression that Ipswich are one of the league’s big-payers. A tricky obstacle when it comes to dealing with agents.

Location, location, location

Jewell enjoys Suffolk life and living in the county. But he is quick to admit that Ipswich is not the best location when it comes to scouting matches. Whether this radiates into players looking to decide where to sign is open to debate. Some will crave the quieter lifestyle Suffolk brings, Aaron Cresswell and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, right, are two who have proclaimed their love of the county. But the location, despite being just an hour from the capital, might put people off. Harsh, but sadly true.

Ambition and potential

Arguably the most worrying of all the potential reasons explaining why players turn their back on a move to Town – they see their chances of achieving Premier League football are better suited elsewhere. Take Tomasz Kuszczak for example. It would have depressed Blues fans to think that Brighton was a more attractive proposition – the Seagulls are highly unlikely to have been higher payers – but that is how the ex-Manchester United keeper viewed it. He said: “I have played Premier League football for eight years and I believe the structure is in place here to join them. The manager and coaching staff, the team, stadium, crowds, through to the plans for the new training ground, everything is geared up for playing at the highest level and I could sense that ambition to be a top club straight away. The way Brighton play is the future of football. I had other clubs who wanted to sign me but my heart told me that this was the right choice.”

Stats don’t lie

Some blue-tinted Town fans might see themselves as a Premier League club-in-waiting, but the stats tell a different story. Quite simply, Ipswich are currently the 15th best side in the second tier of English football. Throw in the fact at least two of the relegated teams are anticipating an instant Premier League return and that all of the League One new boys are targeting the top half, and it is set to be an even tougher Championship. Players will look at which team gives them their best chance of playing Premier League football, hence why Keith Andrews is said to be interested in a move to Bolton. Currently, Ipswich have a tough task offering those assurances.

Powers of persuasion

Jewell believes if he can get players to Suffolk and show them round the ground and training facilities, he has half a chance. With so many clubs sniffing around the same players, and less money being thrown at wages, the powers of persuasion have never been so important. Jewell needs to prove to targets that they will be paid well according to success and that success can be achieved at Portman Road. It is a tough task – one that might determine what 2012/13 has in store for Town fans.

24 comments

I could well be mistaken but ITFC never had a problem attracting players before ME took control. Bring back Joe Royle (or even Jim Royle for that matter) who did better than PJ on a fiver budget.

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FXT Canary

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tom - sounds like you're joining the doubters at last ?????? And a Dylan fan taboot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done

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Old Timer

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tom, for once you are so right, ITFC have faded even with ME's 'investment' !!!!!

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Brian Betts

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
As Dylan famously said, money doesn't talk, it swears. We are what we are, a fading championship club with no plan.

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Tom

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Until Jewell,Hutchings and Clegg have gone from this club there is no way this club will go forward. Jewell and Hutchings are the worst management team in the championship by a country mile, Clegg should have stuck to the olympics.

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michael

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
umm, unless your name is really Marcus Evans I think you may have your facts wrong. Without Evans or similar 'fairy godmother' we would now be playing Luton Town twice a season. Mat Mursell Afterall we pay the wages we own the club its our turn to have our say!!!!!!

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martyn elmy

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
yeah well maybe if we had enough support at the gate they may take a bit of notice it would certainly get their attention lets try it and see we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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Mat Mursell

Monday, June 25, 2012
Mat, good to hear at last a supporter who has some 'fire in his belly' but I truly believe that the 'three wise monkeys' would not care a damn. They are that thick skinned and believe in PJ they have a 'done it all before winner'. What would make them sit up and take notice would be if fans stayed away for a few matches but for this I will be called disloyal, whinger and worse. Unfortunately many fans believed what they were fed by Jewell and the ME publicity machine that there were targets which would be signed at the end of the season and so renewed their season tickets, my wife being one. 'Hoodwinked' is what they were !!!!!!!

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Brian Betts

Monday, June 25, 2012
PROTEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! About no additions, from what i can gather the best date is the second saturday in july at the main gate portman road around 10 am this will be a tame protest just to let the club know that the supporters will no longer be held to ransome by the club with its soft approach to transfers WE WANT OUR CLUB IN THE PREMIERSHIP AND NO LONGER WILL ACCEPT THE TAME APPROACH THAT THE OWNER AND THE BOARD ARE PRESENTING, they have no anbition. Afterall we pay the wages we own the club its our turn to have our say!!!!!!

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Mat Mursell

Monday, June 25, 2012
Conversation in the pub last Friday evening with a Derby County, a fan a Leicester City fan and myself. Topic forthcoming season ambitions and predictions Derby fan: would be happy with a top six finish Leicester fan: would be happy with the play offs but believes they have a realistic chance of automatic promotion My turn: would be happy with 10th place, no I really would be happy with 10 finish. Given we finished 15th last season and resolution of obvious weaknesses appears to be down to loan signings as we can’t seem to attract the players ‘Our Kid’ has identified. So look out for a number of ex journey men looking for a final bit of dosh before hanging up their boots. If Sonko is still at the club why not give him a play as you play deal? at least we would have some cover at centre back, he might even be a good keeper. Hang on I believe the goalie from the ‘Mars Bar’ advert might be available. Mind you England could have done with him!!

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Tractors R Us

Monday, June 25, 2012
If there is no funds for pj and there is no additions to strengthen the squad then im sorry i am boycotting itfc this year and i know 90% of my friends are going to do the same you have to speculate to accumulate you want to get in the premiership then i suggest you get the players neccesary to do the job and i have a feeling that there are many more who stand in the same shoes as i. Lets protest at portman road to show our fears of no additions leading to the same fate as the previous season if we dont nothing is going to be done name a date and we will be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mat Mursell

Monday, June 25, 2012
Good article. Detailed and expansive and very accurate too I think. Gone are the days when we can take anything for granted. The biggest challenge for Town these days and in the forseeable future is putting the building blocks together to make real inroads on the play-offs. This will take some time and that is why continuity is the key to our work in progress.

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FRANK WESTON

Monday, June 25, 2012
If I went out and bought the same equipment that Alastair Cook wears, it would not make me a test batsmen. Similarly, having premiership facilities, does not make the team premiership standard. QED

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Kevin Bailey

Monday, June 25, 2012
Another strange story. Sir Bobby, George and Joe Royal never had a problem. Its the obvious lack of investment in players and infrastructure is the problem.Prospective players obviously did'nt like the new paintwork on the turnstiles!!!1

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ian44warren

Sunday, June 24, 2012
Good lord I am in almost complete agreement with Kevin Bailey - although I suggest that Bristol City is also a better destination than Town for aspiring (or soon-to-be retiring) footballers. More worrying still is the fact that of the three (or four) clubs less attractive than Town - two appear to have the better prospects for avoiding relegation.

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Rob Steroo

Sunday, June 24, 2012
they dont wind me up , mr blue exile , matter of fact i find them quite amusing!

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KEVIN FRANCIS

Saturday, June 23, 2012
I suppose if we say it enough times we may believe everything at PR is Premiership class, sadly it seems that potential signings don't see it that way. I'm not one of these people who believe that it's the location. Yes it may put off those looking for the bright lights, but surely those that have young families are not quite so interested and do we want to sign players who are only interested in staggering out of a nightclub at 4 in the morning. Our Country cousins up the A140 although in the Premiership now don't seem to have the problems that ITFC have and look at where they are located. Again and again I say it has to be the ability of the hierachy at PR that are not being convincing enough to the targeted players of our desire to get to the Premiership. Or is this just the desire of the supporters?

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whymarkmariner

Saturday, June 23, 2012
Hardly time to press the panic button. So far we've been "rejected" by a keeper who failed to make the grade in the premier league and a couple of administrative cast offs from a bankrupt club. On a more positive note we've already signed a youngster who could grow into his role and give 10 or more years service to the club. My suggestion is to contimue to look into the lower leagues for young hungry ambitious players with potential and build, not buy a team for the future.

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MOTT MIKE

Saturday, June 23, 2012
To be honest im not not surprised players are not coming to town. There is always such as negative vibe around the place. All i keep hearing is" we want jewell out" and "clegg is usless" and "evans is trashin our club". Dont get me wrong, im not a great lover of the the people ive mention, NOT AT ALL, and i aint havin a go. however, dont you think its about time we stopped moaning and groaning about thinks we cant change. instead, just get behind the team and actually put some positive feedback on here. you never know, future players might even read this website and take reference to it.

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andy

Saturday, June 23, 2012
Another regurgitated article from EADT !!!!!! However, "Jewell knows he will never be able to sign every one of hi top targets" Even one would be a sign of progress. !!!!!!!!

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Brian Betts

Saturday, June 23, 2012
Most of it is only opinion, Blue Exile... so little action by PJ and Clegg that I guess they have to fill pages with something.

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I am Spartacus

Friday, June 22, 2012
Sadly it's all about passion. When we promoted under Burley there were plenty of Ipswich Old Boys in the staff who knew what the club meant to the fans, and lived part of the history. It irks me to hear the generic "Ipswich area great club with great history" it's an easy thing to say for a new coachchairmanCE. Fact of the matter is, we need more passion from Staff and Players to really know what it's like to be part of ITFC, I hope Klugg coming back will radiate some passion and drive, and quit this dire culture of failed quick fixes and generic comments about how great we once were, but turn toward smart, clever and decisive action in making our club great once more.

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Jerry Bishop

Friday, June 22, 2012
In short, after 5 years of Evans we are more distant than ever from the Premiership, and have become the very essence of mid-table mediocrity. This is not going to vanish quickly, unless Jewell learns the lessons from the mistakes made last season (although when he arrived Clegg said he was the real deal, experienced and highly successful). The mistakes being round pegs in round holes, not dropping players on a whim, and treating our own academy players with respect. I have just looked at the 24 teams in the Championship, and I see us as being MORE attractive than just 4 other teams, (and no disrespect to them) P'boro, Barnsley, Millwall and Bristol City. We are on a par with several teams, and behind several others. That is the sad reality of where we are after 5 years of Evans and the situation has only got far worse under Clegg, and then Jewell.

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Kevin Bailey

Friday, June 22, 2012
Another nothing article which are making excuses and answers to problems and cases that we have been provided with no proof (contract offers) of for any apart from J Ward. I would ask what the EADT's reason's are for these consistantly negative and unsupported articals that do nothing but wind up my fellow supporters

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Blue Exile

Friday, June 22, 2012