Town have taken up the one-year option on right-back Josh Emmanuel’s contract.

The 21-year-old academy graduate signed a three-year deal in November 2016 which included the option for a further season.

Emmanuel, who has spent time on loan at Rotherham and Shrewsbury in the last two seasons, has recently alternated with loanee James Bree for the right-back spot.

Manager Paul Lambert said a fortnight ago that he expected the additional year to be taken up - “Yeah, I do” - having been pleased with the one-time West Ham schoolboy’s displays since he returned from his loan spell with the Shrews in January.

“Josh has done well, I think he still needs a good bit of coaching but he’s a young lad that will learn, so I think Josh has done well enough to be here," he said.

“I don’t see a problem with that, I think we still need someone to push and vice versa he might need to push somebody else, so it’s an area I think we need to look at.”

Photo: TWTD

BoxerBlue added 12:41 - May 1 Happy with this hope he pushes on next season and gets himself a new contract
18

Reuserscurtains added 12:50 - May 1 It's going to be one of these summers again isn't it. Renewing contracts and signing a lot of below average players to look like we are doing something. Emmanuel seems an honest lad but he isn't very good, unfortunately. Not excited about our chances at all, hope something sparks some excitement into me ASAP!
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Suffolkboy added 12:57 - May 1 The Comments from BB and RC both have an element of truthful aspiration : this young man will need to show progress and greater awareness over this year to justify staying longer . He does have physique but speed and general athletic alertness need building .Lets hope PL and co can bring out the best and add to his strengths . COYB
16

PortmanTerrorist added 13:31 - May 1 He did well enough when played at lower league level previously and looked the real deal before MM broke his confidence. PL will have to be astute with signings but our success will also depend on him coaching improvement in the likes of Josh, Miles and our young midfielders too. I don't hope PL will be able to do that, I just know that he absolutely has to be able to do that to have any chance of a successful season next time around.....esp when you look at the teams NOT going up automatically and those coming up from League 2. This is a tough, tough league but we can play our football and succeed and have a manager that has the blueprint. COYB, Come on Josh !

2

MrTown added 13:45 - May 1 For me a back-up option, but with Spence leaving, Bree leaving, if Emmanuel left likewise would only have to be replaced with someone of his similar ilk. Has a decent couple of years experience in League 1 but for me not quite a first choice option yet.
5

Jonnosdreadlocks added 14:00 - May 1 Should have been playing instead of Spence. The kid had all the talent just needs a run and being hokey cokied with Bree has not helped his confidence especially as Bree has no interest in playing div 1. Some have questioned the likes of JE, Mk and several of our youngsters but then they haven't had a free pass into the side every week like Captain Fistpump who seems bulletproof and along with Skuse have been near ever presents in our decline over the last 2/3 seasons.

6

RobITFC added 14:23 - May 1 Glad he is being given a chance to prove himself in League 1 where he was ok for Rotherham on loan. However I do feel that we need another full back, Wolfenden who I feel is a better player can play there but surely will be pushing for a centre half place?
8

arnielowestoft added 14:38 - May 1 Very lucky man !! Need to step up a few gears
-1

SouperJim added 15:23 - May 1 Voted young player of the year in Rotherham's promotion-winning League One team last season. There's more to come from Josh.
8

Lightningboy added 15:32 - May 1 Decent back up but like Kenlock I think we need better & more experience in both full back positions. Think we need the following at the very minimum: GK 2 x full backs 1 centre back 1 midfield “general” 2 strikers
9

chepstowblue added 15:49 - May 1 Has all the physical attributes but like Kenlock doesn't seem very switched on or aware of what's going on around him.Reaction times are very slow. Very poor in possession and often appears to be trying to control a balloon. I think LB and RB are serious issues. At league 1 standard he may JUST get away with it. Id certainly prefer Elder(Lb)and and 1 other,but we are now in the category of 'beggars' so may have to make do with what we have and hope for significant improvements in performance levels. Whatever division we're in and whatever the personnel, our back 4 are in for a torrid time next season.

2

SouperJim added 16:51 - May 1 chepstow I think you underestimate the experience our back 4 have - Chambers over 500 league appearances at League One or above, Nsiala knocking on 100 including playoffs for Shrews, Emmanuel 70 including promotion for Rotherham. Even Kenlock has 50 in the Championship. That's before we add anyone. I'm not saying League One will be a cakewalk, but the standard isn't particularly good compared to the Championship and it's easy to underestimate our players watching them struggle in a relegated side. Most League One sides would have your arm off to sign our players.

6

midastouch added 17:00 - May 1 Now for a goal scorer please! Liked the look of Norwood. Seems to have gone rater quiet on that front though. Hopefully we get somebody in with an eye for goal as we all know we've struggled desperately on that front all season! What better way to get the season ticket sales up to 14k than getting us excited with a new target man signed sealed and delivered!
5

Kirbmeister added 17:53 - May 1 Every clubs gonna be after a target man this summer. Good ones are in short supply. I'm not holding my breath.
0

jas0999 added 18:21 - May 1 It's now time for Emmanuel to push on and show us what he can do. He's lost his way a bit, but I've always rated him - I just hope he can now show significant improvement. He's better than Spence. The only issue is the club admit to having too big a squad. We seem to be retaining a number of players. We can assume the loans will go along with Knudsen. Interesting to see what we do with Collins, Adeyemi, Spence, Ward & Gerken. Some will need to move on and it would be a surprise if we retained any of these.

4

heathen66 added 18:26 - May 1 It is all ok calling for a goalscrorer, however if he has no ammunition or has to chase long hopeful hoofs as a lone striker then whoever we get will not score goals. Mo Salah would struggle with no service. I am glad JE has signed and begs the question why PL has persevered with Bree when JE needs all the game time and experience to learn. What we really need is a dominant and creative central midfielder playing alongside Bishop and 2 wingers (no holding CMs). Given the correct service Jackson, Harrison, Sears, Morris and Folami may already be the answer. We do not know this or can really judge them as the have not been played in a way that suits their style, They have been made to fit PLs adopted style. We have not seen the best of any of them...yet hopefully

4

Ipswichbusiness added 18:50 - May 1 JAS0999 I agree with your list of exits with the exception of Ward who I rate. We will certainly need to reduce the wage bill, those who think that we are going to sign lots of players are likely to be disappointed.
-1

brendenward35 added 19:05 - May 1 One thing people are missing is the increased number of games town will have to play next season so they will need a decent size squad especially when PL keen to not rely on loans. Sunderland have struggled this season because of increased games and injuries.
1

tractorboybig added 19:07 - May 1 lightningboy….are you a dreamer? remember our owners name is evans
1

brassy added 19:22 - May 1 the only way to get experience is to play regularly good luck next season COYBs.
2

Dolphinblue added 20:47 - May 1 Whats happened to Donacien? Totally out of the picture?
2

lightingblue added 21:08 - May 1 Josh has to think that this will be a huge season for him. Could potentially make or break his football career. Going on his previous loan spells in league 1 he has to think that he should be playing regular football. It's not as though he doesn't know this division. I like the lad and think that he had a potentially good future. Let's hope he does.
2

busterjames1 added 21:16 - May 1 Worth looking at Col Uniteds Ryan Jackson for a good solid full back and would love to see Frankie Kent at Portman road.
0

Lathers added 22:45 - May 1 He's not good enough. Fact. Nor is Kenlock, or Nsiala. I know we've had to lower our expectations over the past 17 years but serious improvement is required across the back 4 if we are going to make it back up at the first attempt. JE, MK and TN are L1 squad players at best. TBH the whole squad needs freshening up but there's only so much PL can do in one summer window before he inevitably gets fired in late October.

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Bert added 23:57 - May 1 The right decision to take up the one year option.However, although the lad has potential, in my opinion he hesitates before clearing so he needs to think more quickly if we are going to stop soft goals going in as has happened the few games he has played.
1

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