Ipswich Town v Fulham preview and matchday thread

[lucy]

1-1 Knudsen

[shamm]

Hopefully Mick can sign a few Anthony Knockaerts in the close season. The guy is class.

That's better. 1-1

[marko69]

Will see out the final minutes and hope for the best, but really, what the hell is there to be gained here ?

Few extra pounds watching Soccer Tuesday......., beer, tunnocks tea cakes?

[ipswichtownNo1]

Hopefully Mick can sign a few Anthony Knockaerts in the close season. The guy is class.

That's better. 1-1

Better??

[marko69]

Who needs a Knockaert when world class Knuddy is at PR! Did Pits go raj after that one?

[lucy]

Good finish for a defender

[marko69]

Was it like Burley v WBA in 78?

[arana peligrosa]

Christ we've scored a goal, where did that come from.

Game is over and it's a point each. Ok we saved it at the very end but with home advantage and very nearly another loss it's by and large an unsatisfactory score.

Lo and behold Middlesbrough concede last minute in their respective game so an interesting scenario here going into the next game.

[hallamblue]

What a complete load of f**king bollocks that was. Jeezee the end of this season can't come quick enough.

UTTER CRAP

[marko69]

Jeezee? New Jamaican signing, Hallam?

[Shed on tour]

What a complete load of f**king bollocks that was. Jeezee the end of this season can't come quick enough.

UTTER CRAP

Hallam
Trouble is a new season will soon be here with probably more of the same to come.

[hallamblue]

we cud sign bloody Messi and we'd still struggle to score. It's like we've forgotten how to play the game. I can't get over how bad we are!!

[Shed on tour]

we cud sign bloody Messi and we'd still struggle to score. It's like we've forgotten how to play the game. I can't get over how bad we are!!

We were absolutely clueless and the lack of movement was unbelievable.

[marko69]

Sounds like it was a personnel problem as opposed to Micks tictacs. Players must need their hollybags!

[barmy billy]

Another disappointing night to say the least.

I would love to have some sympathy for MM but I'm afraid I don't. This squad was in the main bought by and assembled by him and I feel it is onky right to hold him accountable. If Evans will not release funds I suppose it is to MM's credit that he has hung around for as long as he has and it seems that he will be here next season, playing 'more of the same'. That is a real worry.

Am I alone in fearing for the future of ITFC?

[mugen1]

FFS! Typed out a long response and then the bloody laptop decided to crash.

So will give this another go.

Random thoughts in no real order.

From what I observed last night I have a great deal of sympathy for both MM and TC. From the beginning of the game TC was on his feet shouting instructions to players and encouraging them. It wasn't long before MM joined the party. Players were being told to move, to play through the midfield, to close players down, to cut inside players in the box, to give those with the ball options, to track players runs. The really worrying thing for me was too many players just looked totally disinterested and in some cases just looked at MM or TC with absolute disdain. Instructions were then routinely ignored and players just did their own thing. Unfortunately this then lead to the spectacle we all had to endure.

Why,oh why did the team wait until the final 5 minutes or so to play decent football? It all started with McGoldrick having a pop from distance which went just wide, and as someone else has already said the fans celebrated this shot in the way you would expect a winning goal to be celebrated! Sad but true, but with what was on display, no real surprise. In fact I have been in more noisy cemetries, the atmosphere was so flat though I understand why. Where were the incisive passes? Where were the bursting runs into the box? Where was the commitment from players to win the ball? To out jump the opposition to win that important header? There was so little of that on show it was depressing. Some of our players really didn't deserve their starting spot. Having said that, it was embarrassing when the Fulham fans were making more noise than ours.

Highlights for me were Feeney making a speedy trackback to foil a Fulham attack, in fact he actually played some decent football at times, though there seemed to be a bit of niggle between him and Pitman, not sure what that was about?!Bialkowski making a good save to keep the score at 0-0, though his distribution of the ball is still a concern for me. Dozzell showed some nice touches and went searching for the ball, something some of our more senior players could learn from. Considering a major complaint from fans over the course of the season is the reliance on hoofball as our main tactic, last night there was little of that on show, just a shame that our pass completion wasn't so hot! But encouraging if we continue to aim to play in this manner. Knudsen took his goal well and hopefully that will go some way to making amends for the Sheffield Wednesday game.
One amusing incident near the end, which could have ended badly, was Tommy Smith giving away a free kick by rugby tackling one of the Fulham players to the ground. Thankfully the resulting freekick was taken straight out of the Ipswich Town playbook and went nowhere near our goal!

So there you have it.

[mugen1]

Another disappointing night to say the least.

I would love to have some sympathy for MM but I'm afraid I don't. This squad was in the main bought by and assembled by him and I feel it is onky right to hold him accountable. If Evans will not release funds I suppose it is to MM's credit that he has hung around for as long as he has and it seems that he will be here next season, playing 'more of the same'. That is a real worry.

Am I alone in fearing for the future of ITFC?

My feeling is the squad needs an overhaul. A load of players need shipping out because they show no passion or commitment. Start using the talent from the Academy and bring in players from lower leagues who have a hunger for the game and want to play for our club, not just collect their wages with minimal effort.

The lack of passion on display last night was probably the biggest disappointment for me.

[hallamblue]

I left the ground on 85mins. I'd had enough by then
We have offered nothing all bloody season. WTF has changed at the Club for players not to put a shift in?

Clear them out start again. too many average, highly paid journeyman in the squad now. Sick other of it this season tbh. The remaining games are going to be no.better.

[mugen1]

I left the ground on 85mins. I'd had enough by then
We have offered nothing all bloody season. WTF has changed at the Club for players not to put a shift in?

Clear them out start again. too many average, highly paid journeyman in the squad now. Sick other of it this season tbh. The remaining games are going to be no.better.

This, without doubt.

Too many players letting down the fans, the management and the club as a whole.

[marko69]

If anyone has time to set aside and scroll through "April/May" posts from the last 7 years, you'll find threads saying the same thing, (or in Saint Judes words; the same damn thing) Its never ending. Every year the club need to "ship out, get better in." Not disputing that, just merely bringing it to the attention that fk all has changed.

What needs to happen is a genuine attempt at getting to the EPL, like Watford & Bournemouth and Burnley on several occasions. This means, (not breaking the bank completely) bringing in some genuine quality with hopefully some generous cash from Mevans. There is no other way. Even consistently getting to the play offs would be a massive step forward....., and by that, I mean getting to the play offs on merit and not because some other team has a meltdown. Maybe with quality, Mick could put trust in changing the tactics. As it would seem, Hallam has stumbled on the revelation that maybe its the playing staff who are just not good enough. (Don't mean that in a bad way Hallam, I just mean that maybe you feel Mick is farting against thunder with this group of players).

Genuinely believe its a "spend" situation. No point wanting academy players to do it. Yes, be great for a future financial gain for the club, but any youngster coming through who shows a level of greatness, they're off to an EPL club within months......., so forget that avenue with regards to promotion.

Interesting summer ahead........, although with yesterday & todays weather, this might be it!

[arana peligrosa]

I'm American. We have a certain license to damn more than others. Usually inserted (particularly given the season we are enduring) for want of more colorful expressions.

Sure it's been brought to attention before but if McCarthy were given sufficient funds would it change an awful lot ? His style of play is too one-dimensional and ineffective and if the team is really to progress we need someone with enough belief and motivation to make it work. McCarthy for many, is not that individual.

Still fearful of the Middlesbrough game next up. Every game is crucial to them now and where we have nothing to play for (ok there maybe IS still a mathematical possibility we could reach top six but there's as much chance of that as Aston Villa being a top level team in August) they're going to be coming at us right from the off and even with McCarthy's boring defensive traits and mindset it may not be enough to prevent an eventual embarrassing score.

As many have alluded to, just want the season out the way by this stage. We got three of four games remaining that are immaterial and as with yesterday, not many are going to be pumped up or motivated enough to really go out and achieve something.

[Bluemike]

I've maintained throughout much of the season that this set of players would run through brick walls for MM & TC and by and large that has been the case, however to pick up on some of Mugen's points which I pretty much completely agree with, I too have had this niggling concern over the last month or so that MM is pissing in the wind at times and that the "die for the cause" mentality has on the odd occasion been somewhat conspicuous by it's abscence which in itsef is a massive problem given we have prided ourselves on this being one of our strengths in as much as what we lack in quality we more than make up for in effort and doggedness, to lose that may well be one of the big factors as to where it has all gone wrong over the 6-8 games.

I went to the game last night expecting nothing but f*ck me it was even worse than nothing, for the fans to be taking the p*ss out of the home players for failing to produce anything resembling a shot for nearly 70 minutes against a team that have conceded over 70 times is quite frankly humiliating for all concerned. I didnt think it could get much worse than Rotherham, Charlton & Brentford but we somehow managed it. The opening 10-15 minutes actually looked quite promising but that was as far as it went, until the customary throw caution to the wind scenario when the clock ticks round to 88 minutes, why the bloody hell do we always do that !!

I really can't remember too much of what went on as it was so irrelevent it has gone from my mind. The kid Dozzell ran his socks off as you would expect and at least went looking for the damn ball at every opportunity, Knudsen again impressed me while Skuse was solid for much of the game. I do disagree on one of Mugen's points and that is that I thought we did get some good ball into the box, I counted at least 4 good crosses from Feeney, the issue was nobody was busting a gut to get on the end of any of them , without Murphy we have zero aerial threat.

It improved a bit when Didsy came on and again he looked hungry and sharp but he had to drop so bloody deep to get the ball that any attacking threat was nullified although he did get one long shot away which was not far off the mark. For me Pitman was woeful and Sears has quite simply lost his first touch, it has nothing to do with being out of position, his confidence is shot to sh*t. Douglas did what he does and I suppose it wasn't as bad as some recent efforts while as mentioned Dozzell did ok and looks comfortable when he has the ball, Feeney blows hot and cold while the defence made hard work of what was a pretty ordinary Fulham attack, even then we had Bart to thank for 2/3 decent saves which stopped us from being embarrassed. Jonas Knudsen again caught my eye, not for the goal but his all round play, he is without dou8bt imrpoving game by game and at least looked like he was trying while others around him went through the motions, I do feel he may yet be a good player for us next season, the attacking side of his game has improved no end.

I have no idea what has gone wrong, too many things all at once I feel, but like Mugen I too feel sorry for MM and co, yes they take some of the blame but if players start failing to put a shift in you have big problems, especially with a small squad. We have Three games left to suffer before the real work has to start, I still think we have the nucleus of a good team here but we also need to supplement it with a few fresh faces, Hallam alludes to too many journeyman being in a comfort zone and maybe it is getting to that as the season ends. We need the cull to be quite intense if that is the case but depends on ME and his generosity towards MM. I am looking forward to a break now as this is getting harder by the week to defend, at this moment in time I am seriously wondering why the f*ck I am going to Middlesbrough on Saturday but at least I will have the pleasure of meeting up with Mach once again, that alone makes it worthwhile.

[number 9]

I don't think I feel sorry for MM at all, to be honest. Have we forgotten his comments after the January transfer window slammed shut?

“I’m not actively looking though. I have a really good squad and I keep telling everyone, I would rather concentrate on that than look for replacements. Where am I going to find those replacements anyway?"

One of the reason's for the team not performing could have something to do with the older players running out of juice. And unfortunately, 'age' is the nucleus of the team.

Still, there is optimism for next season. There's Knudsen progressing nicely, Andre hopefully moving up, and perhaps an injury free season for Bishop. I think we'll obviously need to replace a few starters. For one, I think Murphy should drop to the bench. He can be better utilized coming on late in games with his experience, and it will keep him fitter for the season. Obviously, a few defenders should be replaced (I'll be nice and not mention names). The hoof-ball needs to be thrown out of the barn. As we all know, the most work needs to be done on the midfield. If MM can find it in his limited tactical brain, maybe we should play with one Skuse or Douglas at a time. Let's get a few players in there who have vision and who know how to pass the bloody ball. Oh well, we'll see. Here's to another season in the Chimp. Cheers!

[Charnwood]

Well Mike, I'm back in Leicestershire at the weekend and ordinarily would have joined you and Mach at Middlesbrough which is a pretty easy trip from here albeit a couple of hours, but having read all the recent reports I just can't bring myself round to putting in the effort.

Golf course wins again I'm afraid, but hope you two have a good day out and at least enjoy a couple of pints at lunchtime, that's the only bit I miss.

[herforder]

Last night's dismal display, consistent with the majority seen at PR this season, reinforces the need for action - not words. Action required is obviously investment; but I fear that all we're going to get is words, amounting to more of the same. If that's the case, then the landscape for next season is potentially bleak. As has been said previously, crossroads reached.

[Charnwood]

I think any season ticket holder with any budget constraints will be giving serious consideration to not renewing their season ticket for next year given the poor performances at Portman Road this season. Any expenditure has to be value for money and the entertainment factor probably doesn't justify the lay out. If I lived locally I'd probably still be one of the daft ones to shell out, but it's probably makes more sense to hold back and see how the season starts before paying out.

When does the early bird offer start and end?... it will be interesting to see the take up after such a poor run of games at Portman Road.

[Bluemike]

Early bird deadline has passed and sales on ST are down 7%, to be honest 7 people in every 100 not renewing is hardly a mass exodus, those that have not taken up the option are probably waiting to see what the close season brings and some of them are likely to still but ST.

[Charnwood]

7% is a substantial reduction and would knock approx 1300 off an average home attendance if replicated on the gate by fans paying cash. Had we performed better at Portman Road it wouldn't have been unreasonable for Early Bird sales to have increased. Unfortunately it indicates a worrying sign that some fans may have had enough of watching poor quality football this season and aren't prepared to keep throwing hard earned money at their Football Club.

[herforder]

There will be those, me included, who will continue to support no matter what. My rationale is that depriving the club of income serves only to reduce the investment required to improve the squad; whilst my support isn't conditional - no matter how depressing and frustrating things can become. I've been doing it for too long! And, as always in football, the wheel eventually turns, and things improve. That said, I have total sympathy and understanding for those who decide that they are being significantly short-changed, and decide to bail out. Some of the stuff we have had to watch this season at PR had been truly awful, and saps the soul.

Perhaps what might have helped influence some who were wavering, would have been an unequivocal assurance from ME - not his mouthpiece - that he remains totally committed to the club, and recognised the need to provide MM with funding sufficient to sustain progress and push on. In the absence of any meaningful assurances, the assumption has to be that nothing much will change. Except of course that next season the 93 day emergency loan system disappears; hence MM's recent comments about the youngsters potentially having to step up.

I've also noticed questionable players' reactions to MM's touchline instructions, notably Murphy a couple of games ago. Taken with negligible recent investment, and rumblings of severe cash flow issues generally, for me there remain concerns over the club's real state of health.

[hallamblue]

I asked the question recently if MM and the players no longer see eye to eye. .......or have the players got wind of MM possibly leaving the Club in.the summer and don't feel the need to try anymore, ie demoralised ??