Ipswich Town and England legend Terry Butcher says Blues owner Marcus Evans will have to “loosen the purse strings” if the Portman Road outfit are to become a serious promotion contender.
The Blues have reached the play-offs once in boss Mick McCarthy’s five-year reign, during which he has been given little money to spend and relied on free agents, star loanees and bargain buys.
The boss has repeatedly said he’s happy with his budget, but Butcher – speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk – said he feels more cash is needed – either for McCarthy to spend, or a new manager.
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He explained: “If you’ve only got buttons to pay, you’re not going to get the quality to lift you into the play-offs.
“Marcus Evans, sooner or later, will have to release the purse strings. Perhaps not to the extent of Wolves, but if you do buy good players and buy quality it does get you wins, it does get you goals and it does get you up the table.”
He added: “I think there’s got to be more input from the (owner).
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“If Mick does go at the end of the season, any new manager is going to come and the first thing he’s going to say to Marcus Evans is ‘What’s my war chest? How much can I spend?’
“The manager should already be looking at signings for next year - you need that as a security and we haven’t got that.”
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