The expression "square pegs in round holes" is one which has been used regularly by fans during the course of Ipswich's current season, to explain the lack of cohesion within the team. Whilst as a statement it's quite apt, the problem is even simpler - using a squad system without squad players.
Tuesday night's defeat against Southampton seemed to represent another watermark moment in Town's season, to be listed alongside, 'the first time fans booed Jim Magiltons substitutions', and 'the first time fans chanted: We want Magilton out'.
Simply, this one was about the paucity of performance.
But it felt like the worst example of a situation which has existed in many other Ipswich Town matches this season, namely that of players being asked to fill unfamiliar roles. And filling them without a great deal of success.
The most obvious change in how Jim Magilton, or any other previous Town manager, has approached this season, is in his attempt to build a squad of talented players and then alternate them based on form and fitness at any given moment. Its a system which has been used with some success by the leading managers in the Premiership, so there is some precedent for such a system.
With one major difference.
Top premiership clubs are rotating players who arent just playing at that level because they are outstanding footballers, but also because they are capable not only of retaining sharpness when dropped in and out of the squad, but also because they are able to retain a level of performance if asked to play in different positions.
Manchester United are a perfect example of this. Ryan Giggs can be asked to play at left midfield, right midfield, centre midfield or even as a forward player, and the level of performance is still high. For a lesser example, John O'Shea is currently filling the right-back berth, yet has also played in central midfield and in his more accustomed centre-back role.
Yes, these are better footballers, but thats exactly the point.
Quite simply, we dont need David Norris to be able to perform like Ryan Giggs and we dont expect him to. But if we want him to play at left-midfield, right-midfield or centre midfield, then we are expecting him to have a level of footballing adaptability that isnt present in many Premiership footballers, let alone Championship footballers.
David Norris is not alone in this. Our squad is littered with players that most fans have argued on numerous occasions is good in one position, but has struggled somewhat when asked to play in his non-natural position. To the name of David Norris, you can add- Owen Garvan, Jon Walters, Alex Bruce, Pim Balkestein, Jon Stead, Kevin Lisbie, David Wright, Tommy Miller and Alan Quinn.
Our current first team "squad" is not filled with "squad" footballers, it is filled with players who are more than capable of performing to a high level in the Championship in their recognised position. By playing them in alternative positions is all too often bringing about a drop in their level of performance. Individuals not performing to the best of their ability means the team are not playing to the best of their abilities. Which, in turn, means we are beaten by teams which are.
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