Target Practice #3

In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. Unfortunately for Ipswich Town during the 20/21 season, the fundamental element of victory, scoring goals, evaded them for much of the campaign. If James Norwood had been fit for the full season we may have been having a different conversation, but I’m struggling to define the former Tranmere star as prolific when his conversion rate stands about 1 goal for every 3 clear cut chances.

Town will undoubtedly be looking to sign a new striker this summer and with plenty of options out there, I want to look at three individuals that would thrive in a Paul Cook side and, potentially, fire Town back into the Championship.

Colby Bishop

It would be apt if the man who condemned Town to their first defeat in League One since their relegation was the man chosen to fire them back into England’s second tier. Colby Bishop has always proven a handful when Town have faced Accrington over the past couple of years and I wouldn’t be surprised if Town made a move for the 24-year-old talisman.

A strong, talented striker with excellent hold-up play, Bishop would thrive in Cook’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system. Turning out 38 times for Accrington this term, Bishop has scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists for his teammates, averaging a rating of 7.01 across those appearances (all stats according to Whoscored). Whilst those numbers aren’t mightily impressive, it’s worth noting that it was only the second full season in the Football League for the Nottingham-born striker.

Blooded in the National League, mainly with Leamington, Bishop has scored 61 goals in 176 appearances and, as of yet, hasn’t acquired any major injury issues. With a decent strike rate, temperament and desire to continue progressing, Bishop is exactly the kind of player that Town are looking for.

Bishop is still under contract at Accrington and after a couple of consistent campaigns, I’m certain that John Coleman’s star striker would command a high price. But Town have money to spend and investing in a developing striker may have long-term benefits as well as short-term gains.

Exactly the kind of player that Town are looking for, matched with a seamlessly ability to play as a holding striker, I’m certain that Bishop’s name will have been mentioned in Paul Cook’s recruitment meetings.

Joe Pigott

Could Joe Pigott be a better option that Colby Bishop? His statistics this season are more impressive and his price tag would be non-existent given he has recently rejected a new contract at AFC Wimbledon. Terms were on the table, but I’m almost certain that Town could double what their fellow League One side are offering, but should they?

Pigott has been one of the standout strikers of the past season, with his goals helping Wimbledon survive in England’s third tier. But it wasn’t a fluke, Pigott has been scoring important goals for the past three years, amassing 54 goals in 157 games for AFC Wimbledon. This season, the 27-year-old striker heralding from Maidstone has scored 20 goals in 45 appearances, grabbing 5 assists and averaging a rating of 7.20 across those appearances. Rest assured, Pigott would have had a promotion on his CV if he was playing for a better team.

Could Town be that team? Cook is on the lookout for a new talisman and Pigott is the exact calibre of striker required. Much like Bishop, he would thrive in the lone striker role and with plenty of quality around him, he’s guaranteed to score 13-20 goals a season. Whilst he may not be Mr. reliable from the penalty spot (as we’ve seen this season!), Pigott is a classy striker with an incredible work-rate and an uncanny finishing quality.

He’s an experienced head with a knowledge of the league, possessing leadership qualities and an uncanny eye for goal. If James Norwood has a future at Portman Road, he needs to be pushed by a player that can keep him out of the side, and Joe Pigott could well be that man.

Lawrence Shankland

The wildcard option for this list, and arguably the most unrealistic of the three strikers, Lawrence Shankland is a player that would undoubtedly light up League One. His goal scoring record for Dundee United and Ayr United has been unreal over the past few seasons, lighting up the Scottish Championship. Whilst his first season in the SPL with Dundee United didn’t fully go to plan, Shankland is still hot property with plenty of potential suitors.

Operating predominantly as a centre forward throughout his 30 league appearances this campaign, Shankland has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists this season in the Scottish Premiership, averaging a rating of 6.66. Before this campaign, Shankland had scored 20+ league goals in three consecutive seasons, announcing himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the UK.

Whilst this target may be unrealistic with Town playing in England’s third tier, stranger things have certainly happened. Shankland has many suitors in the Championship, but with Town able to compete with second-tier wages, they could entice the 25-year-old into becoming a key part of a new and exciting project. The time would certainly seem right for Shankland to make the move to England, with his name peaking the interest of many sides south of the border.

As previously stated, this target would certainly be a longshot, but it could also act as a statement of intent from Paul Cook’s side. A goalscorer built in the same ilk as Marcus Stewart, could Shankland be Town’s next striking hero?

And those are my picks! Feel free to let me know your thoughts and get in touch if you have any recommendations for players that you would like to see become part of Town’s new look side for next season! Thank you for taking the time to read this piece; I’ll see you again soon!