Alex Mathie feels that should Ipswich Town enjoy a good Christmas, owner Marcus Evans and manager Mick McCarthy will have big decisions to make.
The former Blues striker was speaking ahead of Town’s Championship game with Reading this weekend, that – should Town win – will keep McCarthy’s team on the coat-tails of the play-off pack.
Indeed if all should go well over the Festive period, Mathie says the club will need to decide what their plan of action is in the January transfer window.
“If we have a good spell of results over Christmas, then the club needs to decide if they are going to go for it and spend some money,” Mathie said.
“The Premier League is a big prize and Mick is doing a fantastic job on the budget he is working to.
“I just think money spent on a couple of quality players, if Town are in and around that top six going into the New Year, could be worth it.”
Jason Dozzell: Town could have a happy Christmas
The Blues have three of their next four Championship games at home and also have players returning from injury, the likes of Teddy Bishop and Emyr Huws are already back in the squad, with the likes of Tommy Smith, David McGoldrick and Tom Adeyemi on the comeback trail.
Luke Hyam is also making strides back to fitness.
However, Mathie believes the squad would benefit from more signings in January.
“I would probably look to get a couple of attacking full-backs in and an attacking midfielder or two,” he said.
“It’s good to see the likes of Huws and Bishop back in the team, but they are just coming back. Perhaps another attacking player would be good in that position.
“Of course it all costs money and too many young players these days at bigger clubs seem happier to play under-23 football and take their money, than take their chance in the Championship or League One.
“Mick is doing a fantastic job with the budget he has compared with so many other clubs in the Championship, You can only work with the cards you are dealt.
“But for me, I’d give Mick a few quid to get a couple of players in.”
Saturday’s opponents, Reading, will be smarting from letting a two-goal lead at home to Cardiff slip on Monday night, as the Bluebirds struck two late goals in a 2-2 draw. Reading are currently 14th.
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