Boss wants to build on Burnley performance
Simon Grayson admitted he was looking to fill the void left by top scorer Jordan Rhodes, but also called upon players within his current squad to step up and produce the goods ahead of the trip to Ipswich on Saturday.
The Jordan Rhodes transfer saga had rumbled on for the past few weeks and Town’s boss told htafc.com that he had been making plans in case the striker departed.
“I have been working for the last two or three weeks in preparation for this situation,” said Simon. “Even if Jordan was still here I was looking to bring another player into the Club before Friday – we are working hard behind the scenes to build upon our current squad.
“There will be many players linked with us during the next day or so before the window shuts, but I have been doing work behind the scenes in preparation. I like to do my transfer business in private and we will try and strengthen the squad. We have still got a very good squad of players here though.
Simon continued: “We won’t spend the money stupidly. We don’t just have to spend the money on transfer fees; it can be used on wages as well. Clubs may see us coming with the extra money we have and may try and stick an extra naught on the price tag of their players. We will spend the money wisely. We are looking to bring big names into the football club, who will be a big part of our first team plans. Whoever comes into the football club cannot be compared to Jordan, because there aren’t too many players in the country who have the ability to score 40 goals in a season like he did last year.
“We may become an all-round better team without Jordan, as has happened with teams in the past when they have lost their best player. Players currently within our squad will have to step up to the mark and produce the goods.”
Town’s opponents on Saturday, Ipswich, have also been busy in the transfer market over the last few days and will be looking to bounce back from the heavy defeat they received last weekend at the hands of Blackpool.
“It looks likely that they will make one or two signings before the game and they have had a half decent start to the season. It is going to be a tough game as Portman Road is always a difficult place to get a result. We have been delighted with the way that the players have started the first three games of the season and we want to continue the progress that we have made.
“It was important that we got our first win under our belt last weekend – you don’t want to let the wait drag on too long. The manner of the victory and the overall performance was the most pleasing aspect for me. We know that we need to carry on working hard to keep up the high standards that we have set ourselves. “
To finish, Simon updated us on the current fitness of his squad.
“Sean Scannell is a doubt and we have pretty much ruled him out for the weekend so we will have to make a change in his position. When a team wins in the manner we did last weekend you don’t have to make too many changes.”
You can purchase tickets for the Ipswich game from the ticket office until 4pm today by calling 01484 484123!
