Ambitious! You Must Be Joking.

[barmy billy]

Having followed the departures over the summer and apparent involvement of younger players, I find myself coming back to the same question, ie how ambtitious are the club's owner and manager?

I still think Evans is happy to continue in the same vein as has done for the last couple of seasons. If he is serious about taking ITFC to the Premier League, he seems go about it in a funny way. There has to be an ulterior motive.

MM has always said he wants to manage in the Premiership again, preferbly with ITFC. By endorsing Evans make-do philosophy of living off scraps and muddling through, he again is not showing much ambition as he must surely realise that once again ITFC is very likely to be consigned to the Championship for the forseeable future.

[marko69]

I tend to agree, BB. Having also kept a eye on the close season activity; unless these youngsters are top quality, ITFC will aspire to fk all this season.

[WBBlue]

Given that our losses are circa 62% lower than the new FFP threshold (not allowing for single season spikes on the £39m over 3 season rule), it suggests that the £5m loss ME appears to budget for is just a way of allowing one company in the group to operate at a loss for taxation purposes whilst giving him a cheap avenue to promote his corporate business through sponsorship.

I'm not sure if the headline sponsorship figures get released in the accounts now (I no longer get a full copy as he put a stop to that for the original share holders), but as the year on year total commercial income falls, it suggests we are unlikely to be getting the maximum benefit of this as we may get from an indipendent third party, so the amount paid out and the tax write offs for a propostion of the outlay is probably very good business.

Of course the return on this if the Club was in the Premiership is massive but I don't think he is prepared to take a financial gamble that leaves him in any way exposed (even though he is worth more as an individual than many of the owners taking this gamble), given that he tried that 6-8 or so years ago and it failed...

[herforder]

With the extended Early Bird season ticket deadline ending today, the other side of the 'risk' equation is the number of supporters who, having lost faith in ME's investment intent, decide not to renew. Thereby depriving the club of income, requiring ME to increase his commitment to basic running costs, and probably reducing even further the amount available to improve the squad.

For some, as discussed elsewhere, this might not be a huge issue, since it might provide opportunities for some of the youngsters. For others, however, winning football matches with a reasonable standard of entertaining football, whilst displaying a convincing commitment to attaining promotion, is what underpins their support.

Others, still, whose support is wired into their DNA - and have lived through both good and bad times - will never consider giving up. ME is the best show in town at present, and his continued commitment, however constrained, is critical. But he won't necessarily be around for ever and then, who knows?

[Bluemike]

With the extended Early Bird season ticket deadline ending today, the other side of the 'risk' equation is the number of supporters who, having lost faith in ME's investment intent, decide not to renew. Thereby depriving the club of income, requiring ME to increase his commitment to basic running costs, and probably reducing even further the amount available to improve the squad.

For some, as discussed elsewhere, this might not be a huge issue, since it might provide opportunities for some of the youngsters. For others, however, winning football matches with a reasonable standard of entertaining football, whilst displaying a convincing commitment to attaining promotion, is what underpins their support.

Others, still, whose support is wired into their DNA - and have lived through both good and bad times - will never consider giving up. ME is the best show in town at present, and his continued commitment, however constrained, is critical. But he won't necessarily be around for ever and then, who knows?

That is exactly right, people can't have it both ways but they don't grasp it.

[larrylamb]

With the extended Early Bird season ticket deadline ending today, the other side of the 'risk' equation is the number of supporters who, having lost faith in ME's investment intent, decide not to renew. Thereby depriving the club of income, requiring ME to increase his commitment to basic running costs, and probably reducing even further the amount available to improve the squad.

For some, as discussed elsewhere, this might not be a huge issue, since it might provide opportunities for some of the youngsters. For others, however, winning football matches with a reasonable standard of entertaining football, whilst displaying a convincing commitment to attaining promotion, is what underpins their support.

Others, still, whose support is wired into their DNA - and have lived through both good and bad times - will never consider giving up. ME is the best show in town at present, and his continued commitment, however constrained, is critical. But he won't necessarily be around for ever and then, who knows?

That is exactly right, people can't have it both ways but they don't grasp it.

Mike sorry but really think that cobblers , you really think even if we had the same ticket sales as last season ME would have spent that money to improve that squad.?? because i certainly don,t..all to easy to shift blame to so called negative support. When what can you honestly expect , the club has done bugger all in the transfer market..one defender..because that's where we all knew we were short..!! ..we lost players and just signed on the youth..no issue with those guys coming through , but the squad needs strengthening to stand any chance of top six (we look like a middle / bottom half club on paper at present imo )..but to say supporters want it both ways is ...well...utter bollocks...the club has done bugger all over the last few seasons except a load of old flannel ...squad wise and this season could be a real slog given what "has not" happened in the market to date.

[arana peligrosa]

Quote : 'McCarthy says he wants to manage a team in the EPL' - guessing that's the objective of every team coach outside of the top division, McCarthy making such a disclosure doesn't make him unique or special, it's merely what they all aspire to from this league to lower level.

We know there isn't infinite money to spend and we've been getting by on a small budget but for the last time it's not always about expenditure and that substantial spending provides success. Yes we haven't made much of an impact on this summers transfer scene and any names or additions to the squad have met with indifference but realistically what were you expecting to encounter.

Not really fair to castigate any one individual before the new season has even got underway but following on from before, unless McCarthy radically alters his mindset and sets out with a more ambitious demeanor , we can expect very little once the new campaign is up and running. Hell there could be some Leicester-esque scenario ahead where we storm the league and go on to be champions but dreams and reality can become far detached.

[bluepeter]

I really think Didsey,Murph and Bishop fit for the majority of the season will make a BIG difference.Together with a few youngsters making their mark.
Regarding ST sales its all boll**** I have never had one and I never will. Saturdays I cannot give exclusively to footie but the likes of me are the fans MM/Evans wants to swell their coffers and hit 20k every week. By 16:50 I will know the result and a win makes my weekend. I don't live a stones throw from Ipswich so I enjoy a few away days almost as easy to do as a home game.
If we can build FPR,beat scum early doors I will be going up and down the A14 on a regular basis.

[Bluemike]

With the extended Early Bird season ticket deadline ending today, the other side of the 'risk' equation is the number of supporters who, having lost faith in ME's investment intent, decide not to renew. Thereby depriving the club of income, requiring ME to increase his commitment to basic running costs, and probably reducing even further the amount available to improve the squad.

For some, as discussed elsewhere, this might not be a huge issue, since it might provide opportunities for some of the youngsters. For others, however, winning football matches with a reasonable standard of entertaining football, whilst displaying a convincing commitment to attaining promotion, is what underpins their support.

Others, still, whose support is wired into their DNA - and have lived through both good and bad times - will never consider giving up. ME is the best show in town at present, and his continued commitment, however constrained, is critical. But he won't necessarily be around for ever and then, who knows?

That is exactly right, people can't have it both ways but they don't grasp it.

Mike sorry but really think that cobblers , you really think even if we had the same ticket sales as last season ME would have spent that money to improve that squad.?? because i certainly don,t..all to easy to shift blame to so called negative support. When what can you honestly expect , the club has done bugger all in the transfer market..one defender..because that's where we all knew we were short..!! ..we lost players and just signed on the youth..no issue with those guys coming through , but the squad needs strengthening to stand any chance of top six (we look like a middle / bottom half club on paper at present imo )..but to say supporters want it both ways is ...well...utter bollocks...the club has done bugger all over the last few seasons except a load of old flannel ...squad wise and this season could be a real slog given what "has not" happened in the market to date.

Larry, you are entitled to believe what you believe, for me it is obvious, any businessman will tell you if their income drops then spending and other things are affected, you still have wages to pay for players & staff, you still have overheads and all the other lovely little add ons that just won't go away need to be paid, clearly the first and main thing that will be suffering is your spending power, this for me is no different.

I just don't get this bglinkered view from many Town fans that spending money is the only way forward, spent wisely of course it helps, but picking up freebies and loans can also work too, after all it has worked for us pretty well the last two seasons. It was not the lack of spending that cost us last season, it was the players failing to perfom at home against 6 or 7 mediocre teams that should have beaten, the players we have should easily have been good enough to win those games, but just like you or I they had off days which cost us, it is no surprise to me that this always happened at home and people know my views as to why.

Regardless of whether we have spent much or not for me we ARE stronger than last season already, Webster, Bishop, Didsy, Stewart, Digby for whatever reason were not available to us last season, that is Five additions to our options already, we also lost Murphy to a couple of lengthy spells on the sidelines which affected us big time, add to this Dozzell, McDonnell, Kenlock & Emmanuel who have all now had some first team action and we are way stronger than we were with the likes of Toure, Tabb, Malarzcyk, Varney etc in the squad. We will be seing at least 2/3 further new arrivals, signings or loans it matters not but that is going to happen, it could even be after the season starts which isn't ideal but when they do arrive it will strengthen us further. This narrow vision of having to spend is quite frankly what is bollocks.

[herforder]

Cards on the table, ME would not neessarily be my first choice to own our Club. But we are where we are.

Derby is the obvious recent example of money not guaranteeing PL success; ME tried it, got badly burned, and has decided - leading to supporter frustration - to impose a very conservative business model. One that has to fit with the other areas of his empire which presumably provide the up front cash that keeps us running. Owning a football club is a money pit - even before thinking about the sort of cash needed to purchase often average players. On that basis, ME's commitment to the academy, a manager and support staff who get the maximum from the minimum and meeting the annual gap between the club's income and expenditure, perhaps isn't so shabby an investment. But fully recognise that probably only keeps us either just marking time, or waiting for some of the youngsters to come through to achieve more progress.

Don't know enough about ME's empire to determine whether his overall turnover couldallow greater investment; or whether he's decided the current levels are as much as he's prepared to commit. I think it's fairly obvious, however, that he won't risk damaging his wider business interests by risking - as he sees it - disproportionate investment in ITFC.

[number 9]

I really think Didsey,Murph and Bishop fit for the majority of the season will make a BIG difference.Together with a few youngsters making their mark.
Regarding ST sales its all boll**** I have never had one and I never will. Saturdays I cannot give exclusively to footie but the likes of me are the fans MM/Evans wants to swell their coffers and hit 20k every week. By 16:50 I will know the result and a win makes my weekend. I don't live a stones throw from Ipswich so I enjoy a few away days almost as easy to do as a home game.
If we can build FPR,beat scum early doors I will be going up and down the A14 on a regular basis.

HaHaHa!

[barmy billy]

What about MM's ambition and wanting to manage in the Premiership. He's either deluding himself or just settling for an easy life by buying into whatever ME says.

[number 9]

What about MM's ambition and wanting to manage in the Premiership. He's either deluding himself or just settling for an easy life by buying into whatever ME says.

I think by going along with ME's plan of minimal investment in the squad, it allows MM to have an excuse if the team doesn't progress. It's really a win win situation for MM because on the one hand he'll be lauded for doing so much with so little if the team does well, and on the other hand he'll be irreproachable if the team capitulates. Must be nice being the ITFC manager...

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

With the extended Early Bird season ticket deadline ending today, the other side of the 'risk' equation is the number of supporters who, having lost faith in ME's investment intent, decide not to renew. Thereby depriving the club of income, requiring ME to increase his commitment to basic running costs, and probably reducing even further the amount available to improve the squad.

For some, as discussed elsewhere, this might not be a huge issue, since it might provide opportunities for some of the youngsters. For others, however, winning football matches with a reasonable standard of entertaining football, whilst displaying a convincing commitment to attaining promotion, is what underpins their support.

Others, still, whose support is wired into their DNA - and have lived through both good and bad times - will never consider giving up. ME is the best show in town at present, and his continued commitment, however constrained, is critical. But he won't necessarily be around for ever and then, who knows?

The level of support for Evans is utterly staggering.

This ain't a dig at you Herforder or anyone else but do you really believe Evans would have increased his commitment with bigger ST ticket sales. He doesn't give a bloody f to make us stronger and better !

Lower ST ticket sales? Has he ever done anything serious to entice stay away fans to come back? Portman Road is one of the most expensive places in the league. Add to this lack of ambition to get promoted and you wonder why our crowds keep dwindling. A few more seasons in this league and we'll 'reach' 11-12k average attendances.

January 2015 was a 'perfect' example of Evans' commitment. Comfortable 2nd place, the team would ooze confidence and we only signed Sears because he was very cheap. Last year Mings' sale and large part of the money re-invested in dross' contracts (Coke, Varney, Toure).

Anyway.... as long as we're among 4-5 clubs flirting with the 6th place it'll keep Evans and his brigade happy. That brigade will never be against him. Never ever ! The man has an easiest environment in football to work within.

I predict he'll sell Bishop for a few millions next summer (if the player has a good season) and subsequently give Mick 300k to spend + offer contracts to some cheap freebies and pay percent of loanees' wages. His brigade will still keep telling us how 'committed and great' he is.

Even if we are relegated to League One he'll be forgiven for that and his policy defended by many !

Even if he ever wants us to play in yellow shirts he'll be still forgiven for that by his brigade !!!

....

Ranting and moaning from me but I can't understand that huge level of support. FFP used to be an eternal excuse for him, now different things. Hardly have I ever been so underwhelmed before new season as I am now. 'Happy Ipswich in the Championship' with no hunger to be in the Premier League. Just stuck in this poxy league

I'll never ever stop attending Town matches as ITFC is my life but I'm very frustrated and angered with lack of ambition to be a Premier League club.

[Bluemike]

The point being made Mach is totally valid whether you support ME or not, with a drop in revenue due to loss of ticket sales etc ME will be stumping up more of his own money to cover the every day costs of running the club, that is a fact.

Who is the ME brigade you speak of ? Are these the people who try to support the owner with what he is trying to do ? There ain't a lot of people out there willing to buy a club not long out of Administration and owing 87 Million quid so it is kinda understandable some find it ok to support him for saving our club, yes it's a long time ago but the point is and always will be valid, we were closer than you know from being gone, simple as that, so I guess when some fans are forgiving of his shortcomings in splashing the cash this can be part of what is in their minds.

I don't see myself as being in any kind of "Brigade" by the way, and I sure as hell will never join the one that constantly moans about everything from lack of spending and ambition to the colour of the toilet paper at Portman Road, support clearly comes in many different guises and we all have a choice on what we deem to be "support", sometimes just turning up come what may doesn't cut it for me because I have seen these plebs hurling their abuse at the players if a result hasn't gone our way, or a kid has maybe given away a penalty in the last minute, if that is support they can keep it.

[hallamblue]

Sadly Mike what you say is true.

If Town breach this FFP and go into administration again we will be finished. Simple as that.

I really love the thought that we are going to see young talent come through this season.

[Bluemike]

Sadly Mike what you say is true.

If Town breach this FFP and go into administration again we will be finished. Simple as that.

I really love the thought that we are going to see young talent come through this season.

This is the point many Town fans can't get through their heads, a lot of the clubs that we are compared to in the spending stakes do NOT have our history of Admin etc and as such can afford to flout the laws to a degree and gamble, we can't, we would be seen as serial offenders and be punished heavily, but hey ho lets keep calling for f**king millions to be spent and then crap ourselves when the sh*t hits the fan !!! Beggars belief and pisses me off to the max, so much bloody stupidity about.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Sadly Mike what you say is true.

If Town breach this FFP and go into administration again we will be finished. Simple as that.

I really love the thought that we are going to see young talent come through this season.

This is the point many Town fans can't get through their heads, a lot of the clubs that we are compared to in the spending stakes do NOT have our history of Admin etc and as such can afford to flout the laws to a degree and gamble, we can't, we would be seen as serial offenders and be punished heavily, but hey ho lets keep calling for f**king millions to be spent and then crap ourselves when the sh*t hits the fan !!! Beggars belief and pisses me off to the max, so much bloody stupidity about.

To be fair, Mike, this is a very contentious subject and there is probably no one correct answer to it.

I can understand fans who call for investment - there are clubs in similar positions to us that have invested far more heavily than us, and there is also the matter of what happened to the transfer money we received for Mings etc. Sure ME has to dip into his own pocket, but after all, he is the owner.

On the other hand, we cannot afford to go down the road to administration again - the club was fortunate to be able to go into administration and plenty of local businesses got shafted in the process, I do not think that could happen again.

I suspect the true position is somewhere midway between the 2 - we could afford to invest a bit more than we have done, but for whatever reason ME is not prepared to do so.

So on that basis I have adjusted my expectations going forward - I do not expect us to be in any danger of relegation out of this division, but similarly I cannot see how we will ever get promoted, given the superior resources of some of the other clubs in the Championship: and the ever increasing parachute payments for relegated Premier clubs will - I firmly believe - make it more difficult for us year on year.

So for this season, all I'm looking for is an improvement in the standard of football played.

[hallamblue]

....and the academy players being blooded at times this season (if not more ), and a finish of just outside the PO's likely.

[Bluemike]

Sadly Mike what you say is true.

If Town breach this FFP and go into administration again we will be finished. Simple as that.

I really love the thought that we are going to see young talent come through this season.

This is the point many Town fans can't get through their heads, a lot of the clubs that we are compared to in the spending stakes do NOT have our history of Admin etc and as such can afford to flout the laws to a degree and gamble, we can't, we would be seen as serial offenders and be punished heavily, but hey ho lets keep calling for f**king millions to be spent and then crap ourselves when the sh*t hits the fan !!! Beggars belief and pisses me off to the max, so much bloody stupidity about.

To be fair, Mike, this is a very contentious subject and there is probably no one correct answer to it.

I can understand fans who call for investment - there are clubs in similar positions to us that have invested far more heavily than us, and there is also the matter of what happened to the transfer money we received for Mings etc. Sure ME has to dip into his own pocket, but after all, he is the owner.

On the other hand, we cannot afford to go down the road to administration again - the club was fortunate to be able to go into administration and plenty of local businesses got shafted in the process, I do not think that could happen again.

I suspect the true position is somewhere midway between the 2 - we could afford to invest a bit more than we have done, but for whatever reason ME is not prepared to do so.

So on that basis I have adjusted my expectations going forward - I do not expect us to be in any danger of relegation out of this division, but similarly I cannot see how we will ever get promoted, given the superior resources of some of the other clubs in the Championship: and the ever increasing parachute payments for relegated Premier clubs will - I firmly believe - make it more difficult for us year on year.

So for this season, all I'm looking for is an improvement in the standard of football played.

Good points well made Rossi, and I can't argue with much of it. A couple of things I would add though, firstly for us to spend 750K+ on Adam Webster is big for us believe it or not, many won't agree but it is, MM is also repeatedly saying talks are ongoing with targets, some loans and some outright deals, now whether that turns out to be freebies or fees remains to be seen but as yet we don't really know the level of ME's commitment to spending. I would also add this is as much MM being stubborn as it is ME, I would bet on it.

The other thing is the money from the sale of Mings, firstly I am pretty certain we haven't received the vast majority of it as yet, I think I am right in saying it is to be paid in instalments over a period of time. I also believe it is being used in part for improved contracts, most notably Mick McCarthy & Terry Connor. The standard of football, particularly at home does have to improve and again MM has acknowledged this himself, already from what I have seen in pre season of Bishop, Didsy, Webster and Dozzell it will improve, we will never be Barcelona but I think we can hope for more attractive fare this time around.

[marko69]

I suspect the true position is somewhere midway between the 2 - we could afford to invest a bit more than we have done, but for whatever reason ME is not prepared to do so.

Some excellent discussions there.

But there is a danger of it swinging around and placing blame on Mick slightly. The "whatever reason" may be that he doesn't trust the signings.

BUT, it's a catch 22, because Mick can't buy superstars with the money offered.

Fans will see it from both angles and both sets will always have very strong opinions on it. That's not just an Ipswich Town thing.

I'm personally with MPB on it, although if MPB wants trillions spent, then I'm not!! I get from Mach, that just a little more investment is needed to properly challenge. Not breaking the bank, but just a bit more. It'll then be Micks fault if he does a Roy Keane with it and buys a Tampon.

And Bluemike........., toilet paper at Portman Road? FFS, and some fans are STILL moaning.

[number 9]

Interesting comments from ME's current a former employees in this review:
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Marcu ... E17785.htm

Small base salaries, stagnant and un-realistic expectations from management seems appropriate when compared to how ME runs ITFC.

Further, I thought ME absorbed ITFC's debt when he purchased the club? So, in reality the 89 million is owed to himself...right? I don't really understand how we could be in danger of a recurrence of administration if ME is holding the debt? Can someone explain...I'm really not understanding. Of course, the only way that debt will ever be balanced is by being promoted. I've talked about the ME conundrum in previous posts, so I won't embellish anymore.

Last thing, yes we remember at the end of last season Ian Milne assuring us that ME is/was ready to invest in the squad. Then suddenly, ME's company is being sued by UEFA for unethical business practices for EURO16 ticket purchases...and now the money for investment in the squad seems to be missing...coincidence?

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Sadly Mike what you say is true.

If Town breach this FFP and go into administration again we will be finished. Simple as that.

I really love the thought that we are going to see young talent come through this season.

Liz, please !!!!!!!!!!!!! Not FFP !!!!

As we all know FFP is the bollox somehow though applies to Ipswich Town more than anyone else. Eternal lame excuse for Evans not giving a 'f' about making us better.

FFP has been loosened lately and clubs are allowed to make 13m on minus per season. So how on earth 1-2m signing who could improve the team is going to be a danger for the clubs existence? No chance. No bloody way.

That young talent you mention is going to be sold next summer or 2-3 years time and 'Super Marcus' will use the money to offer contracts to all cheap freebies, dinosaurs, loanees etc etc.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

The point being made Mach is totally valid whether you support ME or not, with a drop in revenue due to loss of ticket sales etc ME will be stumping up more of his own money to cover the every day costs of running the club, that is a fact.

Who is the ME brigade you speak of ? Are these the people who try to support the owner with what he is trying to do ? There ain't a lot of people out there willing to buy a club not long out of Administration and owing 87 Million quid so it is kinda understandable some find it ok to support him for saving our club, yes it's a long time ago but the point is and always will be valid, we were closer than you know from being gone, simple as that, so I guess when some fans are forgiving of his shortcomings in splashing the cash this can be part of what is in their minds.

I don't see myself as being in any kind of "Brigade" by the way, and I sure as hell will never join the one that constantly moans about everything from lack of spending and ambition to the colour of the toilet paper at Portman Road, support clearly comes in many different guises and we all have a choice on what we deem to be "support", sometimes just turning up come what may doesn't cut it for me because I have seen these plebs hurling their abuse at the players if a result hasn't gone our way, or a kid has maybe given away a penalty in the last minute, if that is support they can keep it.

Mike this is my answer to this post and what you've posted to Hallams.

First and foremost: have I ever said I want the club to splash loads of millions? Never ! Why are people like me being credited with that? Me and others who wants the club to progress, to show the ambition?

Mike you have your own views. I have mine. We can talk years about Evans and will always disagree. He isn't interested to make us better and stronger. Three key moments have been the best example of that:

1. January 2015 when we were on the really good platform and nothing was done.
2. Cresswells sale.
3. Mings' sale. 9m. 9 bloody millions and nothing, literally nothing has been done to make us stronger and better. Nothing is being done today either.

What I want is reasonable investment to make us stronger and more competitive. Not players like Coke, Toure, Varney !!!
Wingers have been a priority this summer. The season is about to begin, Mick when asked yesterday after the Cambridge game about new arrivals has said: “No, still working on it. Hopefully we’ll get something but at the moment nothing's happening.”

Nothings happening. Surprise surprise ! So we're basically waiting for some scraps of the table and cheap available freebies. You may tell me that McGoldrick and Bishop are going to be like new signings. Yes you're right with that but I want to see Evans' intentions !!! I want some boost and hope from him ! What do I get as a fan? f*ck all No hope at all ! Same old story every summer and we are going to continue 'lets see what happens' approach.

You mention plebs hurling abuse at the players. That's been the case for years with ITFC support. People are saying now we have promising youngsters. These players will have a torrid time if things aren't going well. Remember the Barnsley game and 1-3 defeat when Keane was the manager? Our 'fans' had been cheering Barnsley passes and jeering players and Keane had to mention that on one of the press conferences.

We are different Mike. We have different views when it comes to all things Marcus Evans. You're far happier than me and with far better mood ahead of new season. I'm different. I can't see any hunger from the club to be in the Premier League. Obviously nothing is guaranteed but as long as the club wants that and show an ambition I'm fine. I want more than a few fist pumps from Chambers !!!

At this moment the best we can hope for in my opinion is midtable. Continuity of current policy will lead us down to League One in 2,3,4 years time.

[Dubai Blue]

I guess that reading between the lines we had better hope that ME makes much bigger profits in his other businesses so that he needs a much bigger loss to set against it for tax purposes

Something like around £13m looks about right

[Bluemike]

The point being made Mach is totally valid whether you support ME or not, with a drop in revenue due to loss of ticket sales etc ME will be stumping up more of his own money to cover the every day costs of running the club, that is a fact.

Who is the ME brigade you speak of ? Are these the people who try to support the owner with what he is trying to do ? There ain't a lot of people out there willing to buy a club not long out of Administration and owing 87 Million quid so it is kinda understandable some find it ok to support him for saving our club, yes it's a long time ago but the point is and always will be valid, we were closer than you know from being gone, simple as that, so I guess when some fans are forgiving of his shortcomings in splashing the cash this can be part of what is in their minds.

I don't see myself as being in any kind of "Brigade" by the way, and I sure as hell will never join the one that constantly moans about everything from lack of spending and ambition to the colour of the toilet paper at Portman Road, support clearly comes in many different guises and we all have a choice on what we deem to be "support", sometimes just turning up come what may doesn't cut it for me because I have seen these plebs hurling their abuse at the players if a result hasn't gone our way, or a kid has maybe given away a penalty in the last minute, if that is support they can keep it.

Mike this is my answer to this post and what you've posted to Hallams.

First and foremost: have I ever said I want the club to splash loads of millions? Never ! Why are people like me being credited with that? Me and others who wants the club to progress, to show the ambition?

Mike you have your own views. I have mine. We can talk years about it and will always disagree. Marcus Evans isn't interested to make us better and stronger. Three key moments have been the best example of that:

1. January 2015 when we were on the really good platform and nothing was done.
2. Cresswells sale.
3. Mings' sale. 9m. 9 bloody millions and nothing, literally nothing has been done to make us stronger and better. Nothing is being done today either.

What I want is reasonable investment to make us stronger and more competitive. Not players like Coke, Toure, Varney !!!
Wingers have been a priority this summer. The season is about to begin, Mick when asked yesterday after the Cambridge game about new arrivals has said: “No, still working on it. Hopefully we’ll get something but at the moment nothing's happening.”

Nothings happening. Surprise surprise ! So we're basically waiting for some scraps of the table and cheap available freebies. You may tell me that McGoldrick and Bishop are going to be like new signings. Yes you're right with that but I want to see Evans' intentions !!! I want some boost and hope from him ! What do I get as a fan? f*ck all No hope at all ! Same old story every summer and we are going to continue 'lets see what happens' approach.

You mention plebs hurling abuse at the players. That's been the case for years with ITFC support. People are saying now we have promising youngsters. These players will have a torrid time if things aren't going well. Remember the Barnsley game and 1-3 defeat when Keane was the manager? Our 'fans' had been cheering Barnsley passes and jeering players and Keane had to mention that on one of the press conferences.

We are different Mike. We have different views when it comes to all things Marcus Evans. You're far happier than me and with far better mood ahead of new season. I'm different. I can't see any hunger from the club to be in the Premier League. Obviously nothing is guaranteed but as long as the club wants that and show an ambition I'm fine. I want more than a few fist pumps from Chambers !!!

At this moment the best we can hope for in my opinion is midtable. Continuity of current policy will lead us down to League One in 2,3,4 years time.

Mach we can argue forever and a day about what is right and what is wrong and we will still never agree, personally I am glad the club are doing it the correct way. I don't know what is so hard to understand in that MM is still in talks with potential new signings so how can anyone say what our intentions are and how much we are prepared to spend, how much would you have quoted you would like us to spend pre season ? 2/3/4 Million ? So far we have spent 780K if the reports are correct, what the hell is the point in going out and spending say a Million on a winger if we have one (Stewart) already in the house ? I don't think MM or anyone else has ever doubted his ability, it was his attitude, fitness and application that saw him cast aside last season, maybe the guy has finally got himself together and can do the job required ? If so isn't it sensible not to spend another Million on someone else who for that money would probably be no better anyway. Lets face it whoever we did buy wouldn't be bloody good enough in most peoples eyes anyway.

When we sold Mings we did a deal to bring Fraser in on loan and on big wages let me add, we also got Brett Pitman for NOTHING, does that make him a waste of space and not a good signing because he was free ? Bloody good business if you ask me. As I have already said we probably still await much of the Mings money to be paid over while new contracts for MM & TC have been negotiated. The problem we are faced with is this, even if we spent say 6 Million it is a paltry sum compared to many of our rivals who have mega millions in parachute payments, who we could buy with that would probably be no different than bringing in the likes of Pitman, Berra, Skuse, Bialkowski, Knudsen, Bru etc etc for zilch. This lets splash the cash cobblers is a myth, it guarantees absolutely nothing unless you have mega Millions and even then you can c*ck it up (Derby, Brighton etc etc).

Our current policy has seen us finish in 6th & 7th the last two seasons so your theory of League One football doesn't stack up at all, in fact when we were spending 1.7 Million on Priskin, 1.5 Million on Taylor etc where were we again ?? Oh yeah rock bottom and cut adrift, but of course spending Millions is the way forward isn't it.

[arana peligrosa]

On the above, we don't want to be finishing sixth or seventh : the club needs to be challenging the automatic promotion places year in year out if we are to leave behind this damn division - and bottom line is, we're nowhere near equipped to achieve such an objective. Doubtless been mentioned before (we obtained a play-off finish after so many years away) but then were easily overcome in two games before we could even entertain thoughts of another final day at the national stadium.

All this talk of i.e. : "We need substantial amounts of money in order to be competitive or entertain realistic ideas of promotion" is essentially a done debate. Don't people realize this isn't always the road to achievement, having infinite amounts of money to throw left and right isn't the end all and be all - one of the most fundamental routes to progress is possessing a group of players who are all working together with the same ambition and having the right mentality when going out and not only that, but a team coach who can motivate, see error in his ways, and effectively eradicate any or all factors that may be slowing the teams chances of progress. Mick McCarthy is far detached from any of the above (at least here at Ipswich) and as for Marcus Evans - there's no real requirement for elaboration, people have been witness for long enough.

The pity is : remember seeing in the recent past that Bruce was out of a job at Hull City and you know what, I'd jump at the chance to allow him an opportunity here - there's no way in hell he could do worse than McCarthy's garbage last time out - but a majority wouldn't allow it :

#1 He's got connections to a team many won't favor / scored some obscure goal against us, in some obscure game, in some obscure competition, in some obscure year - for that reason alone he's barred from potential bidding

#2 Wouldn't work out, he's nowhere good enough, we could do a lot better

Could list further examples but you get the general idea

If Evans won't vacate or step down then that only leaves the managerial role and won't hide from the fact am no fancier of Mick McCarthy's often inane management styles and right now, in an ideal world, hand McCarthy his pink-slip and in comes the other.

Give it a go, if it doesn't work out then so be it, at least we would have tried a different route, but the pity is we won't get to witness such an opportunity. Well what the hell, we'll see the new season soon enough, but seriously not holding out for much once again. In this league since 2002 - don't tell me the opportunities haven't been there.

[number 9]

It'll take money to build a team that can compete for automatic promotion, especially now. I don't think Bruce would come here under ME's business plan. I said a long time ago, as an Ipswich fan I have to lower my expectations. It's possible MM can find the right mix of youth and experience to challenge for the play offs. However, it's still very unlikely we'll gain promotion with this model. Hey if we get promoted I'll be ecstatic!...just don't expect it.

[Bluemike]

Never mind the fact he has just be given a new contract.

[Mach_Polish_Blue]

Mach we can argue forever and a day about what is right and what is wrong and we will still never agree, personally I am glad the club are doing it the correct way. I don't know what is so hard to understand in that MM is still in talks with potential new signings so how can anyone say what our intentions are and how much we are prepared to spend, how much would you have quoted you would like us to spend pre season ? 2/3/4 Million ? So far we have spent 780K if the reports are correct, what the hell is the point in going out and spending say a Million on a winger if we have one (Stewart) already in the house ? I don't think MM or anyone else has ever doubted his ability, it was his attitude, fitness and application that saw him cast aside last season, maybe the guy has finally got himself together and can do the job required ? If so isn't it sensible not to spend another Million on someone else who for that money would probably be no better anyway. Lets face it whoever we did buy wouldn't be bloody good enough in most peoples eyes anyway.

When we sold Mings we did a deal to bring Fraser in on loan and on big wages let me add, we also got Brett Pitman for NOTHING, does that make him a waste of space and not a good signing because he was free ? Bloody good business if you ask me. As I have already said we probably still await much of the Mings money to be paid over while new contracts for MM & TC have been negotiated. The problem we are faced with is this, even if we spent say 6 Million it is a paltry sum compared to many of our rivals who have mega millions in parachute payments, who we could buy with that would probably be no different than bringing in the likes of Pitman, Berra, Skuse, Bialkowski, Knudsen, Bru etc etc for zilch. This lets splash the cash cobblers is a myth, it guarantees absolutely nothing unless you have mega Millions and even then you can c*ck it up (Derby, Brighton etc etc).

Our current policy has seen us finish in 6th & 7th the last two seasons so your theory of League One football doesn't stack up at all, in fact when we were spending 1.7 Million on Priskin, 1.5 Million on Taylor etc where were we again ?? Oh yeah rock bottom and cut adrift, but of course spending Millions is the way forward isn't it.

Yes Mike my theory of League One stacks up. Mick won't be with us forever and his job is the reason why we massively overachieved. Do you really believe many managers would have done the same under the rejects/loanees policy? This policy will bring the disaster (most probably under the different manager) sooner or later as it can only takes you so far.

Mike I know that Derby and Brighton failed to go up. What I want to see is intentions and ambitions from the clubs board. However there is no evidence of that. Just 'lets see what happens' approach.

MM isn't still in talks with potential new signings I believe. He previously has said that he's waiting until Premier League teams are sorted and then we'll try to get some loans.

Cameron Stewart ..... and you Mike say : 'what the hell is the point in going out and spending say a Million on a winger if we have one (Stewart) already in the house?'...... Dear Mike I think that giving him a 'chance' is a kind of desperation. Mick is going to give him that due to necessity rather than choice. He'd play in relegated team from League One last season, was told a few times there was no future for him at ITFC and all of sudden things have changed. Just because Super committed Marcus Evans isn't willing to sign quality wingers for us.

Mike you think our policy is a correct way. Fine you're entitled to that. I feel opposite and fear disaster in the next few years. Absolutely no hope of Premier League football and continue to be perennial Championship participants at best.