Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has called upon his new-look squad to target a top six finish this season. The Blues have finished mid-table at the end of recent seasons as they head into their 12th consecutive season in the SkyBet Championship.Ten players have been signed, barely a transfer fee has been spent, high-earners Michael Chopra, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Lee Martin have left the club and undefeated throughout pre-season sees a high wave of optimism sweeping around fans of the Suffolk club.
Town may have to travel to two of the sides recently relegated from the Premier League – Reading on Saturday, followed by a trip to QPR on August 17 – but McCarthy is relishing the challenge.
Asked if a top six spot is the target, given his side ended last season with 53 points from a possible 99, the Blues boss said: “We’ve got to be aiming at that, of course.
“We’ll see. We’ve got a difficult start, but I don’t think anybody will be rubbing their hands thinking ‘happy days, Ipswich are coming here and they’re going to be a soft touch. I think we’ve done well with our signings. I think we’ve got some good players and can look forward to a good season.”