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Wolves would be foolish to get rid of Kenny Jackett, says Watford midfielder

Keith Andrews tips Ipswich defender for stardom and casts his eye over former club Brighton

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05:  Tyrone Mings of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town at City Gr
Image: Tyrone Mings: Destined for the Premier League

Keith Andrews is singing the praises of Mick McCarthy's buoyant Ipswich and calls for calm over Kenny Jackett's future at Molineux...

If you look at the Championship’s form guide, you can see exactly why Ipswich are currently sitting second in the table after five wins and a draw in the last six. Mick McCarthy’s former side Wolverhampton Wanderers are propping up the form guide as Kenny Jackett’s troops go through a very difficult period.

If any Wolves fans are thinking that Kenny Jackett isn’t the man for the job any more, then they only need to look at when Mick left Wolves - they went on a downward spiral that culminated with them playing in the third tier of English football.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Manager of Ipswich Town Mick McCarthy gives instructions during the Sky Bet Championship match between Charlton Athletic and
Image: Mick McCarthy inspiring Ipswich resurgence

Jackett has proved to be a very shrewd appointment by the Wolves board as he has turned the club's fortunes around. He guided them to promotion from League One at a relative canter as they had to deal with the pressure of being the 'big boys' in that division.

Stabilization

He has really stamped his mark on this team with the transfers he has made and has continued playing the passing style in the Championship. With the fantastic start they made to the season, I suppose expectation levels would have risen amongst supporters but realistically if it’s a season of stabilisation, and then looking to kick on next season, then surely everyone would be content with that at Molineux. 

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Daryl Murphy scored twice as Ipswich thumped Leeds 4-1

McCarthy’s men are absolutely flying at the moment and their style of play epitomises the manager’s personality. They are an extremely tough team to play against as they don’t give you an inch and invariably any points you get off them are very well earned.

Last season, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick started to form a good strike partnership and this season it’s kicking on to another level as Daryl is now the top scorer in the division with 13 goals. It’s not just their goal tallies that are impressive though, their link-up play and hard work is probably the most exciting in the division. 

The other player who has got a lot of plaudits for them this season is Tyrone Mings, the £10,000 signing from Chippenham and the only fee McCarthy has paid for any player since his arrival at Portman Road.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05:  Tyrone Mings of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town at City Gr
Image: Tyrone Mings: Destined for the Premier League

He is only 21 but it’s clear to see why there are huge Premier League clubs sniffing around him and Ipswich will be hopeful of holding onto him past the January transfer window. He’s 6ft 3ins, physically strong, a thoroughbred athlete that chews up the turf in an effortless manner. He is very comfortable on the ball so it’s only a matter of time before we see him gracing the Premier League.

No guarantees

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Three goals in 10 first-half minutes helped Derby thrash Brighton 3-0.

On Saturday, my old club Brighton returned to the site of last season’s play-off semi-final disappointment - the iPro Stadium. With the Seagulls having won just one of their last 16 matches, it was always going to be a tough afternoon against the league leaders who were looking to bounce back from a poor display against Leeds. 

The difference between how these two sides have reacted to play-off heartache last season is staggering. Derby have just used it as even greater motivation in their quest for promotion this year.

After another summer of upheaval at the Amex, I did think that this season might have to be one of just getting everything in order on the playing side of things and also giving the manager a little time to adapt to life in the Championship.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 03:Jake Forster-Caskey of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton & H
Image: Jake Forster-Caskey shining in unbalanced Brighton

A lot of quality players have left the club in the last few transfer windows and although the club have received good money for some of them, there’s no guaranteeing that the players that then come in will suit the style of play, especially when you delve into the loan market. 

If any Wolves fans are thinking that Kenny Jackett isn't the man for the job any more then they only need to look at when Mick left Wolves - they went on a downward spiral that culminated with them playing in the third tier of English football.
Keith Andews

There are some very good young players at the club in Jake Forster-Caskey, Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Christian Walton, but it’s imperative that there is enough experience around them to give them the platform and freedom to go and just play. At the moment, I don’t think the balance is quite right. 

Everything at that football club is geared for Premier League football - a state-of-the-art stadium and training ground, long-term sustainability as there is a huge fan base and people running the club that are in it for the right reasons. 

I was delighted to see Blackpool get their first win of the season as it’s been a horrendous time for the Tangerine Army. They have added some quality players into squad over the last few weeks and I’m sure Lee Clark is trying to build a siege mentality there to try and give them just a glimmer of hope.

With them being eight points from safety it’s going to be a minor miracle but what a story it would be for the players and coaching team if they did hold onto their Championship status in what has been a calamitous season so far.        

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