Quiz Derek Davis live

John Ward:

Disappointing that Sundays starting 11 included only 1 ex academy player.Do you think with Evans investment we will not concentrate as much on the academy and what has happened to Casement , seems to have been here ages but is not even in the squad?

Reply:

First of all - the lunch panned with Jim, David and Derek B has been cancelled as Derek B is ill and Jim still in Ireland with his family. That means a bonus there are two webchats today. This one as usual and another at 3pm. As you will remember a root and branch investigation has been ordered and we are waiting to hear the results. Many clubs are questioning the point of academies and there value, although Town do still turn up the odd nugget. Harvan is a regular, Haynes just about while Rhodes and Trotter are pushing. Chris is someone who will benefit from going out on laon to gain league expereince as Jim likes him but doesn't think he can be a regular just yet.

sue smith:

If what I have read on the club website is correct then Jim Magilton should be a shamed of himself. it is disgraceful that he has not yet spoken to players about their futures nearly awake after the season has finshed. it seems everyone else knows what is going on like Bowditch going. If he has not be attending club business and delaing with player contracts then what has our so called manager been doing?

Reply:

I'm sure a lot more has been going on behind the scenes than is being revealed as yet. i know Bowditch has gone and clearly Jim has spoken to palyers, otherwise how would we know about Wilnis, Legwinski and de Vos for example. Today was the day we were to be told alot more about players' contracts and plans for the summer and I'm sure more will dribble out as I wheedle it out.

la mullett:

I don't believe for one minute that magilton has not spoken to players who are being relased. Does this mean he has not spoken to Wilnis, Legwinski and de Vos. Of course not.

Reply:

Spot on.

Matt Foster:

What are the chances of Town signing Danny Simpson on a permanent basis?

Reply:

Next to none - not this year anyway.

Matt Foster:

I think Jim will sign 5-6 players over the summer, as for names I'd say Sorensen, McAuley, Seip, Healey and the lad Bishop from Bury and possibly a left sided midfielder. Your thoughts?

Reply:

Bishop is an interesting one. Jim was watching him when he first sighted walters. Not sure about Seip but McAuley, Healy and Sorensen are definite targets - whether he gets them is a another matter.

Tom Kipping:

Do you know if Ipswich will be going on a pre-season tour abroad this year? If so, when will the club announce it (seem to recall it was done pretty late last year). Thanks

Reply:

It should be very soon as I understand it was going to be anounced today along with other pre-season activities.

neville wright:

who do you think jim would like to sign to play up front next season

Reply:

Healy, maybe Nugent and at least one other.

Lee Walker:

Hi Derek, So with Rhodes leaving so suddenly the assumption must be that Jim has somebody else lined up, have you heard any whispers ? It seems Richard Wright is still being strongly linked.

Reply:

I was told about Rhodes on Saturday, but hands tied until EADT came out Monday morning. You will have seen my story this morning about Webster and Wright.

Lee Walker:

Whats the score with the loan players. It seems signing Simpson might be a long shot but what about Bywater & Kuqi, has Jim made any decisions on these two. If Shefki is on a free or a nominal fee surely hes worth a punt. Not sure about Bywater though.

Reply:

Bywater's still up in the air. No rush with Kuqi and little chance with Simpson.

Liam Thompson:

Hi Derek, I really cannot understand why Jim Magilton has sacked (as we all know what 'mutual consent' really means) Andy Rhodes, I see in your report you have suggested it could be to do with Jordan Rhodes' lack of chances. In all fairness, Jordan Rhodes should have been playing every game (at least since his goal versus Cardiff). I respect Magilton as an Ipswich manager - but I think that this season, he has got a number of big decisions horribly wrong. Sacking Rhodes is perhaps the biggest. Does Jim really want promotion?

Reply:

We may never know wehat has gone on behind the scenes but I suspect it was more than just the dad v manager thing and goes back over a period of time. My feeling is it could turn out to be pne of Jim's better decisons.

Lee Walker:

What is the position with Harding, Roberts, Williams and Richards. Are these players likely to be the ones where reasonable bids would be accepted by the club

Reply:

I would be amazed if these weren't listed.

Liam Thompson:

I hear we are linked with Paul Robinson (#3), who plays for Millwall. Is there any truth? Is he any good?

Reply:

Not a bad player, bit of bite.

Liam Thompson:

Danny Simpson - £1.5million - Town have surely got to go for him, or will Jim mess this one up too?

Reply:

I'm told, reliably, there is no truth in those rumours.

Liam Thompson:

Is Gareth McAuley likely to come? Personally, I think he is a very good football player, and maybe captain material. Lets not get our hopes up though - we've got to remember it's the deadly duo Magilton and Sheepshanks doing the negotiating!

Reply:

McAuley is bound to want to play at a higher level but it is not a given he will leave Leicester and if he does, Ipswich won't be the only ones chasing him.

Liam Thompson:

It's been over a week since we were strongly linked with Sorensen - will Jim bother signing him? or does Bywater seem a better option to him?

Reply:

Sorensen's season just finished yesterday and he will take time to look at his options. just cos Town want a player it doesn't mean they will come running.

Liam Thompson:

Oh, and It seems the fans' favourite for captain is Garvan (I saw my little comment in the paper on saturday), will Jim listen to the fans and consider him?

Reply:

A manager should always listen to the fans (and the press) - and then do what they wanted to do in the first place anyway.

Malcolm Thompson:

Can you please ask Derek & David if there is any way the club could help us travelling fans to away games with cheaper rail fares, not the club themselves but maybe liaising with a railway company like they do with companies in teamclub points etc. For example, if we show our season ticket or card designed by club and rail company at station when purchasing tickets, we get some sort of discount?? It costs a fortune on the train and this would be a great help to us they travel the whole of the UK following the Super Blues. Maybe something that Andrew could look into in marketing deot maybe?? Thanks for your time and help in this. Malcolm Thompson

Reply:

Maybe they should get National Express to be the next sponsor - watch this space.

sue smith:

I'm not bothered about Andy Rhodes going because he doesn't appear to have been much of a coach judging my some of the Town keepers ( Alexander excepted and he left as soons as he could) but I am worried about Jordan leaving. I know he is on a contract but could he go to another club if his dad finds new employment and wants him to follow him?

Reply:

Jordan is under contract and from whenever I have spoken to him is very happy at Town. accepts he is still learning the game and is prepared to be patient. I fully

Phillipe le chein:

I'm gutted about Rhodsey leaving - when i spoke to him, he seemed a decent sort of guy! Who on earth do you think would want to come to be GK coach at Ipswich now?

Reply:

Webster is a possibility and I doubt Jim will have a shortage of decent goalkeeping coaches applying.

Olly Magnus:

Derek, now the dust has settled after a pretty good season ( that could and probably should have been better). What are your thoughts on David Healy joining now Fulham have stayed up? I think hte feeling was that if they stayed up he would be allowed to leave as Hodgson doesn't think he is good enough for the Premier, does that mean Jim does think he is good enough ? Any news on any other potential signings? Heard a whisper that Town were trying to get Song from Arsenal on a season loan but not sure if there is anything in this. Mcauley to sign shortly?

Reply:

Magilton is a big fan of Healy and it would be no surprise if they have not already spoken and a deal could be done. As I said earlier McAuley is a strong possibility, mor so than Song but you never know.

David Smith:

What do you make of Andy Rhodes leaving the club through mutual consent. was this planned by the board or has this been a surprise and will it affect the stability of the club? also do you know if anyone has anyone been lined up to be brought in?

Reply:

It would have been cleared by the board but magilton's decsion. I can't seeing it causing instability and as I said earlier it could clear the way for Webster to return.

Darryl Hood:

We obviously need a goal machine, in the mould of David Johnson (the second), but there seems to be no obvious candidate. An over-seas link perhaps? The danger therein being we end up with someone the quality of Dave Strihavka like our friends up the road...

Reply:

Players from abroad tend to be cheaper too and Pablo has good links in Spain, ala Navas, while no doubt all ex Players going abroad keep an eye out. Fabian had a cousin that almost came last year.

Darryl Hood:

Rumour has it that Rhodes snr leaving has a connection to the limited involvement of Rhodes jnr in the first team during the run in. Any truth in said rumours?

Reply:

I floated that notion in my story this morning. You can have aread on the EADT website. That is proably where the 'rumours' emanated from.

Al Preese:

After an uncertain start that seems to affect many keepers behind a new but not altogether sound defence, Bywater has looked an increasingly good keeper. We have seen Colgan do well for Barnsley at Portman Road the season before last. We know that Supple has ability and a fair bit of promise. I don’t know how good Andy Rhodes has been as a keeper coach but have never heard anyone suggest he is anything other than competent or if there are other issues. Now it looks like a summer of change for keepers and coaches. Is this a case of creating a problem and then trying to solve it? In terms of priority, centre backs, left back, left midfield and striker are surely way ahead as positions to change and for investment? Or is there much we do not know?

Reply:

It is an extra burden Magilton has put upon himslef, or it could actually be a problem resolved because as you say we don't know for sure what was going on behind the scenes, although I have heard some things which means it was not a shock in the slightest to me when I was told of Rhodes' departure.

Darryl Hood:

Don't go kidding your(our)selves, as someone who's seen McAuley several times playing in League 2 for Lincoln, he's an average footballer playing in a mediocre team. We surely MUST be setting our sights higher?

Reply:

I'm not convinced about McAuley but surely he must have improved since he was an Imp. Older town fans will remember when Milburn (I think it was) brought in defenders from a Scottish side that got relegated and made the Blues worse. I would appreciate a reader knowing all the details coming on.

Jonny Lambert:

Some of the comments attributed to the club re JDV seems to indicate they were unprepared for him to move on. I assume that this is a smokescreen not lack of planning. Presumably the search for one or two centre backs has been going on for some time.

Reply:

It is a nonsense to suggest they didn't know JdV was leaving. I did the story abck in march and was unequivocal saying he had sold his house, had a job on Canadian TV and was moving intoa house built by a lake. I knew so I'm sure, despite the smokesecreen, they knew too. And planned accordingly.

Darryl Hood:

Any nearer the chance for a sit-down interview with Saint Marcus Evans yet? Still love to find out what brought him to Town in the first place, so on and so forth. Many unanswered questions about the man....

Reply:

Have not given up hope.

russell mariner:

You mentioned David Nugent's name again....surely Jim won't go there again and after his outburst Nugent won't want to play for him either? Also, is Healey really that good for a first choice goal machine? His goal ratio isn't that great in the top 2 divisions.

Reply:

Town would need to play to Healy's strengths and Magilton is convinced he knows how to get the best out of him.

Darryl Hood:

The details on McAuley was that he was the "butch" to the Imps back-line to Paul Morgan being the more intelligent (in a footballing sense) man. Almost a Vidic and Ferdinand set-up. Much the same as a Leicester supporting friend says they play. Still, he was part of a relegated Leicester defence. There simply must be better players out there!

Reply:

No doubt but can Town get them?

David Smith:

Having seen that we are trying to address our defence and our attack with suitable targets (i.e. McAuley and Healy) i feel that we need to look at our left midfield as we dont seem to have a someone at the club who can play that position naturally. Quinn is a good player but always cuts in and billy clarke was loaned out for half the season. someone like hoolahan would be a really good signing but do you know if jim has any targets for this position?

Reply:

I would be surprised if he didn't get a left-footed midfielder but there are only so many midfielders any side can have. Two central defeders have to be the priority and if he is not keeping Harding and Sito is reluctant to sign a new deal because he wants regular football, a left back is needed. Plus a target man and a goal-poacher. Oh, and a keeper.

Olly Magnus:

I think you said recently that you knew of a shortlist of targets for Jim, any closer to reveling any or all of them to us?

Reply:

One by one. I gave you Sorensen first, before anyone else.

Al Preese:

Following on from my earlier ‘smokescreen’ question, another one for you to cut through the fog. The club seems to want to give out a message that this will not be a summer of major change yet all the signs are that it will be. Your interpretation please?

Reply:

It depends on your definition of 'wholesale changes'. My feeling is he will sign as many as he can but fail in quite a few. Expect more behind the scenes changes too.

Steve B:

I don't know how good McCauley is but I suggest that anyone doubting his ability due to Leicester's results check the stats. Their defence was outstanding, Town conceded only three fewer goals away from home as Leicester did in total. I've always been impressed by Kisnorbo and if we could create a defence capable of conceding less than fifty goals a season I think we would be guaranteed promotion.

Reply:

Agree about Kisnorbo and it is shame he is out for so long with a knee injury. Good central defence is often down as much to the partnership than an individual. how often do you see a 'great' centre half, not do so well when split from his mate.

David Smith:

As you have said jim has identified his targets, but when do you think the first of the signings will be made?

Reply:

It doesn't appear that the club are confident of anything happening much until Jim gets back from Ireland. Sheepshnaks did say by the end of this month and we will probably find out when the story is leaked from the other club. Although we will try to bring it you you first as we often do. Speak to you all again at 3pm. Shame the lunch was cancelled, apparenty the food was already ordered and paid for, but a bonus to have two webchats I'm sure you will agree.

Rod Bennett:

Derek - I seem to recall that you are not a Town fan as such, who do you support?

Reply:

So as not be accused of silly things by silly people I never say who I support. But they are a Premier League side that are going to kick butt next season.

Rod Bennett:

Last year Jim moved the dugouts, before that he switched the home and away changing rooms - any changes planned for this close season?

Reply:

I doubt there will be any more structral changes although you can expect the pitch to be back to its former glory as there are no concerts on it this summer.

Liam Thompson:

This Riga chap, he sounds quite a decent player, and with the financial sityuation of spanish clubs surely we should be looking in that direction this summer. Riga could be a decent signing, but with our Valencia links have we got anything lined up from there?

Reply:

I would not read too much into that.

Liam Thompson:

Someone with inside knowledge has told me that Garvan and Rhodes are off to Everton. With the sacking of Andy Rhodes, it seems that that is almost guaranteed now. What's your view?

Reply:

You will remember that I linked Garvan with Everton some time ago. My understanding though is that it was Haynes and not Rhodes that they also liked the look of. Rhodes has had very limited experience and it may be a while yet before PL clubs come in for him.

rory evans:

Sorry to hear your lunch was cancelled. Do I remember correctly from a speech you made to a dinner I was at that Joe Royle missed a planned press lunch and you suspected that he had been sacked and a couple of days later he was gone. do you think something is afoot with Jim after he missed this year's lunch?

Reply:

ha ha. I do remember that. I'm assured that there is nothing sinister about the lunch being cancelled and Derek B is genuinly ill and Jim really is in Ireland for family reasons. Mind you I'm sure the conspiracy theorists will have a field day.

Olly Magnus:

Whats your feeling on Garvan? Do you think he will sign the contract or leave?

Reply:

I'm not convinced he will sign. If he does there will be a clause letting him talk to any Premiership clubs wanting to do a deal above a certain price.

Olly Magnus:

Derek, fi you get a sniff of a player that town are about to make an offer on, do you have a moral responsibilty to inform the club that you are going to 'break' the story ? Obviously the story could alert other clubs who may be interested and scupper a potential deal. Just interested in what the process is when you get a 'scoop'

Reply:

Not so much a moral thing more a case of checking if its true. As you know the club get linked with loads of players, like Robinson today. I have asked about that and told there is nothing in it. Sometimes the club are twitchy about me doing stories because it could alert other clubs but if I'm sure enough about my facts (it has come from a good source inside or outside of the club) I will run it and invariably I'm proved right. Sometimes I will have a story for a few days and sit on it to try and do right by the club, but in the past it has come out at the other club, and so I have missed out.

Derek Smythe:

Im an arsenal fan, and i have held a season ticket at both ipswich and arsenal recently. With the two clubs playing such similar styles of football, and arsene wenger an admitted fan of the ipswich style, do you think that therecould be potential for an ipswich/arsenal linkup, whereby Ipswich Town, took Young Guns and gave them experience at a high level, as we have seen with the likes of Carlos Vela, Kieran Gibbs, Francisco Merida and Mark Randall, all of whom are hotly tipped to break into the Arsenal First team in the future

Reply:

I would love to see some of the Arsenal youngsters on loan at Town. I know Town have tried with quite afew but have not managed to get much joy. I hear the younger Hoyte is a decent player too.

Liam Thompson:

I think that Ipswich need to look for a real quality player worth four or five million pounds, and sign them on a one year contract with the promise of an increase in salary with promotion to the premiership. do you think there is any chance of this happening?

Reply:

That is emminently sensible. The problems with buying a £4m player is he would probably want wages to match, and a longer deal. You can't pay way over the top in wages because it disrupts the dressing room.

Liam Thompson:

As you said to someone previously in this webchat you hear a lot of rumours that are not true. do you reckon someone is out there just making up rumours - like the Robinson one - or do you think they base these rumours on fact?

Reply:

I don't know where the Robinson once started but it is easy for someone on a message board to say I heard... It then gets legs and does the rounds and eventually it is passed off as a fact but are eventually found out as rubbish. Sometimes it comes from a reliable source, like the EADT for example, and someone will go on a board and say I have heard... and somelese not lucky enough to get the EADT may think it is arumour when it is in fact - fact.

Rod Bennett:

is there a deadline for a new sponsorship deal? I assume they will want to get the new shirts etc on sale asap.

Reply:

No deadline but clearly the club would like to get something sorted ASAP for the shirts and also to gain maximum publicity befor ethe seoasn starts.

David Smith:

Derek, in addition to Sorenson, McAuley, Healy and possibly Nugent, are there any other possible targets that you would identify if you were jim?

Reply:

I would have another crack at Stefanovic. I would also take a look at Adamoh at Barnet among others.

Liam Thompson:

So, shirt sponsorship - is it going to be SnOasis? or should town look for a big insurance company like AXA?

Reply:

AXA have already said no. SnoAsis would ahve been a good bet except they are not going to get full approval until September. Too late for Town. It would also take a couple of years to build so my feeling now is that it won't happen with them this time round.

Liam Thompson:

I hear that Newcastle have released stephan carr - what about a bid to sign him - at championship level a don't reckon he will be too bad

Reply:

Carr is a decent defender, and a sensible lad too, so could probably do a good job for Ipswich.

damian brannigan:

I would personally love to see us break the bank for Koumas, any truth in the Bramble rumours?

Reply:

koumas would not drop back to the Championship. he is proven PL quality and Bruce seems to love him. Nothing in the Bramble rumour. He often drops into the Town training ground for a cup of tea and a chat but there is nothing more to it than that.

David Smith:

This question was probably posed months ago but it has a more relevance now with garvan not agreeing a new contract. Did you that its was a bad idea for the board to allow several members of Marcus Evans' company onto the board - so that if an offer came in for a player (e.g. garvan) and the board had equal and differing opinions - Marcus Evans would have the casting vote. This would potentially mean that he could be sold for far less than he is worth.

Reply:

Sheepshanks and co had no choice if they wanted to do a deal with Evans. There was no way he was going to pump that money in without having full control, which is effectively what he has got. I have warned about this in the past. He will take advice on football matters but he is a businessman looking to make a profit. I have had no reason to think otherwise and his reuctance to talk about Town and what is going on just reinforces that.

David Smith:

Finally, who do you think will win the playoffs and who would you like to see win them?

Reply:

I have to admit I was surprised Bristol won at Palace and I can see them getting to Wembley now because they are decent at home. Hull was less of a surprise and I fancy them to complete the job against Watford and then get promoted. I would like to see Hull go up because of Wayne Brown and I have a lot of time for Brian Horton who is Phil Brown's assistant.