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Squad Preview - 2008/09 Season | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Paul Bloomfield provides a pre-season assessment of the Ipswich Town squad on the eve of their opening game in the 2008/09 Championship campaign.The 2008/2009 Ipswich Town squad: (as of 8th August 2008) RICHARD WRIGHT – The returning shot-stopper will be looking to recapture the success of his previous period at Portman Road, in what has been a difficult few season’s away from the club. VERDICT: First-team regular DAVID WRIGHT – Despite some shaky moments the full-back became one of Town’s more consistent performers last season and will be looking to push on again this season. VERDICT: First-team regular MATTHEW RICHARDS – The left-sided play has fizzled out of first-team duties in recent years and has once again joined League One side Brighton on-loan, this time on a season-long deal. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature GARETH MCAULEY – The new Ipswich Town captain will be looking to show what he can do, and prove why Jim Magilton has been in long pursuit of him. VERDICT: First-team regular ALEX BRUCE – The Irish defender further established himself in the Ipswich backline last season. Bruce’s solid performances haven’t gone unnoticed, as he has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland international squad in recent times. VERDICT: First-team regular RICHARD NAYLOR – The striker-turned-defender sat out the majority of last season through injury. Town’s longest-serving player has been appointed vice-captain, and will be looking to sustain fitness this season and increase his chances of selection. VERDICT: Backup to first-team OWEN GARVAN – The Irishman was linked with a Premiership move this summer and was widely expected to leave the club. This didn’t materialise, and the midfielder has delighted Town fans by signing a new three-year deal. VERDICT: First-team regular TOMMY MILLER – The midfielder, in his third spell with the club didn’t enjoy the best of returns last season. However, his remarkable penalty conversion record alone makes him a valuable asset to the club. VERDICT: First-team squad. Form likely to be key factor for selection in the highly competitive central midfield roles. PABLO COUÑAGO – The fan-favourite returned to the club last summer, and reminded the Portman Road crowd of his qualities, despite fizzling out towards the end of the season. Scorer of a memorable back-heeled goal at Charlton last season, the Spaniard has signed a new three-year deal with the club. VERDICT: First-team regular DAVID NORRIS – The midfielder will be looking to justify Jim Magilton’s lengthy efforts to prise him away from Plymouth Argyle. The midfielder failed to make an impression since signing in the January transfer window, and suffered an injury towards the end of the season which put him out of action. VERDICT: First-team squad. Form likely to be key factor for selection in the highly competitive central midfield roles, although the former Plymouth man can also play on the right side of midfield. KEVIN LISBIE – Scorer of 17 goals for the doomed Colchester United last season, a similar goals haul this season would go a long way to winning over any Town fans harbouring doubts over his arrival. VERDICT: First-team regular JAIME PETERS – Much was expected from the youngster when he joined the club in 2005, after turning down offers to join Manchester United and Chelsea. Peters hasn’t made the impact that was hoped, and hasn’t featured much of late in the Ipswich first-team. The Canadian will be looking to grab any opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the team this season. VERDICT: Backup to first team ALAN LEE – The Irishman has demonstrated the ability to either delight or frustrate Town supporters with his tendency have spells of either great form or being largely ineffective. However, his goals tally can’t be argued with since joining the club in 2006, getting into double figures for the past two seasons. VERDICT: First-team squad/regular PIM BALKESTEIN – Signed from Dutch club Heerenveen this summer, the defender has impressed in pre-season and looks set to become the club’s new left-back, despite being a central defender by trade. Having not been given a chance in the Heerenveen first-team, the Dutchman will be looking to show everyone what he can do. VERDICT: First-team squad
CHRIS CASEMENT – The young defender was given a one-year extension to his contract this summer. He has made only a handful of appearances for the first-team, but may find himself in the side with limited full-back options at present. VERDICT: Backup to first-team DEAN BOWDITCH – The striker was the surprise recipient of a one year contract extension this summer. Bowditch has been away on-loan to other clubs in recent times and didn’t feature at all last season for Ipswich. Young striker Jordan Rhodes is likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature DANNY HAYNES – The 20-year-old has often been linked with Premier League Portsmouth for the potential he shows at times but perhaps not consistently enough for their liking. The pacey striker-turned-winger has showed undoubted improvement over the past couple of seasons, as he has held down a regular place in the first-team. VERDICT: First-team regular JON WALTERS – Jon Walters has been somewhat of a revelation since joining from Chester City in 2007, thus making Ipswich being drawn against the Seals in the FA Cup one of the club’s biggest blessings in recent times. The striker has been found to be better utilised as a right winger, and deservedly picked up Town’s Player of the Year award last season. VERDICT: First-team regular DAN HARDING – The left-back found himself out of favour for a large part of last season, with Sito being preferred to him. Harding was then transfer listed at the end of the season and has just joined League One outfit Southend United on-loan. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature, though may be required in a crisis with Town short of full-backs at present. BILLY CLARKE – The young Irish striker suffered from a lack of confidence last season and was loaned out to Falkirk along with goalkeeper Shane Supple. Employed as a left-sided winger by manager Jim Magilton last season, the 20-year-old is set to join Darlington on loan. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature ALAN QUINN – The Irish midfielder had an indifferent start to life at Portman Road since joining from Sheffield United in January. The stunning effort he scored against former employers Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough was a real stand-out moment from last season. VERDICT: First-team squad VELICHE SHUMULIKOSKI – The midfielder was another new addition in last season’s January transfer window, joining from Turkish side Bursaspor. More will be expected of the Macedonian international in the coming season, having had time to settle in. VERDICT: First-team squad. Form likely to be key factor for selection in the highly competitive central midfield roles. SHANE SUPPLE – The young goalkeeper was left out of last season’s picture by boss Jim Magilton. When Neil Alexander made the move to Rangers, Magilton sought two new goalkeepers. Stephen Bywater was brought in on-loan from Derby, and Nick Colgan was signed from Barnsley as backup. Supple was subsequently loaned to Falkirk where he made just four appearances. Following Richard Wright’s return, Supple looks set to play second fiddle once again. VERDICT: Backup goalkeeper ED UPSON – Scorer of Town’s winning goal in the FA Youth Cup Final in 2005, at the age of 15 no less, Ed Upson signed a professional contract with the club on his 17th birthday. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature TOMMY SMITH – The defender was given starts in the both pre-season friendly matches at Portman Road, suggesting that the young defender may be in Jim Magilton’s plans. VERDICT: Back-up to first team LIAM TROTTER – The young midfielder was given a run in the first-team football last season and produced some impressive displays. His part in Ipswich’s campaign was cruelly interrupted when he was harshly sent-off in the FA Cup tie against Portsmouth. The FA did not share the same view however, who refused to even shorten the three-match man he received, baffling just about everybody. VERDICT: Back-up to first-team KURT ROBINSON – The left-back is another academy product who will be looking to break into the first-team this season. Given the current lack of full-back options the youngster may well feature sooner rather than later. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature JORDAN RHODES – Scorer of countless goals for the reserves, Jordan Rhodes was given his first run-out in the first-team last season. Not given the amount of minutes on the pitch a lot of Town fans would have liked, the youngster could play a more active role this season. VERDICT: Back-up to first team, likely to be given run-outs late on in games. JAI REASON – The youngster signed his first professional contract with Town in the summer. Jai has impressed in the reserves and will be looking to continue to do so in the coming months. VERDICT: Unlikely to feature IVAN CAMPO – The former Real Madrid man will restore some of the experience that was lost through the departures of Jason De Vos, Fabian Wilnis and Sylvain Legwinski. Able to play either in midfield or at the back, versatility is also part of the Spaniard’s repertoire. VERDICT: First-team squad. Is likely to be a preferred option, although it remains to be seen where Jim wants to utilise him. Paul Bloomfield Click to view author Paul Bloomfield's profile Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |