The Missing Link?

In the wake of back-to-back away draws at Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday, the most promising aspect to be derived from either game has been the performance of the returning David Norris. After such a long wait, Mike L feels that Norris is showing exactly why he commanded such a big fee and why he could be key to our promotion chances.

Well he couldn't resist could he. Having beaten Reading on the Saturday, manager Jim Magilton still felt the need to tinker with his starting line-up. This time it was the unlucky Pablo Counago making way for midfielder David Norris against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium four days later.

On the evidence of the 74 minutes Norris completed he showed enough to suggest that the gaffer was right to bring in the dynamic little midfielder at the earliest possible opportunity. In his first league start for six months, due to injury, Norris showed, in glimpses, the reasons why Plymouth Argyle where so desperate to keep hold of their captain during last seasons January transfer window.

Norris looked exceedingly rusty at times, struggling with his first touch and the general frenetic nature of Championship football, though you would excuse even the Worlds best players displaying these shortcomings after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, what was evident, especially throughout the first half, was his versatility. Norris started on the right side of midfield, played in centre midfield alongside Tommy Miller and was even asked to play just behind Jon Stead - all in the space of 45 minutes. The fact that he looked equally as comfortable in all three roles demonstrates the precise reason why Magilton paid £2m to prize him away from Home Park.

Although we have an abundance of midfield players in the current squad, are any capable of making an impact playing anywhere across the middle of the park? The answer is no.

Norris is a box to box combative midfielder who has the rare talent of being able to play in varying positions. He is a gem of a player who gives our manager far more tactical choices during a match, highlighted by Magilton against Southampton.

Town started with a 4-4-2 formation against the Saints, but were quickly on the back foot and fell behind during a 14 minute spell that saw the home side dominate the midfield area. Magilton was quick to counter the threat by pushing Norris infield, moving Walters back into his more familiar right midfield position while playing Owen Garven in the hole behind lone striker Stead in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

It immediately paid off with Garven restoring parity after 20 minutes. The question is without Norris in the side would Jim have been given the same amount of flexibility tactically in which to change the flow of a football match in his favour? What was also apparent on the night was that with Miller as the anchorman this allowed Norris and Garven shared responsibility in linking midfield with attack. Further evidence of the player's positive influence on the team.

Although comparisons with Steven Gerrard may seem a little wide of the mark, Norris shares the qualities that make him such an integral part of any football team. He is an all round 'Action Man' type of midfielder, someone who has the attributes to score at least 7 out of 10 in all areas of his game. And like Stevie G will always, above all else, give his sides 110% commitment and honesty.

Norris was described as a legend during his time at Plymouth and could hold the key to our hopes of Premiership football next season.

Rotation System Questioned

Despite the encouraging win over Reading on Saturday, there were several changes from the side which faced Watford, and it seems likely that Jim Magilton will again make changes to the side which faces Southampton on Wednesday. Whilst freshening things up is always seen as a positive thing, Mike L wonders if its really more about Jims struggle to find his best XI.

As all connected with Ipswich Town take stock on a stuttering start to the 2008/09 season that promised so much, what seems to be on everyone's mind is - Does Jim Magilton know what his best starting line-up is?

First team coach Bryan Klug has asked us to be patient while the new squad are integrated into a formidable unit while conceding that the introduction of a number of new players in the summer can have an unsettling effect on the squad.

Klug does maintain we have enough quality in the squad to seriously challenge this term, but did admit that up to two new signings are likely during the emergency loan period. The final piece of the promotion jigsaw or just two more names to further cloud team selection issues?

New club captain Gareth McAuley has voiced concerns over the managers rotation policy believing that adopting a more consistent team selection would help make the defence more of a unit, comments echoed by fellow defender Richard Naylor.

While injuries and a suspension to Alex Bruce have played a small part, during the four Championship games this season, Jim has used a staggering 21 different faces in his starting line-up - statistics that would make Liverpool under Benitez look as settled as a rock.

Magilton and the backroom staff will be under no illusions that the natives in Ipswich are becoming increasingly restless and bemused by recent performances, tactics and team selections.

But, while everyone will hope Jim has seen enough during the four games to know what his best formula for success is, it remains unlikely that he will be contemplating naming a settled side just yet. One suspects that a new left sided midfield player will be added to the squad along with one more defender. And don't forget Jonathan Stead needs to be tried and tested.

Add to this the imminent return of David Norris and David Wright from injury, Owen Garven from illness and Bruce from suspension, Magilton will no doubt be tempted into tinkering even further with his selections in an attempt to reverse our fortunes in the coming weeks.

The negative effect that the rotation system is having on the players is blatantly obvious given the erratic performances in the league so far which has seen the good, the bad and the ugly in equal measures.

Let's hope that Magilton has had enough time to plot the downfall of Reading and Southampton and then keep faith with the tactics, formations and players involved.

Time To Deliver

Jim Magilton has been very busy bringing in new players and building his own team. Our newest columnist, Mike L, thinks Jim currently has a lot of questions unanswered and, having been provided with finance to bring in the players he wants, now has to deliver.

If certain rumours are to be believed, Jim Magilton may have as little as four months to convince owner Marcus Evans that he is still the right man to lead Ipswich Town Football Club back into the Premiership.

Given the fact that Evans seems so reluctant to speak publicly about his views on the club, many supporters are left in the dark on the issue of just how long the manager has left to get it right. My guess is that it may be a matter of weeks rather than months.

While his backing of Magilton in the transfer market is clearly apparent, rest assured that like any successful businessman Evans will want to see a return on his investment sooner rather than later and that looks a long, long way off at the moment.

Having spent around £6 million pounds in the transfer market in 2008, pre-season optimism has been replaced by calls for the mangers head after just six games of the new season which has yielded a measly three points in the league. Our worst start for five years.

Can Magilton turn it around? Well the rumoured dressing room unrest is the most worringing aspect for me. Since day one Magilton has found it necessary to publicly criticise individuals after some poor performances which gives supporters and players alike the impression that he will blame anyone but himself for Towns poor start to this campaign.

Has he fallen out with the likes of Owen Garven and Alex Bruce and is this having an adverse effect on the rest of the players, further fuelled by the fact that our player of the Year Jon Walters may now be unsettled. Didn't Magilton say in pre-season he would not stand in the way of any of his players fulfilling their dream of playing in the Premiership? Has the money provided by Evans acted as more of a hindrance to Magilton rather than a help?

When all is said and done is Wright much better than Alexander? Is McAuley a natural leader in the mould of De Vos? Is Thatcher the answer to the troubled left back position? Will Balkestein develop into anything more than a fringe player? Did we really need Ivan Campo in preference to much needed balance to the left side of midfield? Will Lisbie score the 20 goals a season that any promotion team needs?

And will the signing of Jonathon Stead appease some of the unrest on the terraces, or will it simply be seen as a last ditch panic buy to fill the void left by the surprising departure of Alan Lee.

So many questions left unanswered as Magilton tries to mould a squad that is now unquestionable his. And just how much time does he have left to rescue a sinking ship? Only Marcus Evans and the board can answer that one.