I still think we need another quality centre-back to stern up our back-line, which has had a nasty habit of conceding an awful lot of goals in recent seasons. A physically and mentally excelling leader is needed who can vocally shore up and organise not only the back four but others in front of them. Although not everybody’s cup of tea at Town – Gareth McAuley was exactly this and has proven this after his excellent debut season with West Brom in the Premier League. Going back further than that, the last centre-back we had of this calibre was Jason de Vos, and what a defender he was!
At left-back, Aaron Cresswell will look to add to his impressive displays last season which rightly saw him crowned our ‘Player of the Season.’ Defensively solid, comfortable on the ball and with a sweet left-foot, it is no surprise that Aston Villa inquired about his availability – thankfully though Town managed to push off their interest by setting a price target (reportedly of £6 million) which Villa weren’t prepared to meet.
The promising 18-year-old Joe Whight will look to challenge Cresswell and make his Town debut this season having featured in most of Town’s pre-season fixtures while the versatile Jack Ainsley will look prove that he is more than just a back-up squad player.
Midfielders
Town are worryingly thin of options in central midfield following the departures of Bowyer and Bullard. 19-year-old Luongo looks to be a real gem, and hopefully he will be able to stay for the duration of his season-long loan. Fellow youngster Luke Hyam found his chances limited under Jewell when the ex-Wigan and Derby boss first took charge but after impressing during a spell last season, the academy graduate will look to push on this season and win himself a long-term deal with his boyhood club.
Andy Drury was in a similar position to Hyam last season, shipped out on loan to Crawley, and with speculation rising about his future; Drury got his head down and fought his way into Jewell’s plans, becoming one of the stand-out performers from January onwards. With only three recognised central midfielders, there is certainly room for another – I think an experienced midfielder is needed to balance out the fresh but youthful and inexperienced pairing of Hyam and Luongo (this will be his first full season as a professional). However, although experience is key, the sought-after player must still be able to be fit enough to play this standard of football and certainly still have the urge to want to play, something Bowyer and Bullard failed to live up to during their one-year stays.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will also look to build on the form he accumulated during 2012. Big things were expected of the Arsenal graduate when he signed last summer but like all players, he took his time to settle before finding his feet in the second half of the season. What you must not forget about JET is that at 21 he is still only young and learning the game. He has already expressed that he is feeling fitter than ever ahead of this season and will hopefully excel and add to the six league goals he scored last year from the right-wing.
Depending on the formation used, Lee Martin has a very important season in front of him. Signed by Roy Keane in 2009, the ex-Manchester United failed to impress and was soon cast out on loan to Charlton and made available for transfer. However, under Jewell, the wideman, who operates best behind the striker, has rekindled his career and is really proving to be a fan favourite with his dazzling, creative and full-of-running displays. Question marks still surround his temperament but with this being the last year of his contract, he will hopefully knuckle down and have a consistent run and good season.
Josh Carson appears the favourite to start on the left-wing if Jewell is to pick his revised 4-2-3-1 formation. Quick and willing to run at defenders, it is a big season for the Northern Ireland international, who has been in and out of the side since Jewell took charge. Daryl Murphy made the position his own when he was on loan last year but with the Irishman seemingly not returning despite interest from Town to make the switch permanent, the pavement is clear for Carson to step in. Ryan Stevenson, signed from Hearts in January, will have something to say about that though. Town fans have not really seen much from the Scot but from first impressions seems a bullish type player who is not afraid to have a shot.