Monday 1 August 2016 13:24, UK
All the transfer news, fan opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Ipswich Town's 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Last year's finish: 7th
Manager: Mick McCarthy
Title odds: 40/1 with Sky Bet
First five games: Barnsley (H), Brentford (A), Wolves (A), Norwich (H), Preston (H)
Players In: Adam Webster (Portsmouth, £800,000)
Players Out: Jay Tabb (Released), Matt Clarke (Portsmouth, Free)
Fan's view - Blair Ferguson from independent Ipswich Town website TWTD.co.uk
Expectation: In previous seasons the expectation would have been the play-offs, but with a lack of new recruits and a distinct lack of wingers it could be a struggle. The burden of responsibility could lie with the younger players - Andre Dozzell and Teddy Bishop - but it's unrealistic to expect them to carry the team.
Unfortunately, a mid-table finish looks the likely option, however, Mick McCarthy has made the team better than the sum of its parts before.
Most important player: David McGoldrick. Creativity is something we lack and he's got plenty of it on his day, meaning he can offer an alternative to our usual direct methods.
Who will win the league? Newcastle United
Dark horse? Leeds United
One Championship player you'd want to sign? Tom Ince
Two words: Mick McCarthy. I'm doing him a disservice by putting them outside the play-offs but it's about adding to what they've already got and spending some money. They could do what Middlesbrough did last season if he was given the funds.
Sky Bet odds
Mick McCarthy's side regressed slightly last season after previously reaching the play-offs and they are 7/2 with Sky Bet to return to the top six this time around. They can be backed at 40/1 in the outright betting and 10/1 to be promoted to the top flight while a top-half finish is currently trading at even money.
Daryl Murphy and McGoldrick remain the chief goal threats and they are 40/1 and 50/1 respectively to finish the season as top scorer in the Championship.
