Archive for August, 2008

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd admitted his side were ?abysmal? in the first half against Town but hailed the contribution of substitute John-Joe O'Toole as the youngster turned the game in the Hornets' favour.

In the first half Boothroyd's men looked a shadow of the team that looked promotion certainties for so long last season and were lucky not to be further behind after Pablo Counago's second minute strike was all Town had to show for their dominance.

But …

Read the rest of this article

Jim Magilton admitted the international break cannot come quickly enough for his side after the Blues slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Watford.

The Town chief is planning to use the next two weeks to regroup after a bitterly disappointing start to the season that has seen the Blues lose three of their opening four league games.

Magilton was left scratching his head how his side managed to throw away the lead given to them by Pablo Counago's second minute strike as Town …

Read the rest of this article

John-Joe O'Toole's winner four minutes from times gave Watford all three points at Vicarage Road this evening against a wasteful Ipswich Town.

O'Toole came on as a second half substitute and proceeded to change the game in the Hornets favour and his late winner was enough to give Aidy Boothroyd's men the spoils.

He reacted quickest after Richard Wright could only parry Jobi McAuff's fierce strike while questions will be asked of debutant Moritz Volz, …

Read the rest of this article

Watford (4-4-2): Poom, Doyley, Bromby, DeMerit, Parkes, McAnuff, Williamson, Eustace, Harley, Smith, Priskin. Subs: Loach, Henderson, Francis, Mariappa, O'Toole.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Wright, Volz, McAuley, Naylor, Thatcher, Walters, Campo, Miller, Trotter, Counago, Lisbie. Subs: Supple, Balkestein, Shumulikoski, Haynes, Rhodes.

Jon Walters has been named in the Town starting XI against Watford this afternoon despite rumours Stoke have tabled a ?3m for the …

Read the rest of this article

Jim Magilton has hailed the contribution of Alan Lee after the striker completed a ?600,000 move to Crystal Palace last night.

Lee has signed a three-year contract with the Eagles after agreeing personal terms but the Blues boss paid tribute to the Republic of Ireland international for his two-and-a-half years at Portman Road.

?Alan has been a fantastic servant for this Football Club but the time is right to go our separate ways. We wish him every success for the future,? …

Read the rest of this article

Jim Magilton admitted he can't guarantee Town fans Jon Walters will not be sold before the transfer deadline.

The Ipswich chief said he is desperate to hold on to the striker but, with Walters keen to move nearer his roots in the North-West, Stoke are ready to offer a Premiership stage to showcase his talents.

Magilton wants to build his side around Walters but if the 24-year-old has indicated a desire to leave then a �3m offer could be enough to convince Town to do …

Read the rest of this article

Moritz Volz is willing to pack away his fold-up bicycle to help Ipswich Town realise their Premier League dreams after signing a 12-month loan deal at Portman Road.

Volz became something of a cult hero at Fulham with the 25-year-old defying the modern stereotype of a Premier League footballer by travelling to home games at Craven Cottage on the tube and getting around London on a bike.

But Town fans hoping to get a glimpse of Volz cycling around Ipswich town centre are set …

Read the rest of this article

Jim Magilton believes he will have to wait until right before the transfer window closes on Monday night before getting the target man striker he has coveted all summer.

The Blues boss has been desperately trying to find a replacement for Alan Lee, who has outlived his days at Portman Road according to the Ipswich chief and is in talks with Crystal Palace over a ?600,000 move.

Shola Ameobi was a medical away from completing a ?2.5m move 10 days ago but Magilton has not …

Read the rest of this article

Moritz Volz will go straight into the squad for Saturday's Championship clash against Watford after signing for the Blues on a season-long loan deal.

Town agreed to pay a loan fee to Fulham, believed to be around ?250,000, for the 25-year-old defender and becomes manager Jim Magilton's sixth signing this summer.

Ipswich had originally wanted to sign Volz on a permanent deal but the 25-year-old did not want to commit himself to more than one season in the …

Read the rest of this article

Alf has always been a big fan of Tuesday night football though not of the Carling Cup but a match against local rivals Colchester proved enough to lure me to the Greyhound for the ritual pre match Adnams, steak pie and chips and then to Portman Road for the local derby.

The big question on Alf's mind was how Jim Magilton was going to fit Ivan Campo into the established tried and tested Ipswich Town 4-4-2 system. At kick off Town lined up as a 4-4-2 but within seconds had switched …

Read the rest of this article