EVEN though Tony Mowbray brought in 13 new players for this season, costing him around £13m, while Jim Magilton didn't spend a penny in transfer fees on the three players he signed, the Blues boss is not envious of his former Town team mate.

By Derek Davis

EVEN though Tony Mowbray brought in 13 new players for this season, costing him around £13m, while Jim Magilton didn't spend a penny in transfer fees on the three players he signed, the Blues boss is not envious of his former Town team mate.

Mowbray, along with his assistant Mark Venus, needed to make radical changes to his West Brom side after dissention in the dressing room upset the harmony and so shipped out £25, worth of talent including big names like Jason Koumas, Diomansky Kamara, Curtis Davies and Paul McShane - all Premiership performers.

Magilton off-loaded Lewis Price for £220,000 and the sell on money from Darren Bent's transfer along with a premier league handout was all he had to spend.

But Magilton is not griping about his limited budget, as he knew all along what Ipswich's financial situation was.

He said: “It doesn't enter my head how much they have and how they can go out and get who they want.

“I know the parameters I have to work to and I will get the players I want within my reach.”

While Town are targeting a play-off place at best, West Brom are expected to be challenging for automatic promotion but Magilton is sure they can handle the pressure.

He said: “Tony and Mark came in to great expectations last year and it is never easy with a new manager and transitional period.

“They are strong all over but will be judged on what they do this year rather than what happened last season. They know that and are more than capable of handling that.

“It was a great grounding at Hibs where they produced good sides and got a lot of plaudits. I'm sure this will prove to be a good move and Tony is already regarded as one of the brightest young managers in the game.”

Understandably, after being part of the same George Burley side that won promotion, then went on to finish fifth in the Premiership and qualify for Europe, the management teams at Ipswich and West Brom share the same footballing philosophy

Magilton said: “We are very similar in how we like our teams to play. It is a brand of football where possession, passing and moving, taking care of the ball and having a cutting edge, is important.

“We spoke about that a great deal when he were players together and we have taken that on.

“They are not a kick and rush side and having watched them a few times this season I enjoy the way they play. They are as good a side as is in this division and they have the capability to be able to go out and get the players that fit into their pattern.”

Magilton and Mowbray last met at Doctor Steve Lazar's funeral recently and Mogga then spent a couple of hours at Portman Road catching up with old friends.

The Irishman also speaks regularly with Venus and is hoping they achieve their aim.

He said: “They are two fine lads and while they are desperate for me to do well, I'm desperate for them to do well but not on Saturday.

“We talk about players and the game all the time but we will probably not call each other this week before the game.”

That is because Magilton is busy plotting for the comparative paupers to upset the rich princes.

derek.davis@archant.co.uk