How Mark Ashton and co conduct a transfer window
It is no secret that Ipswich plan to go big this upcoming January transfer window in real life as we look to continue our promotion push to the Premier League. The recruitment team takes a calm and balanced approach planning out the key positions we need to target and a list of targets.
The player trading model has given Ipswich plenty of success up to this point so every player I bring in, I will look to be reinvested for a profit. As previously stated, Kieran likes to target young, hungry, athletic and technical players. That will be the priority and philosophy I take every transfer window.
Analysing which positions to target
First off, it was clear that our star left back Leif Davis was extremely overworked and we badly needed some cover for him. So the main priority is to find a back-up left back who is strong in attack and adequate defensively.
Despite chipping in with a couple of goals, Dane Scarlett was not the profile of striker I wanted as my back-up complete forward. I wanted a profile of striker who was much taller, physical with good hold-up play. Similar profile to Hirst.
Our defensive midfield department was ageing massively and something I know I’ll need to address sooner rather than later. I was sitting on the fence when debating whether to add a DM. However, an unfortunate long-term injury to a key player forced my hand.
Lastly, I wanted to just strengthen my back-up options with one more slightly younger wing option to partner Omari Hutchinson who has been a big success so far. One option cropped up on a deal that just made a lot of sense.
Raising funds
At the start of January, we were completely broke as well as already having all 25 squad slots used up, so we would have to sell before we could buy.
Big Cam Burgess, a player I love in real life is sadly just still lacking that required pace. I didn’t want to sell him so early on. However, I was left with little choice when he came to me asking for more game time and I rejected his request making him very unhappy. Fortunately, Stoke put in a offer of 500k, which I simply couldn’t refuse.
Next to go was Dom Ball for a measly 50k – Mr Versatility just doesn’t suit any specific role in my tactic and I was struggling to give him the minutes he needed. He freed up a valuable squad space!
Again, inevitably Sone Aluko simply had to go, so I’d dropped him down to the under 21’s. He just doesn’t have the quality to play in the championship anymore. Gillingham picked him up on a free transfer. Hopefully he can find regular minutes there.
Last on the chopping block was Freddie. He had recently returned from a 3–4 month injury however, he isn’t my kind of striker on FM and with his age he will only decline. I managed to get 200k for him, which is OK.
I also sent Dane Scarlett back to Spurs because he wasn’t justifying his 10k wages a week. As previously stated, I’m looking for a different profile of striker so he had to be sacrificed.
I’m happy with the amount of players I’ve been able to move on and the amount of funds I have raised which allowed room to manoeuvre in the loan market and potentially make one permanent signing.
The signings!
The worst possible news struck just days into January: Cam Humphreys, our star Segundo Volante, who had been developing in leaps and bounds had his season gut-tinglingly cut short with the worst possible injury. This resulted in me dipping into the transfer market.
My first signing of the window was Shea Charles on loan from Southampton. I didn’t have the funds to go out and get a permanent option and Charles was the best of the bunch on the loan list. A really tidy midfielder who is natural at DM and can also cover as my 4th choice CB.
Shea has all the attributes I want in a DM: great physicals, a real athlete, tidy on the ball and aggressive in defence. A shrewd pick up until the end of the season.
Next position to sort was the LB: again not looking for a permanent signing, just someone to fill in until the end of the season at cover Leif. My options at LB were very limited, I really wanted Ian Maatsen but he turned me down a couple of times. In the end I settled for Hugo Bueno on loan from Wolves who is another great option.
Bueno suits my tactic to a tee: the player trait to get forward whenever possible is fantastic. Well-rounded but the stats that really stood out to me were the high crossing, dribbling and flair. He is another athlete who should be a serious force going forward. He’s not the best defensively, but that’s fine considering he will predominantly be attacking down that left flank.
Addressing the striker situation was also essential, after terminating Scarlett’s loan. I already knew exactly who I had in mind: Miles Leaburn a quality striker in real life was picked up from Charlton for a mere 500k.
Young English with lots of room to grow. A 6ft 5 physical beast who can hold the ball up and finish when he gets the chance. Exactly the profile that fits the complete striker role. I’m very happy with this one and he will provide some top competition for Hirst.
My first reaction when I saw Ben Doak was WOW. He is simply sensational at just 18 years old. He has all the stats needed to make a top winger. It was a toss up between him and Amad Diallo. However, Doak was actually the better player and wanted just 2k! Yes, 2k wages a week! An absolute steal.
Consistent and room to develop. Electrifying pace, agility and balance. Great mentals and creativity stats. Room to develop on the finishing side but the priority of the winger in my tactic is to drill low crosses into the box and get assists.
Bonus game of the save so far!
We received the worst possible tie in the FA Cup 3rd round: a draw against Premier League heavyweights Liverpool. In my mind, I was thinking we go again next season. However, the boys acknowledged the game was a free hit and rose to the occasion.
Omari was handed a rare start following a Burns injury and he decided to take the game to Liverpool quickly scoring a double. We were all over Liverpool and they were so fortunate to go into the break just 2-1 down after an unlucky Leif own goal.
Very little happened in the second half – Liverpool were unable to breach our defence as we secured a historic FA Cup win!! We fully deserved the win as well because we were by far the better team.
In conclusion
I’m delighted with the transfer window! Four smart signings that will all strengthen the squad and provide some much needed competition for key players.
I’m even more delighted with that phenomenal win against Liverpool. Easily the best moment of the save so far. Every player took their levels to a new height as we dominated a very strong Liverpool team.
In the next article, I will go into detail covering the second half of the season. We will see if I maintain the great form and get promoted to the Premier League!