Premier League - Brentford FC vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Blue Wilf]

In fact - prediction league, Charny. How many goals will Muric give away in the next 5 games. My conservative estimate is 4... lets see!

[Mariner67]

I would watch that last goal a few more times mate, although Burgess hardly covered himself in glory either.

I've watched it enough times to know it wasn't entirely his fault.

[hallamblue]

Watching the highlights, can't see why Harry Clarke was sent off,looked like a dive & Clarke got the ball,plus Muric is getting blamed for the last goal, think that's unfair.we were just unlucky & some bad ref decisions lost it for us.

Clarke first made contact with Brentford player outside the box. He did foul him. Had his arm across the front of his neck and was pulling him back. But all this happened outside the area. They both fell into thd area. How the f*ck can those VAR ( Brentford biased) officials not see that?

There was little between the two sides for most of thd game but thd ydusl.vovk up in defence by us, missed easy chances and if course VAR bias towards the " established " PL team. It reeks of corruption. Frankly they shoce bloody PL. I f**king hate it because it's not a level playing fired in terms of officialdom

[Blue Wilf]

Watching the highlights, can't see why Harry Clarke was sent off,looked like a dive & Clarke got the ball,plus Muric is getting blamed for the last goal, think that's unfair.we were just unlucky & some bad ref decisions lost it for us.

No - we lost it cos of poor defending, missed tackles, missed chances, poor ref decisions, poor passing, McKenna's intransigence and Muric's lack of ability to control his area, pass to anyone when under pressure and poor decision making! I just watched examples of all of the above (again) very painfully... I watch the same car crash every week sadly...

[Mariner67]

Yeah I'd bring back Hladky any day,bad decision to let him go for what we have now.

[Blue Wilf]

Sadly that ship has sailed too so we have what we have. I cannot see a reason why it is OK to drop Delap but not now Muric. We will see on Saturday I guess...

[marko69]

Watching the highlights, can't see why Harry Clarke was sent off,looked like a dive & Clarke got the ball,plus Muric is getting blamed for the last goal, think that's unfair.we were just unlucky & some bad ref decisions lost it for us.

Unfair? He stood and watched it go past him and then dived! He had full sight and why oh why can't we expect that drift in and shot when Hutchinson has been doing it for us for a couple of years! Trust me - Muric is a liability and should never be trusted with the shirt again. He is hopeless with hia feet, blocks a few shots, granted (but shouldn't all keepers do that?), does NOT command his area even though he is 9 feet tall and built like the proverbial brick shithouse but he lets in 1-2 goals every game - it is NOT good enough! How sh*t must Walton and Slicker be in training never to get a game when this clown is in goal in the Prem!!

Because Walton is a 90% liability and Kieron knows that. He had maybe 15-20 good games in League One and that was it. Thank the sweet mother of Jaysus that Hanky came along otherwise there'd be no EPL --->> not even a sniff of it. If Kieron has something to be blamed for, its letting Valclav go.
I cannot comment on Muric. Not seen enough this season at all.

Don't want to sound like dino-Mick, but please do be careful of what you wish for. The past few weeks have reminded me of Hibs fans who hounded a very capable manager in Jack Ross, (for SPL, of course)....., Hibs have had 6 managers since, ALL shyte. For me, Kieron has more than proved that he is capable of being at the helm at ITFC. You even said Curtains lad, (Brentford boss) had him sussed. Not really in my opinion. Delap scored a cracking goal AND hit the post very late......., coupled with a 90+6 winner with 90+7 being the supposed FT....., those sorts of margins are not planned for and certainly at that stage of the game, ANY manager is relying on their lads getting it done without being spoon fed.

Not saying you are wrong, Wilf. You were at the game, physically there and seeing it. But --->> you MUST factor in that it is the entire club that is sort of still having "rabbit in the headlights" moments? Even Mashton knows days like today that show fighting spirit BUT end in defeat were going to be what it was all about.

In short......., there is no one else, at this moment who could guide Ipswich to EPL safety. It'll be Kieron McKenna or no one.

[Blue Wilf]

Watching the highlights, can't see why Harry Clarke was sent off,looked like a dive & Clarke got the ball,plus Muric is getting blamed for the last goal, think that's unfair.we were just unlucky & some bad ref decisions lost it for us.

Unfair? He stood and watched it go past him and then dived! He had full sight and why oh why can't we expect that drift in and shot when Hutchinson has been doing it for us for a couple of years! Trust me - Muric is a liability and should never be trusted with the shirt again. He is hopeless with hia feet, blocks a few shots, granted (but shouldn't all keepers do that?), does NOT command his area even though he is 9 feet tall and built like the proverbial brick shithouse but he lets in 1-2 goals every game - it is NOT good enough! How sh*t must Walton and Slicker be in training never to get a game when this clown is in goal in the Prem!!

Because Walton is a 90% liability and Kieron knows that. He had maybe 15-20 good games in League One and that was it. Thank the sweet mother of Jaysus that Hanky came along otherwise there'd be no EPL --->> not even a sniff of it. If Kieron has something to be blamed for, its letting Valclav go.
I cannot comment on Muric. Not seen enough this season at all.

Don't want to sound like dino-Mick, but please do be careful of what you wish for. The past few weeks have reminded me of Hibs fans who hounded a very capable manager in Jack Ross, (for SPL, of course)....., Hibs have had 6 managers since, ALL shyte. For me, Kieron has more than proved that he is capable of being at the helm at ITFC. You even said Curtains lad, (Brentford boss) had him sussed. Not really in my opinion. Delap scored a cracking goal AND hit the post very late......., coupled with a 90+6 winner with 90+7 being the supposed FT....., those sorts of margins are not planned for and certainly at that stage of the game, ANY manager is relying on their lads getting it done without being spoon fed.

Not saying you are wrong, Wilf. You were at the game, physically there and seeing it. But --->> you MUST factor in that it is the entire club that is sort of still having "rabbit in the headlights" moments? Even Mashton knows days like today that show fighting spirit BUT end in defeat were going to be what it was all about.

In short......., there is no one else, at this moment who could guide Ipswich to EPL safety. It'll be Kieron McKenna or no one.

I am not calling for his head by any means but just a sign that he is not a one trick pony! You are right in some respects but we have 4 points from a possible 27 - thats awful at any level! I would have been happier with 5 points after today but we kept on attacking (even with 10 men) and kept on playing the same way. All highly commendable but we should have parked the bus, shut up shop and kept the point. Time is not on our side.

[hallamblue]

Injuries are compounding our problems atm. A newly promoted team losing virtually their whole first choice back four is always going to struggle.

I'd stick with the same front line for the Leicester game because we were far more mobile up front and gave them no end of problems. Delap is a fantastic player but I think we can utilise him far better running at tired defences in the second half. He would cause mayhem. But with Hirst in from the start he will hold the ball up, bring other forwards into play ( as he did time and again today), and drag the CBs all over the place and soften them up for Delap to finish off.

We need Morsy back in that midfield. We missed him today. Brentford working have strolled through our MF had he been playing.

Defensively, we are stuck with whoever is still standing and fit, frankly. Bug ibwlukf bring snother GK in now.

But I'm pissed off with the number of hamstring injuries we have at this club which look mainly to have been acquired in training. If you listen to Davis he sat he doesn't like Sat to Sat games because they now have 2 extra days training instead, which are very hard. Any chance they are simply being pushed to hard in training and physically breaking down with all this extra hard sessions??? I so, it's bloody ridiculous.

[marko69]

Unfair? He stood and watched it go past him and then dived! He had full sight and why oh why can't we expect that drift in and shot when Hutchinson has been doing it for us for a couple of years! Trust me - Muric is a liability and should never be trusted with the shirt again. He is hopeless with hia feet, blocks a few shots, granted (but shouldn't all keepers do that?), does NOT command his area even though he is 9 feet tall and built like the proverbial brick shithouse but he lets in 1-2 goals every game - it is NOT good enough! How sh*t must Walton and Slicker be in training never to get a game when this clown is in goal in the Prem!!

Because Walton is a 90% liability and Kieron knows that. He had maybe 15-20 good games in League One and that was it. Thank the sweet mother of Jaysus that Hanky came along otherwise there'd be no EPL --->> not even a sniff of it. If Kieron has something to be blamed for, its letting Valclav go.
I cannot comment on Muric. Not seen enough this season at all.

Don't want to sound like dino-Mick, but please do be careful of what you wish for. The past few weeks have reminded me of Hibs fans who hounded a very capable manager in Jack Ross, (for SPL, of course)....., Hibs have had 6 managers since, ALL shyte. For me, Kieron has more than proved that he is capable of being at the helm at ITFC. You even said Curtains lad, (Brentford boss) had him sussed. Not really in my opinion. Delap scored a cracking goal AND hit the post very late......., coupled with a 90+6 winner with 90+7 being the supposed FT....., those sorts of margins are not planned for and certainly at that stage of the game, ANY manager is relying on their lads getting it done without being spoon fed.

Not saying you are wrong, Wilf. You were at the game, physically there and seeing it. But --->> you MUST factor in that it is the entire club that is sort of still having "rabbit in the headlights" moments? Even Mashton knows days like today that show fighting spirit BUT end in defeat were going to be what it was all about.

In short......., there is no one else, at this moment who could guide Ipswich to EPL safety. It'll be Kieron McKenna or no one.

I am not calling for his head by any means but just a sign that he is not a one trick pony! You are right in some respects but we have 4 points from a possible 27 - thats awful at any level! I would have been happier with 5 points after today but we kept on attacking (even with 10 men) and kept on playing the same way. All highly commendable but we should have parked the bus, shut up shop and kept the point. Time is not on our side.

Well, maybe there is a thread of "WINNER" in his veins that he has absorbed from his dealings with Sir Eck being behind the scenes at Old Trafford. Yes, ironic as there have been zero wins, but he's all about going for the jugular. Must admit, I love that. The Mick McCarthy or Paul Lambert days of playing for a draw in the 15th minute are thankfully no more, and hopefully they do not return. Games like the final Huddersfield game last season is what he is all about. Winning 2-0, promotion secured......, but stuff it, lets still batter them more. Even today....., 4-3 down, Delap hits the post.






























But, Kieron. Get the defence sorted or GTF boyo!

[Mariner67]

I seriously hope we get f**king relegated, I hate this sh*t league

If we do I think it will be goodbye to McKenna and maybe Gamechanger too whilst they can pretty much get all of their investment out. They certainly can’t risk pension fund money going down the pan and always made it clear their goal was to take Town to the Premier League and ultimately into Europe. If the fans don’t want that their continued involvement would be pointless.

Meanwhile are you enjoying us struggling in the prem with crap VAR decisions,surely gamechanger are not that nasty,they've backed us from leauge 1 ,Km might go,personally some of his team formation is poor,Szmodics & Hirst today worked today,unlucky with injuries that has forced him to make the changes, did we miss Omari today? He's not a number 10 my cat can see that,why can't Km.

[Bluemike]

Gamechanger won't be going anywhere anytime soon, they don't go from buying land to expand the stadium to walking away.

As for KM, if he goes he goes, he wanted out in the Summer, if we lose another 4 or 5 in a row it'll be done for him anyway.

[hallamblue]

A positive post :

Disappointment to one side, there is SO much to be both proud and encouraged by in that Town performance today.

Let's not forget just how good a side Brentford are, and especially home. Yet in that first half they were struggling to hold Town. For a lot of that first half, we actually blew them away with our incisive attacking, pulling them all over the park, and pulling them out of their comfort zone and formation. They didn't expect that!

That's the first time in a few weeks weeks a Town front line look intuitive with one another, and mobile, with several players looking capable of scoring.

We allowed our intensity to drop just a fraction and Brentford were level. That's the PL! But despite the ridiculous decisions against us by VAR, and going down to 10 men, Town players stuck together, and equalised through a brilliant Delap goal. We never let our heads drop.

The biggest problem ( even bigger than our injury list), is our consistent ability to gift soft goals to our opponents through completely unforced errors in defence. I personally think its down to individual concentration levels dropping out. Just when is it going to stop?Sort the defence / defending out and this side will stay up, becuasexwith the right combination/ formation / timing of front line players, there is goals in this team.

[Charnwood]

Gamechanger won't be going anywhere anytime soon, they don't go from buying land to expand the stadium to walking away.

As for KM, if he goes he goes, he wanted out in the Summer, if we lose another 4 or 5 in a row it'll be done for him anyway.

Gamechanger are investing pension fund money and their only interest is adding value to their fund. They’ll be going nowhere whilst the fund is increasing and they already have their money back. They’re buying land to increase the fund value and will continue to do so whilst we’re in the Premier League. If and when that changes and their investment starts to fall as it would if we get relegated there’s a huge risk they would cash in whilst still in profit.

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make you happy Mike, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. Believe me, we need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.

[marko69]

Gamechanger won't be going anywhere anytime soon, they don't go from buying land to expand the stadium to walking away.

As for KM, if he goes he goes, he wanted out in the Summer, if we lose another 4 or 5 in a row it'll be done for him anyway.

Gamechanger are investing pension fund money and their only interest is adding value to their fund. They’ll be going nowhere whilst the fund is increasing and have already got their money back. They’re buying land to increase the fund value and will continue to do so whilst we’re in the Premier League. If and when that changes and their investment starts to fall as it would if we get relegated there’s a huge risk they would cash in whilst still in profit.

Got to reckon they've got a bit of mettle about them at Gamechanger. They've already proved they have after February 2022 when a lot of people and their dugs wanted everyone at the club out and wanted to go fighting with Sam Morsy at away games. Even if they do empty KMcK, got to think it'll be as part of some plan to grow ITFC. Maybe win the Championship in season 25/26

[Charnwood]

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make Mike happy, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. We need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.
The argument I’m trying to make Marko is to fans like Mike who want to see us relegated. I’m just suggesting “be careful what you wish for”.
If we can avoid relegation by finishing 17th we get another chance to build to the next level and close the gap between the huge financial advantage the top 6 clubs have over the bottom 6. I also assume those wishing to see our club relegated wouldn’t want to see us bounce back. In this case there’s no point whatsoever Gamechanger hanging around as their sole ambition it to take Town to top of the Premier League and into Europe

[Mariner67]

A positive post :

Disappointment to one side, there is SO much to be both proud and encouraged by in that Town performance today.

Let's not forget just how good a side Brentford are, and especially home. Yet in that first half they were struggling to hold Town. For a lot of that first half, we actually blew them away with our incisive attacking, pulling them all over the park, and pulling them out of their comfort zone and formation. They didn't expect that!

That's the first time in a few weeks weeks a Town front line look intuitive with one another, and mobile, with several players looking capable of scoring.

We allowed our intensity to drop just a fraction and Brentford were level. That's the PL! But despite the ridiculous decisions against us by VAR, and going down to 10 men, Town players stuck together, and equalised through a brilliant Delap goal. We never let our heads drop.

The biggest problem ( even bigger than our injury list), is our consistent ability to gift soft goals to our opponents through completely unforced errors in defence. I personally think its down to individual concentration levels dropping out. Just when is it going to stop?Sort the defence / defending out and this side will stay up, becuasexwith the right combination/ formation / timing of front line players, there is goals in this team.

The goals from szmodics & Hirst were excellent, Ogdelen getting injured may of damaged our chances, Burns came on as a replacement,I'm not a fan of him at this level.

[marko69]

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make Mike happy, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. We need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.
The argument I’m trying to make Marko is to fans like Mike who want to see us relegated. I’m just suggesting “be careful what you wish for”.

Well I am going to say that Mike didn't mean that at all. Had to be a heat of the moment comment whilst being exasperated with officials and VAR (and Muric ) No one really wants relegation ---->> it was 4 or 5 full seasons to get there since Championship relegation. NO ONE is wishing that away.

That part in bold........, maybe if Kieron tells the players it is the BEST CASE scenario instead? Essentially telling them, "Listen, this is a MAAAAASIVE step up, but we CAN survive"........, may change the mindset.

[hallamblue]

I dont think Burns beats his man often enough..... if at all. Much rather have Omari wide right....

[Charnwood]

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make Mike happy, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. We need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.
The argument I’m trying to make Marko is to fans like Mike who want to see us relegated. I’m just suggesting “be careful what you wish for”.

Well I am going to say that Mike didn't mean that at all. Had to be a heat of the moment comment whilst being exasperated with officials and VAR (and Muric ) No one really wants relegation ---->> it was 4 or 5 full seasons to get there since Championship relegation. NO ONE is wishing that away.

That part in bold........, maybe if Kieron tells the players it is the BEST CASE scenario instead? Essentially telling them, "Listen, this is a MAAAAASIVE step up, but we CAN survive"........, may change the mindset.

You’re out of touch with Town fans Marko, we have loads of them who hate the Premier League and want to see us back in the Championship so they can enjoy Saturday afternoons again and I get involved in arguments with them every week.

Some are pissed off because they can’t get tickets, some are pissed off with VAR, some are pissed off because of ghe short notice fixture changes, some are pissed of because of the huge financial unfairness between the top and bottom clubs. but they all have one thing in common, they’ll be happy to see us relegated. If they don’t mean it why keep saying it ?

If we can avoid relegation by finishing 17th we get another chance to build to the next level and close the gap between the huge financial advantage the top 6 clubs have over the bottom 6. I also assume those wishing to see our club relegated wouldn’t want to see us bounce back either, what would be the point. In this case there’s no point whatsoever Gamechanger hanging around as their sole ambition it to take Town to top of the Premier League and into Europe. With their financial backing and ambition I still don’t see why this can’t be achieved but it isn’t going to happen quickly, I thought we all realised that.

[marko69]

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make Mike happy, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. We need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.
The argument I’m trying to make Marko is to fans like Mike who want to see us relegated. I’m just suggesting “be careful what you wish for”.

Well I am going to say that Mike didn't mean that at all. Had to be a heat of the moment comment whilst being exasperated with officials and VAR (and Muric ) No one really wants relegation ---->> it was 4 or 5 full seasons to get there since Championship relegation. NO ONE is wishing that away.

That part in bold........, maybe if Kieron tells the players it is the BEST CASE scenario instead? Essentially telling them, "Listen, this is a MAAAAASIVE step up, but we CAN survive"........, may change the mindset.

You’re out of touch with Town fans Marko, we have loads of them who hate the Premier League and want to see us back in the Championship so they can enjoy Saturday afternoons again and I get involved in arguments with them every week.

Some are pissed off because they can’t get tickets, some are pissed off with VAR, some are pissed off because of ghe short notice fixture changes, some are pissed of because of the huge financial unfairness between the top and bottom clubs. but they all have one thing in common, they’ll be happy to see us relegated. If they don’t mean it why keep saying it ?

If we can avoid relegation by finishing 17th we get another chance to build to the next level and close the gap between the huge financial advantage the top 6 clubs have over the bottom 6. I also assume those wishing to see our club relegated wouldn’t want to see us bounce back. In this case there’s no point whatsoever Gamechanger hanging around as their sole ambition it to take Town to top of the Premier League and into Europe.

Ok. Well, yep......, completely out of touch.

There are a lot of things to dislike but you've just GOT to be part of the English Premier League....., and to be part of it 12 months after being a League One side is incredible. Staying there was always going to be a difficult task but fans need to get onboard. The team, WITH KIERON can perform. The Liverpool game, the Brighton game ....., today even with 10 men on the park......, they're a decent side and most of the supposed better guys are injured.

That mini- bottom six league (that someone called it today on here) ---->> focus on that. Aim for anywhere between 15th & 17th. Yes Kompany couldn't do it, so what......, KMcK can do it.

[Charnwood]

Believe me Marko, I’m pissed we only four 3pm Saturday games between now and 2025, I’m not a great fan of VAR but accept more decisions are right than wrong. I don’t like the huge financial disparity between the top and bottom clubs but accept we can’t expect to be their equals overnight.
But none of this stops me wanting to watch Ipswich Town establish themselves as an English Premier League football club and those who don’t share this ambition will ever convince me otherwise. Whether it be my career, playing sport or simply my family and home life, I’ve always been ambitious and encouraged competitiveness and I guess that will never change.

I’m also very positive and despite losing today I took more positives from that game today than negatives and felt far better than I did last Saturday night after losing to Everton.

I also believe that had we not lost Tuanzebe and Greaves for both games we wouldn’t have lost either of them. Their absence is massive.

[MasseyFerguson]

That was a tough loss to take but I'm, perhaps perversely, happier this evening than I was before the game.

This team shows a lot of character and I love that we always try to play good attacking football.

I think that criticising KMcK for being a one trick pony misses an essential point. He has a belief in the system he wants his team to play because he knows it works and the more consistently the team sticks to the system the better the results will be over the longer term. Do people complain that Pep Guardiola is a one trick pony? When have you seen him change his system? The same could be said for Klopp, for Slot, for Postecoglou etc.

I still think we'll get stronger as the season progresses, as we come to terms with the better quality of the opposition in this league and, hopefully, with some additions to the squad in January.

Keep the faith!

[Blue Wilf]

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make Mike happy, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. We need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.
The argument I’m trying to make Marko is to fans like Mike who want to see us relegated. I’m just suggesting “be careful what you wish for”.

Well I am going to say that Mike didn't mean that at all. Had to be a heat of the moment comment whilst being exasperated with officials and VAR (and Muric ) No one really wants relegation ---->> it was 4 or 5 full seasons to get there since Championship relegation. NO ONE is wishing that away.

That part in bold........, maybe if Kieron tells the players it is the BEST CASE scenario instead? Essentially telling them, "Listen, this is a MAAAAASIVE step up, but we CAN survive"........, may change the mindset.

You’re out of touch with Town fans Marko, we have loads of them who hate the Premier League and want to see us back in the Championship so they can enjoy Saturday afternoons again and I get involved in arguments with them every week.

Some are pissed off because they can’t get tickets, some are pissed off with VAR, some are pissed off because of ghe short notice fixture changes, some are pissed of because of the huge financial unfairness between the top and bottom clubs. but they all have one thing in common, they’ll be happy to see us relegated. If they don’t mean it why keep saying it ?

If we can avoid relegation by finishing 17th we get another chance to build to the next level and close the gap between the huge financial advantage the top 6 clubs have over the bottom 6. I also assume those wishing to see our club relegated wouldn’t want to see us bounce back either, what would be the point. In this case there’s no point whatsoever Gamechanger hanging around as their sole ambition it to take Town to top of the Premier League and into Europe. With their financial backing and ambition I still don’t see why this can’t be achieved but it isn’t going to happen quickly, I thought we all realised that.

Well I certainly do not WANT to see us relegated. I would love to see us stay up (but that is getting harder by the game). I do hate all of the things you mention as well. I have to say however (and have done many times) that I have not enjoyed the prem so far anything like as much as the championship (which is in itself a great league). I don't necessarily want ro go back there but if we did, I bet my footballing saturdays would be 'fun' again!! Anyway - enough of fun... we have to try and make a go of it in this league and I think we are actually hindering ourselves for all of the reasons I laid out in previous posts. So - I want to succeed in this league but I cannot kid myself that I am enjoying it as much as last season cos I am not!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I don't usually take much notice of what the pundits say in their analysis of games on MOTD, but I thought tonight's analysis of our game was very interesting.

Alan Shearer said that KM talks a good game, but the stats tell a very different story - we're the worst in the PL at virtually all of the different meaningful stats. I don't set a great store in stats myself, but I know that many on this forum do, so there is plenty of food for thought in what was said.

One thing was totally apparent though - Thomas Frank is light years ahead of KM in how he sets the team up and gets them to play. I still say that KM is really struggling at this level and we need to bring in a mentor asap.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

That was a tough loss to take but I'm, perhaps perversely, happier this evening than I was before the game.

This team shows a lot of character and I love that we always try to play good attacking football.

I think that criticising KMcK for being a one trick pony misses an essential point. He has a belief in the system he wants his team to play because he knows it works and the more consistently the team sticks to the system the better the results will be over the longer term. Do people complain that Pep Guardiola is a one trick pony? When have you seen him change his system? The same could be said for Klopp, for Slot, for Postecoglou etc.

I still think we'll get stronger as the season progresses, as we come to terms with the better quality of the opposition in this league and, hopefully, with some additions to the squad in January.

Keep the faith!

But it's clearly NOT working. I don't want to see us relegated, but what KM is doing at the moment is not working, no wins in 9 games proves that. Something has to change.

[Bluemike]

I was fuming today at numerous things and it's also on the back of a torrid week personally which just got too much to deal with today.

The truth is, no I don't want us relegated at all, what worries me is should it happen I don't feel sadness at the moment because of the clusterfuck the Premier League is.

I also saw a lot of positives today too but man the keeper and the defending is at times just woeful and it's blatantly obvious that alone won't be good enough to survive.

Tomorrow's another day I guess but lose to Leicester and even the most blinkered can wave survival goodbye.

[ITFC2024]

I haven’t watched the match yet, so my comments are purely speculative. From the comments I’ve read, it sounds like once again individual errors killed us in the end. I thought KM did a good job reshuffling the team today probably more due to injuries, but it’s pretty obvious Franks had prepared his defence for Delap and Hutchinson. It sounds like KMs adjustments worked as evident in us going up 2-nil.

I think it’s completely justified to question KMs tactics we’re 9 games in without a win. However, we all knew the Premier League was gonna be a tough nut to crack. I still believe KM is the best manager we can realistically have right now. If somehow with coaching and direction he can reduce players’ errors, I still believe we can survive (at the moment).

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Just got back from London.

The team's performance was largely commendable. Despite being heavily weakened they have put a good shift. But that is all irrelevant for me because what Muric has done overshadows all good things from today.

Who from our recruitment team had decided last summer that this braindead was going to be our no.1? Who had decided that spending 8m on him was justifiable? This clown keeps costing us points and goals. I disagree with anyone that is going to defend him. Premier League quality, him? Seriously?
Some people may say he often makes great saves. So what? He is extremely error-prone. He doesn't command his box. He is hesitant.
96+ Brentford winner. Where was his head? What was he thinking? That wasn't a shot. That was a cross and simple ball to catch. An amateur goalkeeper wouldn't have had problems. How on earth some people defend him?
O'Shea perhaps should have gone for it too but this is Muric's fault. Lack of communication between the Burnley rejects.

Harry Clarke..... dear me ! I'm not going to knock him for lack of quality but he is out of his depth at this level. He wasn't even defensively good in the Championship. You watch build-up to the Brentford penalty and you will realise how badly we miss Tuanzebe. No positional sense from Clarke, caught out easily. Yes we may have been shafted by VAR but there is no excuse for him.
Stupid second yellow too.

McKenna.....plan A, 4-2-3-1 and nothing else. It worked in League One and Championship but now there is a huge step in class. He however thinks that going toe-to-toe with the Premier League teams is the way. 4 points out of 27 and no wins suggests it isn't the way.
Take our 2-0 lead for example. Where was the game management before half time? We were open and Brentford took their opportunity with two similar goals. One of them I believe could have been preventable if Greaves had played.

Phillips in compare to previous two games had some promising moments and co-operated OK with Cajuste in general. In my opinion we didn't miss Morsy as much as we had expected.

Whether we stay up or not Delap won't be with us next season. He is a beast.

Very unhappy and angry due to what Muric did today as with someone like him between the sticks we can't survive in this league.

Moreover, both Tuanzebe and Greaves being out for a while is a true disaster. Them two and Davis are miles ahead of the rest of our defence.

[JohnnyB]

Gamechanger won't be going anywhere anytime soon, they don't go from buying land to expand the stadium to walking away.

As for KM, if he goes he goes, he wanted out in the Summer, if we lose another 4 or 5 in a row it'll be done for him anyway.

Gamechanger are investing pension fund money and their only interest is adding value to their fund. They’ll be going nowhere whilst the fund is increasing and they already have their money back. They’re buying land to increase the fund value and will continue to do so whilst we’re in the Premier League. If and when that changes and their investment starts to fall as it would if we get relegated there’s a huge risk they would cash in whilst still in profit.

There’s also no way they’re going to sack Kieran McKenna and pay him £15m compensation. If we get relegated McKenna may be released from his contact as was Vincent Company at Burnley last season after their one season visit to the EPL and many of our players would be sold and we’ll be back mid table in the Championship. That may well make you happy Mike, but believe me it won’t be good for ITFC, in fact it could be a disaster. Believe me, we need to make 17th our worst case scenario and build on that next season. I still think this can be achieved and I haven’t yet given up hope.

Word