The headline story on Ipswichs transfer window action was the capture of David Norris after a month of negotiation and, according to the club, several months worth of previous admiration on behalf of Jim Magilton. But is Jim simply plugging a gap which he inadvertently created early in his managerial career?
The adjectives used to describe David Norris have been extremely favourable. "combative", "energetic", "box-to-box". And they have also been somewhat familiar.
Those with even the shortest of memories will remember the clubs 2003/04 Player of The Year, Ian Westlake. Whilst it is true that Westlake struggled with injury in much of 2005/06, it was still extremely surprising to see one of the clubs more successful Academy products sold on.
The size of the deal offered by Leeds perhaps made it appealling, as was the opportunity to acquire Dan Harding. This additional income was probably the only way for Magilton to be able to manouvre in the transfer market in the way that he required at that early point in his managerial career.
Nonetheless, its curious to read the club stating that "when Magilton was asked who was on his shopping list when he first took over in Summer 2006, David Norris was one of the first on his lips". It seems that the Norris-mould of player has been something which has been on the Magilton wish-list for quite some time. It has certainly been a well-advertised fact since last summer signalled the start of Towns repeated enquiries to Plymouth for Norris.
Perhaps Norris and Westlake are completely different players and the superlatives being poured forth for Towns latest signing should not be used as an accurate benchmark of the players' qualities. But perhaps moving Westlake on was a step too quick in the development of Magiltons Ipswich team and it has cost twice as much to rectify it once more.......
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