I am not renowned for being breviloquent but today I will make it a new habit. This could turn out to be the worst season in Town’s history and not just because of Covid-19. In fact, it is Cornavirus that might save us in the end, if the season is declared null and void but that seems unlikely to happen.
If Town fails to get promotion then this is what it will mean. The most salient issue here is our fundamental need to go up. Anything else will be disastrous. The price we will pay for not gaining promotion would be catastrophic. Here are the players heading to the exit doors if this was to occur.
Luke Woolfenden: He is a prodigious talent, and the 21-year-old reminds me in many ways of a young Terry Butcher. He is confident on the ball, technically gifted and a defender with enormous potential and that is why we hear today that Newcastle United are taking an interest. He is worth at least ten million but if needs must he will be sold for less than half that amount.
Flynn Downes: Like Woolfenden he has been at Ipswich since he was a kid. He joined Ipswich at just seven years of age and he made his debut at the start of the 2017/18 season when he came on as a sub in the 1-0 win over Birmingham at Portman Road. He has arguably been Town’s most consistent performer this season, and his midfield role in the side has been outstanding. He can break up play, tackle hard and turn defence into attack with such good effect that it is little wonder that Newcastle are also monitoring his progress too. Town would be loath to sell but Evans would, and sadly at a fraction of his real worth.
Andre Dozell: A series of long term injuries have blighted his progress; allied to him struggling to impress when he does get games. He has immense talent but unlike his father has not, as yet, made a major impact in the first team. His dad Jason probably knows he is unhappy and he will become an easy sell if the club doesn’t get an immediate promotion.
Luke Garbutt: The Everton loanee started like a house on fire and stated his desire to make this his new home. His form has dipped since, partly through injury troubles and if the Blues fail to return to the Championship without delay, then the 26-year-old will have his house for sale sign up very shortly.
Emyr Huws: He’ll be another one to seek pastures new if we stay in this division. When he is fit he is very good as he proved with that wonder goal against Newcastle United a couple of seasons ago. He is just recovering from a long niggly injury but he is too good to stick around here if he is truly match-fit.
Will Keane: Manager Paul Lambert did extraordinarily well to persuade this striker to return to the club. The former Manchester United forward is the most technically gifted of our strike force and will inevitably leave if the club doesn’t go up. He is not everybody’s cup of tea but I like him and will miss him lots.
Alan Judge: You could say that the jury is still out on Judge because he has proved to be the endless enigma in a Town shirt. At 31, he will be looking for his last big pay-cheque and because of his performances with Brentford and Ireland, there will be interest from Championship clubs.
James Norwood: Injuries have blighted his season so far but football scouts around the country will remember the season before with Tranmere Rovers when he was joint top goal scorer in English football with 32 goals – along with a certain Sergio Aguero! Town will sell and he will go of this I am quite certain.
And apart from that lot, there is every possibility that more players will seek pastures new – or will be pushed into sudden departures. Kane Vincent-Young, Teddy Bishop and Kayden Jackson all have a price on their heads and they will probably leave for considerably less than their market value.
