IPSWICH COLUMN: ‘Can Dozzell lift us out of another ‘meh’ moment?’

The curtain will come down on another Championship season at Portman Road on Saturday with a big sense of apathy left hanging in the air.

How many of those season ticket holders will be watching from their regular perch for the final time remains to be seen, but it will certainly be less.

I had the chance to go, but won’t, as shooting clays with friends (I’m no expert btw) is set to give me more fun watching targets get hit.

Those heady days of late August when a Town side with flair wingers and an almost embarrassment of strikers, topped the table, seems an age ago.

The turgid, lifeless displays that have dominated 2016 has seen the general opinion of Mick McCarthy quickly turn.

I’ve made my point on not jumping on that bandwagon clear in past columns, and Ian Holloway’s touting for Mick to rebuild Aston Villa this week should be a lesson in being careful what you wish for.

Is there anything positive to say, then?

Yes, the glimmer of light to send people to Portman Road on Saturday is in the twinkling toes of a 16-year-old: Andre Dozzell.

With two dead rubbers to play, starting with relegated MK Dons’ visit on Saturday (3pm) it is surely time to give the kids some more valuable Championship experience.

It was Paul Digby’s turn at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and from what I’ve seen of him at centre-half it looks like Mick is on to something in converting him from a midfielder.

Any other time of the season, keeping out Jordan Rhodes and Town nemesis David Nugent to earn a point would be a great result. On this occasion, it had become another of 2016’s ‘meh’ moments.

* The Sunday Times Richlist revealed Marcus Evans had a much steadier year than a lot of the country’s elite amid unstable global markets - maintaining his place in the top 30 British millionaires and top 150 overall at 146. But if he wants a return on his football investment he has to loosen the purse strings...