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Thought Id start a thread about the issues we are probably all mulling over right now.

What happens to Town going forward now?
Will Mick and Terry still be be next season?
Is Evans looking to cash ? If not,
Is he going to stump up more money for Mick of another manager?


Listening to Mick post match comments, I dont know what others feel, but there seemed to be a distinct frsutration creeping into his comments. For the first time I notice Mick ISNT distancing himself from another job. Is this because he is genuinely interested in taking on a big Club, who will have parachute money, and possibly feels they have a better chance of promotion than the clearly ( IMO), stagnating ITFC. Or is he using the situation to try to shake Evans into loosening the purse strings for next season?

From a purely personal perspective, I can honestly say IVe had enough of tye style of football that Mick brings to the Club. Its not easy on the eye whether we win or lose, and when we do lose, its even harder to stomach. So when a rumours of Micks possible onward move in the summer, part of me actually says, "thank god for that". But at the same time I get an anxiety voice saying, ......."dont be daft, he's a very good manager and we are lucky to have him, and without his efforts we would probably be playing League One footie for the last two seasons, ( some would say we havd been anyway!). But then I think, " yer , but were is this Club going"? Its clear the squad just isnt good enough to get promotion, and Evans appears disinterested in giving the Manager any meaningful funds to buy better players".

So is the Club, this summer, at a watershed moment? Does Evans stay the course, stump up and give McCarthy the money he is clearly alluding to when he says ( yesterday) ...." he wants to get the job done".

There has for some weeks, ( Ive heard from various sources), that Evans has been asking around in the City for any potential buyers. This may be a load of old cobblers. But as the saying goes, no smoke without fire, and it would fit with the apparent lack of funds being given to Mick this season, if Evans really has lost interest in his latest toy.

I have no answers for my questions above, but I think in many ways its going go be a long summer, with a few twists and turns. Some might ask, why the hell Im posting this now, when there are still a few vital games left to play this season. But for me, I've seen it all before. The players have run out of steam and the spark appears to have gone out. Its feeling like treading water until that last game. Yes there are opportunities to take advantage of top teams playing one another, to make up somd points. But the simple truth is we've had several opportunities, to make up ground before but we are simply not good enough to take them. I cant honestly see thag changing over the remaining games - and if we did by some chance make those play offs, come on, are we REALLY good enough to win them? Honesty hat on, No!

Well if ME is going to sell us, then someone with a bit of ambition might see that we're a solid club and with a little investment / new manager, then we can build on solid foundations and take us further.

It would make sense that Mick goes to a club like Villa. They need a strong man to turn things around and stop the rot. Mick would be good there. I feel he's done his work here.

I'm not in the corner where I'm worried if MICK leaves. He's going to leave at some point anyway..... sacked, mutual agreement, end of contract, poached... That's what happens with managers. I'd rather we change manager calmly, whereby its to suit all parties and we can do our homework on who to bring in, rather than having a disastrous run and panic hire a new man.

But it's not going to happen, I feel, unless a Villa or someone else comes in for Mick.

Stupid situation we're in .... still potentially in play-off contention, but widespread discontent.... and no real resolution in our control as Micks done a good enough job not to be sacked and ME doesn't appear to show his cards and states his intentions. He won't sack Mick. Something has to happen and the best case scenario could be Mick being poached. Job done... move on... thanks and good luck .. and build on what we have. Could be natural progression rather than someone coming in( like Mick) as a salvage merchant.

Can't say I disagree with anything you have both said.
Sad isn't it when you don't care whether your manager goes or stays!

Under the leadership of Marcus Evans it is going to be a long time before we see exciting football again and a real push for promotion . A manager spending very little and that is just what Evans wants . A task of trying to convince everyone that the club is in good hands. There is very little to inspire anyone at the moment.

With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

My thoughts on the subject are this, I still think it is a bit premature to wonder if MM and co will be here next season when we still have 21 points to play for this season but i do get why people are turning their attentions to the future.

In my view MM & TC will without question be here next season, I really don't think it is even an issue that is questionable, he has signed a new contract and see's this as a work in progress.

I also do not believe Marcus Evans is looking to sell the club anytime soon, of course everything has it's price and if a stupid offer came his way I expect he may well take it, but I have more chance of becoming Pope.

I think we did more than we could have hoped last season by getting to the play offs when we look at what little we had to spend, I also think MM has "just about" got away with it again by hanging on to the coat tails of the play offs this time around with absolutely nothing to spend. However we WON'T get away with it next time without a cash injection for squad strengthening, that much is certain. For whatever reason it appears we have had to put a stop on spending over the last two seasons to extreme levels but I do believe ME will stump up some cash for Mick to spend this Summer, I don't believe he has a choice.

I think some of Mick's recent comments are borne out of a bit of frustration and also anger at the way he has been criticised during what has been the first sight of a blip since he came here and to be honest I fully get why he feels that way as I think it has been way OTT. He doesn't suffer fools but unfortunately he has a lot of them to deal with at times.

He has not ruled himself out of the Villa job because there is no need to do so, a paper drums up a story and everyone suddenly thinks there is substance in it, he didn't distance himself from the Ireland job and everyone starting sh*tting themselves that he was leaving when in fact there was nothing to the rumours at all, I believe it to be the same this time too.

I think it would be a massive mistake to lose MM, we WILL NOT get a manager of his ilk here anytime soon, it will not happen and even if it did they would take us down with the budgets Mick has had to work with. Town fans really do need to be careful what they wish for, pretty he ain't but it has not always been that way under Mick, he has played that way lately as he currently believes it is getting the best out of what he has, when results don't come it obviously makes it harder to accept. I do think we need to see more attractive football and that will only happen if and when the funds in the Summer are hoefully made available, failure for that to happen and I think even I would start to question the ambition of our owner.

The future is not all doom and gloom, I look to the possibilities of seeing our team containing the likes of Bishop, Feeney, Pringle & Sears, the emergence of exciting youngsters like Dozzell & Benyu who should break into the first team next season, if Mick can get it right with whatever money is made available then the team looks to have more flair to it already. I for one want to see our club keep the stability Mick McCarthy has now given us, most teams who change manager get no improvement, clearly one or Two do but if Mick is good enough for Villa then why the hell would we want to lose him !!! As fans we have to ride through the rough times when they come along, this is one of those times.

i to can see we could have a very good season next year,with all players fit.i think the keeper position is fine now.midfield with bishop,pringle,and i would include foley and mcgoldrick looks strong.forwards look good with sears ,murphy,pitman and feeney.just the defence looks weak.chambers is a good half back but not a full back.cant see dozzel breaking through yet or any of the youngests unless we get a lot of injuries.so if mick lets the team have a bit of freedom i wouldnt be suprised to see us finish in the top 2.talk of him going to villa is just bookmakers making a book and including him in the betting.think it was the same with fulham and eire nothing offiical.oh nearly forgot about west ham,think he was rumored in some quarters him going there as well.i think he was out of work 10 months befor he came here and cant remember him being offered jobs befor we took him on.so think he will stay.

Time and events will be the final arbiter regarding the Club's future ownership and management. In reality, all things are possible and there are no certainties in soccer - as history continuously demonstrates. We are no different; but must hope that the Club's wider interests and survival remain paramount.

Agree that, from both tone and content of MM's recent interviews, there exist internal strains, whilst everyday manager pressures and supporters' expectations, must have an impact. In many respects MM appears to be carrying all of these on his own. I believe ME needs to get his head above the parapet, and provide a meaningful, honest, account of his future plans/investment level for the Club. Not to do so, or taking us for mugs, carries with it significant risk. The vast - largely silent - majority will only put up with platitudes and statements of good intentions for so long. The stark reality tells a very different story!

larrylamb wrote:With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

Read on TWTD that as much as those who want McCarthy out it's unlikely to occur. We know he's signed a new deal and like it, don't like it, seems we're going to be with him for some time to come. Evans won't fire him and as for resignation, seems unlikely McCarthy would just clear his desk and leave on his own accord. There was (even) talk on a rival site yesterday that there were rumors from social media that McCarthy 'is' considering stepping down and moving out, but you can't read much into it. Guessing a slow news day and someone struggling for a story.

As for the names listed above why not Warnock ? He's got years of managerial experience and has done well at Rotherham (as witnessed at Portman Road just recent) and he's a candidate I'd throw out as potential replacement. Would eradicate high-ball tactics and get the team playing, would be a welcome relief from McCarthy's mundane philosophies.

Holloway is a good call but many are not in favor of that name taking over from past reading - each to their own - and Monk is another name you will see thrown around but not one to shortlist. Rodgers seems a bit fanciful, I just can't see him at Ipswich and then you got other candidates like Pearce and Sherwood but can't see them making a success out of it.

IF Mick did move on I would go for Warnock out of all the names mentioned - and if offered the job would probably jump at it since it would be the second time he was earmarked for the job.

saint jude wrote:

larrylamb wrote:With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

Read on TWTD that as much as those who want McCarthy out it's unlikely to occur. We know he's signed a new deal and like it, don't like it, seems we're going to be with him for some time to come. Evans won't fire him and as for resignation, seems unlikely McCarthy would just clear his desk and leave on his own accord. There was (even) talk on a rival site yesterday that there were rumors from social media that McCarthy 'is' considering stepping down and moving out, but you can't read much into it. Guessing a slow news day and someone struggling for a story.

As for the names listed above why not Warnock ? He's got years of managerial experience and has done well at Rotherham (as witnessed at Portman Road just recent) and he's a candidate I'd throw out as potential replacement. Would eradicate high-ball tactics and get the team playing, would be a welcome relief from McCarthy's mundane philosophies.

Holloway is a good call but many are not in favor of that name taking over from past reading - each to their own - and Monk is another name you will see thrown around but not one to shortlist. Rodgers seems a bit fanciful, I just can't see him at Ipswich and then you got other candidates like Pearce and Sherwood but can't see them making a success out of it.

Pearce has not been a success anywhere and nor would I put store in Holloway, Sherwood or Pearson. Rogers would be useful though.

Lets turn this thread on its head re the Villa rumours, Right now just say Mick says at the end of the season enough is enough and takes up the Villa Post along with Terry, which is very probable, and in the 2016/2017 season takes them straight back up to the premiership, along with a sound investment from the Villa Board, this I feel will show that indeed Marcus had and has no intentions of investing more of his money in the current or future squads, and if he remains as our owner for the foreseeable future, we certainly we will see no further significant investment, but like I said earlier in the season, Mick is pissed off with scrimp and scrape tactics thrown at him, that's why he stated in the EADT he will sit down with ME re a more significant investment in players for next season, I think Marcus WILL sell up to a suitable client, as we've been his plaything and tax loss for over 5 years, and he never comes out to openly speak to the faithful and states he wants success and to see us back in the premiership, where we know we could wipe our £85 million debt out in one swipe, you don't see the successful clubs owners hiding behind closed doors like ME does, and no comments on future plans, so I would like to think that we will see a new owner take over, and push the club forward under new management, as its been far too long we have been a championship club, 15 years???, and hand on heart I think most Town fans feel the same way with this, Its time for change.

ashfordblue wrote: Lets turn this thread on its head re the Villa rumours, Right now just say Mick says at the end of the season enough is enough and takes up the Villa Post along with Terry, which is very probable, and in the 2016/2017 season takes them straight back up to the premiership, along with a sound investment from the Villa Board, this I feel will show that indeed Marcus had and has no intentions of investing more of his money in the current or future squads, and if he remains as our owner for the foreseeable future, we certainly we will see no further significant investment, but like I said earlier in the season, Mick is pissed off with scrimp and scrape tactics thrown at him, that's why he stated in the EADT he will sit down with ME re a more significant investment in players for next season, I think Marcus WILL sell up to a suitable client, as we've been his plaything and tax loss for over 5 years, and he never comes out to openly speak to the faithful and states he wants success and to see us back in the premiership, where we know we could wipe our £85 million debt out in one swipe, you don't see the successful clubs owners hiding behind closed doors like ME does, and no comments on future plans, so I would like to think that we will see a new owner take over, and push the club forward under new management, as its been far too long we have been a championship club, 15 years???, and hand on heart I think most Town fans feel the same way with this, Its time for change.

I think you are quite right in what you say. I have always never understood what Evans true agenda is, because it seems to show no ambition at all. Forget the past, it's gone and things should now be moving with some clear and evident purpose. Hanging on to the coat tails of those clubs above us clearly does not demonstrate any real ambition as far as I'm concerned.

I think the fans are owed more to be honest. We are long suffering and deserve better.

To me, it's simple.

If we hang on to MM, then next season will see us once again be there or thereabouts but getting there by playing a brand of football that in no way could be called attractive or pretty. There will still be too many square pegs in round holes, no Plan B - but at least we's finish in the top half of the table.

If we have a different manager, no doubt the style of play will improve, and many more fans would go away from games feeling that at least they had been entertained. But that may well come with less points.

No matter who is manager, it doesn't really alter the scenario we have with the existing owner - there will be no investment in new playing staff and whoever is manager will have to make do with what he can pick up for free and trying to mould a team out of that. It goes without saying that due to parachute payments next season will be harder than ever to get out of this league, and with little or no investment there can only be one possible outcome.

larrylamb wrote:With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

To be honest I'd only fancy a change of manager if it came with guaranteed investment, and if guaranteed investment was available why not give McCarthy a crack first..

From the managers listed I'm not sure I'd want to take a risk with any of them as I don't see much better than we've got.

The mention of Neil Warnock brings a smile as I've always liked the bloke and he certainly gets the best out of average players. If MM left us and we had to carry on running on a shoestring I'd certainly trust NW to follow in his footsteps and do a decent job.

larrylamb wrote:With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

Nigel Pearson for me.

Charnwood wrote:

larrylamb wrote:With a further shift in the money stakes in favour of the prem clubs (and those that come down) i can only see stagnation followed by decline as the upper champ clubs have more wealth and we end up with a group of 6 or so clubs that cycle up or down that we will not be in.

With ME appearing unwilling to increase his expenditure (which is his right) and with the way MM sets his teams up , imo we are only going to be served up further dross...and it is total dross at present...(get a bloody right back for F*** sake...3 seasons now).

I am now most certainly in the MM out side of things, we are not getting any more money so the only thing that can change is the way / manner in which we play..Yes MM did a great job 3 season ago..!! but the fear of change and a unwillingness to try something new (manager) could be just as fatal as not doing anything with a slow painful decline on the cards a real possibility if we stay as we are. And with MM recent comments about holding what the fans say with contempt just sums him up for me.

Before the usual question who as manager....

Holloway *
Sherwood
Pearson *
Gary monk *
Paul Clement*
Stuart Pearce*
Bredan Rodgers
Di Matteo

To name just a few our of work with 3 (*)or more as realistic one,s..!!

To be honest I'd only fancy a change of manager if it came with guaranteed investment, and if guaranteed investment was available why not give McCarthy a crack first..

From the managers listed I'm not sure I'd want to take a risk with any of them as I don't see much better than we've got.

The mention of Neil Warnock brings a smile as I've always liked the bloke and he certainly gets the best out of average players. If MM left us and we had to carry on running on a shoestring I'd certainly trust NW to follow in his footsteps and do a decent job.

Totally correct in my view Andy, with investment he would get us up, probably would have last season. The thing is ME has not seen fit to give him money the last two seasons, I believe this Summer will be different.

We might get some mileage out of Ian Holloway or Nigel Pearson, but the ones who would tick the right boxes for me would be Mark Warburton or Ian Holloway, both have sound credentials, Pearson I don't think would come to Suffolk, he's midlands type man, Sherwood, Monk, Pearce, & Clement definite no no's, Rogers & Di Matteo out of our league lol, but like others have stated Neil Warnock has that knack of getting the best out of his players, and a lovely character as well, you need a manager that mixes with the fans and can get them behind him, so for me its out of Ian, Mark or Neil,

Pompey's manager would be a good fit here. But there's currently no vacancy!

Talk of ME selling up, MM being targeted by AV etc, remain either supporters or press speculation - although I believe there's some substance to both. At the start of next season ME may well still be the owner; however, unless some modest investment is forthcoming then MM may well be gone. The AV interest strengthens his hand, and he'd be daft not to use it - we can but hope! In the meantime, let's try and enjoy the sound of silence coming out of PR regarding ME's cunning plan for the future.

The names on the list are not whom i may pick , just names (with some realistic targets) who could become our manager , this is done to just give a brief answer to the always posed question and eargerly asked question as to who can replace MM if he goes..on top of these there will scot,s , Irish , and plenty of overseas managers. And for those that have said Di Matteo and such like out of our League...are they ??..i,e Roy Keane.would have been held in this group by many!!

A fear of change for what could happen will imo just see ITFC fade further by "death of a thousand cuts" with MM at the helm complying with ME wishes..something needs to give.

Ash......, The Bread man has just got the NEW current buns back into the SPL. Not sure he'll be going anywhere soon. Which is not good for Scottish fitbaw, but great for ITFC. He's a pr1ck.

If Mick McCaaaaaffie was to leave, of all names mentioned, only Neil Warnock I'd be happy with. Certainly not Ian "everything is the referee and linesmans fault" Holloway.