Ipswich Irish Find More New Recruits

I am not at all convinced that either of our new signings will enhance our squad but I am prepared to give our manager the benefit of the doubt.

The signing of a seriously unfit Sean St Ledger seems to have come a few years too late. He was a very good player a few years back, until a series of injuries curtailed his early promise but a short term deal is best for all parties at this stage in his career.

He was of course very close to joining the club in 2012 but then got back into the Leicester side and we were all a little disappointed at the time I seem to recall.

At 29 he still has time on his side if he can stay fit and of course we must not forget that he has already played for Ireland on 37 occasions in what has been a largely injury plagued career. If he can get back in shape then who knows?

As for Noel Hunt well this really is a baffling signing. He is regarded as a striker/ winger and like his brother at just ft 8 inches it seems we have another little Hunt here at Ipswich Town! (Stephen by the way is even smaller at just 5 ft 7.)

Now size does not always matter when you are a forward. Lionel Messi is a little bit smaller than both of them so enough said on that particular subject I think.

What matters so much more are the goals to games ratios and I can only assume that Noel has been recruited to add extra fire to the team but his recent stats are staggeringly poor.

This season he has played a mere 57 minutes and his career with Leeds might explain why they are happy to let him leave on a permanent deal. He played 22 games, did not score or provide any assists. He is however younger than his brother but not by much, as he will be 32 on Boxing Day which is just weeks away!

On the plus side his best spell was when he played for Dundee United six years ago and scored 23 goals in 64 appearances and playing with his brother may help to instill some self-belief I would hope because it looks as if he needs it.

The jury is still out on Balint Bajner and perhaps too Conor Sammon but if Mick McCarthy pulls this one off and gives him a permanent deal in January, then he will have defied all the laws of football logic and I will eat lots of humble pie!


Frank Weston – Editor Vital Ipswich