Having had no victories in our first five league games and finding ourselves in 21st place in the League One table, there is good reason to be concerned.
Just one win at Portman Road would have made all the difference – not only for the confidence of the squad but also for our league position. We cannot undo what’s been done, but we must ensure that September is a good one, and as I indicated in my column yesterday, I firmly believe that it will be. If we get the 10 points that I suggest we might, it will get us up and running at last!
Why the optimism? Well, because I think the longer this squad works together, the better it will become, and although it might take some time, the fruits of our endeavours will be realised sooner rather than later. There is an additional reason for such positivity. Our last-minute recruitment of some quality players.
We all know what Bersant Celina can bring to the table, and he was joined as the window closed by Sam Morsy! He may have to sit the first three games out through suspension, but he is very highly regarded in the game. We should all be very pleased with this signing and some of the other players who have played at a much higher level of football.
Morsey explained why he came to Portman Road on the Blues official follow Ipswich website. “The immediate aim is to get promoted, and that’s what I’ve come to the club to do. You can’t dress it up. The aim is promotion given the size of this club, the players and the manager. I know the owners want to invest in the squad and want us to be a force in the Championship.”
It is this statement of intent that makes me feel so upbeat, and there are quite a few other members of our new squad who share the same philosophy. Kyle Edwards said recently that he really feels this club is going places. “We’re a strong squad with a lot of potential to go up this year. People can say what they want but if you look at the games then things have been different.” He warned, “We have to respect every team we play because there are good teams and good players in this league.” He continued, “I love the support from everyone. I’ve had loads of messages on Twitter and stuff, and it’s always nice to know the fans have accepted me in after coming to a new place because it could have gone differently. I’m just happy they like me.”
He is right of course, there are some good teams and some good players in this division, and we will have to fight our way out, so it means a collective determination to succeed. That is why Sam Morsy is so important. He can bring to the team a new dynamic, and I think him taking over the captaincy when he eventually plays is a bit of a no-brainer.
Automatic promotion, unlikely though it seems, is doable. There are 42 matches still to play. What matters most is that we start September with a win, and then, of course, anything is still possible!
