IPSWICH TOWN: Mick Mills today predicted a promotion season for his former club next year.

The man who has played more Blues games than anybody else and skippered the team through the successful years under the management of Sir Bobby Robson, watched Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Championship title winners Newcastle United.

“It’s a big season coming up for manager Roy Keane, and I feel he might just do it,” said Mills.

“I don’t see why there should be any changes at the helm and I quite liked what I saw in my first away game.

“They set their stall out nicely and stopped Newcastle creating very much.

“Ipswich had something about them.”

An astute judge of the game, Mills went on to manage after his playing days were over although he still lives in a village just outside Ipswich and was announced Suffolk ambassador to Sir Bobby Robson’s Foundation prior to Saturday’s game at St James Park.

Looking at the pros and cons of a 2010/11 campaign that will prove vital to Keane, Mills went on: “There is not much to improve to make Ipswich into promotion candidates.

“Since last November they have been doing well enough.

“They have been obtaining enough points to take them into the play-offs, and they are not conceding many goals.

“On the other hand, they need to be more creative and to score more goals.

“And the manager must look to improve his record in the transfer market.

“He will know that his buying and selling has not always been up to scratch.”

Mills also welcomed the takeover of his beloved Blues by Marcus Evans, and revealed that he felt this was the only option to bring the good times back to Portman Road.

Mills went on: “There is no question that Ipswich are in a better position to go up under Mr Evans.

“They are back on a competitive level.

“Before he came salary levels were being reduced because of the debt the club was carrying, and the manager was not in a position to sign his first and second choices.

“He had to be happy with his third or fourth.

“Now he has the wherewithal to offer what only a smallish number of Championship clubs can match.

“The club is in a much stronger position to attract the reinforcements they need.”