West Ham striker Sam Baldock, pictured in action for former club MK Dons
POLL: Is West Ham’s Sam Baldock the right man to boost Ipswich Town’s attacking options?
By Stuart Watson
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
4:19 PM
IPSWICH Town’s hopes of signing striker Sam Baldock on a season-long loan hinge on whether West Ham win Saturday’s Championship play-off final.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce rates the 23-year-old highly, but will want him to continue his development in the Championship if his team are promoted back to the Premier League with victory over Blackpool at Wembley on Saturday.
And the EADT understands that Allardyce has already told close friend Paul Jewell that he will have first option.
The Blues boss revealed at last November’s supporters’ club AGM that he was a big admirer of the short, but powerful front man. It is understood that he was keen to sign him from League One club MK Dons last summer, only for West Ham to snap him up on a four-year deal – the transfer fee believed to be around £2.75million with add-ons.
Having scored 43 goals in 82 starts for the Dons, Baldock made an instant impact at Championship level, scoring five goals in his first six games for West Ham.
The arrival of front men Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard in the January transfer window saw him slip down the pecking order though and he finished the campaign with just 11 starts and 12 substitute appearances to his name.
The Hammers have a plethora of strikers, with the likes of Carlton Cole, John Carew, Frederic Piquionne and Freddie Sears also on the books. Town, meanwhile, are short of options in that department.
Michael Chopra top-scored for the Blues with 14 goals last season, while Jason Scotland looks set to sign a new deal. Tamas Priskin had his contract cancelled back in January, while Nathan Ellington has been told he can “move on” by Jewell.
The Blues boss admitted recently that he would be interested in bringing Connor Wickham back to Portman Road on loan, with the teenager having failed to make an impact at Sunderland following his £8.1m switch. A sizeable loan fee and wages could prove a stumbling block though, with Baldock a cheaper option.
More Ipswich Town news
- Ipswich Town renew their interest in keeper Lee Camp
- Alan Judge set to sign for Blackburn
- Ipswich Town chief scout Dave Bowman talks budgets and blueprints ahead of what could be a busy transfer window
- Marcus Evans’ salary cap plans scuppered as the Premier League once again flexes its muscles
- Ipswich Town’s pursuit of Jay Tabb hits snag as Skuse signs
- U’s to take on Town in friendly
- Cole Skuse agrees three-year deal at Ipswich Town
- Ipswich Town fans are ready to ride the rollercoaster again
- IPSWICH TOWN: Blackpool example is a good one to follow
- Could performance-related pay at Ipswich Town be the future?
ADVERTISEMENT
33 comments
Baldock or Chopra, not Baldock and Chopra
Report this comment
Kevin Bailey
Thursday, May 17, 2012
If Huddersfield lose in the League 1 play off final I would love to see us having a real crack at bringing him back to PR.
Report this comment
Richard Gardiner
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sam Baldock is 5 ft 7 ins tall which is small for a striker.We know he can score goals but the challenge is how to deliver the ball to him in such a way that provides him with opportunities to put it in the back of the net, which means you have to play to his strenghts. Given the right supporting players around him I think he could do a really job. My only concern is that he is a loan player.
Report this comment
MOTT MIKE
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Good to see that Clegg will be at the Olympics instead of sorting out the mess he has made at Ipswich. Generally Underwhelmed And Miserable
Report this comment
Kevin Bailey
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Have Guam any good players I wonder?????
Report this comment
Brian Wren
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
bluearmy, if a fee is paid for a loaned player, then there is no recall facility. It is all down to the negotiated agreement.
Report this comment
Kevin Bailey
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What a strange idea for a poll. You might ask with more accuracy if Chopra and Scotland are the answer... at least Town fans without blinkers could try and answer that one. I doubt any of your readers have seen this bloke play... though most will be groaning inwardly at the thought of the damage Jewell is now poised to inflict on the club with his revolving door transfer policy.
Report this comment
Rob Steroo
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
What you have to understand is that PJ cannot work with young bright skillfull players, he wants old slow has beens who will listern to him. He has never got prootion with a young youthful side and never will. At least we only have one more season of his mismanagement
Report this comment
TrueBlue
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Jordan Rhodes scored his 40th of the season tonight.Looks as if he will be playing against us next season.If he only gets half that amount in the championship, we shall she what we have been missing- a consistent goal scorer.
Report this comment
The original Victor Meldrew
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Simon Clegg must have sleepless nights for allowing 40 goal Jordan Rhodes exit Portman Road.
Report this comment
Neil Gedny
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A loan? Really? I thought PJ had 'learnt his lesson'? Clearly not. We should be building for the future - but sadly appointed the wrong manager to do that - 'Dad's Army' is very much PJ's style. The spin machine may try to convince us that Pj is a changed man and likes youth and permanent players - but sadly PJ doesn't. He also likes playing with one striker. That much is clear! PJ OUT PJ OUT PJ OUT! NOW! Before he does anymore damaged to ITFC.
Report this comment
Jason
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Funnily enough I was listening to someone on the radio regarding the likelyhood of Paul Lambert staying with the budgies and was amazed that since he joined them they have risen 54 places in the league since he took over. This is not a reference to our own sorry state although it proves that the right man is more likely to buy the right players. What really struck me was the question was asked "will they suffer the bounce factor" this was dismissed on the basis that the players they have are grateful to be where they are because several of them were picked from lower Division teams and future purchases will also come from lower League teams. The question must be asked "why can they find and sign them and we can't" ? I think a total rethink is necessary at who we target. This doesn't mean the young man from West Ham wouldn't be an asset, but if he proves to be a superstar he would still be gone at the end of the season and we are back to square one AGAIN. To much short termism at PR Im afraid.
Report this comment
whymarkmariner
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
This poll is pointless as he is only one of countless players that itfc will be reported as being interested in and the result of the poll will represent less than 10% of the clubs supporters.
Report this comment
Cyril Baker
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
No doubt we need another decent striker to help take the pressure off Chopra, but not another loanee PLEASE!!! Surely it’s worth blooding Murray into our side this season and if we must get someone in – and we know we haven’t oodles of cash – let’s go for a young up and coming striker from the lower leagues. Hasn’t anyone at the club seen what too many loanees did to them lot up the road not too long ago?
Report this comment
Mike Rotch
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
And be recalled at a moments notice leaving town with a headache.....No more loans in important positions where there is no cover please or do something radical....Blood a youngster or buy someone ?!?!
Report this comment
bluearmy78
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Like most of you on here am also not impressed that we aren't promoting some of our youth into the squad, can understand if it was a short term loan to cover injurys, but am more puzzled why we haven't been in contact with Mark Beevers as he's a young cb who's out of contract, ideal signing to partner Tommy Smith
Report this comment
Jonesey
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Interesting that ignoring and winding down the academy and building a team on rejects and acting as a feeder club or shop wndow for unwanted players from the likes of Reading and West Ham's spare parts bin is somehow not seen as 'high risk'.
Report this comment
Rob Steroo
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
HEAR WE GO AGAIN'.....SAME OLD FIX'S NO PLAN
Report this comment
david bradley
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
HEAR WE GO AGAIN'.....
Report this comment
david bradley
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
andy your comments wernt harsh if pj is already talking about loan players then i think ipswich are already in trouble i think its shocking and as well as that the club we recorded our biggest win of the season over are going to loan us players how cool
Report this comment
gutted
Monday, May 14, 2012
what a joke, its obvious pj hasnt got a clue already wanting loan players . if he cant find any decent young and upcoming players to sign full time then thats why he should go we could do a lot worse than get lee clark he knows how to pick up a bargain
Report this comment
gutted
Monday, May 14, 2012
We are only in the second week of may and already town are supposedly considering a dozen or more players to sign on loan or permanently , i am still very doubtful if paul jewel can attract the type of players we need and i include sam Baldock in that category.
Report this comment
KEVIN FRANCIS
Monday, May 14, 2012
Strange old World isn't it. Connor goes for a small fortune and due to a combination of bad luck, injury and not getting a look in he's out of the spotlight. Then we turn to Jordan Rhodes, went for peanuts and has added millions to his value. Pity there wasn't a bit more savvy at PR, we'd have a goal scoring machine and a few mil in the bank.
Report this comment
whymarkmariner
Monday, May 14, 2012
My comment earlier may have seemed harsh (agreed) however i'm just so fed up with hearing "oh we going sign this player on loan and that player on loan". We need to be bringing players into our club employed by us. Then, we the supporters can see OUR players progressing, not someone else's. Some of the players that have been reported of interest to us we could bring in on free transfers and not command a huge salary. Yet they would still improve our squad. So people saying we haven't got load of money is irrelevant and utter nonsense.
Report this comment
andy
Monday, May 14, 2012
APART FROM THE ( E.A.D.T ) DID ANYONE THINK THAT CONNOR WICKHAM WAS A TOP STRIKER ,, HOW MANY GOALS DID HE SCORE FOR I.T.F.C, NOT THAT MANY ,,,AND WHERE IS THE MANAGER NOW , WHO WAS DAFT ENOUGH TO SIGN HIM
Report this comment
MIGUEL100
Monday, May 14, 2012
True blue and Monkey, it was simply a comment on the articule on this page, dont get too excited, Clegg wont want to pay his wages.
Report this comment
Cyril Baker
Monday, May 14, 2012
Frank, why is Connor's confidence shot to bits? Why is he not ready for the premiership? He has had injuries, ad O Neill wants to look at him in pre-season prior t deciding whether he is going to be part of his strike force next season, or whether he would benefit from a loan. I can think of no player less likely to be lacking in confidence in than Wickham
Report this comment
Kevin Bailey
Monday, May 14, 2012
Ive read the first 2 comments on here and they seem a bit harsh. We know we havent got much money and PJ wants roughly 5-6 players. If he can get a player he thinks is good enough for a minimal fee on a seasons loan therefore leaving most of the funds to sign his other players then why not? If it was that or spend the money on a striker and then not be able to afford a CB or something then we will be one man less. A loan or two is fine just not too many like this season and of below par players.
Report this comment
Monkey1986
Monday, May 14, 2012
Andy, Cyril- Where in this article does it say this will happen? EADT understands= they heard a rumor. I see no commnet from ITFC or PJ on the matter. It is at this stage speculation. So how about at least waiting for him to sign before you complain. It may well happedn- If it does by all means compalin if you are not happy, but wait for for more than conjecture before you do- Dont believe everything you read in the press
Report this comment
TrueBlue
Monday, May 14, 2012
What happened to 'big,strong,fast athletic' ??? Surely if we wanted another diminutive forward to compliment the lack of height of Chopra & Scotland we should give a chance to Murray ?? But hey - why give youth a chance when you can get yet another loanee in who will either fail or impress - in which case he will return to his parent club. It's not as if I can see Jewell employing a system whereby the ball isn't lumped up to another small striker - & where does this all fit in with Carson being dropped for being too short ?? The close season has only just started & all I can see from Jewell is the same old same old - loanees & over the hill transfers in - & continued contempt for our once vaunted youth system.
Report this comment
Old Timer
Monday, May 14, 2012
Connor Wickham's agent Dad obviously gave him bad advice. He was not ready for the Prem and now his confidence is shot to bits. Not sure whether Town would really want him back?
Report this comment
FRANK WESTON
Monday, May 14, 2012
What an absolute joke. Already we are talking of signing players on loan and developing players that aren't contracted to us. If this is the way forward for my team, i will personally walk to 15 mile to the Portman road ticket office and ask for a refund on my season ticket. Because ill tell you know, i for one will no be financing this utter nonsense.
Report this comment
andy
Monday, May 14, 2012
Here we go again, the team needs an additional striker, ME or more likely SC will not release the money so PJ has to loan. Interesting point from Sky Sports Clockwatch website Ipswich town have reduced the value of their investment in the team by eight million over the past few years, at the same time Southampton have reduced theirs by one million, and Reading by four hundred thousand, could be why they got promotion and we did not.
Report this comment
Cyril Baker
Monday, May 14, 2012