Ipswich Town manager Gary O’Neil has delivered an uncompromising message to his squad ahead of Saturday’s formidable trip to face Manchester City, warning his players that reputation counts for nothing as he balances a fully fit 27-man roster.
Following the return of midfield duo Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor from summer surgeries, alongside winger Abdul Fatawu serving a one-match suspension, O’Neil boasts a clean bill of health across his entire squad.
However, with high-profile stars like Cedric Kipre, Marcelino Núñez, Kasey McAteer, Anis Mehmeti, and Matusiwa left out of the 20-man matchday squad during last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Fulham, competition for places has reached fever pitch inside the Portman Road dressing room.
O’Neil Lays Down the Law: “It’s Up to Them, Not Me”
Addressing the intense selection headache facing his coaching staff, O’Neil threw the gauntlet directly back to his squad, insisting that training standards and match performance will dictate who earns a starting shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
“It’s up to them, it’s not up to me,” O’Neil stated firmly. “They pick the team, not me. They decide who starts. Obviously, I’ll go off what they make me feel. But they’re the ones in charge of what I feel.”
The depth across Portman Road is a testament to the club’s aggressive summer transfer business. Last season’s Player of the Year, Azor Matusiwa, now faces fierce competition following the arrivals of Exequiel Palacios, Saša Lukić, and Florentino Luís.
Out wide, Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke, and Daizen Maeda are locked in a three-way battle for the left flank, while Emersonn, Zian Flemming, and Chuba Akpom compete for minutes up front.
Why Squad Depth Is Ipswich’s Ultimate Premier League Weapon
Sitting 10th in the Premier League table with nine points, Ipswich Town have enjoyed a remarkably strong start back in the top flight. While managing disappointed players left out of the squad is a delicate balancing act, O’Neil knows that physical fatigue and injuries will inevitably strike over a grueling 38-game campaign.
“Azor knows he has to fight for his place, as everyone does,” O’Neil added. “This is why we built the squad that we built… There is a very slim chance that we have too many weeks where everybody is fit. I’m sure there will be a stage in this season where we have two or three injuries in the same position and the squad won’t look as deep as it looks right now.”
Drawing on his own career as a Premier League midfielder, O’Neil acknowledged the natural frustration that comes with sitting on the sidelines, but stressed that survival and success require a complete squad effort:
“There’s no way 11 players are going to get us where we need to get to this season. It’s going to need everybody. And I think almost everybody has played a part so far this year.”
With 630 minutes logged across eight games, defender Dara O’Shea leads the squad in playing time, closely followed by Leif Davis (589 mins) and Issa Diop (540 mins).
As Ipswich prepare to face the league leaders at the Etihad Stadium, O’Neil’s depth will face its ultimate test—and every member of the 27-man squad must be ready when called upon.
