Ipswich Town v Fulham preview and matchday thread

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I have refrained from commenting lately.
Why? Because I'm tired of saying the same things over and over again.
The final straw for me came 2 seasons ago when the lack of investment/interest in the January transfer window cost us our best chance in years of getting out of this league.
From then on I have continued to moan about the ME/MM regime, and it got to the point where I am tired of saying the same things week in, week out.
It got so bad that a few weeks ago I stopped going to games - there is no point at my age putting myself through the raised blood pressure that the stress of seeing us play such rubbish causes.
I'm afraid the writing was on the wall for this current regime 2 years ago. Nothing happened to change things then, and things have steadily got worse. I do not see anything changing in the next few months either, and I have very real concerns for the future of the club.
A Happy New Year to All.

[derick_ipsw]

Today was truly dreadful, probably about as bad as it gets, outplayed from start to finish, hardly any efforts of note on target, passed off the pitch, second to virtually every ball, no cohesion to our play, zero tempo, movement was non existent, the list goes on, Fulham actually looked like world beaters by comparison but they certainly have players that know how to do the basics like pass and move, sadly we didn't. At no point in that 95 minutes did we ever looked likely to score, or in fact compete. With the exception of Bart I struggle to single out any other player for praise at all, While I accept Mick has to take the lions share of the blame in this dismal situation we find ourselves in I cannot help but feel a few of the players need to take a long hard look at themselves too, I don't buy into this theory that they are being coached to play sh*te, I do not agree with it at all, they are at times going through the motions and today was most definitely one of those days.

Quite how it only ended up 0-2 god only knows, while there wasn't loads of chances raining down on our goal in the first half we still had Bart to thank for a excellent instinctive block from Martin which held it at 0-0 for a bit longer. I have no idea what the f*ck our wall and goalkeeper were thinking for the Freekick which gave Fulham a more than deserved lead, being virtually behind the wall you could see it was not positioned correctly or indeed long enough, I hope Sears was not meant to be on the end of the wall because the gap between himself and the next goon in the wall was big enough to allow Vanessa Feltz through it !! Bart's attempt to get across to save it was also pretty rank in truth.

The second half was a different story in terms of chances for the visitors, Bart made a couple of good saves while some unbelievable misses by the Fulham attack kept it respectable, it could so easliy have been 0-5 it was that one-sided. At the other end we did not trouble their keeper once, not an effort on target throughout the whole game as far as I can recall. I think I can recall a solitary passage of play that I would credit as being good football from us, aside from that we could not string more than a couple of decent passes together. Our defence was pulled about all over the place with the two Fullbacks once again so limited at the back or going forward, Berra & Webster without question came off second best to the Fulham attack, Pitman was totally isolated up front all first half while Skuse & Douglas had very poor games in the centre, I felt Dozzell was better than most without really needing to do much at all, a couple of good runs stood out for me. Didsy and Best came on second half and had very little impact, Didsy sprayed a few balls about but it was all very safe and didn't hurt Fulham at all, Sears & Lawrence had limited opportunities to get at the defence but when they did it was dealt with so easliy it was untrue, I doubt we would have scored if we were still playing now.

Bart (7) Chambo (5) Webster (5) Berra (5) Knudsen (5) Lawrence (6) Skuse (4) Douglas (4) Sears (5) Dozzell (6) Pitman (5)
SUBS :- Best (4) McGoldrick (6)

The gulf in class between the Two sides was embarrasing today and we show little signs of being able to string a run of decent results together, the crowd are turning more and more with each passing game, Evans, McCarthy and the players all now being targeted in larger numbers, there have been times in the past when I felt fans were turning on the manager way too soon, however even the most avid supporter of MM, myself included, has to draw the line before it becomes too late to rectify it without serious consequences and while I wish MM no harm and nor do I have the same hatred towards him as many clearly do it does get to the stage where a change has to be the way forward because their is little evidence of anything changing without that scenario, 26th December 2016 is the day I feel we reached that point. McCarthy OUT.

You have been one of MM strongest allies, so if you say MM out it must be time. I have been saying all season. In fact it all started going wrong this time last year, when for some reason he signed a new contract. ME wont sack him because he cant afford it and MM wont resign because he is big stupid stubborn tw*t who is ruing our club with his negative football. Gary Rowett would be my choice, someone young and enthusiastic instead of this f**king dinosaur.

[Bluemike]

Derick I have been one of Micks biggest Allies and I take no pleasure from finally joining the ranks of the Mick out brigade but it does get to a point where it is irretrievable and the fans have well and truly been lost, that cannot be turned around no matter how we do now. Sometimes you have to enforce change whether you agree with it or not, that is where I am now.

[patthegimp]

No point in giving Mick money for the January window. It's a bad and expensive time to try to bring in players and they are not usually of great ability. Basically it would be a waste. Woth this team so do not think we will end in a relegation fight hopefully winning enough to keep us lower mid table. Then sack Mick in May with less compo to pay and let a new member get rid of the dross and rebuild/change style of play over summer. Next season we win the league. And yes Marko I am still taking the tablets!!

[hallamblue]

Have to say I kinda agree with you here. It makes sense.

[Mr.Punch]

No point in giving Mick money for the January window. It's a bad and expensive time to try to bring in players and they are not usually of great ability. Basically it would be a waste. Woth this team so do not think we will end in a relegation fight hopefully winning enough to keep us lower mid table. Then sack Mick in May with less compo to pay and let a new member get rid of the dross and rebuild/change style of play over summer. Next season we win the league. And yes Marko I am still taking the tablets!!

I would probably agree with this, we're not getting near the play-offs and with MM in charge I don't fear relegation.
So if we're not going up or down let's think about next season - whatever that means...

[Andym]

with MM in charge I don't fear relegation..

You are far more optimistic than me.

[herforder]

MM and ME have apparently discussed potential January targets, with ME no doubt undertaking to try and get some business completed. Assuming MM remains manager, there's no likelihood that ME will suddenly announce that he's not going to do what has been agreed; effectively cutting off the manager's balls, yet expecting him to continue giving maximum effort up to the point where he's sacked in the summer! Not really likely, even in the bonkers world of football.

[Shed on tour]

I still expect MM to be our manager at the start of next season.
I can't see Evans changing his policy regarding how much we spend in the transfer market and he probably feels who else am I going to get in with the budget that is going to be provided?
Think it will be at least another 12 months before he even considers weilding the axe.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I still expect MM to be our manager at the start of next season.
I can't see Evans changing his policy regarding how much we spend in the transfer market and he probably feels who else am I going to get in with the budget that is going to be provided?
Think it will be at least another 12 months before he even considers weilding the axe.

I also expect no movement on the manager front.
I also think it unlikely that ME would ever even consider sacking him.
Much more likely that in the next 12 months, MM will be lured away by a larger salary and the promise of a more substantial player budget by Braintree Town

[herforder]

Interesting observation from Jim Magilton who, apart from commenting with some justifiable bitterness at the manner in which his sacking was handled, observes that the current Town squad doesn't possess sufficient real leaders on the pitch. Players capable of reacting in adversity, players capable of lifting individual and collective performances and players able to change the balance of a game. Nowhere was this more apparent than in yesterday's embarrassingly abject showing; which will have had a massively negative impact upon already fragile team confidence.

[number 9]

I still expect MM to be our manager at the start of next season.
I can't see Evans changing his policy regarding how much we spend in the transfer market and he probably feels who else am I going to get in with the budget that is going to be provided?
Think it will be at least another 12 months before he even considers weilding the axe.

I also expect no movement on the manager front.
I also think it unlikely that ME would ever even consider sacking him.
Much more likely that in the next 12 months, MM will be lured away by a larger salary and the promise of a more substantial player budget by Braintree Town

Lol!...Braintree Town!...I think Mick's style and tactics would be perfect for Braintree. I'm starting to shift a bit on the stance that ME won't do anything. I believe the growing number of fans vehemently upset over our current situation may well force change. I do think it's time WE fans stop being pussies and voice our displeasure in a more public manner. ME is too comfortable...he needs to get off his as* and address the situation in a hurry!

[Charnwood]

To be honest I don't think Marcus Evans gives a f*ck about Ipswich Town which to him appears to be nothing more than a rich boys play thing which comes with some tax breaks.

Sadly our football club will be going nowhere until such time that Marcus Evans gets bored and fed up and decides to sell, in which case we have to hope and pray that he sells to someone mega rich with wild ambition such as The King Power family who bought Leicester City.

The sooner the better for me as I'm completely fed up with this current regime and have been for sometime.

[marko69]

Interesting observation from Jim Magilton who, apart from commenting with some justifiable bitterness at the manner in which his sacking was handled, observes that the current Town squad doesn't possess sufficient real leaders on the pitch. Players capable of reacting in adversity, players capable of lifting individual and collective performances and players able to change the balance of a game. Nowhere was this more apparent than in yesterday's embarrassingly abject showing; which will have had a massively negative impact upon already fragile team confidence.

Thought the same as Jim after the televised Nott'm Forest game. Worst game I've witnessed this season, and that includes a Hibs Falkirk encounter which was worse than sh*t.

I believe the players are capable......., just not in the championship. They're all sh*t. You need a team with 7/11 Ryan Frasers.

But you need investment for that......., so it's a catch 22.

[Shed on tour]

Interesting observation from Jim Magilton who, apart from commenting with some justifiable bitterness at the manner in which his sacking was handled, observes that the current Town squad doesn't possess sufficient real leaders on the pitch. Players capable of reacting in adversity, players capable of lifting individual and collective performances and players able to change the balance of a game. Nowhere was this more apparent than in yesterday's embarrassingly abject showing; which will have had a massively negative impact upon already fragile team confidence.

Thought the same as Jim after the televised Nott'm Forest game. Worst game I've witnessed this season, and that includes a Hibs Falkirk encounter which was worse than sh*t.

I believe the players are capable......., just not in the championship. They're all sh*t. You need a team with 7/11 Ryan Frasers.

But you need investment for that......., so it's a catch 22.

I actually thought there were several of our players who resembled Fraser yesterday.

Unfortunately, it was Frazer out of Dads Army! We're doomed I tell you!

[herforder]

Interesting observation from Jim Magilton who, apart from commenting with some justifiable bitterness at the manner in which his sacking was handled, observes that the current Town squad doesn't possess sufficient real leaders on the pitch. Players capable of reacting in adversity, players capable of lifting individual and collective performances and players able to change the balance of a game. Nowhere was this more apparent than in yesterday's embarrassingly abject showing; which will have had a massively negative impact upon already fragile team confidence.

Thought the same as Jim after the televised Nott'm Forest game. Worst game I've witnessed this season, and that includes a Hibs Falkirk encounter which was worse than sh*t.

I believe the players are capable......., just not in the championship. They're all sh*t. You need a team with 7/11 Ryan Frasers.

But you need investment for that......., so it's a catch 22.

I actually thought there were several of our players who resembled Fraser yesterday.

Unfortunately, it was Frazer out of Dads Army! We're doomed I tell you!

Don't worry Shed, reinforcements arriving in Jan: LCpl Jones and Pte Godfrey - new midfield Generals!

[bluejacko]

Lol!...Braintree Town!...I think Mick's style and tactics would be perfect for Braintree. I'm starting to shift a bit on the stance that ME won't do anything. I believe the growing number of fans vehemently upset over our current situation may well force change. I do think it's time WE fans stop being pussies and voice our displeasure in a more public manner. ME is too comfortable...he needs to get off his as* and address the situation in a hurry!

Well you laugh about Braintree Town but guess who the manager of Lincoln was before he went there? Dan Cowley and I reckon he might just twist MM's tail.

[number 9]

Lol!...Braintree Town!...I think Mick's style and tactics would be perfect for Braintree. I'm starting to shift a bit on the stance that ME won't do anything. I believe the growing number of fans vehemently upset over our current situation may well force change. I do think it's time WE fans stop being pussies and voice our displeasure in a more public manner. ME is too comfortable...he needs to get off his as* and address the situation in a hurry!

Well you laugh about Braintree Town but guess who the manager of Lincoln was before he went there? Dan Cowley and I reckon he might just twist MM's tail.

...not to mention Lincoln have scored 52 goals in 25 games! Yeah, I reckon MM's tail will be twisting!

[Mr.Punch]

Interesting observation from Jim Magilton who, apart from commenting with some justifiable bitterness at the manner in which his sacking was handled, observes that the current Town squad doesn't possess sufficient real leaders on the pitch. Players capable of reacting in adversity, players capable of lifting individual and collective performances and players able to change the balance of a game. Nowhere was this more apparent than in yesterday's embarrassingly abject showing; which will have had a massively negative impact upon already fragile team confidence.

Mick Mills has been saying the same thing all season - lack of on the pitch leadership is what's crippling the team.

[herforder]

That and the fact that MM gives them rigid game plans, and sets out their jobs within them. None prepared to deviate, or show much individual initiative for fear of suffering MM's displeasure. Perhaps a tad simplistic, but I find it hard to understand why, week in and out, certain players' performances never vary - almost robotic - whoever, and however the opposition are playing.