wait for the Irish flounce

How can we guarantee O'Dea first team football when he plays in the same position as Smith and Delaney?! I suppose as an Ireland International O'Dea is a step up from those two, but I am surprised this position is a priority for us at the moment and I hope we don't end up developing O'Dea for Celtic rather than Smith for Ipswich.

Given the fact that we seem to be unlucky enough to suffer from more injuries every time we take to the pitch the idea of some extra back up can't be a bad thing. That perhaps makes sense if this is a short-term loan but if it's anything longer then I'm struggling to see exactly where he fits in.

If you look at left back then our first choice is Kennedy with back up provided by O'Connor. At centre back we have Delaney & McAuley as first choice and then when there are injuries or suspensions back up is provided in the first instance by Smith and then by Brown & Eastman. I think that our back four has been playing well and the youngsters who have deserved their chance have not let us down when they've come in. If we don't continue to play them then this won't help their development.

Whilst thinking about this possible move I started wondering if Keane knows something that we don't about where he can play. When talking about our current system today I couldn't instantly come up with a name to replace Hyam in the holding defensive midfielder role should he get injured or suspended as I think it would be good to keep Norris & Leadbitter in the more advanced roles. Furthermore it would not be fair to expect Hyam in his first season of playing senior games to play 40+ games as that could risk burning him out. Therefore I wondered if there could be any possibility that O'Dea would be brought in to play in the Hyam role (where Hyam has been playing very well!) in front of the back four.

If this story is true and he does join us on loan my theory could be complete and utter nonsense with him playing in wither the CB or LB positions as expected but you never know. Should he join us I'll welcome him to Town and hope that he puts in the same 100% effort on show from the other players this season.

COYB!

It could also be that Mc Auley may be on his way out and RK is trying to add centre half cover ?!

The player wants to come to Ipswich, because he wants to be playing first team football. Although I applaud the player for wanting to play and not just warm a bench. I fear he may just warm the bench for us as well.
He was on loan at reading last year where he got relegated to the bench.
We do seem quite strong at the back.Looking thin in midfield at the moment though

The way our players are dropping like ninepins at the moment we need players of any description. Like others though can't quite see where he will fit in. O'Connor was OK today but can't see O'Dea replacing Kennedy who will be left back when fit.
The way Tommy Smith is shaping up I would not want him left out so heaven knows where he will play although can you imagine Keane saying that he can guarantee him first team football - I think not.

Didn't he used to be in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat?

Good move with delaney being out for 3 months and kenedy possibly out for a while now.

We need players! Good squad players and this guy fits the bill.Really need a right back though as it's our weakest position - defence wise at least.

He Better be good!!!!!!!!

I bet he will

He is really good!

Good luck O'dea, you can do a job for us.

What is wrong with playing O'Dea at left back with Kennedy sitting in front. We are short of a left midfield player which Kennedy would fit.

With greedy Walters no longer going to play for the club surely Townsend could play on the right

floridaboy....because we play 4-3-3 and kennedy wouldnt fit an advanced left wing forward role....this lad is quality and will do well in at CB or left or right

He hardly played for Reading last year do he's average at best. Not a bad squad player to have, but I'd rather give our youngsters a crack if we're desperate.

We need a bloody striker!!!

Yesterday we were very exposed on the left when Townsend went off and left O'Connor badly short of support. i cant understand why the bennch couldnt see that so maybe RK is looking to strengthen the left bearing in mind the DD could be missing for longer and Cevilli is also uncertain!

i heard hes no good not worth the power bill wasted heating the water for his shower.hope he proves me wrong

Personally I agree with this move. While Smith is a good lad I don't think he's ever going to be a top championship centre half. When Iwelumu moved onto Smith in the second half we started to get into trouble because Smith couldn't beat him in the air. Look at the quality of Burnley's centre halves, Bikey and Carlisle, I'm afraid Smith just isn't in that catergory. Good third choice but a wise move from Keane to strengthen up here in Delaney's abscence.

I agree with Scowcroft.

Lets have him if he wants to come down here and compete for a first team slot. Builds the squad nicely at least and provides good cover. I would rather see Smith starting if they are playing as well as each other though.

But fingers crossed we sign an effin striker this week!

Having said all this, things are looking more positive than they were a few weeks ago at least.

I can see why, what with Delaney still out, Troy Brown injured and us down to Macca (stiff back) and Tommy Smith (not much rest due to world cup and had to play every game so far). However, once these players are fit again he will be surplus to requirements and IMO could not be placed higher than Macca, Delaney or Tommy - who has been outstanding so far. Hope this O'Dea is versatile, as my main concern in defence is RB, with only Peters seemingly suited to fill that position.

It seems like a good signing but in my opinion we should have signed koren on a free transfer and get david cotteril from swansea. Then with a striker hopefully we get scotland and mckormack. But i dont see why we cant put in a cheeky bid in for peter wittingham.

My concern is that this may get in the way of the development of Tommy Smith or the other young defenders. If he was an experienced player, then that might be different, but given that he has spent most of his career on the bench, I'm not sure he really fits into that category.

oh well

With 7 players under the age of 23 on the pitch yesterday i'd have thought Keane would have got someone a bit older, but never mind. It's the cover at right back i'm concerned about.

Also, we desperately need cover for Norris and Leadbitter. Nicky Butt anyone?