All I want for christmas are four new players!

After two more pathetic away defeats it was fantastic to be back at Portman Rd and even better to gain a confidence building victory against Leicester even if it was in controversial circumstances. The away "disease" as Magilton calls it, seems likely to stop us from pushing any further forward than mid table, that is unless, as Jim says, we get in new players and get rid of the duds.

For my money we MUST strengthen in four key areas if we are to challenge for promotion this season, they are a

colossus central defender in the mould of Taylor on loan to the Budgies,

a combative central midfielder in the mould of Norris at Plymouth, a

tricky left sided midfielder in the mould of Hoolahan at Blackpool, and

one more bustling striker in the mould of Alan Lee.

If we were to bring

in these four types of players or, at worst, the first three mentioned

positions, then I think we must have a fantastic chance to make the play

offs and possibly challenge for the top two. This seasons championship

is one of the worst for some years and it really is wide open for near

enough any of the top 14 to make the play offs. The hard part in getting

these players will of course be ensuring we aren't taken to the cleaners

by the selling clubs and greedy agents, but we shouldn't fear as all

transfer dealings will be conducted by our chairman David Sheepshanks!!

I do think that clubs should hire trained negotiators to handle

transfers especially in the current cash strapped days of football when

paying the market value for players is essential. When you sell your

house you use an agent to negotiate the best deal for you, I see no

reason why clubs couldn't have trained sales people who can handle all

their negotiations.

On a more negative note I must say that I think our home crowds are

becoming appalling, a ticket at Portman Road this season must be amongst

the best value for money you can find, yet less than 18,000 turned up

for a fixture which was contested in the premiership not long ago, our

away support in contrast has been top draw; 3,000 to Charlton, 2,500 to

Watford, 1200 to Bristol on a cold Tuesday night, 1500 to Cardiff for a

Noon kick off. For my money we must have the best away support in the

division this season, and probably the largest decline in home support

from last seasons figures, amazing when you consider the contrasts in

the teams fortunes home and away!!

In the words of a very drunk cook "come on Ipswich fans Lets be having

you"