A much needed aggressor

Ipswich were joined on their pre-season tour by ex-Charlton and Manchester City full-back, Ben Thatcher. Not the most universally popular player, but John, returning from his summer break, thinks its just what we need.

The natives are restless.

Look at this bad guy whos trying to play for OUR club. Ben Thatcher doesnt look like hes going to be the most popular of recent Ipswich Town signings, should he agree terms and sign for the club.

Yet if ever that phrase about not being able to please all of the people all of the time were suitable, its where Thatcher is concerned. For years now, Ipswich have been crying out for a decent left back. In fact, its been more of a problem position than any other at the club. Thinking back, I would imagine that we have to go back to Herman Hreidarsson in 02/03. Since then, only David Unsworth and Dan Harding threatened to provide any sort of long-term solution, before both ultimately failed (or in the case of Harding, appear to have failed). In the interim, the cast of applicants have been many and varied- Fabian Wilnis (a right back throughout his long career), Daniel Karbassiyoon (remember him?), Matt Richards, David Wright (again primarily a right-back), Scott Barron.

Equally, Ipswich have been very short in the department marked "hard men". When was the last time Ipswich lined up with a player in their side who would strike fear into the opposition (and not necessarily for their footballing ability)? Its hard to recall. Perhaps Mauricio Taricco is the most recent example, but even he was a footballer first, and a fine one at that.

So, along comes Ben Thatcher, who quite readily ticks both boxes- a very competent left-back with several seasons of premiership experience, international recognition and large transfer fees to back it up and a less-than-clean reputation on the pitch.

Only some fans are now disappointed that Ipswich are looking to sign a player with such a troubled reputation.Thatcher has had some much publicised on-pitch misdemeanours, for which he has been rightly punished and has rightly apologised for. But perhaps we should be embracing this reputation. Perhaps it might just make a difference that, for once, our team has a bit of steel in it. Somebody who is going to take no prisoners, who is going to get stuck in when things are going against us, who is going to fire up his teammates.

And most importantly of all, he might just be able to defend well too. You cant please all of the people all of the time, but his addition to the team might just pleasantly surprise a few people.