Ipswich Town – Transfer News & Npower Championship Preview

By Marc Owen-Banks on 27/07/2011 12:51

The biggest trouble Ipswich had last season was consistency. They would have good runs picking up points, such as 3 wins and 2 draws in the first five games of last season, or the 4 wins and 2 draws at the end of January through February. These runs were more than counter-balanced by poor runs like the 6 consecutive defeats in November/December and four losses in six games in February March. Whilst there is much optimism surrounding Portman Road for 2011/12, much more is required if they are to challenge the play-off positions.

 

Conor Wickham has gone, that much we know and he becomes another Sunderland recruit with a reported £8.1m coming the way of Ipswich by return. Ian McLoughlin, Tom Eastman and Gareth Macauley have all left on free transfers, and David Norris has gone the same way to Portsmouth.

 

They may have lost David Norris to Portsmouth, but they have won one battle with the South Coast club this summer in gaining the signature of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from Arsenal. After loan spells with Blackpool, Doncaster and 16 appearances for Cardiff City last year, he has made his move to Ipswich a permanent one and could tie up with Lee Bowyer who has come in from Birmingham. Also recruited is Micheal Chopra who has left Cardiff for a second time, he will add goals to the attack, Nathan Ellington comes into that area as well, whilst Ivar Ingirmarsson moves into defence. David Stockdale comes in on loan from Fulham.

 

So busy busy busy for Paul Jewel who knows how to build a team to escape from this division. Generally 20/1 to win the division, perhaps an EW (1-2-3) bet might tempt a few. The 11/2 to be promoted isn't bad, but isn't big either. The former would look to be the value call of the pair. Jewell is building an experienced good looking team and the buzz on the East Coast is audible as they yearn to join their fiercest rivals in the Premier League.

Recommendation: Back Ipswich to WIN the division @ 20/1 Each Way 3 places