Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest preview and matchday thread

[Bluemike]

The trouble is Len you have no RB or LB in your team, a CB who is out for weeks and Conor Grant who returned to Everton last week so all in all I think we would be stuffed.

[marko69]

Good....... You've sent Knudsen back to Scandinavia. Nice one, Len.

But you've brought Smith back? Bad one, Len.

[Bluemike]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

[hallamblue]

The trouble is Len you have no RB or LB in your team, a CB who is out for weeks and Conor Grant who returned to Everton last week so all in all I think we would be stuffed.

how can len not know these simple Town facts??

[hallamblue]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

don't think it's down to Town fans Mike. Evans has had 8-9 yrs and Mick nigh on 4 yrs to get things right.

The "football" on shoe thd kart two seasons has been utter dross ( whether we've win or lost). Many fans can't face watching it anymore. If you own the Club, you MUST /SHOULD have your finger on the pulse to gage what the customers want. If you don't supply the demand thd business folds. Simples.

I hbink we are seeing this now at ITFC. We are not knee jerk tosses like that shower of shyte up the A140 who are the most fickle bunch fcukwits test walked the planet with their violent demonstrations. Running on the pitch to attack the manager. They really are a priceless bunch.

Town fans do at least have a bit more class and decorum and simply vote either their feet. And who can blame then. We are are not reacting to a run of 4 defeats like scum have. We are being ground dien over a 15 year period and finally over the last 2 seasons a team devoid of footballing nonce. It's NOT knee jerk.

ITFC can count themselves very lucky they have a fan vase that gas been as loyal as they have been , for as long as they have been. We have hardly given the owner not the manager any real grief.

Just perspective on things you understand!

[Charnwood]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

To some extent I'm with you there Mike, without wishing to be too controversial, in some ways I think Town fans could do more as they make little effort to lift the team, in fact quite the opposite and sometimes make them nervous. I know all the reasons why the fans may be dejected and down hearted after a couple of seasons of dross football, but even still they could do more to lift the team as opposed to expecting the team to lift them.

It was interesting listening to Darren Fletcher being interviewed after the Baggies win tonight against Burnley, and in particular him talking about the magnificant home fans creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors and really lifting the players and making them want to do well. He said they were amazing and drove the players forward. If only our fans could make more effort to do the same at Portman Road as they did in the good old days and not only when Town were winning.

An old pro pal of mine once said there's nothing worse for a team than playing at home when the crowd are against you from the start. He said that's when players stop pushing forward and stop shooting cos they're scared of making a mistake or missing a decent chance to score. In fact he said that's when players stop performing in training cos they don't want to be picked and when minor injuries begin to be used as excuses of not being fit to play.

I wonder to what extent this "fan fear" could be creeping in at Portman Road.

"Tin Hat" on waiting for the flack, but I think it's a worthy point for discussion.

[Magicmark]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

don't think it's down to Town fans Mike. Evans has had 8-9 yrs and Mick nigh on 4 yrs to get things right.

The "football" on shoe thd kart two seasons has been utter dross ( whether we've win or lost). Many fans can't face watching it anymore. If you own the Club, you MUST /SHOULD have your finger on the pulse to gage what the customers want. If you don't supply the demand thd business folds. Simples.

I hbink we are seeing this now at ITFC. We are not knee jerk tosses like that shower of shyte up the A140 who are the most fickle bunch fcukwits test walked the planet with their violent demonstrations. Running on the pitch to attack the manager. They really are a priceless bunch.

Town fans do at least have a bit more class and decorum and simply vote either their feet. And who can blame then. We are are not reacting to a run of 4 defeats like scum have. We are being ground dien over a 15 year period and finally over the last 2 seasons a team devoid of footballing nonce. It's NOT knee jerk.

ITFC can count themselves very lucky they have a fan vase that gas been as loyal as they have been , for as long as they have been. We have hardly given the owner not the manager any real grief.

Just perspective on things you understand!

[Bluemike]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

To some extent I'm with you there Mike, without wishing to be too controversial, in some ways I think Town fans could do more as they make little effort to lift the team, in fact quite the opposite and sometimes make them nervous. I know all the reasons why the fans may be dejected and down hearted after a couple of seasons of dross football, but even still they could do more to lift the team as opposed to expecting the team to lift them.

It was interesting listening to Darren Fletcher being interviewed after the Baggies win tonight against Burnley, and in particular him talking about the magnificant home fans creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors and really lifting the players and making them want to do well. He said they were amazing and drove the players forward. If only our fans could make more effort to do the same at Portman Road as they did in the good old days and not only when Town were winning.

An old pro pal of mine once said there's nothing worse for a team than playing at home when the crowd are against you from the start. He said that's when players stop pushing forward and stop shooting cos they're scared of making a mistake or missing a decent chance to score. In fact he said that's when players stop performing in training cos they don't want to be picked and when minor injuries begin to be used as excuses of not being fit to play.

I wonder to what extent this "fan fear" could be creeping in at Portman Road.

"Tin Hat" on waiting for the flack, but I think it's a worthy point for discussion.

That is exactly right and how I feel about the situation, I'm not interested in comparing ourselves with anyone else but what I do know is that our support at home has been crap for years now, there is little backing for the players from the off and some of the points you make very appropriate for me. I am fortunate in that I can go to most away games and the support is more often than not so much better and yes actually supportive.

[Magicmark]

Good post, Mike. Very much from the heart of a passionate supporter. I can really feel your reluctance to be properly critical of Mick; diplomacy all the way until the end is nigh. I've been there before in the past with a couple of Hibs managers. It becomes increasingly difficult when the tide really turns and you find yourself in the minority.

For the record, I too am not thinking about relegation because I do believe Mick (if he stays) will never take the club down. I actually fear someone new coming in and then the cub being relegated. That'd get the fighting started!

And this fighting due to the applause......., yip, been there before at Pittodrie......, about 10-15 Hibs fans all kicking lumps out of each other due Pat Fenlons substitutions! Twats!

I am reluctant to turn on MM Marko, I really hope we grab at least 6 points from those next Three games and he will keep me on board but I just have this feeling things are heading to the inevitable conclusion and I have to say I do not think that many Town fans have helped the situation one bit.

don't think it's down to Town fans Mike. Evans has had 8-9 yrs and Mick nigh on 4 yrs to get things right.

The "football" on shoe thd kart two seasons has been utter dross ( whether we've win or lost). Many fans can't face watching it anymore. If you own the Club, you MUST /SHOULD have your finger on the pulse to gage what the customers want. If you don't supply the demand thd business folds. Simples.

I hbink we are seeing this now at ITFC. We are not knee jerk tosses like that shower of shyte up the A140 who are the most fickle bunch fcukwits test walked the planet with their violent demonstrations. Running on the pitch to attack the manager. They really are a priceless bunch.

Town fans do at least have a bit more class and decorum and simply vote either their feet. And who can blame then. We are are not reacting to a run of 4 defeats like scum have. We are being ground dien over a 15 year period and finally over the last 2 seasons a team devoid of footballing nonce. It's NOT knee jerk.

ITFC can count themselves very lucky they have a fan vase that gas been as loyal as they have been , for as long as they have been. We have hardly given the owner not the manager any real grief.

Just perspective on things you understand!

I think we as fans are fickle as any other fan base & the expectations have been way to high..we had a good run a couple of seasons ago but it's utter rubbish now so..the fair weather sad acts are not supporting the club me myself and I have been a supporter of this club since the glory days & dont expect much now..but still love to see my team play a few times a year as a luxury..win or lose..I have loved ipswich fc & will forever.

[len]

It's about time MM has some stern words to say
to certain players!! example: shape up! or ship out!
These players are earning good money, if they don't
perform hit them where it hurts...in the pocket!!!

[Tangfastic]

It's about time MM has some stern words to say
to certain players!! example: shape up! or ship out!
These players are earning good money, if they don't
perform hit them where it hurts...in the pocket!!!

Not sure you can hit them in the pocket - they've got contracts.

Probably missing out on bonuses though - must have "clean sheet" or "goalless draw" bonuses written into their contracts.

[len]

Contract or no contract...who cares!! It's time to get tough
with some of our players who just turn up and don't give 100% effort.
Some of them are acting like fairies on the pitch as if It's just another
day at the office!!

[marko69]

Len......, a contract is a contract, mate. You'll properly see 100% no effort if you mess with the contracts. I understand the thinking, but it'll be a worse scenario.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Well I have done nothing but contemplate exactly where I sit on the MM & ITFC thing since saturday's abysmal showing. I have pretty much backed MM to the hilt and believed that he would get us up and in or around the play off's again this season, of course he still could but at the moment things are clearly far from right and more worryingly show few signs of improving. I feel it started going wrong when we went to Leeds, I was angry as I can remember over a game of football. Just when you feel you are running out of patience we throw in a decent performance or result like last week at Sheff Wed which makes you think hang on a minute maybe it is about to change, but then we get an inept fuckfest of a performance like we saw against Rotherham and Forest which puts your mind and thoughts back in overdrive again, i just can't make it out.

Injured players are coming back and Saturday saw a starting line up that pretty much all of us would have selected and yet it was as woeful as anything that had gone before it. I really do not think that MM has lost the dressing room at all, I don't believe that is an issue, nor is the spirit among the players, I think the way they celebrated to a man at Sheff Wed or when Sears finally ended his famine tells us that, I do however think playing at home has become a scary thing for them lately, I bet they can't wait to go away and the performances are by and large much better on our travels.

I do think MM has lost a large majority of the fans now and I do not ever see that changing, once it has gone this far that is it, he will no doubt front it out as long as he can and some will jump back on board if we do happen to string some wins together but there are many now who won't care one bit, they want him gone. Seeing fellow fans squaring up to each other at the final whistle is not good, close to me some younger lads were applauding the players who did walk over to applaud the fans, but other, older fans, took exception to it and told them off for clapping "that f**king crap" as they put it, it all got a bit heated and was close to becoming a fight, my stance on it is everyone has a right do what they feel is right but you have no right to have a go at someone for applauding our players, no matter what you think about the performance, but the point I am making is that this is only going to get worse, it is the second time in recent weeks i have witnessed it.

The crazy thing about it is that whoever comes in will be on a loser as the budget they will have will dictate just how good we are, they may play better football, they may not, who knows but we will by and large have the same quality player as we have now, I just think we are getting deeper and deeper into a rut now and it is not going to be easy to get out of it. I listened to Martin Allen on the Channel 5 football show at the wekend and he said if anyone thinks MM can continue to work miracles like he did the previous Two seasons with no investment then they are totally wrong cus it aint gonna happen.

After chewing over everything I think we are at the point where it is now make or break and for me these next Three games (QPR, Bristol City & Cardiff) are the defining games, if we see another Three efforts like saturday or we pick up only a point or Two then I feel we as a club will be forced to make a change, it may not even be a change for the better but things will get so anti that it will be the only course of action to take and MM will finally have lost my backing which I don't say lightly cus I really like the guy, if however we see some real passion in the performances and some decent results then MM should be given at the very least until the end of the season assuming of course we are in no danger of a relegation dogfight which I am not concerned about one bit to be honest, yet.

Actually Mike, I kind of feel sorry for MM at the moment. There is no doubt that he got us out of deep trouble when he came here, and our play-off season was nothing short of amazing when you consider the funds he had at his disposal.

Ok, I still do not rate him as the kind of manager I would like to see here - despite his record he has always been far too negative in his tactics for my liking.
And if he was to go, we would not do any better no matter who his replacement was.

Why?

Because the players we have are, fundamentally, crap. Pure and simple. And you can squarely place the blame on that at the owner.
Sky are showing a lot more Championship games this season and I watch most of them - most of the other teams have one or two players that make you think they are class - who have we got like that? Nobody, that's what.

That's hardly MM's fault, he can only acquire crap because that's his only option.
I remember MM's Wolves team - ok they ground out some very dour results but they still played a fairly attacking game with very little hoofball.

So why do we hoof it so much? Why can we not create much? Why is our passing the worst in the league?
It's because the players are crap, every single one of them.

The only thing that really pisses me off about MM is his insistence on playing - when available - that terrible inept monster known as Skuchamberra.
These 3 are totally out of their depth in this league. Their automatic selection when fit is the one really consistent thing about us at the moment - and look where that has got us. If I was MM, they would spend the rest of their days at this club playing nothing more than U23 games.
Please MM - do us and yourself a favour and try a game or 2 without any of them.

[Watership Down]

Robbie Keane has finished playing in North America. How would you feel about having him up front 36 years old, at least he is a known goalscorer. It has been said he is looking to sign with Shamrock Rovers......

[ashfordblue]

The trouble is Len you have no RB or LB in your team, a CB who is out for weeks and Conor Grant who returned to Everton last week so all in all I think we would be stuffed.

how can len not know these simple Town facts??[/quote]

Liz I'll bet Len's team selection thoughts are like when we were kids, 2 sets of jumpers set down for goals, then you just played anywhere but in goal, the keeper always was the one who was moaning that he didn't want to go in goal, so a quick slap changed his mind, then it was all hell broke loose kicking lumps out of each other with about 10 strikers and one goalie, ahh memories, that was the way we grew up and loved it.

[Tangfastic]

Robbie Keane has finished playing in North America. How would you feel about having him up front 36 years old, at least he is a known goalscorer. It has been said he is looking to sign with Shamrock Rovers......

No. Good luck with him with Shamrock. He went to America at the age for a reason and did well, but he knew he was on the slide. What you're gonna get with a 36 year old lacking pace and with limited scoring chances....

If we're going to get someone.... youngish, on the up player, who sees Town as a step up.... we've done the Portman Road Retirement Sanctuary for too many players.

[Tangfastic]

The trouble is Len you have no RB or LB in your team, a CB who is out for weeks and Conor Grant who returned to Everton last week so all in all I think we would be stuffed.

how can len not know these simple Town facts??[/quote]

Liz I'll bet Len's team selection thoughts are like when we were kids, 2 sets of jumpers set down for goals, then you just played anywhere but in goal, the keeper always was the one who was moaning that he didn't want to go in goal, so a quick slap changed his mind, then it was all hell broke loose kicking lumps out of each other with about 10 strikers and one goalie, ahh memories, that was the way we grew up and loved it.

We just picked the fat, useless kid for goalie. You certaintly learnt close control and quick passing when you had a few DM's aimed at your shins.

[Bluemike]

Actually Mike, I kind of feel sorry for MM at the moment. There is no doubt that he got us out of deep trouble when he came here, and our play-off season was nothing short of amazing when you consider the funds he had at his disposal.

Ok, I still do not rate him as the kind of manager I would like to see here - despite his record he has always been far too negative in his tactics for my liking.
And if he was to go, we would not do any better no matter who his replacement was.

Why?

Because the players we have are, fundamentally, crap. Pure and simple. And you can squarely place the blame on that at the owner.
Sky are showing a lot more Championship games this season and I watch most of them - most of the other teams have one or two players that make you think they are class - who have we got like that? Nobody, that's what.

That's hardly MM's fault, he can only acquire crap because that's his only option.
I remember MM's Wolves team - ok they ground out some very dour results but they still played a fairly attacking game with very little hoofball.

So why do we hoof it so much? Why can we not create much? Why is our passing the worst in the league?
It's because the players are crap, every single one of them.

The only thing that really pisses me off about MM is his insistence on playing - when available - that terrible inept monster known as Skuchamberra.
These 3 are totally out of their depth in this league. Their automatic selection when fit is the one really consistent thing about us at the moment - and look where that has got us. If I was MM, they would spend the rest of their days at this club playing nothing more than U23 games.
Please MM - do us and yourself a favour and try a game or 2 without any of them.

Gary, I think anyone who understands todays game will feel sorry for MM, trying to do an already tough job with virtually no funds while other teams around you get mega millions for failure is virtually impossible with each passing season.

Mick will always have a not to lose mentality over style and swagger and I bet 99% of people would be happy with it if were winning more often. I'm not sure our players are crap, it's a case of you get what you pay for, I do think we are two very crucial players short, a big strong target man and an all action box to box Midfielder, I do feel in Williams, Lawrence, Didsy, Webster, Bart, Skuse & pitman we have the nucleus of a very good Championship side, work needs to be done on the Fullback slots too but in Sears, Ward, Bishop and Bru I have been very disappointed in recent weeks, Bishop is young and to miss a year is not easy, it will take him time but he will come good.

You are quite right in what you say in that it will make no difference whatsoever and we would achieve no more with a new manager which is partly why I feel we need to stick with what we have and that is a good and experienced manager that would never take us down, unfortunately the entertainment factor has to come into it too and the way fans are deserting the club right now dictates that change may have to happen, we do need to be careful what we wish for though as it would be a massive gamble to bring an unproven manager in from the lower leagues with the p*ss poor budget he would be given.

[Tangfastic]

Actually Mike, I kind of feel sorry for MM at the moment. There is no doubt that he got us out of deep trouble when he came here, and our play-off season was nothing short of amazing when you consider the funds he had at his disposal.

Ok, I still do not rate him as the kind of manager I would like to see here - despite his record he has always been far too negative in his tactics for my liking.
And if he was to go, we would not do any better no matter who his replacement was.

Why?

Because the players we have are, fundamentally, crap. Pure and simple. And you can squarely place the blame on that at the owner.
Sky are showing a lot more Championship games this season and I watch most of them - most of the other teams have one or two players that make you think they are class - who have we got like that? Nobody, that's what.

That's hardly MM's fault, he can only acquire crap because that's his only option.
I remember MM's Wolves team - ok they ground out some very dour results but they still played a fairly attacking game with very little hoofball.

So why do we hoof it so much? Why can we not create much? Why is our passing the worst in the league?
It's because the players are crap, every single one of them.

The only thing that really pisses me off about MM is his insistence on playing - when available - that terrible inept monster known as Skuchamberra.
These 3 are totally out of their depth in this league. Their automatic selection when fit is the one really consistent thing about us at the moment - and look where that has got us. If I was MM, they would spend the rest of their days at this club playing nothing more than U23 games.
Please MM - do us and yourself a favour and try a game or 2 without any of them.

Gary, I think anyone who understands todays game will feel sorry for MM, trying to do an already tough job with virtually no funds while other teams around you get mega millions for failure is virtually impossible with each passing season.

Mick will always have a not to lose mentality over style and swagger and I bet 99% of people would be happy with it if were winning more often. I'm not sure our players are crap, it's a case of you get what you pay for, I do think we are two very crucial players short, a big strong target man and an all action box to box Midfielder, I do feel in Williams, Lawrence, Didsy, Webster, Bart, Skuse & pitman we have the nucleus of a very good Championship side, work needs to be done on the Fullback slots too but in Sears, Ward, Bishop and Bru I have been very disappointed in recent weeks, Bishop is young and to miss a year is not easy, it will take him time but he will come good.

You are quite right in what you say in that it will make no difference whatsoever and we would achieve no more with a new manager which is partly why I feel we need to stick with what we have and that is a good and experienced manager that would never take us down, unfortunately the entertainment factor has to come into it too and the way fans are deserting the club right now dictates that change may have to happen, we do need to be careful what we wish for though as it would be a massive gamble to bring an unproven manager in from the lower leagues with the p*ss poor budget he would be given.

Understand making do with Mick .... but it's an endless cycle ŵe've got here. Getting a little bit excited with a good result.... but a bad performance will re-surface all the bad-will..... it goes on and on. Where's our owner to make a statement ? Nothing!!! We don't want an interfering, clown owner..... but a statement of some sort of intent would be good. Just , at least , to shows he gives a sh*t.

[Bluemike]

I must admit Tang, I am aghast that Evans has not had the decency to come out and say something on the plight of the club right now, it's all well and good wanting anonimity but poor old MM is taking a fair wedge of stick lately while ME does f*ck all to at least try and appease the fans, talk about having a fall guy.

[Shed on tour]

I must admit Tang, I am aghast that Evans has not had the decency to come out and say something on the plight of the club right now, it's all well and good wanting anonimity but poor old MM is taking a fair wedge of stick lately while ME does f*ck all to at least try and appease the fans, talk about having a fall guy.

As well as results I honestly believe this is also a cause of fans frustrations.
The lack of communication from the owner is unbelievable, the only time we hear anything from him is when it is season ticket renewal time and that is usually just a page in the matchday programme.
Occasionally we might have a statement from his mouthpiece Milne but that is it.

In the past fans at ITFC have always felt being part of the club but nowadays feel more and more isolated from it.

[herforder]

What should ME be saying? (Not a trick question!)

- justifying his continued support of MM. A no-brainer. It will not change.

- understanding supporters' frustrations at poor value entertainment and inconsistent performances. Assuring us that all within the club are giving 100% to change that around. Stay behind MM and the team.

- setting out a clear plan for taking us forward; backed by realistic levels of team investment.

- appreciating the need for the club and community to be mutually supportive. But reflecting that without his continued investment - or is it a tax wheeze? - there might not be a club to support.

Etc, etc, etc....

And then what? Everyone feel better and reassured?

[marko69]

What should ME be saying?

"Excuse me young Brazilian chap. Could you possibly pick up that soap for me please......, Dirty Ramirez tore me a new one last night. Having difficulty bending over today."

[herforder]

What should ME be saying?

"Excuse me young Brazilian chap. Could you possibly pick up that soap for me please......, Dirty Ramirez tore me a new one last night. Having difficulty bending over today."

(......and yea, I can get you good tickets for tonight's cockroach eating competition over in the cantina.....)

[Bluemike]

To be honest herforder it isn't even so much about what he should be saying, just letting us know he bloody still exists would be a good place to start, it's like a rudderless ship right now.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Mick McCarthy has his faults. Well documented. He could inject some kind of passion. There is none. Players are going through their motions. No player is yelling or screaming at anyone with any passion. He'll still pick up his favourite players next week as he loves Skuse, Chambers and Knudsen to the bits.

But the main one responsible for the state of the club is MARCUS F*****G EVANS And also I hate to tell you lot that : I TOLD YOU SO A LONG WHILE AGO that he doesn't care about the club at all !!

There is so much apathy, resignation that fans can't even be arsed to protest (to be honest though Ipswich support is probably too nice to do things like that nowadays). We have a half empty Portman Road during matches and some Ipswich fans realise there's more to life than being took for a t**t by Evans ! What a disaster Evans is for the club and if anyone still defends him this is beyond me to comprehend, whilst other clubs fans manage to get a protest together our own critics have been shouted down (myself included) by those who somehow have seen him as a saviour, in reality he's killing the club to the core whilst all the happy clappers have been preaching to us how lucky we are to have a football team. He's too busy making millions elsewhere to worry what is happening at Portman Road.
Some may remind me that Jewell, Keane and Magilton wasted his money and his interest in investing has gone. If he has lost it then sell up the club and go ! Simple !


He keeps selling our best players and replace them with cheap rejects and loanees. How can we progress and move forward then?

It's not far from January transfer window so Evans will tell his puppet Milne to spout his customary tripe. Milne will appear with his stupid smile saying the money is there if the right player becomes available.

Murphy.... how on earth they allowed him to go without finding a replacement? People say there was little time to find it, we made bids for Washington and Watkins. That's a pathetic excuse ! Replacement first and then Murphy can go. The result of that stupidity they have done? We are badly f***ed ! We badly suffer without him and no wonder we're the worst scorers in the league.

I'll say what I've said to Bluemike a few weeks ago. If not this or next season we'll still end up in League One. Before or in May 2020 we'll be a League One club. Evans' disastrous ownership and policy don't make us going forward and we systematically decline.

The club throughout is in a sorry state even if we win next 5 games in a row.

[herforder]

To be honest herforder it isn't even so much about what he should be saying, just letting us know he bloody still exists would be a good place to start, it's like a rudderless ship right now.

Agree, totally! The alarming rift between the club and loyal, long-term supporters, is gathering pace. The traditionally close relationship between club, supporters and community is rapidly evaporating. Of course we need ME to put his head above the parapet and communicate but, more critically, we need action, not words. Increasing impression is that the detached owner and his team know the price of everything but the value of nothing. Relegation cannot be seriously discounted.

[Dubai Blue]

Mach, to be honest the one issue that I ...erm... take issue with in your post is about Murphy. I can imagine (although I'm just guessing) that Newcastle were quite aware that they were offering a fantastic deal to the club for a player that is approaching retirement. Again I'm guessing that they were not prepared themselves to wait for us to get a replacement and gave a deadline for acceptance.

In that scenario I would never have refused that offer, would you ? Yes now we can see that maybe we should have done more financially to get Washington or Watkins but then we don't really know the details of why they didn't come. We have to assume that MM was desperate to get a replacement too.

Let's hope that this problem is solved in January but I for one am not getting too excited about that window.