I cant help but lament now that Ipswichs very thin play-off hopes (well dream) is virtually impo sible after the lo s at Watford; where could Ipswich be if Paul Jewell would have sorted out the defence at the start of the season? This though is made worse especially when reading in the East Anglian Daily Times that Ipswich would have an extra 24 points if theyd been able to hold onto leads this season. The defensive frailties are very much apparent, even more so when you read annoying stats such as; six times Ipswich have lost from winning positions this season.Constantly this season I have asked the question; why did Paul Jewell not buy defenders in Jose Cruz Jersey the summer transfer market?Having known since last January that centre back Gareth McAuley was going to leave the club it still goes beyond believe that at least one decent centre back (Im not counting Ivar Ingimar son in this) was not bought by the club, even in the January loan market! Add to this that a right back was not brought in to challenge Carlos Edwards, a winger moved to the full back position. Some of Jewells signings over the summer raised a few eyebrows, Nathan Ellington the one that definitely stands out, Justin Verlander Jersey but concerning the centre back position, Ivar Ingimar son really does come acro s as ridiculous! No doubt at his prime Ingimar son was a very good and respected defender; having spent 8 years with Reading, playing every minute of their promotion winning season and first season in the Premier League. However in his last two seasons with Reading he only played 37 games due to injuries. A 33 year old injury prone player, who was released by Reading for a reason, was not who we needed to replace the very valuable player McAuley was.This meant we Ipswich are really left with Damien Delaney and Tommy Smith, the latter who seems very much out of favour with Jewell. Personally I like Smith, hes a young lad who came through our academy and who has everything that is needed to be a very good player at this level. Yes he was reckle s at Peterborough earlier this season when he got sent off, but in that game did any of the players do anything right? He is young only 21 years old and is Tyler Clippard Jersey the future of the club also hes a good tackler and he wins almost everything in the air. Lets not forget that although hes a left footer, he is playing on the right side of the partnership because Delaney the senior player, seemingly cannot. Dont get me wrong I like Delaney he tries his best but, he makes too many silly mistakes, tackles off the ground too high up the pitch and constantly hoofs the ball up the pitch because he doesnt dare control the ball at his feet. Smith needs a senior player who will help guide him through while he develops himself and his game Roy Oswalt Jersey , because he is a player that has the potential to be the defender that we need at Ipswich. And to mount a serious promotion contending side next season the centre back position needs to be sorted.Concerning the full backs, Aaron Cre swell is looking to be a very promising young player; at least Jewell has made one good signing defensively. This season he has had 6 a sists in the league, thats the highest of any Ipswich player. Additionally Cre swell has had an impre sive 14 shots on target, 17 off and 1 thats hit the woodwork. That puts Carlos Edwards to shame, a converted winger who has had 3 a sists, 6 shots on target Carlos Lee Jersey and 11 off. Ill give Edwards credit, hes been converted to a position hes probably not the most comfortable with, but his defensive play is suspect many times through a match, he is caught ball watching too often and leaves his marker in too much space. Yet this really isnt the players fault, there should have been a natural full back brought in to push Edwards to fight for that position from the start of the season.Jewell was stating the obvious in his post match Watford interviews when he said the reason Ipswich are where they are in the league is because theyve conceded too many goals; 67 goals in 38 games to be precise If hed have actually made the signings and the right ones at that, then we can only dream where Ipswich might be, rather than finishing mid table in yet another mediocre season.