Premier League - Ipswich Town vs Crystal Palace Preview & Matchday Thread

[Blue Wilf]

WTF is all this 100% committed stuff? What is that all about? Has a partner sometime in your life in the past cheated on you or something? WTF? The guy has got enough on his plate trying to negotiate the teams survival and there are people going on about loyalty! Unreal. And I really don't think it was everyone’s dreams to get second season in the EPL, certainly not mine. Getting there 24 months after Cheltenham WAS the dream.
YES, it’d be great to maintain the level but its a mighty tough League and i have got to assume that many many MANY fans thought and think survival would be a borderline miracle.

I’m with Charnwood on this. The team would challenge again at the top half of the Champ but the step up, (or leap up) is too big for THAT team. Ipswich to the EPL are like Ayr United to the SPL. Big January window coming up.

Off to scour the internet to find out why Al-Ham got the nod over Smods. And if it was due to Smods being ill or carrying a knock, then its an even BIGGER Jan window (french patio doors) … Because that’d suggest the personnel ain’t even there.
Got to hope Mash & KMcK are already looking at targets.
Plenty of football left in this seasons EPL.

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off. Even the fact (and it is a fact ad he has not denied it), that he was talking to others says that he was/is not 100% committed. Not sure why you can't see that?

[marko69]

WTF is all this 100% committed stuff? What is that all about? Has a partner sometime in your life in the past cheated on you or something? WTF? The guy has got enough on his plate trying to negotiate the teams survival and there are people going on about loyalty! Unreal. And I really don't think it was everyone’s dreams to get second season in the EPL, certainly not mine. Getting there 24 months after Cheltenham WAS the dream.
YES, it’d be great to maintain the level but its a mighty tough League and i have got to assume that many many MANY fans thought and think survival would be a borderline miracle.

I’m with Charnwood on this. The team would challenge again at the top half of the Champ but the step up, (or leap up) is too big for THAT team. Ipswich to the EPL are like Ayr United to the SPL. Big January window coming up.

Off to scour the internet to find out why Al-Ham got the nod over Smods. And if it was due to Smods being ill or carrying a knock, then its an even BIGGER Jan window (french patio doors) … Because that’d suggest the personnel ain’t even there.
Got to hope Mash & KMcK are already looking at targets.
Plenty of football left in this seasons EPL.

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off. Even the fact (and it is a fact ad he has not denied it), that he was talking to others says that he was/is not 100% committed. Not sure why you can't see that?

The guy admitted he got an offer, and he admitted he got offers after the League One promotion, but he didn't go. What else do you want? You've basically ADDED to it by saying if the offer was BIGGER, he'd have gone. How do you know this exactly? WHERE has he said, "Yeah if Brighton had've offered another mill, I was off!!"
He said, quote: "I saw the offers, but I am committed to what I started here."
That should draw a line under any loyalty issues with the fanbase.

[Blue Wilf]

WTF is all this 100% committed stuff? What is that all about? Has a partner sometime in your life in the past cheated on you or something? WTF? The guy has got enough on his plate trying to negotiate the teams survival and there are people going on about loyalty! Unreal. And I really don't think it was everyone’s dreams to get second season in the EPL, certainly not mine. Getting there 24 months after Cheltenham WAS the dream.
YES, it’d be great to maintain the level but its a mighty tough League and i have got to assume that many many MANY fans thought and think survival would be a borderline miracle.

I’m with Charnwood on this. The team would challenge again at the top half of the Champ but the step up, (or leap up) is too big for THAT team. Ipswich to the EPL are like Ayr United to the SPL. Big January window coming up.

Off to scour the internet to find out why Al-Ham got the nod over Smods. And if it was due to Smods being ill or carrying a knock, then its an even BIGGER Jan window (french patio doors) … Because that’d suggest the personnel ain’t even there.
Got to hope Mash & KMcK are already looking at targets.
Plenty of football left in this seasons EPL.

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off. Even the fact (and it is a fact ad he has not denied it), that he was talking to others says that he was/is not 100% committed. Not sure why you can't see that?

The guy admitted he got an offer, and he admitted he got offers after the League One promotion, but he didn't go. What else do you want? You've basically ADDED to it by saying if the offer was BIGGER, he'd have gone. How do you know this exactly? WHERE has he said, "Yeah if Brighton had've offered another mill, I was off!!"
He said, quote: "I saw the offers, but I am committed to what I started here."
That should draw a line under any loyalty issues with the fanbase.

100% commitment would have meant he was not interested in what other offers said - if he was 100% all in why would it matter to him what they said? No - if he had a netter offer, he was off otherwise why even listen? You are blowing this all up a bit with your exaggeration of what has been said in my opinion. He is not beyond question and as a paying fan, I reserve the right to ask those questions - just as he has a right to listen to other offers if he chooses to.

[marko69]

Blowing nowt up......, you've blown it up, to smithereens!!

So what were the offers then? I assume you wanted him to put headphones on so he couldn't hear the offers? What offers was he considering. Genuinely interested. Like, was the Brighton offer great and almost signed, but gosh darn it, couldn't get the kids into a decent school / nursery!! I jest of course but just HOW FAR was the "thinking about it" going? Truth though. Not surmising stuff. How close was he to leaving?

[marko69]

QUOTE: (From Ipswich Town Football Club)

McKenna has said that speculation about his future is not his focus. He has also said that he is settled in Ipswich and that the club has unfinished business.

[Blue Wilf]

Blowing nowt up......, you've blown it up, to smithereens!!

So what were the offers then? I assume you wanted him to put headphones on so he couldn't hear the offers? What offers was he considering. Genuinely interested. Like, was the Brighton offer great and almost signed, but gosh darn it, couldn't get the kids into a decent school / nursery!! I jest of course but just HOW FAR was the "thinking about it" going? Truth though. Not surmising stuff. How close was he to leaving?

He talked to Brighton and Man Utd - he said as much! Whether they offered formally or not is immaterial Marko as why talk if you have no intention of considering as you are 100% committed to Ipswich? Maybe our definition of 100% differs? I havn't blown up anything - I have just said he was not 100% committed (fact as far as I see it) and that he is not infallible (also fact in my opinion) - thats it!

[ashfordblue]

Still don't understand why the keeper keeps hold of the ball for so long. It gives the opposition time to regroup when instead he should be setting us off on a rapid counterattack. But no, stand in the box with ball at feet counting daisies

Exactly, Muric should be moved on Quickly, along with several other players who are not going to cut it in this top league, if we are to survive we need a quality keeper and another 4 defenders who have played in the premiership we need them urgently the way we are getting injuries is not sustainable, we are going to have to spend mega bucks getting a squad together that can hold their own in this league and it won't come cheap, Muric does not inspire me whatsoever just standing there like a stuffed dummy and passing it short is not clever it's inviting trouble, so if we don't bring in some quality players in the Jan window we will struggle big time KM has had long enough to get a decent strong squad together, so we have 28 more games to get organised and clear out the players we need to let go

[marko69]

Blowing nowt up......, you've blown it up, to smithereens!!

So what were the offers then? I assume you wanted him to put headphones on so he couldn't hear the offers? What offers was he considering. Genuinely interested. Like, was the Brighton offer great and almost signed, but gosh darn it, couldn't get the kids into a decent school / nursery!! I jest of course but just HOW FAR was the "thinking about it" going? Truth though. Not surmising stuff. How close was he to leaving?

He talked to Brighton and Man Utd - he said as much! Whether they offered formally or not is immaterial Marko as why talk if you have no intention of considering as you are 100% committed to Ipswich? Maybe our definition of 100% differs? I havn't blown up anything - I have just said he was not 100% committed (fact as far as I see it) and that he is not infallible (also fact in my opinion) - thats it!

QUOTE: (From Ipswich Town Football Club)

Speculation
McKenna was linked to the vacant Brighton job after Roberto De Zerbi left the club. He was also linked to Chelsea and Manchester United.

End quote.

I can't find anything where McKenna says he had talks. Willing to fully accept I am wrong but just can't find it anywhere. Common knowledge is that they were interested.

[marko69]

Not even in this is there anything about "talks"......, quite the opposite.


https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24581602.i ... ghton-job/

[Blue Wilf]

UPDATE
Manchester United and Chelsea could be about to go head-to-head for Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna; McKenna's reps have met with Man Utd, Sky Sports News has learned; Ipswich Town majority shareholder Ed Schwartz has flown into the UK from the USA for talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna

Rob Dorsett
Senior Reporter, Sky Sports News @RobDorsettSky
Friday 24 May 2024 18:26, UK

[marko69]

Ok, here is that Sky report here.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... a-interest

He was never going to any of the clubs basically and Ed Schwartz was over due to bigger clubs sniffing around......, and seeing what needed done. Was he not going to get a wage increase anyway? I think because the club got to the EPL infinitely quicker than expected, that particular package deal was not even "made".
BUT....., B&HA, Manure and Chelsea were sniffing......, managers / players always use agents....., so they did the talks....... meanwhile Schwartz gets off the Big Steel Bird from the USA, meets with Mash....., "Here is Kierons deal" ....., happy with that, glad to stay at ITFC.
Agents enter the room......, "We've just spoke with B&HA, Manure, Chelsea......."

...... and thats where it all ends --->> he was flattered, BUT didn't have a choice to make because Mash & Schwartz had the dotted line signed with the obvious wage increase.

100% loyal (imo of course)

Did you know Wilf that they wanted it signed within the hour........, but he signed the contract in the 65th minute! Made them wait 5 mins.

[Blue Wilf]

Ok, here is that Sky report here.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... a-interest

He was never going to any of the clubs basically and Ed Schwartz was over due to bigger clubs sniffing around......, and seeing what needed done. Was he not going to get a wage increase anyway? I think because the club got to the EPL infinitely quicker than expected, that particular package deal was not even "made".
BUT....., B&HA, Manure and Chelsea were sniffing......, managers / players always use agents....., so they did the talks....... meanwhile Schwartz gets off the Big Steel Bird from the USA, meets with Mash....., "Here is Kierons deal" ....., happy with that, glad to stay at ITFC.
Agents enter the room......, "We've just spoke with B&HA, Manure, Chelsea......."

...... and thats where it all ends --->> he was flattered, BUT didn't have a choice to make because Mash & Schwartz had the dotted line signed with the obvious wage increase.

100% loyal (imo of course)

Did you know Wilf that they wanted it signed within the hour........, but he signed the contract in the 65th minute! Made them wait 5 mins.

I don't know what was discussed any more than you know that your version of the truth is accurate! At the time, McKenna could have dealt with ALL of the speculation by coming out and committing 100% to Ipswich but he did not. No smoke without fire in my view. Have a lok back at the posts around that time - McKenna had it in his power to stop any worry for fans but he did not. Why would he have said nothing if there was nothing going on in the background? I guess we will peobably not know until he one day leaves us or he writes an autobiography. I know where my money is though! Probably best we leave it here as everyone else probably bored of the debate as it is an old one. What worries me tonight is Everton winning (well) against wolves which means we desperately need to keep wolves down with us and Newcastle beating Liverpool... does not bode for well for our Christmas points tally!

[MasseyFerguson]

I am really at a loss to understand much of what has been written in this thread. Do people (AzzuroMark, Charnwood and marko69 excepted) really not see that our squad is threadbare compared to every other team in this league apart, possibly, from Southampton?

When the season began, did anyone seriously think we wouldn't struggle? Really?

[Blue Wilf]

I am really at a loss to understand much of what has been written in this thread. Do people (AzzuroMark, Charnwood and marko69 excepted) really not see that our squad is threadbare compared to every other team in this league apart, possibly, from Southampton?

When the season began, did anyone seriously think we wouldn't struggle? Really?

Sorry Massey. Hey everyone - I was wrong and McKenna really is a wonderful premier league manager who has never done anything wrong. His decision making is impeccable and the only reason we have one win from 14 games is because our players are not as good as everyone elses. There - lets all agree and close the forum... freedom of speech really is under threat it seems... (none of this is aimed at you in particular, Massey) but just that there are different opinions - that does not make anyone right or wrong (except Charny, Marko and AM of course - JOKE guys...!). All of my posts have just been my opinion if I am allowed to have one.

[AzzurroMark]

Ok, here is that Sky report here.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... a-interest

He was never going to any of the clubs basically and Ed Schwartz was over due to bigger clubs sniffing around......, and seeing what needed done. Was he not going to get a wage increase anyway? I think because the club got to the EPL infinitely quicker than expected, that particular package deal was not even "made".
BUT....., B&HA, Manure and Chelsea were sniffing......, managers / players always use agents....., so they did the talks....... meanwhile Schwartz gets off the Big Steel Bird from the USA, meets with Mash....., "Here is Kierons deal" ....., happy with that, glad to stay at ITFC.
Agents enter the room......, "We've just spoke with B&HA, Manure, Chelsea......."

...... and thats where it all ends --->> he was flattered, BUT didn't have a choice to make because Mash & Schwartz had the dotted line signed with the obvious wage increase.

100% loyal (imo of course)

Did you know Wilf that they wanted it signed within the hour........, but he signed the contract in the 65th minute! Made them wait 5 mins.

McKenna could have dealt with ALL of the speculation by coming out and committing 100% to Ipswich but he did not. No smoke without fire in my view. Have a lok back at the posts around that time - McKenna had it in his power to stop any worry for fans but he did not. Why would he have said nothing if there was nothing going on in the background?

EADT

Many supporters have called on Ipswich and/or McKenna to issue a statement and kill off the uncertainty in the air. Respectfully, that's not going to happen.

McKenna was asked about his future immediately after promotion was secured. Carefully choosing his words, he replied: "I love it here, it's a fantastic club. I'm so proud to be the manager of this football club and I've worked so hard at it every day. I give so much of myself. I'm just focused on enjoying that journey. The speculation has been there for the last two years to be honest and I've shown loyalty to the club through that. I'm really pleased that I've stuck with it and how we've achieved what we have achieved. There are some big and exciting steps to come for the football club."

Ashton was subsequently asked if he McKenna was going to stay and replied: "He’s certainly not told me he’s not! Look, he’s invested. It’s a continued pleasure to watch him grow and develop. I’d class Kieran as a friend as well as a colleague. We work well together. He’s instrumental in what we’ve done and everything we can do. As I’ve said all along, I want Kieran here for the long-term."

Neither man can say much more than that. Both have been in the game long enough to know that you can't paint yourself into a corner

That line in bold says it all as to why KM, nor the club would make a statement. Even if they had done, there'd still be fans saying it was a smoke screen. Anyway, must dash, my elderly horse, Shergar needs feeding!

[marko69]

Ok, here is that Sky report here.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... a-interest

He was never going to any of the clubs basically and Ed Schwartz was over due to bigger clubs sniffing around......, and seeing what needed done. Was he not going to get a wage increase anyway? I think because the club got to the EPL infinitely quicker than expected, that particular package deal was not even "made".
BUT....., B&HA, Manure and Chelsea were sniffing......, managers / players always use agents....., so they did the talks....... meanwhile Schwartz gets off the Big Steel Bird from the USA, meets with Mash....., "Here is Kierons deal" ....., happy with that, glad to stay at ITFC.
Agents enter the room......, "We've just spoke with B&HA, Manure, Chelsea......."

...... and thats where it all ends --->> he was flattered, BUT didn't have a choice to make because Mash & Schwartz had the dotted line signed with the obvious wage increase.

100% loyal (imo of course)

Did you know Wilf that they wanted it signed within the hour........, but he signed the contract in the 65th minute! Made them wait 5 mins.

I don't know what was discussed any more than you know that your version of the truth is accurate!At the time, McKenna could have dealt with ALL of the speculation by coming out and committing 100% to Ipswich but he did not. No smoke without fire in my view. Have a lok back at the posts around that time - McKenna had it in his power to stop any worry for fans but he did not. Why would he have said nothing if there was nothing going on in the background? I guess we will peobably not know until he one day leaves us or he writes an autobiography. I know where my money is though! Probably best we leave it here as everyone else probably bored of the debate as it is an old one. What worries me tonight is Everton winning (well) against wolves which means we desperately need to keep wolves down with us and Newcastle beating Liverpool... does not bode for well for our Christmas points tally!

AND BINGO!!! Thank you! Thanks for admitting that you do not know. You CHOOSE to say he’s disloyal ……. But you don’t know.

And yep, people will be bored with an old debate but you brought it up……. The not 100% loyal thing in two separate posts.

Anyway, we move on. Hopefully it all comes out in the future and it definitely will at some point. And if he says, “Boy i was tempted. £4M for the Brighton job. My arm was almost fully twisted but then Ed Schwartz arrived. FIVE MILL? Can’t pass that up, AND err, wanted to stay and finish what i started.” (Aye right then Kieron!) —->> then i’ll say, “Well strap my face to the side of a pig and roll me in the mud, Wilf was right!”

[Charnwood]

To be honest I don’t think McKenna’s the problem, the problem we have is the fact that the majority of our players simply aren’t up to Premier League standard and the reason for that is the EPL financial fair play rules. This is also the reason why most clubs promoted from the Championship fail at their first attempt and find themselves relegated. Last season all three promoted clubs found themselves relegated and it looks almost certain that at least two of three will be relegated this season, with the only exception being Leicester City who have the benefit of having at least some Premier League experienced players in their camp. To think of sacking the man we all thought was a Magician for taking us from League One to the EPL is outrageous and to think our Board would pay £20m to sack one of the recognised best young managers in the country is bizarre.
Strangely the call for getting rid seems to be coming from guys who hate the Premier League and everything it stands for. FFS guys let’s hang onto one of the best young coaches in the business and see where it takes us just as we did when large numbers wanted Bobby Robson sacked in his early days in charge. Maybe we will get relegated, maybe we’ll become a “yo yo” club for a few years, with each time our available money to spend increasing. Maybe we spend more in January and bust the bank thinking we can handle a points deduction next season just as Forest did. I don’t know what the answer is but I certainly wouldn’t be sacking McKenna anytime soon and I don’t think our Board will either as finding a better replacement would be almost impossible.

I have never once said we should sack him, Andy. I have just said he is not the messiah that many think he is. He is fallible (as we all are), he is not 100% committed to us (as he has already proven - whereas, as fans we all are) and his tactical ability is questionable. Not saying I know who is better either!

I’ve read enough comments made by so many different players about how muck better McKenna is than anyone else they’ve worked with, to believe the guy is an exceptional talent that we should want to stay for as long as we can keep him. Had he left us so soon after promotion I would have agreed he was disloyal, the fact that he did no more than listen to offers but still stayed at ITFC, I don’t see that as being disloyal. In my career over the years I had numerous contacts from Head Hunters with new job offers to consider, and on a few occasions I followed them through even to job offer stage. The fact that I decided to stay with my employer I considered made me loyal, I see the same with Kieran McKenna, he made the choice to stay at Portman Road even with the job being higher risk than moving on. I see nothing wrong with him considering other offers that’s how you find out how much you’re worth in the market place, Senior Managers and Executives are doing it all the time and it’s probably how we recruited Mark Ashton which is why he understands it. In my opinion trying to keep Town in the Premier League must be one of the most difficult jobs in English football yet he chose to stick with the challenge. I thought we all realised this season would be tough given our limited player resources that simply don’t compare with most of the other clubs in this league.
The gulf now between the EPL and the Championship is massive and with the added constraint of FFP rules bridging the gap in one season is almost impossible which is why finishing 17th had to be our seasons goal. At this moment we’re 3 points short of that which is a gap we can bridge with just one win. As long as we can stay in touch with the teams above us there’s always a chance we can find a run of form and move out of the relegation zone, and I still believe we have a better chance of achieving that with McKenna rather than without him.
That’s just my opinion Ian which may be right or maybe wrong, but I’m still 100% behind him even after last nights very poor performance which I was just as disappointed with as anyone else.
If we’re still struggling at the end of December I’m hoping we splash the cash and make two or three more signings even if it breaks the rules. We may need to offload a couple even at a loss. If we get relegated they can’t deduct points as like Leicester City we won’t be in the Premier League to deduct them. If we are in the Premier Lesgue we’ll just have to make sure the squad is strong enough to make up the extra points as Forest have. As they say there’s more than one way to skin a cat and we have the 6th wealthiest owners in the Prenier Lesgue.

[Bluemike]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, i was called nuts when I said from day ONE Keane would be a f**king disaster while Everyone else was creaming themselves over him, I also started a thread called "why we must sack Paul Cook" long before anyone else realised he was gonna be a disaster. Equally I often get things wrong as well, that's the beauty of football and having an opinion, strange as it may seem nobody is right all the time.

It's often said how detrimental it is to be negative regarding your own club, well it's just as damaging and very naive to see someone in such a light that they can never do no wrong and they have free reign without being questioned, that's just as poor support as those that question things.

This nonsense about people wanting him sacked is fabrication, what is being said, at least by me is what is the tipping point ? How many games do we go with just one win ? 15 ? 20 ? 30 ? 60 ? 200 ? I stated earlier I want 2 or 3 wins asap to put this talk to bed but you have to be aware that things could get worse, you don't just let it rumble on because we have some "process" we all have to trust come what may.

Mckenna makes mistakes, pure and simple.....

Hutchinson continually being played out of position
Szmodics all too often on the bench
Stubborn beyond belief with the 4-2-3-1
We went Three at the back once and won !!!!
Cocked it up at Brentford as the game management was poor.
Substitutions at same time regardless of situation
Etc
Etc
Etc
It's all about a learning curve but you have to actually learn and adapt surely ? This is a different ball game to L1 and Championship where we got away with certain things, back in L1 days we continually rotated the bloody team beyond belief and from the debacle at Bristol Rovers he stopped doing it and the rest is history, some of us were screaming out to keep a settled side, it wasn't just coincidence!!

Everyone wants KM here, but you can't just accept everything come what may when there are things you don't agree with, to see no fault is daft. That said if we keep on failing to win indefinitely something has to happen. Hopefully it doesn't come to it.

[Bluemike]

And fwiw if you go back and read Brighton forums they were in their opinion and inch away from securing McKenna but something seemed to have gone wrong at the 11th hour, believe what you will.

[Charnwood]

And fwiw if you go back and read Brighton forums they were in their opinion and inch away from securing McKenna but something seemed to have gone wrong at the 11th hour, believe what you will.

Mike I’ve never yet ever visited another football club’s forum and certainly would never consider it a place to search for accurate information.

[Blue Wilf]

Ok, here is that Sky report here.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... a-interest

He was never going to any of the clubs basically and Ed Schwartz was over due to bigger clubs sniffing around......, and seeing what needed done. Was he not going to get a wage increase anyway? I think because the club got to the EPL infinitely quicker than expected, that particular package deal was not even "made".
BUT....., B&HA, Manure and Chelsea were sniffing......, managers / players always use agents....., so they did the talks....... meanwhile Schwartz gets off the Big Steel Bird from the USA, meets with Mash....., "Here is Kierons deal" ....., happy with that, glad to stay at ITFC.
Agents enter the room......, "We've just spoke with B&HA, Manure, Chelsea......."

...... and thats where it all ends --->> he was flattered, BUT didn't have a choice to make because Mash & Schwartz had the dotted line signed with the obvious wage increase.

100% loyal (imo of course)

Did you know Wilf that they wanted it signed within the hour........, but he signed the contract in the 65th minute! Made them wait 5 mins.

I don't know what was discussed any more than you know that your version of the truth is accurate!At the time, McKenna could have dealt with ALL of the speculation by coming out and committing 100% to Ipswich but he did not. No smoke without fire in my view. Have a lok back at the posts around that time - McKenna had it in his power to stop any worry for fans but he did not. Why would he have said nothing if there was nothing going on in the background? I guess we will peobably not know until he one day leaves us or he writes an autobiography. I know where my money is though! Probably best we leave it here as everyone else probably bored of the debate as it is an old one. What worries me tonight is Everton winning (well) against wolves which means we desperately need to keep wolves down with us and Newcastle beating Liverpool... does not bode for well for our Christmas points tally!

AND BINGO!!! Thank you! Thanks for admitting that you do not know. You CHOOSE to say he’s disloyal ……. But you don’t know.

And yep, people will be bored with an old debate but you brought it up……. The not 100% loyal thing in two separate posts.

Anyway, we move on. Hopefully it all comes out in the future and it definitely will at some point. And if he says, “Boy i was tempted. £4M for the Brighton job. My arm was almost fully twisted but then Ed Schwartz arrived. FIVE MILL? Can’t pass that up, AND err, wanted to stay and finish what i started.” (Aye right then Kieron!) —->> then i’ll say, “Well strap my face to the side of a pig and roll me in the mud, Wilf was right!”

I still don't agree with your synopsis here Marko but for everyones sanity, mine included, I will just agree to disagree with you as you seem to want to chalk up an I was right and Wilf was wrong marker! OK whatever...

[marko69]

Come on Ffs, Wilf. Jaysus H dude, keep it about the football. If chalking stuff up about right or wrong is your thing, then you keep that to yourself. Not for me.

YOU said “as a matter of fact” in your posts……..

Couldn't agree more - it is about ITFC, not McKenna. He was nearly gone long before we got to where we currently stand. He will make his money and het his big move regardless and good luck to him but in the same way he was *not* going to show us 100% loyalty, for me it works both ways...

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off.

……. and I just wanted to see where it was said. That was all. Nothing to do with “games”.

You have to question things in life, no? Otherwise we’d go through our lives believing politicians.

[valleyroad]

I am really at a loss to understand much of what has been written in this thread. Do people (AzzuroMark, Charnwood and marko69 excepted) really not see that our squad is threadbare compared to every other team in this league apart, possibly, from Southampton?

When the season began, did anyone seriously think we wouldn't struggle? Really?

100% agree.
I doubt that there is anyone on this forum though who thought Town wouldn't struggle and they have.
The talk of McKenna being sacked is nonsense IMO but its correct to question him as others have done.
I don't think McKenna is out of his depth either, I personally think he is a huge talent of a manager and will go onto better things and if not careful it could be West Ham soon ??
It all depends on owners. Some stay the course and others fire bullets. If Town continue on a run of no wins and drift away from the pack then owners could decide to gamble and bin him.

Bet if Town win on Sat the forum will be a lot brighter. Palace performance was worryingly poor though ! McKenna looked to be raging after the match so hopefully a better performance on Sat.

Also though referee Pawson was excellent in Palace match.

[Bluemike]

Come on Ffs, Wilf. Jaysus H dude, keep it about the football. If chalking stuff up about right or wrong is your thing, then you keep that to yourself. Not for me.

YOU said “as a matter of fact” in your posts……..

Couldn't agree more - it is about ITFC, not McKenna. He was nearly gone long before we got to where we currently stand. He will make his money and het his big move regardless and good luck to him but in the same way he was *not* going to show us 100% loyalty, for me it works both ways...

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off.

……. and I just wanted to see where it was said. That was all. Nothing to do with “games”.

You have to question things in life, no? Otherwise we’d go through our lives believing politicians.

Exactly Marko, you have question things in life, is Mckenna exempt from that ?

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Sorry Massey. Hey everyone - I was wrong and McKenna really is a wonderful premier league manager who has never done anything wrong. His decision making is impeccable and the only reason we have one win from 14 games is because our players are not as good as everyone elses. There - lets all agree and close the forum... freedom of speech really is under threat it seems... (none of this is aimed at you in particular, Massey) but just that there are different opinions - that does not make anyone right or wrong (except Charny, Marko and AM of course - JOKE guys...!). All of my posts have just been my opinion if I am allowed to have one.

Possibly the best quote I have read on this forum ever.

[Charnwood]

For what it’s worth I accept that any and every manager will make occasional mistakes including the Peo Guardiola and Klopps of the football world, it’s impossible not to and McKenna will know that too.
However in my opinion our biggest problem is that we’re trying to compete in a league where our players aren’t at the same standard or quality as 90% of the opposition.
Yes with Premier Keague experience we have Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson trying to rescue their careers but neither have been able to get a regular start.
After them if you look at our squad we only have three players have a seasons worth of appearances at EPL level and that’s Ogbene, Muric & O’Shea who all played one season relegation battles with Burnley and Luton.
Then we have Tusnzebe, Hutchinson and Delap have handful of EPL appearances between them.
Next new signings Greaves, Clarke, & Szmodics each came from Championship clubs less successful than Ipswich, and then we have our own, Burgess, Davis, Harry Clarke, Morsy. Chaplin, Hurst, Broadhead and Walton all Championship level players.
The only player I think I’ve missed is Jens Cajuste probably one of our best consistent performers so far who couldn’t get a regular start with Napoli who were happy to release him. As good as he is I don’t think he’d be in many EPL teams starting line ups and neither would many of our squad which I think is the root cause of our struggles.
With this huge disadvantage I feel we have a better chance with McKenna trying to get them to over perform as a unit rather than take a chance with an unknown entity.
I also think we have a few players we’ve not seen the best of yet. eg Jack Clarke who if he could only replicate his last season form at Sunderland would make a huge difference.

[Ricco]

Excellent post Charny, though I'll pull you up on Muric, he only had 10 premier appearances to his name when he arrived here, and at 25 he's a wild gamble on a keeper so young and unproven.

Apart from that... it's very easy to start pointing fingers at managers during hard times, but while I'm not going to wade in to the debate about McKenna on either side, it's worth remembering the players we have and the way McKenna has succeeded far beyond what half a dozen managers had failed to do here. We're competing with Palace, what we'd do to have a player like Eze or Cunha at Wolves, the list goes on, it's worth remembering just how strong the squads are we are up against and when viewed that way, we're doing better than we have a right to be.

[marko69]

Come on Ffs, Wilf. Jaysus H dude, keep it about the football. If chalking stuff up about right or wrong is your thing, then you keep that to yourself. Not for me.

YOU said “as a matter of fact” in your posts……..

Couldn't agree more - it is about ITFC, not McKenna. He was nearly gone long before we got to where we currently stand. He will make his money and het his big move regardless and good luck to him but in the same way he was *not* going to show us 100% loyalty, for me it works both ways...

If he had got a better offer in the summer, Marko, he was off.

……. and I just wanted to see where it was said. That was all. Nothing to do with “games”.

You have to question things in life, no? Otherwise we’d go through our lives believing politicians.

Exactly Marko, you have question things in life, is Mckenna exempt from that ?

I think everyone is missing the point if im honest. There is a world of difference between having an opinion and stating that “he was off” because there is no basis for it.
Its the world we live in these days. People spew wind & pish as if its fact….. BUT ….. its their opinion.
FTR…… ive never given ANY opinion on whether KMcK was going to leave or not…….. simply asking where people get their ideas from.

Its on a par with……. “Ipswich WILL will v Leeds & Leicester.”
Oh, ok.
And then they don’t.

Its an incredible modern day social media thing.
But as said, when the memoirs come out and he DID almost go to B&HA ,….. then ok, fair dos. At least then its a fact.
“He was nearly off, Marko!”
Oh ok.

[Bluemike]

I totally get what is being said about the players and I accept that. What some of my concerns are is how we are utilising said players, pretty much everyone on here has said they want Hutchinson wide right and not in the central role but again Tuesday he's put back there with a natural number 10 who scores goals sitting on the bench, so surely you all concede that's one mistake you don't agree with McKenna about.

Ben Johnson, premier league experience, looked excellent at Spurs, good enough for the bench but not to get the nod ahead of Harry Clarke who most give a hard time to, that has to be another thing most disagree with McKenna over.

Cameron Burgess, MOTM last time and not in the squad, no mention of an injury but surely with a returning Jacob Greaves being a tad risky you put a CB on the bench ?

The Three at the back worked well at Spurs and yes we won !!!!! Shock horror, so we revert back to the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 which wasn't good enough to beat Southampton, Everton, West Ham, Leicester and Palace, all struggling sides.

The point is we need to vary things up a bit, play form players in their natural positions, change things when it is clear we are struggling, I mean was I the only person who could see after about 30 minutes against Palace they often had 4 or 5 in Midfield outnumbering Morsy and Cajuste? People around me could see it too.

It was also obvious Delap needed support and help, he looked shot to bits on the hour mark, we bloody need him fit at least until the end of December and beyond. I just think there is a element of stubbornness and predictability about us. Fourteen games is a fairly long benchmark to ascertain that all isn't going to plan.

I accept we have inferior players to most and as such have done pretty well but we just seem to make it even harder for ourselves than it sometimes needs to be.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I think everyone is missing the point if im honest. There is a world of difference between having an opinion and stating that “he was off” because there is no basis for it.
Its the world we live in these days. People spew wind & pish as if its fact….. BUT ….. its their opinion.
FTR…… ive never given ANY opinion on whether KMcK was going to leave or not…….. simply asking where people get their ideas from.

Its on a par with……. “Ipswich WILL will v Leeds & Leicester.”
Oh, ok.
And then they don’t.

Its an incredible modern day social media thing.
But as said, when the memoirs come out and he DID almost go to B&HA ,….. then ok, fair dos. At least then its a fact.
“He was nearly off, Marko!”
Oh ok.

according to several dictionaries of the English language, an opinion is
"a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge".

Seems pretty clear cut to me.

Oh, and it has nothing to do with social media - well, not in my opinion anyway