Congratulations Mick and the team.

[alants32]

After today's result at Wolves the excitement and anticipation for fans of Ipswich will continue at least until the last day of the regular season- and it's looking likely to be longer. As a season ticket holder I feel I have had great value for money - admittedly for the first time for many years! Even away games have been on the whole enjoyable- although not sure I would include Huddersfield in that!
All the ups and owns on the way are what make us real fans.
Mick has to be congratulated even if we go no further.

[hallamblue]

Spot on.!

[arana peligrosa]

Not to p*ss on anyone's parade, but as before, McCarthy has simply been the best of a poor lot we have seen in recent years. I wouldn't put him as successful as Royle or Burley. One last time, he's done well and if we indeed have a top six finish in a week or two it will be a fine achievement but reading some of the game reports from today McCarthy once again frustrated and it was an overall lackluster game ? Maybe those making individual comments were wide of the mark or got their facts wrong but if you read enough of the same thing, sooner or later the truth will prevail.

There's a certain trepidation on here about daring to say a wrong word about our manager but have just as much right to discuss what occurs at our club as anyone else. Yes he has proved effective, Yes he has made the club recognized once again to a certain extent, but it hasn't been all one-way traffic.

The next few weeks ahead are going to be the most important in a decade around here and while the possibility of a top six finish remains well in sight, the big ask will be how it goes in the two-legged games against say Derby, Bournemouth or even Norwich (the latter particularly has been often alluded to as one to avoid) and then the final game itself. Ask yourself now do you really think we can navigate through all that and be a premier league team by August ?

Bottom line, Yes we're in a good position right now but in recent weeks we haven't always played to the best of our abilities and picked up one or two fortunate victories. I believe the other sides above us, more to the point - those now directly in the third to fifth positions - are better equipped for a play-off chance and would favor one of those being eventual winners.

Take no pleasure in saying the above but we have to be prepared for all, and any, eventualities.

[ipswichtownNo1]

After today's result at Wolves the excitement and anticipation for fans of Ipswich will continue at least until the last day of the regular season- and it's looking likely to be longer. As a season ticket holder I feel I have had great value for money - admittedly for the first time for many years! Even away games have been on the whole enjoyable- although not sure I would include Huddersfield in that!
All the ups and owns on the way are what make us real fans.
Mick has to be congratulated even if we go no further.

Add leeds to huddersfield. Travelled all that way to watch arguably one of the worst town games ive seen, dropped murpy and sears to the bench. Terrible squad selection imo.

[Andym]

Saint Jude, I had vowed not to post on here any more for the reasons you stated but maybe one last post and then I'll disappear. I agree with everything you said. Mick has achieved some great results but the football we have endured has at times been dreadful.

I went to Molineux yesterday and was embarrassed by the terrible football. We couldn't pass. We couldn't keep possession. Berra was immense doing his job as well as Tommy Smith's who looked so shaky. Parr tripped over the ball every time he got it and gave the ball away with alarming consistency. I màke these points not to criticise the individuals but to highlight the problems created by playing people out of position.

Earlier in the season when results were better, I dared to suggest that I would prefer to watch good football with accurate passing than win every game - although I don't see why the two should be mutually exclusive. I got replies telling me I should go and watch Barcelona instead, and if I felt like that why do I go to watch, and we are doing so well with a team that cost nothing.

So in reply: i go because I love the game and support the team. I feel great when we score and when we win. But I still feel robbed of entertainment when we play such awful football.

However much or little the players cost, the ability to pass a ball is a fundamental skill. Either our players are lacking it or their training and tactics prohibit it. My son was watching at home and kept texting me saying "Why don't we pass when there are always players available to pass to?"

And regarding the Barcelona comment...I watch Ipswich because I am a supporter of that team. But our passing accuracy is the worst in the league according to one statistical website. As it was even when we second in the league. So I wouldn't have to watch Barcelona, I could watch any other team in the Championship and see better passing.

It all sounds very negative and I don't mean to. I just find it hard to see how people are happy with the football they are watching, and thought I would dare to tell it how I see it. I promise not to post ever again and leave this forum to those who can see nothing wrong.

[Charnwood]

Andy, I don't think anyone on here is happy with the quality of football being played by our team, but they are happy with the results and the prospect of playing in the play offs after a run of many years of being starved of success.

Those of who were around in the days of Muhren & Thijssen probably all cringe when we see the quality of our modern day midfield but in reality those days are never likely to return in our lifetime.

I'll be controversial now, because in my judgement if McCarthy springs a miracle and gets us promoted against all odds, if I were ME I'd pay him a huge bonus, shake hands and move on, cos this style of football would be an embarrassment to the Premier League and could be in danger of breaking Derbys record and be relegated with the least number of points of all time. Having said that I'm sure our brick wall could probably achieve 12 draws but it wouldn't be much fun to watch.

On a positive, you have to admit McCarthy has done a brilliant job getting us where he has with such a p*ss pot budget and deserves all the accolades he gets along the way.

[larrylamb]

I tend to agree Charny ..!! our football despite being 6th in the league is in the main poor to watch , i brought this up on the Fulham interest in MM post.

The only way we will see any improvment in play will be if any of the following happens imo.!!

ME dips into his pocket to buy some decent players to improve the squad a couple on million would be needed - very doubtful .

We get promoted this season so MM gets money - feasible still but i don't truly believe it will happen as the top five are all better than us if we are honest.

MM changes his views / thoughts on how to play - never going to happen

A new manager who is willing to play with the sane constraints but with a differing style of play.

If one of the above does not happen we will just stagnate further watching poor ( on the eye ) football but maybe consolidate in the top half flirting with the play off,s each year.

[Bluemike]

Andy, there has been a couple of times in the past when we have not seen eye to eye but I think it would be sad if you were not to post because of others opinions and comments, for me you are and always were one of the better and more level headed posters. We all get over excited and blinkered at times and say things in the heat of the moment that we probably shouldnt.

As for the football on offer, I have loved this season and the entertainment that I have been given, who could ever forget the dismantling of brentofrd on Boxing day, the sheer joy when Richard Chaplow stroked the ball home at Watford, the wonderful home wins against watford, Wolves and Leeds when we were in the middle of our great run, on the flip side I was unfortunate enough to make the long journeys to Rotherham & Huddersfield only to come home feeling totally deflated, that is the chance we as fans take.

Having said all that there is no doubt that I would love us to play better football than we serve up a lot of the time, there is no doubt we do it the ugly way and under MM always will. There is some truth in SJ's comments about MM being best of a bad bunch recently but we really shouldn't dismiss how he is having to achieve this, with no money and on the verge of the play offs ? Incredible really mate. For me personally I love my football as much for the social side of things where I meet up with great people pre game etc, when life takes a turn for the worse you tend to grasp what is important to you and as such I think the poor brand of football we get given at times doesnt affect me as much as others as I put it in perspective with other things in life.

I think it would be good if you were to keep posting and put your view across as you see it, everyone has that right, no doubt we won't always see eye to eye in the future, but ultimately we all have the same interests at heart and that is ITFC and future success for our beloved club.

[Dubai Blue]

Nice posts guys. It's what makes this forum a cut above.

Whilst I agree with some of the comments above I think MM has astutely found a way to play that can be successful in this league. I don't for a minute think that he can only play this way and we know for a fact that he has guided other teams to quite different styles based on the personnel he had available.

I was at the Bournemouth home match and I have to agree that it was odd watching us stick 4 or 5 players up the right side just on the corner of the box and bang the ball up to them in the air, every time, almost like watching rugby union kick-offs in the old days. But it worked, it was playing to our strengths and within 10 minutes a knock down and some good feet from Murphy & Sears had got the goal. I guess because it worked once and so early, there was a tendency to keep doing it and actually it created plenty of chances. But this is just effective tactical football, using the resources you have against the weaknesses of the opposition. Again, having seen games on TV we were clearly a side that presses hard and this works too. We also move the ball forwards fast and directly. This seems also to work.

I'm not going to knock MM for finding a formula that works. But rather I applaud him for doing the research and finding it, then working with TC to implement it.

[herforder]

It would be a great pity (and loss to this forum) if you feel disinclined to contribute in the future, Andy. If anyone feels genuinely intimidated by the views and opinions of others, then the continued relevance of the site comes into question. The diversity and quality of input is always going to be governed by the passions of those who bother to post feel for the Club; but, as Mike says, we are all glued together by those passions. No one has the monopoly on insight or wisdom, every opinion - honestly expressed- is as valid as any other. Don't give up on it!

Like you, however, I am frustrated at times by the 'functional and one dimensional' standard of football we revert all too frequently under MM. Interestingly, in recent interviews, he has acknowledged this obliquely, by stating that although we are not the best technical team in the C'ship, getting results by an ingrained work ethic, strong team spirit and genuine belief that we can compete with those with more talented squads, is what he believes he has had to do. Implication being, he acknowledges the constraints within which he has to operate, and it's those limitations that dictate team selection, tactics, style of play and what needs to be done to compete and win football matches at this level. Sometimes, however, watching how we play makes us wonder how it is we're almost in the playoffs - but we are, because the results v performances equation has been biased in favour of the former.

For some this can be accepted, if there's a realistic option of better things to come - eg investment from ME to improve squad quality to, as a minimum, removing the need to play individuals out of their natural positions etc. For others, perhaps, results alone - however achieved - are not the most critical factor. A team that plays progressive, pacey and attacking football, using width and quick, accurate, passing (B'mouth?) to great effect provides far greater entertainment and enjoyment levels.

In the end, I guess, we pays our money and makes our choice! But, for all of our debits on the performances side, I'm glad that our results have us challenging to grab a play-off spot, as opposed to fighting to avoid relegation!

[hallamblue]

I moan every week about Towns style. Its definitely not the "Ipswich way" IMO and i hate hoof ball with a vengeance. But conversely, I've travelled to more away games this season than I have done for years. Why? Well since Mick McCarthy came to manager us, there is an element of hope at the Club now, which we haven't had for well over a decade. I dont know about you guys, but I need to have hope that this Club can get back to those heady heights of the PL again, and in MM we have our best chance in years.

Do I like how he might achieve it? No! But I'll put up with it if it means he gets us promoted ( and IMO he will, at some point soon), which will wipe out the Club's debt once and for all, if Evans decides to use the money for that purpose.

Others opinions on here? Well as Mick said recently. They're like bum holes. We all have one! I have no problem with what Town fans feel about our Club, cos ultimately we all want the same thing. Town to be promoted and play attractive football and bring through our own youngsters to senior level.

COYB's

[Ohiotractorboy]

That definately wasnt the best soccer performance I have ever witnessed in my life. I became really tired of watching our back line clear the ball to a Wolves player at midfield over and over again. On the other hand, it seemed to me that when Wolves equalised the game we really battoned down the hatches and weathered the storm for the point. I dont fault them for that.

Overall, I feel we play this because it is MMs style and the simple fact that I cannot name one midfielder at this point who is a scoring threat. That hit me when Sears and Murphy were suggested to be dropped to the bench, and I immediatley thought that those are the two who actually score so why do that?

I am hoping that if we stay in the Championship, ME sees this season as a reason to dump money into players, and Mick (whether you like the style or not) does know how to get results. If we do manage to go up, Mick is a magician and we know we get a dump of cash into the club with promotion.

[Shed on tour]

I have often come away from our games thinking that wasn't very pretty.

There is no doubt that we have had teams in the past that played far more attractive football than the current side. However, what I would say is that some of these teams although attractive to watch did have what I would call a soft centre and at times could be bullied off the park. I certainly don't feel this happens with the current team under MM.

Whilst Mick is in charge I can't see us ever playing the way that say Burley's team did. However, managers and teams do seemed to get labelled, rightly or wrongly and MM teams will always carry the tag and be accused of long ball. It is like the media's current favourites Bournemouth are being labelled as this attractive football side, which they are, but no mention is given that they can be quite cynical at times as well.

Since Mick has been here our results have improved without doubt, the real test for him will be if this suddenly changes and we continue to play our current style of football.

[hallamblue]

Shed, I don't think Mick knows any other way. Or if he does, he doesn't favour it . However I still hark back to the days when he took Wolves up (G&B will recall how they played better than me), but from memory they were ultra quick and attacked down the wings, with players such as Kightley ripping RB and LB apart. I think Mick is still looking those wide players for Town. Rome wasnt built in a day as they say and he's had to stabilize the ship and build from the bottom up at the club, which makes his achievement in little under two a and a half seasons all the more remarkable IMO.

[J4ck22]

We're doing pretty damn well for a team that can't pass a ball...

[arana peligrosa]

This has maybe been brought up before but the last time I was generally excited, thrilled, expectant etc to look out for Town results and view performances was between 2003 - 05, nothing has come close in the time since. There was something approaching that towards the end of last year when we went on a great little run and some even believed (myself included) that we were going to be promoted at end of season - and all this when taking place in December. The game with Brentford and four in London is a particular example.

Unfortunately that run and excitment was short lived and after new year we fell away and reverted to what many of us have experienced for the most part since the above timeline.

Here is a typical line-up from season 2004 / 05 :

Davis
Wilnis
Naylor
De Vos
Miller
Richards
Westlake
Magilton
Currie
Bent
Kuqi

then subs available such as : Bowditch, Counago, Supple, Horlock

That was the last best team and players available where you really felt like something could occur, but even then we couldn't get past the same opposition in the play-offs on two occasions. The opposition seemed to be better prepared for the big occasion and went on twice to the final game. Such a shame in hindsight as that was a very good team back then but the nerves hit at the most pivotal time and essentially, all the hard work since the August before, came to nothing.

It was pleasing to see some in agreement when I said I had concerns about all - and any - of this years potential play-off opponents - all teams currently ahead of us are stronger and more dangerous, but if we couldn't do it before with a better team and better players then that's not to say we can't do it this time.

I do applaud McCarthy and the team for giving us the best opportunity in years but it hasn't been without it's concerns.

[Dubai Blue]

I instinctively agreed with that statement about the teams above us but let's just check the stats:

Watford we beat twice
Bournemouth we drew with twice
Boro we beat at home and lost away
Norwich we were beaten twice
Derby we drew against and lost

So over those 10 games we got 12 points and they got 14 points against us.

That tells me that there's not much in it.

[herforder]

If/when we get into the Play Off matches it will be results, not performances, that will count. Whatever the perceived strengths/quality of those also in the mix, these matches become something of a lottery. Doubt any of them would particularly relish facing a MM side!

[Ohiotractorboy]

If/when we get into the Play Off matches it will be results, not performances, that will count. Whatever the perceived strengths/quality of those also in the mix, these matches become something of a lottery. Doubt any of them would particularly relish facing a MM side!

I would agree simply because we seem to be so hard to break down, even if we aint pretty. They say over here in American football that defense wins championships. That isn't always the case, but it doesn't hurt either. I just fear a 1-0 loss against the upper level teams.

[hallamblue]

All the teams that have ever been successful year on year have usually been first and foremost hard to beat.

Liverpool during their succesful 1970 - 80s era never conceeded anc once they went 1-0 up ( old First Div ) you knew the game was virtually over because Liverpool simply didnt conceed goals. Similarly, Arsenal used to be tagged boring and lucky due to number of 1-0 wins they would get. Chelsea this season are far more defensive than they ever used to be.

Town are hard to beat. And if we do make those PO's teams wont want to be matched with us, and that includes scum.

[Steve and Jo]

Okay my pennies worth for whatever it really means.

Mick and TC have turned this team around. For years we played sh*t and got sh*t results. Since Joe Royal we have played total rubbish with similar results. I even remember when Joe was here certain amount of fans were not happy with how we played even then.
Right now yes its not easy on the eye, yes we scrap for ever second of each game. The players give it everything. We all would love to watch Town play "sexy" football of course we would but alas that's not going to happen under Mick even if hes given £10 million or £20 Million, just not his style.
However, thing is we have huge loss as a club. What do you want, play the game nicely and head on down to League 1 and get further and further into debt? Or play under Mick knowing we will have a chance of promotion even if not this year we still stand much better chance with him next year or year after. He is honest as day is long and gives it his all just like his teams.

Anything can happen in the play offs, last year showed that with QPR being totally out played by Derby in the final only to score late on and win the game.

Been watching Town since 1973, remember the "good old days" under Sir Bobby, like a lot of fans seen the highs and lows. I respect all points of views, i really do, just sometimes reality check is needed. We are a club in massive debt, we have a owner who in my opinion has done wonders though biggest mistakes is appointing and backing two managers who made us go backwards instead of forwards. Maybe if backed MM same as the previous two we might be further up the league even dare i say it in top two..

Come MM, come TC and come on the Town and even lets smile and cheer never know just might be our year..

Still love to put one over that lot up the road... Steve

[Bluemike]

Great post Steve and absolutely spot on for me.

And just who is that on your avatar pic ?????

[Andym]

What do you want, play the game nicely and head on down to League 1 and get further and further into debt? Or play under Mick knowing we will have a chance of promotion even if not this year we still stand much better chance with him next year or year after. He is honest as day is long and gives it his all just like his teams.
Steve

I take your point Steve but good football and success aren't mutually exclusive. If we can be this high up the league and still have the worst passing stats in the whole division, just think what we could do if we actually found a blue shirt occasionally.

[Steve and Jo]

Great post Steve and absolutely spot on for me.

And just who is that on your avatar pic ?????

No Secret Mike that's Jo, my wife of approaching 22 years who happens to support our lovely so called local rivals.

i am part of a very divided family, my brother, one cousin and an aunt who happens to be related to the Cobbolds are Twon whilst rest of family are Norwich supporters including my wife's family. So its fun.

Andy i agree but same time i know its not going to happen. There's never going to be a time to please everybody but as mentioned before look at the money spent. Two players bought for money, rest on freebies or loans. Just to be 6th is massive.

all around me on match days i hear moans and groans. "Hes rubbish, why play him? come on Mick sort it out" Even last game against against Cardiff one fan shouted "Come Mick, you should do better than this" When a player miss controlled. Hell not his fault player has hole in his foot at that time. Still same thing, look back two years ago when Mick taken over.. Slightly better placed now i think

Going back to Jo, she used to post quite a bit on here, in fact met quite a few times Dave and Earl amongst others who instantly liked her, but on here got shot down so decided to just not bother. she was open and honest. Not one just to see things through Green and Yellow but that's life i guess.

[marko69]

Steve......., don't you think it adds to the football match day experience of being surrounded by a smattering of f**king arseholes? The fan who blamed Mick for the players bad control ........, every ground in the UK has one. I personally love hearing all the unbelievable views when at a live game. My pet hate though is fans turning on players because of "teams they used to play for". In your case, it'd be Hoolahan playing for ITFC and some nuggetheid beside you berating him. You fking headbutt him eh?

[hallamblue]

Wouldn't mind him tbh. He's their most effective attacker. Town actually decided against buying him when he as at Blackpool. Story has it when they played us at PR it was up to him to shine. He hardly got a kick that day

....he later went to scum. He's been good for them and they always look more potent when he plays.

Hope he's out injured for rest of season now !!

[Steve and Jo]

Steve......., don't you think it adds to the football match day experience of being surrounded by a smattering of f**king arseholes? The fan who blamed Mick for the players bad control ........, every ground in the UK has one. I personally love hearing all the unbelievable views when at a live game. My pet hate though is fans turning on players because of "teams they used to play for". In your case, it'd be Hoolahan playing for ITFC and some nuggetheid beside you berating him. You fking headbutt him eh?

Ooh yes when you win its sheer joy Marko, heck of a headache when we lose especially when the derbies come along..

another thing tend to notice is there's more Town fans living in Norfolk or appears to be who at least wear their club shirts than notice City fans living in Suffolk wearing theirs.. Maybe i'm wrong just seems that way.

Hoping for really big crowed on Saturday for i think the players deserve it, biggest game in the league for years for us but whatever happens going into last game of season with still chance of being in the play offs not bad for a team who play long ball. One final note, however we play we must be one of the more honest teams in the league. Haven't seen us rolling about simulating being hurt much or diving like some teams can mention.

[Bluemike]

Yes I was saying this only yesterday at work, I should think the crowd will be massive on Saturday and if we can get the atmoshere like it was second half against Cardiff it would truly be deafening.