Other matches.

[hallamblue]

Which is why I'm not yoo concerned about relegation if / when it happens. Yes we lose some players, but by znd large we'll have a helluva squad fir next season at Championship level.

I'm also convinced that the Club has been re building As Planned, DESPITE our promotion to the Plastic League. The club strategy being to seek and sign " young, hungry, British, players" who have the attributes of pace, aggression, and a socially minded temperament ( not sure how best describe thst but basically not all about " on the field"), and a desire to learn and develop ( not all players possess these attributes). Ashton once said both he and Mckenna always want to look the player squarely in the eyes when asking them about how they see their development pathway and how it sits with that of Ipswich Town FC. Thus strategy is ongoing and ever evolving. Us being in the Plastic League this season is to my mind almost a free hit. It will not detract from the clubs staterguc plans of re development, and we've come so far in 36 months I feel.

Yes we're behind the curve in terms of training facilities and overseas scouting, but you can bet your butt Ashton is well down that road to resolution.

[ITFC2024]

Yep genuine, heartfelt posts of late. I too believe we’re in good hands, and I hope we’re able to retain KM for another season at least.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Which is why I'm not yoo concerned about relegation if / when it happens. Yes we lose some players, but by znd large we'll have a helluva squad fir next season at Championship level.

I'm also convinced that the Club has been re building As Planned, DESPITE our promotion to the Plastic League. The club strategy being to seek and sign " young, hungry, British, players" who have the attributes of pace, aggression, and a socially minded temperament ( not sure how best describe thst but basically not all about " on the field"), and a desire to learn and develop ( not all players possess these attributes). Ashton once said both he and Mckenna always want to look the player squarely in the eyes when asking them about how they see their development pathway and how it sits with that of Ipswich Town FC. Thus strategy is ongoing and ever evolving. Us being in the Plastic League this season is to my mind almost a free hit. It will not detract from the clubs staterguc plans of re development, and we've come so far in 36 months I feel.

Yes we're behind the curve in terms of training facilities and overseas scouting, but you can bet your butt Ashton is well down that road to resolution.

The problem I have with relegation is that there is absolutely no guarantee thet we will bounce back up, and playing in the Championship with no paly-offs at minimum at the end of the season would likely be as boring as losing every week in the PL.

I know that on paper we would have a very strong Championship squad (minus Delap of course who would surely leave), but the fact is that there have been teams with stronger squads than ours that have been relegated into the Championship and floundered.

[hallamblue]

Definitely no guarantee of immediate promotion. But we'd be in that top 2-3 teams i think.

[Bluemike]

Definitely no guarantee of immediate promotion. But we'd be in that top 2-3 teams i think.

And enjoying it again.

[hallamblue]

Lol, 100% that Mike!

[shabba]

I think the fact that alot of the players were not premier league regulars may help if we do go down, i.e they aren't going to be as de-moviated or want to move if they know they aren't bonified premier league players, or dare I say it mercenaries from abroad.

Leeds bought alot from abroad and those guys had zero interest when they went down, most got loaned out etc.

I could be wrong, but thats the way I see it with some clubs coming down.

I guess the counter is Luton who you'd think would do well after going down but they really have struggled.

[marko69]

I think the fact that alot of the players were not premier league regulars may help if we do go down, i.e they aren't going to be as de-moviated or want to move if they know they aren't bonified premier league players, or dare I say it mercenaries from abroad.

Leeds bought alot from abroad and those guys had zero interest when they went down, most got loaned out etc.

I could be wrong, but thats the way I see it with some clubs coming down.

I guess the counter is Luton who you'd think would do well after going down but they really have struggled.

Yes, I reckon Luton could do a Yeovil. Maybe not THAT far down the pyramid though. And know what you mean with players with zero interest. Matt Doherty after the 2012 Scottish Cup Final comes to mind......, bloke was laughing. I think he went STRAIGHT to Wolverhapton from Glasgow as he'd have got lynched back at Easter Road.

In all honesty, pre Messiah taking over, I thought Ipswich Town FC were in that League One (or Two) for double figures of years. Doing a Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic. Just --->> GONE with slaphead Paul Cook in charge and Mevans with his cryptic AGM's that required a degree in economics to understand.

For ITFC as a business....., got to hope the club stay up and make as much £££ as possible. (Although wages make that impossible really)
For ITFC as a distributor of entertainment to the loyal attending fans......, then seeing big wins again can hopefully happen soon. (Preferably in the EPL)

[Mauswara]

Definitely no guarantee of immediate promotion. But we'd be in that top 2-3 teams i think.

And enjoying it again.

Not enjoying losing very much, but I am enjoying us playing top-level teams.

[shabba]

I think the fact that alot of the players were not premier league regulars may help if we do go down, i.e they aren't going to be as de-moviated or want to move if they know they aren't bonified premier league players, or dare I say it mercenaries from abroad.

Leeds bought alot from abroad and those guys had zero interest when they went down, most got loaned out etc.

I could be wrong, but thats the way I see it with some clubs coming down.

I guess the counter is Luton who you'd think would do well after going down but they really have struggled.

Yes, I reckon Luton could do a Yeovil. Maybe not THAT far down the pyramid though. And know what you mean with players with zero interest. Matt Doherty after the 2012 Scottish Cup Final comes to mind......, bloke was laughing. I think he went STRAIGHT to Wolverhapton from Glasgow as he'd have got lynched back at Easter Road.

In all honesty, pre Messiah taking over, I thought Ipswich Town FC were in that League One (or Two) for double figures of years. Doing a Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic. Just --->> GONE with slaphead Paul Cook in charge and Mevans with his cryptic AGM's that required a degree in economics to understand.

For ITFC as a business....., got to hope the club stay up and make as much £££ as possible. (Although wages make that impossible really)
For ITFC as a distributor of entertainment to the loyal attending fans......, then seeing big wins again can hopefully happen soon. (Preferably in the EPL)

In terms of making money - most clubs run at a fairly heavy loss, the owners know this but their goal is to increase the value of the asset overall, and as the premier league becomes more and more popular then the value of the clubs rises.

I think the premier league has gone up 1700% in value since its inception, remarkable really.

It’s why become an established premier league club is key.

[Bluemike]

This is the problem, it's viewed as business nowadays, never mind the entertainment value which for me is light years behind the last Two seasons and not just because of results.

[marko69]

This is the problem, it's viewed as business nowadays, never mind the entertainment value which for me is light years behind the last Two seasons and not just because of results.

Taking that to another level, I have same opinion with The Champions League. Stopped watching YEARS ago. Just did not rock my boat at all. And thats coming from an SPL watcher.
I think Charnwood says he watches a lot of Champions League, sometimes attending English club CL games in Spain, (which must be great, I do admit that). I find it incredibly boring.

The old European Cup was a real novelty. When the games came around it was a surprise seeing the fixture list…… “oh wow, Dundee United v Gothenburg, that sounds GREAT!” ……. But now there are 5 squillion fixtures and (well for me) I couldn’t care less.

[Bluemike]

I can honestly say I've probably watched no more than half a dozen champions league games since it's inception, boring beyond belief.

[Shed on tour]

Only watch the Champions League when it gets to the semi-finals and final. I did attend the B Dortmund v Bayern Munich final at Wembley in 2013 and the noise created by the Germans that night was fantastic. Certainly put to bed the talk that you couldn’t create an atmosphere at the the New Wembley.

[shabba]

Yeah they ruined the CL by adding so many teams and now ruined again with this new league structure.

[hallamblue]

I can honestly say I've probably watched no more than half a dozen champions league games since it's inception, boring beyond belief.

It's all about ££££££ ( shock amazement eh!)

They've probably watered down it's so elite status by adding yet more teams, and as you say, its a complete non event. I've never watched it and have no desire to. I'm beginning to feel like professional football is dying a long painful, vastly over hyped, over paid death.

[Charnwood]

Only watch the Champions League when it gets to the semi-finals and final. I did attend the B Dortmund v Bayern Munich final at Wembley in 2013 and the noise created by the Germans that night was fantastic. Certainly put to bed the talk that you couldn’t create an atmosphere at the the New Wembley.

I must admit Shed I only CL football now from the Round of 16 and only follow the English clubs primarily Liverpool. Watched them live at Atlético Madrid and Barcelona during Klopps reign and must admit the standard of football is on another level that I really enjoy watching. Prime example was when Liverpool lost 3-0 at Barca with two absolute masterclass stunning goals from Messi, and taking of atmosphere I’ve never seen anything like the Atlético fans and the Metropolitan Arena. I know we’re all different but I don’t understand why anyone who loves football doesn’t enjoy watching it played at the highest level.
I must admit I’ll never forget some of the great European nights at Portman Road, they will live with me forever and I would certainly welcome them back as I’m sure our owners would too. When this happens we really will be back at the top. No harm in dreaming.

[hallamblue]

So, some key games today.
Everton vs Leicester
Wolves vs Villa

What do we want result wise ( assuming we can either win or draw.

For me, I'd ho for a Everton / Leicester draw. That way they both drop 2 points

And a Villa win all day long .

Sunday

Brentford win over Spurs which would drag Spurs right into the mire. ..

[Bluemike]

Everton win or better still draw.
Wolves lose or take a draw
Spurs defeat

[Cabanas Blue]

Spurs will be fine all the injured players will be back by February 22 nd I bet .

[Charnwood]

Good to see Ali Al Hamadi scored for Stoke City today to earn them a point in their 1-1 draw at Hull.

[Blue Wilf]

Wolves beating Villa - now tell us today was not a must win McKenna - FFS

[marko69]

Villa must've been woeful first half, ...., D!ck Emery makes four changes at HT. Jeez. Hope it works.

[lucy]

Wolves won 2-0

[marko69]

It seems managers near the top of the table are struggling as well with their "processes", ---->> Unai & Howe !

Especially Newcastle. I mean, come on!! Millions and Millions of cash spewed and they can't take care of Fulham in Geordieland. That is NOT good.

[Charnwood]

Wolves beating Villa - now tell us today was not a must win McKenna - FFS

I’m not sure how much the managers are to blame. I think it’s more to do with the huge gulf that’s been allowed to open up between the bottom of the Premier League and the top of the Championship which has been exacerbated by the FFP rules that restrict the promoted clubs from investing even if they can afford to.

For ne it’s no coincidence that the 3 promoted clubs are now rooted in the bottom three positions with the gap widening.

[hallamblue]

I’m done with this Plastic League. It’s not enjoyable. It’s full of diving cheats, p*ss poor VAR, refs, minimal Saturday 3pm ko’s and revolves around Sky tv .

They can keep it!

[marko69]

I’m not sure how much the managers are to blame. I think it’s more to do with the huge gulf that’s been allowed to open up between the bottom of the Premier League and the top of the Championship which has been exacerbated by the FFP rules that restrict the promoted clubs from investing even if they can afford to.

For ne it’s no coincidence that the 3 promoted clubs are now rooted in the bottom three positions with the gap widening.

^^ WORD ^^

[Blue Wilf]

Wolves beating Villa - now tell us today was not a must win McKenna - FFS

I’m not sure how much the managers are to blame. I think it’s more to do with the huge gulf that’s been allowed to open up between the bottom of the Premier League and the top of the Championship which has been exacerbated by the FFP rules that restrict the promoted clubs from investing even if they can afford to.

For ne it’s no coincidence that the 3 promoted clubs are now rooted in the bottom three positions with the gap widening.

You say that but are very happy to give the manager the credit when it goes well - in my book they also need to take the flak when things are going badly. I and a few others have been pointing this out since at least the Brentford game and so it continues. It is interesting to see the groundswell of opinion moving in this direction not only on this site but on others, Radio Suffolk etc as well. McKenna has indeed taken us as far as he can - he is inexperienced at this level and is being found out. We needed him so much when we languished in League 1 and for that I will be forever grateful, but we now need an experienced Premier League manager to take us forward - that is not Kieran McKenna, sadly. If however, we go back down and he wants to stay then I would be very happy for him to have learned lessons and come back for another try but again, sadly that is unlikely as if we drop, he will most likely grasp for the next branch of his career enhancing journey and go. I cannot blame him for that and such is the fickle nature of the PL that clubs will be fawning over him but for me, and for Ipswich Town right now, he is not going to be our PL leader.

[Charnwood]

I know exactly where you’re coming from Ian but neither Leicester City or Southampton have managed to attract an experienced Premier League manager and both clubs have a far more experienced squad of players to work with than we have.

Who do you think we would attract and what would the chances be if a replacement keeping us up. To the best of my knowledge the success record of changing a manager this late in the season is minimal. I stand by my thoughts that the current structure of the EPL makes it nigh impossible for a promoted club to survive particularly if like Town you’re not working on returning after receiving parachute payments.

Also given the very slim chance of a change paying off I can’t imagine our owners wanting to pay out £15m in compensation to McKenna which would only be worthwhile if it came with a guarantee of securing survival.

I think the only way McKenna will leave is when another Club come after him and pay us compensation.