2 – Fabian Wilnis 10(4), 0
Wilnis started the season by seeing red after coming on as a late sub against Plymouth and his final season with the club never really got much better. As with last season the Dutchman was consistently overlooked by Jim, when he still had much to offer. (6/10)
4 – Jason De Vos 47, 2
Another imperious season for De Vos as he once against proved that lack of pace is no barrier to being a great defender at Championship level. He will be a real loss when he’s not about next season both in terms of his physical presence and his organisational skills. (8/10)
5 – Alex Bruce 37(1), 0
Owing to a lack of any genuine competition for his place in the side this season, Bruce survived being dropped twice to make 36 starts alongside De Vos. Surely with money to spend, Jim will bring in a high quality replacement for the next campaign. (5/10)
6 – Richard Naylor 6(2), 0
A frustrating season for Naylor who, despite finally overcoming a long term toe injury, only managed a run of six starts before slipping a disc in his neck. When he did play though, he looked very good, which is obviously a positive sign for next year. (7/10)
7 – Owen Garvan 41(4), 3
This was the season in which Garvan came of age. After all the trials of last season it was great to see him playing well and regularly dominating the midfield. If he could add a few more goals to his game he’d really be doing well, but even as it is he’s not far off becoming the complete player. (8/10)
8 – Sylvain Legwinski 9(6), 2
Last year’s player of the season was injured during pre-season and was never given any sort of opportunity once he became fit, however despite this shabby treatment, he still managed to grab two goals, including a screamer away on QPR. (6/10)
9 – Pablo Counago 37(8), 12
Whilst never the most consistent of players, Pablo has more than repaid the faith shown in him by Magilton and, perhaps suprisingly, proved a pretty decent foil for Alan Lee. His goal against Charlton will long be remembered as one of the highlights of the season. (7/10)
10 – Tommy Miller 33(5), 5
Miller showed flashes of brilliance this season, but as with his first spell at the club, mostly flattered to deceive. Still has a tendency to go missing in games and now also acts with a certain amount of bossy arrogance, probably born out of his close personal friendship with Magilton. (6/10)
11 – Gavin Williams 11(3), 0
Looked set to be filling in on the left wing before dislocating his knee in pre-season. Suprisingly thrown straight back into the team upon his return to fitness, he never looked settled in the side and following a second injury after Christmas didn’t really play any further part. (6/10)
14 – Alan Lee 38(9), 12
Lee started the season like and express train, but just as his strike-partner Counago, struggled for goals in the post-Christmas period. Despite this however, we always looked less likely to score when he was out of the side, and it was wrong of Magilton to drop him for the final few matches of the season. (8/10)
15 – Sito Castro 12(2), 1
Despite finally getting his chance in the first team in place of Dan Harding, Sito was clearly never part of Jim’s plans. In terms of determination and enthusiasm the Spaniard can never be faulted, and it seems strange that he’s made so few appearances for the club over the last three seasons. (7/10)
18 – Danny Haynes 20(23), 7
After occupying the role of super-sub for the first half of the season, Haynes increasingly found himself named in Jim’s starting line-up as the campaign wore on. Whilst still far from the finished article, the raw materials are all there and 08/09 could just be his year. (7/10)
19 – Jon Walters 40(1), 13
Walters has been the suprise package of the season and a revelation on the right side of midfield. As a striker he always looked unlikely to score and short of pace, but on the wing he is a breath of fresh air. Provided an excellent outlet for Neil Alexander during the first half of the season. (9/10)
20 – David Wright 41(2), 2
Wright was disappointing last season, but really settled in this time around and struck up a decent partnership with Walters on the right hand side. Whereas last term he appeared uncertain in possession and unwilling to go forward, this year he has played consistently well. (8/10)
21 – Danny Simpson 7(1), 0
Whilst certainly not the worst loanee ever to appear in Town colours, Simpson is probably the most pointless. Why Jim chose to loan a new right back for the final month of the season when Wright had been playing so well was a mystery. (5/10)
22 – Gary Roberts 11(11), 1
Roberts started the season with a great goal against Sheffield Wednesday, but lasted only a handful of games in the starting line-up before rightly being dropped. Arguably the worst signing Jim has made since taking over as manager. (3/10)
23 – Dan Harding 30(1), 1
After a season and a half of woeful displays at left back, Jim finally saw sense and dropped Harding following the humiliating away defeat at Charlton. Annoyingly the former Brighton man won his place back soon after, but was then dropped again and will hopefully move on over the summer. (3/10)
24 – Billy Clarke 10(12), 0
Clarke started the season warming the bench before taking Gary Roberts’ place on the left wing. Town went unbeaten in the ten matches he started and yet Jim suprisingly chose to loan him to Falkirk for the second half of the campaign. (6/10)
25 – Alan Quinn 15(2), 1
Whilst signed seemingly as a left winger, Quinn appears to lack the pace and trickery generally required of a wide player. He is also right footed, which means he is unlikely to ever cross the ball. Jury remains out. (6/10)
26 – Velice Sumulikoski 10(5), 1
Playing a holding midfielder is increasingly in fashion even in the Championship, and Sumu fills the role with aplomb. He may not be the greatest footballer ever to pull on a Town shirt, but he can spot danger and more often than not snuff it out. (7/10)
27 – Neil Alexander 31, 0
Why Alexander was brought in from Cardiff and then seemingly pushed out of club midway through the season will probably never be clear. Ironically it was just as he was hitting top form that we went and sold him. (7/10)
28 – David Norris 9, 1
Norris arrived with an ankle problem and never looked fully fit. At Plymouth he usually played on the right, which given his weight transfer fee, seems to suggest Jim sees Walters long term role being up front. We will have to wait and see. (5/10)
32 – Shefki Kuqi 2(2)
The moment when Kuqi came on for his second debut against Charlton has to be one of the highlights of the season. Never has someone come off the bench at Portman Road to such rapturous applause. We all know what happened next, but it was still good to see him back. (6/10)
36 – Liam Trotter 3(4), 1
Surely the unluckiest Town player this season, Trotter scored on his debut, played a significant role in defeating West Brom in only his second start for the club and was then wrongly dismissed in the FA Cup a week later. After returning from suspension he didn’t feature again. (6/10)
43 – Stephen Bywater 16, 0
Seemingly a panic buy (or loan to be more accurate) in the wake of Alexander’s sudden departure, Bywater did nothing in his stay with Town to rescue a rather poor reputation. Hopefully next year we can have a proper goalie between the sticks once again. (4/10)
Season strongest eleven:
GK – Neil ALEXANDER
RB – David WRIGHT
CB – Richard NAYLOR
CB – Jason DE VOS
LB – SITO Castro
RM – Jon WALTERS
CM – Velice SUMULIKOSKI
CM – Owen GARVAN
LM – Alan QUINN
FW – Alan LEE
FW – Pablo COUNAGO
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Tags: football, football championship, ipswich town, Uncategorized
Only 8/10 for Alan Lee? For shame…