Ipswich Town column: Signing of new goalkeeper Alex Palmer from West Brom was a necessity after performances of Aro Muric.
I was so disappointed on Saturday. A huge game, a huge chance but sadly another huge opportunity we’ve failed to take.
I don’t want to be Mr Pessimistic, but it is hard to see how Ipswich Town pull themselves out of this now.
For the first half against Southampton we were decent, created chances and really should’ve been ahead at half-time.
Ultimately we weren’t and once again we’re left leaving Portman Road blaming our goalkeeper.
The Blues have got so much right over the last two years. That’s obvious, given the rise we’ve had. However, not this season as they’ve sadly got more wrong than right and that includes the recruitment.
It feels harsh to over-criticise Mark Asthon and the recruitment team, given what they’ve given us, but I do think we’ve struggled recruitment-wise this year.
We all knew Town’s model was to recruit young players from the Championship with potential and a high stock.
To an extent, the signings of Liam Delap. Omari Hutchinson and Dara O’Shea have done that, but way too many have fallen short, especially in the goalkeeping department.
The decision to sign deadline day arrival Alex Palmer had to be made. There was no choice. We simply could not continue this season with Aro Muric in goal.
Now this isn’t a personal attack on Aro and I hope he has his own Václav Hladký type renaissance and one day comes back to be Town’s number one. But it can’t be this season, we need someone else in the sticks.
Here’s hoping Alex is that man. It’s another signing from the Championship, but I do think it brings us that safe pair of hands, which we so badly need.
The previous two January’s have been pivotal to getting Town up. They managed to get all of their targets.
I think we’ve had a decent one again this time around. but the lack of another striker does worry me and if injuries arise, could really cost us.
