30th Jul 2011 | Football
Championship Preview 2011-12: Ipswich Town
Paul Jewell has succeeded at this level before. A couple of shrewd summer signings could push Ipswich right up the table.
Best title odds: 20/1 - StanJames
Best promotion odds: 11/2 - Boylesports
Best relegation odds: 20/1 - Coral
Last season: 13th
Manager: Paul Jewell
One to watch: David Stockdale
Summer News:
The departure of star turn Connor Wickham, who headed to Sunderland for £8m, is a blow but surely not a massively surprising one to anyone at Portman Road. That David Norris rejected a new contract to sign for Portsmouth may raise more eyebrows. On the plus side, Michael Chopra is a £1.5m capture from Cardiff, David Stockdale comes on a season-long loan from Fulham while Lee Bowyer adds Premier League experience.
Verdict:
Exactly the sort of team who could go quietly about their business while others are grabbing the headlines. Town’s fortunes definitely improved after Roy Keane left in January, and Paul Jewell knows what it takes to get out of this division. Keeper Stockdale has already earned England recognition while Chopra is a proven goalscorer at this level. If the best players stay fit then Ipswich have the capabilities to be a surprise package at the business end of the table.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:30 30th Jul, 2011 but subject to change
