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After a few season of relative predictability from Lennie Lawrence we enter the "Dave Jones years".
We have had a summer of change. Out have gone Tony Vidmar, Jobi McAnuff, James Collins, Danny Gabbidon, Darren Williams, Lee Bullock and that fella with the Magic Hat - Peter Thorne.
In the low times as we saw player after player leave there was a general feeling of despair but hold on, DJ has turned the tables and brought in:-
Glenn Loovens from Feyenoord, Jeff Whitley from Sunderland, Neil Cox and Jermaine Darlington from Watford, Darren Purse and Jason Koumas from W.B.A., Andrea Ferretti from Parma, Phil Mulryne from Norwich and Kevin Cooper from Wolves.
Jones realises he is short of strikers. He's still hoping to bring in new faces up front but for now the shirts are being filled by the current players and they have a chance to shine. It's likely that Alan Lee and Cameron Jerome will kick off the new season with Andrea Ferretti close behind. DJ is looking for strikers so these guys have a point to prove.
In midfield the question is over the fitness of Koumas. Will he start?. Jeff Whitley will start. I would guess at Parry and Ardley starting as well. What about Cooper? Good question. The midfield options are many.
Defence in my mind is easier to guess. Barker LB, Purse and Cox CB's with Darlington RB. I think Rhys Weston will have a real battle to win a place in the team this year.
I'm assuming we will run out 4 - 4 - 2, a 4 - 5 - 1 might suit early on and alow Whitley, Mulryne (or Boland) and Koumas to all start.
Ipswich have had their own upheaval. Out have gone Kuqi, Bent, Miller, Davis and Counago. They have brought in Parkins from Swindon, Forster from Reading and Juan on loan from Monaco.
Ipswich are a Premier Club in waiting. The facilities, the stadium and the whole set up is Premier League. Cardiff City will pull off a real shock if we can bring home maximum points from thsi ground for the first time since 1946.
Supporters are asked to be aware of the tough drinking policies in force from the local plod. Home fans are encouraged to drink three pints to earn a fre 4th pint inside the ground. City fans have been warned they will be arrested and banned from football grounds in they appear to be drunk. Please, be careful.
There's little more to say. 1500 City fans are expected to descend on Portman Rd, have a fantastic day. let's hope the result goes our way and listen guys, "be careful out there".