The clearout begins....

[number 9]

Town boss Mick McCarthy says he will be looking to add goals to his midfield during the close season with widemen again amongst his targets.

The Blues, whose midfield McCarthy admits haven't scored regularly enough, have lost a number of players who operate out wide this summer, while previous recruits such as Alex Henshall, Dylan Connolly and Cameron Stewart, who remains a Town player but is available for transfer, have failed to make an impact.

“It’s important to get our recruitment right this summer, but that’s no different from any other year really,” the Blues boss told the club website.
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“The wide areas are an issue for us. We have lost Tabby [Jay Tabb]. Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] has gone back to Arsenal and obviously Ryan [Fraser] is back with Bournemouth so we need to look at that.

“Goals from midfield have been a problem for us over the last two or three years but we looked to have got on top of that with Ryan, who certainly contributed in that area. He was a real loss for us.

“Kevin Bru got a couple of goals, Dougie [Jonathan Douglas] is a goalscoring midfielder operating in the right system, we need to get Bish [Teddy Bishop] back fit and contributing in attacking areas as well. We certainly need more in terms of goals from our midfield.”

Regarding 25-year-old Stewart, who has a year left on the contract he signed in the summer of 2014, having so far made just two Town sub appearances in the FA Cup during the 2014/15 campaign and spent most of the season just gone on loan at Doncaster, he added: “He’ll be looking to get a club.

“He’ll be back for pre-season, he was here [recently] and got weighed, his body fat was measured and got his programme for the summer. He’s in good shape at the minute, he’s not been playing, but he’ll come back.

“I’m always disappointed if it doesn’t work out, whatever it might be, because that’s a reflection on me because I signed him and it’s a reflection on him because he’s the player and he has to perform.”

I think there needs to be a slight adjustment in recruitment. We need players that are good enough to be starters, even if they're selected to be back up. I know it's difficult finding the right players, but I just think there needs to be a little more thought put it in to recruitment. Let's try to limit players that don't work out for ITFC (ie. Henshall, Stewart, Oar, Coke, Toure, Malarcyzk, etc.).

I also think we need a consistent goal scorer up front. MM commented about more goals from the midfield, but we also need more goals from the strikers. I'm not sure Murphy has it in him anymore, and Didzy and Pitman aren't getting any younger. It would be nice to have Dozell and Sears as our out and out strikers. I think Sears has a lot more goals in him.

Oh well, there's plenty of time for MM/TC to ponder.

[herforder]

Pitman, Sears and McG are all under 30 so, providing they can remain injury free, should still be able to cut it. Whilst Murph's exceptional (freak?) free-scoring season isn't likely to be repeated, he still delivers a genuine goal threat, and ability to bring others into the game. That said, I'd like to see MM play Sears through the centre; and if another quality striker could found so much the better. But don't see that happening unless one moves on.

No doubt we struggled to create enough chances for our strikes from midfield - Frazer and Bishop's injures significant reasons why. Assuming MM goes for quality over quantity, then it must be the midfield where immediate surgery is required; either perm signing(s), or season long loans. Am sure MM relishes the challenge, whilst ME is hopefully shaking his piggy bank!

[Dubai Blue]

It's all very well suggesting that we look for guaranteed 1st team starters but players that are known to be top quality command top quality prices. What MM has been doing is unearthing gems. Unfortunately some of those players have turned out to be just gravel. It's what we do, at least he is not slow to clear out those who don't make it at the end of the season.

Every now and again we get a Sears or a Pitman or a Knudsen but plenty of others will fail to make the grade. As I said, it's what we do. I think we can expect another crop of unknowns in the Summer along with a diamond like Fraser. We have only to hope that we have a higher success rate.

[number 9]

It's all very well suggesting that we look for guaranteed 1st team starters but players that are known to be top quality command top quality prices. What MM has been doing is unearthing gems. Unfortunately some of those players have turned out to be just gravel. It's what we do, at least he is not slow to clear out those who don't make it at the end of the season.

Every now and again we get a Sears or a Pitman or a Knudsen but plenty of others will fail to make the grade. As I said, it's what we do. I think we can expect another crop of unknowns in the Summer along with a diamond like Fraser. We have only to hope that we have a higher success rate.

Dubai:

I hear what you're saying, but to be honest I don't think you have to spend an enormous amount of money to find championship starters. I mean, just look at our squad to begin with. I wouldn't call Sears and Pitman, and certainly not Knudsen, gems...but they're certainly championship starters. I'm completely aware of our financial status and MM's approach...but I still think there could be a little more thought put into the selection of players and how they may fit into our system.

Herforder:

I'm not sure Murph will be able to find his scoring boots even with an improved midfield...at least, not 20 plus goals. I've said before I think Murph would be better utilized from the bench...late in the second half as a 'goal threat'. Pitman and McGoldrick don't exactly light up the pitch with speed...and I think we need a fast, young striker to improve our attack. If we don't already have that in our youth system, there has to be a pacey striker in the lower leagues looking for a break. It will be nice to have Didzy and Bishop from the beginning though.

[Bluemike]

Spot on Dubai, it is indeed what we do and what we will have to continue to do, for every malarczyk we will hopefully get a Mings or a Knudsen, it is worth the risk seeing as Malarczyk cost us 10 quid and a bucket of cockles, Toure also cost little apoart from wages which wouldn't have been a lot, unfortunately squads like ours has to have a couple of players like this that will contribute little but need to be there for emergencies. We just cannot afford to have 15-20 odd players on first team wages sitting on the bench or in the stands.

[number 9]

Spot on Dubai, it is indeed what we do and what we will have to continue to do, for every malarczyk we will hopefully get a Mings or a Knudsen, it is worth the risk seeing as Malarczyk cost us 10 quid and a bucket of cockles, Toure also cost little apoart from wages which wouldn't have been a lot, unfortunately squads like ours has to have a couple of players like this that will contribute little but need to be there for emergencies. We just cannot afford to have 15-20 odd players on first team wages sitting on the bench or in the stands.

I think we need a squad of at least 18 starters...and I believe ME can afford it. It's up to him to figure out the wage structure. Additionally, the players won't be wasted on the bench or in the stands because I'm assuming MM would have a 'rotation' policy if he had 18 starters?

I just don't understand this 'it's what we do' mentality. Of course we have to work within our financial constraints, but there's always room for improvement...and us fans should be the motivators for that change. Let's not settle...let's get promoted.

[hallamblue]

MICK....MA....
MICK....MA...MICKMA
MICK....MA....MICKMA.......

[herforder]

MM's player recruitment policy was dictated by ME's decision to pull his financial horns in. However, the scattergun approach, when resources are scarce, is high risk - and, as things have worked out, unsuccessful - more misses than hits. MM has tacitly admitted this.

With those coming back from injury, the youngsters coming on in leaps and bounds, astute use if the loan system and ME hopefully releasing the purse strings a bit, I don't think MM will continue the 'let's take a cheap punt' strategy, ending up with almost unusable squad fillers.

[herforder]

It's all very well suggesting that we look for guaranteed 1st team starters but players that are known to be top quality command top quality prices. What MM has been doing is unearthing gems. Unfortunately some of those players have turned out to be just gravel. It's what we do, at least he is not slow to clear out those who don't make it at the end of the season.

Every now and again we get a Sears or a Pitman or a Knudsen but plenty of others will fail to make the grade. As I said, it's what we do. I think we can expect another crop of unknowns in the Summer along with a diamond like Fraser. We have only to hope that we have a higher success rate.

Dubai:

I hear what you're saying, but to be honest I don't think you have to spend an enormous amount of money to find championship starters. I mean, just look at our squad to begin with. I wouldn't call Sears and Pitman, and certainly not Knudsen, gems...but they're certainly championship starters. I'm completely aware of our financial status and MM's approach...but I still think there could be a little more thought put into the selection of players and how they may fit into our system.

Herforder:

I'm not sure Murph will be able to find his scoring boots even with an improved midfield...at least, not 20 plus goals. I've said before I think Murph would be better utilized from the bench...late in the second half as a 'goal threat'. Pitman and McGoldrick don't exactly light up the pitch with speed...and I think we need a fast, young striker to improve our attack. If we don't already have that in our youth system, there has to be a pacey striker in the lower leagues looking for a break. It will be nice to have Didzy and Bishop from the beginning though.

Wouldn't disagree about looking out for lower league talent - just watch some of the lower leagues play off matches! So far as Murph is concerned, given the great effort/cost to keep him here last summer, and MM's almost unbreakable faith in him, ithink he will always start - if fit, and if still here!

[Bluemike]

Spot on Dubai, it is indeed what we do and what we will have to continue to do, for every malarczyk we will hopefully get a Mings or a Knudsen, it is worth the risk seeing as Malarczyk cost us 10 quid and a bucket of cockles, Toure also cost little apoart from wages which wouldn't have been a lot, unfortunately squads like ours has to have a couple of players like this that will contribute little but need to be there for emergencies. We just cannot afford to have 15-20 odd players on first team wages sitting on the bench or in the stands.

I think we need a squad of at least 18 starters...and I believe ME can afford it. It's up to him to figure out the wage structure. Additionally, the players won't be wasted on the bench or in the stands because I'm assuming MM would have a 'rotation' policy if he had 18 starters?

I just don't understand this 'it's what we do' mentality. Of course we have to work within our financial constraints, but there's always room for improvement...and us fans should be the motivators for that change. Let's not settle...let's get promoted.

It's a bloody shame we weren't motivators for 23 home games then.

[herforder]

It's all very well suggesting that we look for guaranteed 1st team starters but players that are known to be top quality command top quality prices. What MM has been doing is unearthing gems. Unfortunately some of those players have turned out to be just gravel. It's what we do, at least he is not slow to clear out those who don't make it at the end of the season.

Every now and again we get a Sears or a Pitman or a Knudsen but plenty of others will fail to make the grade. As I said, it's what we do. I think we can expect another crop of unknowns in the Summer along with a diamond like Fraser. We have only to hope that we have a higher success rate.

Dubai:

I hear what you're saying, but to be honest I don't think you have to spend an enormous amount of money to find championship starters. I mean, just look at our squad to begin with. I wouldn't call Sears and Pitman, and certainly not Knudsen, gems...but they're certainly championship starters. I'm completely aware of our financial status and MM's approach...but I still think there could be a little more thought put into the selection of players and how they may fit into our system.

Herforder:

I'm not sure Murph will be able to find his scoring boots even with an improved midfield...at least, not 20 plus goals. I've said before I think Murph would be better utilized from the bench...late in the second half as a 'goal threat'. Pitman and McGoldrick don't exactly light up the pitch with speed...and I think we need a fast, young striker to improve our attack. If we don't already have that in our youth system, there has to be a pacey striker in the lower leagues looking for a break. It will be nice to have Didzy and Bishop from the beginning though.

Wouldn't disagree about looking out for lower league talent - just watch some of the lower leagues play off matches! So far as Murph is concerned, given the great effort/cost to keep him here last summer, and MM's almost unbreakable faith in him, ithink he will always start - if fit, and if still here!

[hallamblue]

we seriously need to be looking or at least identifyingredients Murphys eventual successor. He's early 30's now and won't go on for ever. I think we've probably seen the very best of him now in his glory season last season.

[trimleyblue]

Ingredients? Are you planning to create a new Murph from scratch?

[Dubai Blue]

What about the Sarfend lad then? Is he the type of player we should be looking at?

[hallamblue]

Ingredients? Are you planning to create a new Murph from scratch?

LOL.... bloomin predicted text at it again.

[number 9]

What about the Sarfend lad then? Is he the type of player we should be looking at?

Yes, for sure!