The majority of our fans seem to think that with Mick McCarthy in and Marcus Evans in control next season will only go one way... badly! However, from my ever positive view of my club, Ipswich Town, I'm predicting a lot more from the 2017/18 season.

Now, what I mean by this is my positivity for our 'potential' team. This season we've seen the team below for most of the campaign and at the end of this blog, I will show you the potential difference for the 2017/18 season and hope that I can infuse some of my excitement and enthusiasm into you. So, the team from this year looked mainly like this:

Bialkowski
Spence Chambers Berra Knudsen Kenlock
Ward Skuse Huws
McGoldrick Lawrence

Now, clearly this team didn't do enough, but we can all agree that some players, must remain in this team: Bartosz Bialkowski, Luke Chambers, Myles Kenlock, Grant Ward, Emyr Huws (hopefully), Freddie Sears and David McGoldrick are the key members for a variety of reasons for me.

If we consider this the basic spine of the team for next year with a few additions and crucial players coming back from injury, and not even including potential new signings for now, then I think we have a strong set of players to go on with.

Already excluded from this bunch are Mr Consistent, Tommy Smith, a lad with the potential to be the best in the league, Adam Webster, the young and powerful Josh Emmanuel, the potential excitement of Teddy Bishop and Andre Dozzell, and the growing hype around Danny Rowe mixed in with a sprinkling of academy boys chomping at the bit: Kundai Benyu, Tristan Nydam and more. The squad already looks a lot stronger than we saw in the duration of the season just gone.

We also all need to realise the overhaul of players that there could be this summer. At the final home game of this season, me and my close friend went through the programme ticking off players that will not be there next year. In total we had doubts regarding more than a third of the squad, for example the dead weights of Leon Best, Jonathan Douglas and Giles Coke and the uncertainty over the futures of players like homesick Christophe Berra and the in need of football Brett Pitman.

A third-plus of a squad really is a large number of players that could potentially be leaving and, of course, I don't know any of the players that will be coming in yet, but we all must agree those leaving will already give us some options for next year in terms of key recruitment.

So, after these players are gone, loans are up and our injured players have returned, my excitement comes from the potential of what could be next season.

I think you'll all agree that we must do what it takes to keep hold of Emyr Huws, while there are early rumours of interest in the 22-goal midfielder Luke Berry from Cambridge. We continue to be desperate for a big man up front and I believe that our club and Mick McCarthy will and can get this ready for next season.

But as I originally said, with all of the potential incomers and outgoers excluded for now. I think we do already have a basis of a team that can get us excited for the new season, and here's how I think it can look, just using the best of what we have before new faces start to arrive:

Bialkowski
Emmanuel Chambers Webster Smith Kenlock
Ward Huws Bishop
McGoldrick Sears

Bench including: Rowe, Dozzell, Benyu, Hyam (and hopefully some new faces).

So, give me a reason that we can't get excited. I personally think we will see some investment and with some of our better names back fit and our ever special youth thrown in, I really do get excited for our potential for next year.

I really hope we all have a fantastic season next year and whatever comes our way, we stick together as the Blue Army. Mick in or out, investment or not, let's back them every step of the way and hope again, that this year, could be our year.

See you all there, I hope looking at the team in the potential way like I do excites you, just as much as it does me. Here's to a positive summer. COYB!

clint_eastwood added 10:29 - May 6 Yes, I agree. We do have a basis of a team that can get us excited for the new season. But with Mick's tactical plan, I don't think so mate.
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Oldsmoker added 11:20 - May 6 As you say, there is a good squad to build on - barring injuries. I think the team missed Webster and next season he'll kick on. Andre Dozzell is the one player I want to see more of next season. A few new faces with the right attitude (no prima donnas) and I see the same reason as you to be positive about next season.
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DurhamTownFan added 11:24 - May 6 Why aren't we excited? Because whoever you put in the team, they're still told to dig in for annhour smashing it long and then try to nick a win in the last few minutes. That's not very exciting for me, when you're scrapping out every game. That's what my Sunday side are for on the park pitches!
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TractorCam added 12:38 - May 6 The first team definitely needs new players in a few positions, the current crop is not going to get us top 6
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michaeldownunder added 21:45 - May 6 That midfield is far too weak, need a Skues type player to screen the back three/five
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therein61 added 08:12 - May 7 Every side needs a Skuse type player but one that can do the job!! and that is not the one we've been lumbered with.
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carsey added 15:09 - May 7 As the very first responder said the problem is not so much with the players as McCarthy and his ineptitude and inability to coach them to play football. His boring hoof ball and insistence on matching the opposition is what will cost us. Mark Warburton at Forest is the type of manager we need someone who wants to play the game properly not a has been dinosaur.
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shakytown added 18:12 - May 7 There are two basic problems at the moment 1 Mick just will not change his ways and always sets up not to lose instead of trying to win. 2 The core of the team is just not good enough. We need at least 5-6 good signings of QUALITY players and to play everyone in their correct positions. MICK OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
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leahcar88 added 08:54 - May 8 That team didn't do anything this year. If you where of the mick Ilk then yeah stick with tha same and expect better results. Surely an overhaul of a good 90% of the squad is what's needed.
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StowTractorBoy added 13:45 - May 8 Sorry but cannot be enthusiastic at all about next season and fear we could well get relegated if there is no investment forthcoming for whoever is the Manager. I cannot get excited about Bishop who has gone backwards from his early promise. Would love Dozzell to be a star in the making but his cameo appearances tell me he is a little way off regular first team football so perhaps the season after next may be his time. I am not sure about Emmanuel but hope he does come through. We desperately need a quality creative central midfielder to supply a target man of the Murphy ilk. Sadly Moore nor Samuels are the answer for me and reflect the poor recruitment record of McCarthy and money totally wasted. Worrying rather than excited or optimistic for next season.

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Swn98 added 08:37 - May 9 add 2 creative midfielders and the need for lose at no cost hoofball disappears problem is will Evans invest in the quality required we shall wait and see
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ClactonTrueBlue added 13:17 - May 9 I see where you are coming from and there is much to agree with. The really worrying part is the front two who do not really play well as a partnership and do not offer an aerial threat. Oh for a Jordan Rhodes in the squad!!!
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rickw added 10:14 - May 10 I'm sorry but the side you've put out for next year has a back 5, a lightweight midfield and 2 forwards who have largely failed to score regularly at this level..... I think we can be excited about some of our youngsters but our manager doesn't play to their strengths, we plays a percentages game and encourages the defence to pass wide or long. I don't believe we need loads of players and I can't see Evans spending a fortune to get the quality we need, the only option I can see is to hire a manager who believes in promoting and improving our youngsters and playing to their strengths - not still playing to Darryl Murphy's strengths a year after we sold him!!

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Dissboyitfc added 22:42 - May 12 Nothing to get excited about at all if MM remains at Portman Road. The Man will not change!
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