I agree completely. I'd be happy for a lower half finish (which is what I expect anyway, regardless of team selection) if he gave some of the kids a few games. Far better than bringing them all in for the cup games and them losing to lower league opposition. But I can't see it happening. It's not his way.tangfastic wrote:
This is where I disagree about Mick and youth. He only really put kids in when there were dead rubbers- meaningless games - at the end of last season. He started of with Emanuel at RB last season and got rid of him pretty quickly. If he's forced to playing kids, then that's the best, because his natural inclination is to go by tried and trusted.
Rumours Thread.
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Re: Rumours Thread.
- marko69
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Re: Rumours Thread.
If the kids are good enough, then play them. But an issue could be stage fright with some youngsters. I'll never forget Joe Tortolano for Hibs. Unbelievable talent, very Lionel Messi-like......., but couldn't produce in front of the larger crowds at places like Parkhead and Ibrox.
- herforder
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Re: Rumours Thread.
When you look at current squad size, and strength in depth, then the youngsters stand a better chance this season. Options to cover injuries, suspensions etc are limited.
- ashfordblue
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Re: Rumours Thread.
According to TWTD Fulham are showing interest in Tommy Smith, also Reading & Blackburn, if he goes you can bet he will play better, especially when playing left side of Centre Half, be interesting to see the outcome, also to see what dead meat loaned players Mick brings in, with all the loan players we've had the quality ones don't want to sign on a permanent basis, I wonder why ???could it be that hoof ball has some part to play in this,
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Re: Rumours Thread.
http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news ... post300741
I wouldnt be surprised if this had some merit in it. I wouldnt mind if TS did move on . I think it would be good for him and us . He is very be footed and very one dimensional IMHO and tends to hoof at every given oipportnity. In Webster will have a CB that will be twice that TS is. Sad but true , again in my opinion
I wouldnt be surprised if this had some merit in it. I wouldnt mind if TS did move on . I think it would be good for him and us . He is very be footed and very one dimensional IMHO and tends to hoof at every given oipportnity. In Webster will have a CB that will be twice that TS is. Sad but true , again in my opinion

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Re: Rumours Thread.
I can see it happening. I think a new contract has been on the table for a while and he may have made it known he is looking. Probably fed up with playing on the right.
However it does mean that we are even shorter of players given that MM said a few months ago clubs would need bigger squads as the emergency loans are not available. We have removed a net total of 10 registered players from the squad since May (Webster is a swap with Clarke in numbers terms) so Smith would see that come to 11.
We have issued a few first pro-deals to some teenagers (without these young ones I count 23 professionals currently on the books), but most of the others that are mentioned as coming through were on the pro books last season too - when we had to have 3 or 4 loans in the building to cover for injuries. given that we can't have this, we need at least 3 or 4 new signings to bring the numbers up to last season, let alone the bigger squad MM spoke about (which I would assume comes from giving the young ones a professional deal).
In total we probably need about 7 more players, 3 of which need to be improvements for the first team and the rest fillers to cover for injuries, of which we seemed to average 5 or 6 at any one time last season. Given the necessity to cover players without loans, I am surpirsed he let Varney go as there is no injury back up to Murphy at the club now....
However it does mean that we are even shorter of players given that MM said a few months ago clubs would need bigger squads as the emergency loans are not available. We have removed a net total of 10 registered players from the squad since May (Webster is a swap with Clarke in numbers terms) so Smith would see that come to 11.
We have issued a few first pro-deals to some teenagers (without these young ones I count 23 professionals currently on the books), but most of the others that are mentioned as coming through were on the pro books last season too - when we had to have 3 or 4 loans in the building to cover for injuries. given that we can't have this, we need at least 3 or 4 new signings to bring the numbers up to last season, let alone the bigger squad MM spoke about (which I would assume comes from giving the young ones a professional deal).
In total we probably need about 7 more players, 3 of which need to be improvements for the first team and the rest fillers to cover for injuries, of which we seemed to average 5 or 6 at any one time last season. Given the necessity to cover players without loans, I am surpirsed he let Varney go as there is no injury back up to Murphy at the club now....
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Re: Rumours Thread.
to be fair most of the players that have gone were dead wood and hardly played....but no doubt cost a fortune. What better way to bring our young talent through at a fraction of the cost. The squad probably needs 3 players to bolster senior players in it and back up can come from our kids. Nows the time to start bringing them through because next season there will be no loans and we don't want to have to buy in half dozen players. we couldn't afford to!
- The Odious Mr Rossi
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Re: Rumours Thread.
I'd much prefer if it was the totally useless Scottish defender that moved on - it was rumoured on here at the end of last season that he was likely to move to a Scottish club - sadly all the Scottish clubs seem to have decided they don't want him.hallamblue wrote:http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news ... post300741
I wouldnt be surprised if this had some merit in it. I wouldnt mind if TS did move on . I think it would be good for him and us . He is very be footed and very one dimensional IMHO and tends to hoof at every given oipportnity. In Webster will have a CB that will be twice that TS is. Sad but true , again in my opinion
- marko69
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Re: Rumours Thread.
I certainly do believe Berras best days are in the past. But he's also arguably been putting in 1.5 shifts per game due to Tommy's ball watching skills. May have been knackered long before anyone else. Wouldn't normally stick up for an ex Jambo but i do feel for him having to partner the liability. Smith to Fulham would definitely be the best close season news for me.
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Re: Rumours Thread.
This could well be true. We bought in the young kid from Pompey with a 'big' fee - he's surely intended to play. So was expecting Smith or Berra to leave - hopefully Berra - to free up a CB position.
Pity it would be TS because he's 26 and although he's got mistakes in him , for a CB , being 26 means you're coming to into your peak. Berra's over 30 and had a poor season. We don't have enough players around that age - over 30's and young kids coming through. Get the impression, Mick prefers Berra to Smith as well (remember he dropped Smith).
Pity it would be TS because he's 26 and although he's got mistakes in him , for a CB , being 26 means you're coming to into your peak. Berra's over 30 and had a poor season. We don't have enough players around that age - over 30's and young kids coming through. Get the impression, Mick prefers Berra to Smith as well (remember he dropped Smith).
- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Well the Smith nonsense has been played down as wide of the mark, tomorrows chip papers. Next bit of nonsense please. 

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Re: Rumours Thread.
Oh please please pleeeeeeeasse!!!ashfordblue wrote:According to TWTD Fulham are showing interest in Tommy Smith, also Reading & Blackburn, if he goes you can bet he will play better, especially when playing left side of Centre Half, be interesting to see the outcome, also to see what dead meat loaned players Mick brings in, with all the loan players we've had the quality ones don't want to sign on a permanent basis, I wonder why ???could it be that hoof ball has some part to play in this,
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Berra will be out by end of August then.
We need some transfer news other than Robinson to Bromley
We need some transfer news other than Robinson to Bromley

- Charnwood
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Forgive me if I've missed something, but why will Berra be out by August, do you mean dropped or sold?
- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Not sure I can handle another 9 months of this LOL.
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Oh for christ's sake.... No .... just people waiting for the season to start and some real news.Charnwood wrote:Forgive me if I've missed something, but why will Berra be out by August, do you mean dropped or sold?

There's no news flying around. So ... can see we might want offload a CB with the new kid bought for a fair sum.... so the TS story made sense. Blue Mikes on top of it and he's not going.... so if we need to offload a CB ... guessing it would be Berra.
Just saying... and NO it's not news... just idle discussion.
It's fair game on a forum.... which basically has been dull as f*ck for a while.
Bring on the season and the moans, brief glimpses of optimism and most of all the other crap that happens between games.
- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
OK OK dull as f*ck, I agree with that, do you want me to drum up some heated discussion/ arguments ?? 

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Re: Rumours Thread.
Yesbluemike wrote:OK OK dull as f*ck, I agree with that, do you want me to drum up some heated discussion/ arguments ??
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Nobluemike wrote:OK OK dull as f*ck, I agree with that, do you want me to drum up some heated discussion/ arguments ??
- herforder
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Only if you can find something that's never been covered on here before! Good luck with that.bluemike wrote:OK OK dull as f*ck, I agree with that, do you want me to drum up some heated discussion/ arguments ??

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Re: Rumours Thread.
July 19th...still no further transfer activity for ITFC. Should I be concerned???
- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
No, not yet.number 9 wrote:July 19th...still no further transfer activity for ITFC. Should I be concerned???

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Re: Rumours Thread.
We kick off in 3 weeks I think and you can be as sure as sure the starting 11 will be basically the same. Bart in goal. Chambers right back Smith and Berra across then Knudsen. Same o same o. New centre back Webster wont get a look in unless someone is injured. Murphy & Mcgoldrick up front. Skuse, Hyam, Bishop and possibly... oh yes Sears 4-3-3. And Barnsley wont be shocked either!!bluemike wrote:No, not yet.number 9 wrote:July 19th...still no further transfer activity for ITFC. Should I be concerned???

- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
You could well be right Derick although I see Douglas or Bru in ahead of Hyam, I also wonder if both Didsy & Murphy will be ready to start so pitman may be in there too. Webster would probabl;y have had a better shout with a full pre season behind him but I think he is not earmarked to get his first run out until Saturday at Cambridge. Any new arrivals may well not even be here by 6th August.derick_ipsw wrote:We kick off in 3 weeks I think and you can be as sure as sure the starting 11 will be basically the same. Bart in goal. Chambers right back Smith and Berra across then Knudsen. Same o same o. New centre back Webster wont get a look in unless someone is injured. Murphy & Mcgoldrick up front. Skuse, Hyam, Bishop and possibly... oh yes Sears 4-3-3. And Barnsley wont be shocked either!!bluemike wrote:No, not yet.number 9 wrote:July 19th...still no further transfer activity for ITFC. Should I be concerned???
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- herforder
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Sky News reporting that Sam Allardyce will be appointed as next England Manager within the next 24 hours.
Get the most out of those precious hours, Sam! Your life's about to change dramatically; don't forget to collect your body armour before the Press Conference!
Get the most out of those precious hours, Sam! Your life's about to change dramatically; don't forget to collect your body armour before the Press Conference!

- Dubai Blue
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Re: Rumours Thread.
Soo negative on here. I don't think we can call the starting XI until later in the friendlies to be honest but I would note with interest at this stage:
1. Pitman is already on target regularly....
2. Dozzell is starting games, maybe he will start against Barnsley? If not then surely Bishop (not both).
3. I don't see why we would pay 750k for Webster and not plan to start him - I still think Berra might be a sub for that first game, but performances in the remaining friendlies will sort that one out.
4. As always we can expect any loans from Prem to be finalised during the fist month of the season. It's disruptive but that's the way the system is rigged.
5. MM has already said that they are taking their time with McGoldrick and building a core strength platform to try to reduce the frequency of injuries, I don't feel sure that he will start against Barnsley. It's basically like saying that he didn't really complete his rehabilitation from that injury a couple of seasons back IMO.
1. Pitman is already on target regularly....
2. Dozzell is starting games, maybe he will start against Barnsley? If not then surely Bishop (not both).
3. I don't see why we would pay 750k for Webster and not plan to start him - I still think Berra might be a sub for that first game, but performances in the remaining friendlies will sort that one out.
4. As always we can expect any loans from Prem to be finalised during the fist month of the season. It's disruptive but that's the way the system is rigged.
5. MM has already said that they are taking their time with McGoldrick and building a core strength platform to try to reduce the frequency of injuries, I don't feel sure that he will start against Barnsley. It's basically like saying that he didn't really complete his rehabilitation from that injury a couple of seasons back IMO.
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Re: Rumours Thread.
DB I think it reflects the genral low mood amongst Town fans.
Its even worse (than usual!) on TWTD at the moment . I think fans feel the Club are stagnating and being left behind, as the sky money amongst PL failures starts to affect the Championship. It certainly isnt a level playing any more, and as its longest "serving" Club , Town are almost suffering for their "consistancy"!!
Its even worse (than usual!) on TWTD at the moment . I think fans feel the Club are stagnating and being left behind, as the sky money amongst PL failures starts to affect the Championship. It certainly isnt a level playing any more, and as its longest "serving" Club , Town are almost suffering for their "consistancy"!!
- Bluemike
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Re: Rumours Thread.
I couldn't agree with you more Dubai, the attitude amongst Town fans in general is awful and that's before a ball has even been kicked. All the points you make are valid ones, only last night MM confirmed talks are ongoing with several targets, some loans and some not but hey let's all bloody moan anyway. There are positives to talk about too, some you have outlined already, sadly I don't think too highly of Town fans the last 2 or 3 years.Dubai Blue wrote:Soo negative on here. I don't think we can call the starting XI until later in the friendlies to be honest but I would note with interest at this stage:
1. Pitman is already on target regularly....
2. Dozzell is starting games, maybe he will start against Barnsley? If not then surely Bishop (not both).
3. I don't see why we would pay 750k for Webster and not plan to start him - I still think Berra might be a sub for that first game, but performances in the remaining friendlies will sort that one out.
4. As always we can expect any loans from Prem to be finalised during the fist month of the season. It's disruptive but that's the way the system is rigged.
5. MM has already said that they are taking their time with McGoldrick and building a core strength platform to try to reduce the frequency of injuries, I don't feel sure that he will start against Barnsley. It's basically like saying that he didn't really complete his rehabilitation from that injury a couple of seasons back IMO.
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Re: Rumours Thread.
I'm afraid I see it from the other side. Last season saw us play some of the poorest football I can remember. There have been no additions yet to the squad to suggest this will improve. we have some youngsters butbluemike wrote:I couldn't agree with you more Dubai, the attitude amongst Town fans in general is awful and that's before a ball has even been kicked. All the points you make are valid ones, only last night MM confirmed talks are ongoing with several targets, some loans and some not but hey let's all bloody moan anyway. There are positives to talk about too, some you have outlined already, sadly I don't think too highly of Town fans the last 2 or 3 years.Dubai Blue wrote:Soo negative on here. I don't think we can call the starting XI until later in the friendlies to be honest but I would note with interest at this stage:
1. Pitman is already on target regularly....
2. Dozzell is starting games, maybe he will start against Barnsley? If not then surely Bishop (not both).
3. I don't see why we would pay 750k for Webster and not plan to start him - I still think Berra might be a sub for that first game, but performances in the remaining friendlies will sort that one out.
4. As always we can expect any loans from Prem to be finalised during the fist month of the season. It's disruptive but that's the way the system is rigged.
5. MM has already said that they are taking their time with McGoldrick and building a core strength platform to try to reduce the frequency of injuries, I don't feel sure that he will start against Barnsley. It's basically like saying that he didn't really complete his rehabilitation from that injury a couple of seasons back IMO.
(a) I would have preferred to see one or two given a chance during the second half of last season, and
(b) shoving a load of them out for a cup game is hardly ideal, as they get outplayed by lower league sides.
Friendlies are little more than fitness exercises I know, but by all accounts there has been nothing to suggest anything better this season, except for Murphy looking more ready top start the season last night, and Bishop looking sharp if we can keep him fit. The squad at present lacks any width and no doubt we'll see square pegs in round holes again.
Personally I am quite relieved to see the negativity on here for 2 reasons.
Firstly it shows that some of those who had high hopes for last season (all those "much better squad than last season, we'll get promoted" thoughts) are facing up to reality.
Secondly, if a majority accept that we aren't promotion candidates, maybe, just maybe, the manager will at least try to entertain us with some proper football and also give the youngsters a chance - something sadly lacking in recent years.
I'd be happy if we finished about 15th or so if we did those two things. If we achieve that position with p*ss poor football played by an ageing bunch playing out of position, I'd be far less happy.