Laurent Robert to sign? Do we want him?

Weekend speculation linking former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert with a future at Ipswich seem to have intensified with confirmation that the player attended the Burnley match at the weekend. But is this someone we want at Ipswich? How will affect the current squad?

It only takes a look on youtube video site to see the quality of compilation videos dedicated to Robert. The guy clearly has talent and what is there to suggest that, at 32, he wont be able to showcase that talent comfortably in the Championship? After all, he would be coming to Ipswich at a similar point in his career to Sylvain Legwinski, who certainly has proved to be more than capable. So he looks to have the ability.

Saturdays game was probably the perfect opportunity for Robert to see why we would need him. Our lack of left-sided players has become so acute that we have now taken to playing our outstanding performer this season, Jon Walters, out of position on the left flank in the hope that this might give us some kind of threat. Which has been to the detriment of his own performances- its enough to ask a forward to play out of position at right midfield, but to then expect him to do the same at left midfield is possibly a step too far. Similarly, with Sito getting injured, we found our entire left flank devoid of a naturally left-footed player. So, he looks to have a role to play in the team.

But the biggest question mark has to centre around his perceived attitude. A player who left English football under a cloud after an extremely disappointing spell at Portsmouth. Even the great Sir Bobby Robson came to question his attitude on numerous occasions at Newcastle.

And furthermore, the lack of support to our full-backs has been an issue of discontent for some time. Of all the players who have been used in this position over the past few years, it seems that Robert is the least equipped to offer the required defensive work to protect Dan Harding or Sito.

Inevitably, it seems that the supporter base will be split if Robert signs. It could make or break our season.