Target Practice #8

All seems eerily quiet at Portman Road, but there can be no doubting the tireless work that is being conducted behind the scenes to ensure that Town get the best deal possible when moving in a difficult transfer market.

Whilst I’m certain that some of the names previously mentioned in this blog series have been uttered by the powers that be, this week I want to take a look at one of the most vital positions in Paul Cook’s system: full-back. As will be further examined in a later post, Cook permits the power of endeavour to his full-backs, encouraging direct running from the defensive line.

In this post, we will take a look at three players, a couple of which will be well thought of in the mind of Town’s manager, that could set Portman Road alight with their quick thinking, direct running and tireless desire to adapt and improve.

Tom Pearce

Pearce is a player that will be sound in the mind of Paul Cook, not least because Town’s scouse manager signed the dynamic full-back for Wigan in 2019. At 23, with experience at youth level with England, Pearce has a wonderful pedigree having grown through the ranks of Leeds United’s academy.

A conventional left-back with a wicked crossing ability, Pearce is a name that is almost certain to be linked with Town this summer. His connection to Cook is the most obvious link, but left-back has been earmarked as one of the most important positions to correctly recruit this summer, and Town may be willing to go the extra mile when it comes to fees and wages.

Turning out in League One last season for a Wigan side that stayed up in remarkable fashion, Pearce played 28 times, scoring once and assisting three times for his teammates. He achieved an average rating of 6.76 across those appearances, (all stats according to WhoScored), and displayed an impressive range of passing and defensive acumen throughout Wigan’s relegation battle.

Paul Cook is clearly a fan of the 23-year-old, with whispers circulating that Town have entered discourse about a potential move down south. However, Wigan will require a decent fee for a player with plenty of potential and they may be reluctant to sell to a rival club in the division. Can Town show their financial muscle and make a statement signing in a key position? If they did, it would be worth every penny.

Ethan Laird

From a player known to Cook, to a player who stood out at Portman Road this season. Whilst the next two suggestions on this list are right-backs, it’s worth noting that Kane Vincent-Young could end up switching to the left side of defence, a position he occupied frequently for Colchester. As we’ve seen with England’s national team, the pool of right-backs seems far greater than the options on the opposite side, and it may just be that Town look to switch KVY and bring in a similar calibre of player on the right.

Ethan Laird certainly has the potential and whilst his talent may still be raw, he showed real flashes of quality during his 6 month loan spell at MK Dons. Assisting three times in 25 appearances from the right-hand-side, Laird achieved an average rating of 6.79 and showed real promise during his first sustained period of first team football.

Of course, with United rating the 19-year-old highly, this would be a loan move. I have often lambasted the loan market but Laird would surely prove a worthy temporary addition with his stock set to rise in the next few years. United will likely look to loan Laird out once again and whilst many may tout the exciting right-back for a spell in the Championship, it could serve him equally as well to be part of a promotion push at Portman Road.

Laird stood out in the disappointing 0-0 draw at Portman Road near the end of last campaign, with his direct running and immense dribbling skills catching the eye. His strength and defensive contributions across his short spell at MK Dons showcased why so many have high hopes for the 19-year-old, and Portman Road could prove the perfect next step for his potential to flourish. Mark Ashton hinted at the possibility of exploiting his contacts when moving in the market, and acquiring a top talent from a Premier League giant would certainly tick that box.

Nathan Byrne

As ever, we end with ambition, and nothing would be more impressive than Town swooping for Derby County right-back Nathan Byrne. An ever-present under Paul Cook at the DW Stadium, Byrne is the perfect encapsulation of what Cook demands from his players.

Hard working, intelligent and possessing an excellent passing ability, Byrne shone throughout his time at Wigan. Having come through the academy at White Hart Lane, Byrne was blooded in the EFL with multiple loan spells before settling at Wigan in 2016, where he went on to play the bulk of his 362 career appearances.

Last season, turning out for an inconsistent Derby side, Byrne assisted 4 times across 42 appearances from the right-back role, achieving an average rating of 6.81. Admittedly, his statistics from last campaign don’t set the world on fire, but the intelligence in his play and the overall ability that he has showcased throughout his career could prove invaluable to Town when mounting a promotion challenge.

Byrne won the player of the season award during Paul Cook’s first season at Wigan and I’d be amazed if his name hadn’t been mentioned in the recruitment meetings. Whilst he only joined Derby last summer, Town could exploit the Rams’ current financial issues and make a big play for a former Paul Cook star. Quick, clever and already comfortable in Cook’s system, Nathan Byrne is everything that Ipswich needs.

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!