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The Millwall game was the real disappointment though, as I feel that the result was self-inflicted. We stopped playing the good football we had been playing in the first ten minutes, sat back and hoped for the best.
The trip to Deepdale on the other hand was always going to be tough and matters were not made any easier when Richard Naylor, clumsily in my opinion, challenged Brett Ormerod as the last man. A red card was the subsequent result, although the rest of the half we showed good character and to an extent, deserved the lead provided by Jason De Vos. We succumbed in the second half however, due to a couple of fabulous strikes from David Nugent who always seems to score hatfuls against us!
That being said, I still feel we have what it takes to mount a very a strong challenge for promotion next season. If we can maintain the squad we have currently, I foresee a strong chance of attaining a play-off place providing the players play to the ability that they and we know they can. However, I do think it is crucial that we do hang on to players that we have now, especially our newest breed of youth. The likes of Owen Garvan and Danny Haynes have both been linked with a move away from Town. Nevertheless both have extended their deals at Portman Road and I would be surprised if they did leave in the summer.
Another factor that I also feel will be influential in determining where we finish next season will be whether or not we are able to keep Jimmy Juan. I really think he has been a revelation this season, he is currently joint top scorer, and a couple of those have been absolute crackers too. He has shown he is dangerous from dead ball situations, whether he is taking them or if he is in the box. He has also complimented Owen Garvan well in the centre of the park and together they cover a lot of ground over 90 minutes, which is always crucial too.
As well as one or two more new signings, I would like to see Joe Royle offer young Dean McDonald a new deal too. I have personally been extremely impressed every time I have seen young Dean and his goal against Crewe, which was beautifully taken, showed he does have an end product to his game. He is one of those tricky customers who defences hate because of his quick little runs and turns as well as his constant probing away. I feel Dean has done well enough in his limited opportunities to be offered a longer stay at Portman Road.
Another important aspect that needs to be addressed is the back four. For three years now Joe Royle has tried to find a centre half to challenge Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor. Both always give 100% and are blue though and through. However, it is quite clear to see that we do have problems at the back and our goals conceded tally over the last three seasons would prove that. I think more than anything we need at least one, if not two, solid defenders. A centre half is a must, and my personal opinion of Jay McEveley in his initial stint with us is that he is not quite the solution to our problems. Let us hope Big Joe can find the one that we so badly need at the back.
Key to next year's success will be the strikers. This season I think there has been twelve different strike pairings forced upon Big Joe. An incredible number and unbelievably the perfect partnership have yet to be found. Our joint highest goal scorer is a midfielder, Juan, and Matt Richards and Jason De Vos accompany him in the top five scorers. When three of your top five scorers are not strikers you know there is a slight problem.
Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster have both shown glimpses of what they are capable of and with an injury free season next year, fingers crossed, it would be great to see them both firing in the goals which they are more than capable of. It would also be nice if Joe can find another "Tommy Miller." A prolific goal scoring midfielder who scores crucial goals and links up well with the front men. One gets the feeling Juan and Garvan like to sit a just a bit deeper.
All in all I sense that just above the horizon their lies a very fascinating and successful season ahead for the Tractor Boys. One hopefully that is filled with goals from the strikers and clean sheets from the defence. One that will provide us with plenty to cheer and little to jeer. One that will see us in a scrap at the top of the table rather than in the middle. And perhaps God willing, One that will see us eventually return to where we belong.