Guardian article

[verulam]

Good article in today's Guardian by Louise Taylor with some perceptive comments on who and where we are.

Extracts include:

....It was a spine-tingling moment and a fitting tribute to a marvellous man. Amid an atmosphere of rare, evocative harmony almost 52,000 people were singing "Walking in a Robson Wonderland". Most wore black and white but a significant minority were dressesd in outfits accessorised by blue and white hats, scarves and replica shirts. Those visiting supporters chorused so loudly that their unfamiliar Suffolk accents were clearly audible in the damp Tyneside air.

....Considering that the owner, Marcus Evans, has furnished Mccarthy with a modest budget -the manager - who has spent around £500K on players in the past three years against the £45,000,000 Benitez invested this summer alone - has done a fairly impressive job, finishing 14th, 9th, 6th and 7th.

....The problem is that they (Town) lack creativity, struggle to score and are badly missing Daryl Murphy

...The best Ipswich could do was drag Newcastle down to their level for a second half spell.

....Not that McCarthy fears the sack. "I don't" he said "Marcus is very supportive of what I've done and what I do. I know he believes I make far more good decisions than bad ones".

....If only he could turn the clock back and pluck the odd John Wark, Alan Brazil, Kevin Beattie and Eric Gates from Portman Road's academy.

IF ONLY indeed!!!

[hallamblue]

in essence Mick feels safe in.his job whatever he does.

[arana peligrosa]

quote : "Marcus Evans is very supportive of what I've done and what I do. I know he believes I make far more good decisions than bad ones"

The terminology "The blind leading the blind" came to the fore on learning of McCarthy's opinion.

The indisputable best decision McCarthy can make is to realize he's taken the club as far as he's able, and move on.

Don't wish him any harm, there's no real animosity, just for the good of the club understand that it's time to find someone else and your services are no longer required for this team. Thank you for the good work you did before, but we're now in a deteriorating situation.

Futile words essentially as we realize (in all probability) Evans won't take any action and there's small chance McCarthy will just up and leave by own his own free will. Don't know how far behind we have to fall before something actually occurs, but between them they have to realize their collective presence is causing serious issues for the club.

[Bluemike]

Got to be honest Saint, I am getting pretty bored of reading the same thing again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc etc.......MM's job is under no threat whatsoever and people need to realise that, get over it and move on, by all means people please talk about the crap football we are seeing at times as that is a genuine topic and reason to debate but this idea that there is even the slightest possibility of a manager change is a forlorn one. Should we really c*ck up the next Six games that have been highlighted by our delightful media then yes there may well be grumblings from above of discontent as we would probably in or very near the bottom Three. For me that isn't going to happen either.

[Shed on tour]

Got to be honest Saint, I am getting pretty bored of reading the same thing again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc etc.......MM's job is under no threat whatsoever and people need to realise that, get over it and move on, by all means people please talk about the crap football we are seeing at times as that is a genuine topic and reason to debate but this idea that there is even the slightest possibility of a manager change is a forlorn one. Should we really c*ck up the next Six games that have been highlighted by our delightful media then yes there may well be grumblings from above of discontent as we would probably in or very near the bottom Three. For me that isn't going to happen either.

Spot on.

Same with regards to a change of owner, not going to happen unless Evans gets an offer which really is too good to refuse and can't see that happening.

[Tangfastic]

I don't think anything will change .. and that's my worst fear. This could go on for a season or two or three longer. Its really testing the faith and loyalty of the fans. ME doesn't seem that interested and gives full support of Mick. Mick is determined to stick to his guns and give us a lesson on being f**king stubborn. However, Mick will pull out the odd win and mini-run, so I expect us to be mid-table - either lower mid table or a couple of wins away from 6th spot (but never realistically going to challenge ).

I'm just hoping the penny drops with MM to be more positive. Or .... results really goes tits up and then ME has to get involved. It could be a take it or leave it situation for the fans ... be happy enough that we are in the Championship and we're not in a tailspin. I truly can't see us genuinely challenging for a top six spot with the negative "don't lose" mentality going into games ... and quite frankly we don't deserve to.

Really going for it against Rotherham on Saturday would make a great statement of intent.

[Andym]

Change might come before / at the start of next season But only if
either we slip close to or into the bottom 3 (I reckon it's possible as some of those teams below us will start to pick up points)
or season ticket renewals fall significantly before next season. The drop in attendances is disguised as season ticket sales are counted as present at all games.
Otherwise we are stuck with what we have. MM won't walk away. And he won't be sacked unless either of the above happens.

[marko69]

Everything points to finishing 16th. Get your mortgage on it.

[ashfordblue]

It seems to go from bad to worse, a very strong under 21's got beat at home by a 2nd string Cardiff under 21's 1-0, and the performance was a replication of the first teams, i.e. p*ss poor, those who went last night (see TWTD reports) said it seems that these poor inept performances are creeping right through every part of our club, Cardiff were all over Town from the off, there was a distinct lack of commitment from nearly all the players, Bishop & Williams midfield were awful, so it looks like we are stuck with Scuse & Douglas for the rest of the season and beyond, I know its only just over a quarter of the way though the season, and in my comments in another earlier blog about Towns final finishing place this season of 17th at best, and going on what we've achieved so far, I can only see us remaining in and around our current position of 17th or worse, unless of course by some miracle, the players start to string some good results together, as we have played practically the same mode of football over the last three seasons,(Hoof Ball) visiting teams know exactly where to attack us, Chambers at RB is weak, and Knudsen at LB not the strongest either, Scuse & Douglas is a static defensive midfield, I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it, I don't think I could live with another 3 seasons of this boring football, and an owner who doesn't give a monkeys toss about our life long heritage as a club that has always looked after its fan base, and played exiting open attacking football, even if we do lose a few games in the process, we need another Sir Bobby to rise from the ashes and take our Ipswich back to where we rightly belong.

[number 9]

I'm getting tired of the doom and gloom at ITFC. I hope MM is able to find a winning formula again. I think we have the players to turn things around, but I'm not convinced MM/TC are right for the job anymore. I'm sure we'll have to wait out the season to see if the dynamic duo will be here next season. I honestly think the 'gates' will shrink considerably if we end up lower table this season and MM/TC remain in their jobs. ME is a business man after all...I can't see him putting up with a drop in attendance by the thousands.

[Bluemike]

I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it

Sorry Ash but I just cannot agree with that at all, under no circumstances would relegation to League One ever be good for ITFC, for every Norwich there is at least one Coventry City, Sheffield utd, Blackpool etc etc. For me it would be the death of ITFC for many years to come if not for good.

We are already bemoaning the massive gap that exists between the Premier & Championship Leagues and how we are always playing on an uneven playing field when it comes to teams coming down with parachute money, we the gap between Premier & League One is an absolute chasm so even if by some miracle we were to get back up from League One, and there is certainly no guarantee, we would be light years behind most if not all of the Championship clubs.

League One would offer nothing but lower Attendances, a big drop in revenue at the club shops etc, a big loss in TV revenue to name but Three things and in turn our losses would go up and up, add to that no wothwhile new investment close to what we would require would be interested in buying a League One club with the colossal debt we have, OK you may get some smaller interest like with Dean Holdsworth at Bolton but that really would no cut it. No for me it would be an absolute disaster and travesty were that to happen, thankfully I have zero fear of it even being an option but it amazes me that any Town fan would even consider it for a second. I would take another 15 mundane years in the Championship over a drop to League one every day of the year.

[Tangfastic]

I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it

Sorry Ash but I just cannot agree with that at all, under no circumstances would relegation to League One ever be good for ITFC, for every Norwich there is at least one Coventry City, Sheffield utd, Blackpool etc etc. For me it would be the death of ITFC for many years to come if not for good.

We are already bemoaning the massive gap that exists between the Premier & Championship Leagues and how we are always playing on an uneven playing field when it comes to teams coming down with parachute money, we the gap between Premier & League One is an absolute chasm so even if by some miracle we were to get back up from League One, and there is certainly no guarantee, we would be light years behind most if not all of the Championship clubs.

League One would offer nothing but lower Attendances, a big drop in revenue at the club shops etc, a big loss in TV revenue to name but Three things and in turn our losses would go up and up, add to that no wothwhile new investment close to what we would require would be interested in buying a League One club with the colossal debt we have, OK you may get some smaller interest like with Dean Holdsworth at Bolton but that really would no cut it. No for me it would be an absolute disaster and travesty were that to happen, thankfully I have zero fear of it even being an option but it amazes me that any Town fan would even consider it for a second. I would take another 15 mundane years in the Championship over a drop to League one every day of the year.

I don't think any fan would want this.... but I think a fair few would be willing to risk this for a change in this negative game-plan. For me, I don't see the risk of trying to play more attacking, more looser football. We might concede more, we might lose more... good chance we might win more ( 3 points) and thats more than enough to keep away from relegation. From that we will build with the younger players. Doesn't seem its Mick's plan.
I can't understand your last comment about taking 15 more years in the Championship than dropping down to League 1. Why would you want 15 more years of the same?
You mention lowering attendances for League 1... they're happening now!!!!

I' don't understand also this 'disaster and travesty' comment. If you're a pint half full gentleman .... there's quite a few examples ... NCFC, Soton, MCFC, Leicester,etc of clubs regenerating and getting promotion within a few seasons. And we are not even in League 1.... so why doesn't Mick McCarthy aim to try something different and take a few extra risks whilst we are a mid-table club ... it's just building on his turn-around job that he did fantasticly well. Job not done, Mick. Comments like "we'e just doing like we've always done" p*ss me off.
If he's done his job already ... knock down SBR's statue and erect one of MM.

[Bluemike]

Being prepared to take that risk is in my opinion simply bonkers, what guarantee of better football do you have by us dropping down, nobody can say that because nobody knows who our manager would be, we could be getting the same product only in a lower division. I didn'yt say i wanted 15 more years of the same, I said I would take that over relegation every day of the year.

Our attendances are way above what they would be in League one, no question, and even if they weren't the revenue would be hit hard with lower prices etc, the whole thing would from a business point of view be a disaster. I think I am right in saying that none of the clubs you mention thjat went down had debts anywhere near what we have so they were well selected LOL. I cannot answer why MM is often reluctant to try something different, I suppose over the years he has had success doing it his way, I think Town fans take his comments to heart way to quickly, he takes the p*ss in his own dry way and people don't like it.

[herforder]

Effectively killing the patient as a means of curing his illness. Are we sure that's entirely wise?

[marko69]

League One would be a disaster. Shafted by teams like Chesterfield whilst Mevans is being shafted in a Brazilian jail. The club would be another Coventry City.

[Charnwood]

Got to be honest Saint, I am getting pretty bored of reading the same thing again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc etc.......MM's job is under no threat whatsoever and people need to realise that, get over it and move on, by all means people please talk about the crap football we are seeing at times as that is a genuine topic and reason to debate but this idea that there is even the slightest possibility of a manager change is a forlorn one. Should we really c*ck up the next Six games that have been highlighted by our delightful media then yes there may well be grumblings from above of discontent as we would probably in or very near the bottom Three. For me that isn't going to happen either.

Spot on.

Same with regards to a change of owner, not going to happen unless Evans gets an offer which really is too good to refuse and can't see that happening.

Absolutely nobody is going to come along out of the blue and make Marcus Evans an acceptable offer for Ipswich Town Football Club. The only way we'll ever find a new owner is when Marcus Evans decides he's had enough and publicly puts the Club up for sale and brokers it on global markets in the hope of attracting foreign investment.

[herforder]

Were ME contemplating off-loading the club, he needs it to be attractive to any prospective buyer, with clear indications of potential to achieve PL status - which is what every owner seeks. Current levels of player investment, to improve the squad's overall quality and competitiveness, are only achieving a mark time status at best; and a steady overall decline at worst. Not therefore the best 'Club For Sale' advertisement likely to attract investment from any potential purchasers.

[ashfordblue]

I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it

Sorry Ash but I just cannot agree with that at all, under no circumstances would relegation to League One ever be good for ITFC, for every Norwich there is at least one Coventry City, Sheffield utd, Blackpool etc etc. For me it would be the death of ITFC for many years to come if not for good.

We are already bemoaning the massive gap that exists between the Premier & Championship Leagues and how we are always playing on an uneven playing field when it comes to teams coming down with parachute money, we the gap between Premier & League One is an absolute chasm so even if by some miracle we were to get back up from League One, and there is certainly no guarantee, we would be light years behind most if not all of the Championship clubs.

League One would offer nothing but lower Attendances, a big drop in revenue at the club shops etc, a big loss in TV revenue to name but Three things and in turn our losses would go up and up, add to that no worth while new investment close to what we would require would be interested in buying a League One club with the colossal debt we have, OK you may get some smaller interest like with Dean Holdsworth at Bolton but that really would no cut it. No for me it would be an absolute disaster and travesty were that to happen, thankfully I have zero fear of it even being an option but it amazes me that any Town fan would even consider it for a second. I would take another 15 mundane years in the Championship over a drop to League one every day of the year.

Sorry mike 15 mundane years aint on fella, for one I'm sure I will be dead and forgotten by 2023 , but I'm sure your right we will scrape through just this season, and hopefully things will change next season, on another note there are worthwhile investors in the lower leagues, take Brizzle Rovers a sound take over and investment has seen them rise from Conference to division 1 very quickly, and pushing for promotion to the championship, so there are investors out there, we just need to advertise our self in the right market sector, and if we want a decent striker to replace Murphy then Taylor of Brizzle Rovers knows where the back of the net is ???

[ashfordblue]

Got to be honest Saint, I am getting pretty bored of reading the same thing again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc etc.......MM's job is under no threat whatsoever and people need to realise that, get over it and move on, by all means people please talk about the crap football we are seeing at times as that is a genuine topic and reason to debate but this idea that there is even the slightest possibility of a manager change is a forlorn one. Should we really c*ck up the next Six games that have been highlighted by our delightful media then yes there may well be grumblings from above of discontent as we would probably in or very near the bottom Three. For me that isn't going to happen either.

Spot on.

Same with regards to a change of owner, not going to happen unless Evans gets an offer which really is too good to refuse and can't see that happening.

Absolutely nobody is going to come along out of the blue and make Marcus Evans an acceptable offer for Ipswich Town Football Club. The only way we'll ever find a new owner is when Marcus Evans decides he's had enough and publicly puts the Club up for sale and brokers it on global markets in the hope of attracting foreign investment.

CORRECT

[Shed on tour]

It seems to go from bad to worse, a very strong under 21's got beat at home by a 2nd string Cardiff under 21's 1-0, and the performance was a replication of the first teams, i.e. p*ss poor, those who went last night (see TWTD reports) said it seems that these poor inept performances are creeping right through every part of our club, Cardiff were all over Town from the off, there was a distinct lack of commitment from nearly all the players, Bishop & Williams midfield were awful, so it looks like we are stuck with Scuse & Douglas for the rest of the season and beyond, I know its only just over a quarter of the way though the season, and in my comments in another earlier blog about Towns final finishing place this season of 17th at best, and going on what we've achieved so far, I can only see us remaining in and around our current position of 17th or worse, unless of course by some miracle, the players start to string some good results together, as we have played practically the same mode of football over the last three seasons,(Hoof Ball) visiting teams know exactly where to attack us, Chambers at RB is weak, and Knudsen at LB not the strongest either, Scuse & Douglas is a static defensive midfield, I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it, I don't think I could live with another 3 seasons of this boring football, and an owner who doesn't give a monkeys toss about our life long heritage as a club that has always looked after its fan base, and played exiting open attacking football, even if we do lose a few games in the process, we need another Sir Bobby to rise from the ashes and take our Ipswich back to where we rightly belong.

I hate that saying.

Where do we rightly belong? You could very well say that based on the past 30 years we are already where we rightly belong as a 2nd tier club. Yes we all would like to see us back in the top tier doing well but we certainly don't have a right to be there.

[Shed on tour]

Got to be honest Saint, I am getting pretty bored of reading the same thing again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again etc etc etc.......MM's job is under no threat whatsoever and people need to realise that, get over it and move on, by all means people please talk about the crap football we are seeing at times as that is a genuine topic and reason to debate but this idea that there is even the slightest possibility of a manager change is a forlorn one. Should we really c*ck up the next Six games that have been highlighted by our delightful media then yes there may well be grumblings from above of discontent as we would probably in or very near the bottom Three. For me that isn't going to happen either.

Spot on.

Same with regards to a change of owner, not going to happen unless Evans gets an offer which really is too good to refuse and can't see that happening.

Absolutely nobody is going to come along out of the blue and make Marcus Evans an acceptable offer for Ipswich Town Football Club. The only way we'll ever find a new owner is when Marcus Evans decides he's had enough and publicly puts the Club up for sale and brokers it on global markets in the hope of attracting foreign investment.

Which could be a very long time if he feels that it is in his best interest to continue to own ITFC, whatever those reasons maybe.

[Bluemike]

It seems to go from bad to worse, a very strong under 21's got beat at home by a 2nd string Cardiff under 21's 1-0, and the performance was a replication of the first teams, i.e. p*ss poor, those who went last night (see TWTD reports) said it seems that these poor inept performances are creeping right through every part of our club, Cardiff were all over Town from the off, there was a distinct lack of commitment from nearly all the players, Bishop & Williams midfield were awful, so it looks like we are stuck with Scuse & Douglas for the rest of the season and beyond, I know its only just over a quarter of the way though the season, and in my comments in another earlier blog about Towns final finishing place this season of 17th at best, and going on what we've achieved so far, I can only see us remaining in and around our current position of 17th or worse, unless of course by some miracle, the players start to string some good results together, as we have played practically the same mode of football over the last three seasons,(Hoof Ball) visiting teams know exactly where to attack us, Chambers at RB is weak, and Knudsen at LB not the strongest either, Scuse & Douglas is a static defensive midfield, I really hate having to say this, but it seems that only by getting relegated to division 1 that a change might come about within the club, Marcus Evans sells up and Mick goes as well, and then hopefully we can start a new chapter, just like them up the road did, its an awful thing to have to happen, but if its for the good of our beloved ITFC and the change that's needed, then so be it, I don't think I could live with another 3 seasons of this boring football, and an owner who doesn't give a monkeys toss about our life long heritage as a club that has always looked after its fan base, and played exiting open attacking football, even if we do lose a few games in the process, we need another Sir Bobby to rise from the ashes and take our Ipswich back to where we rightly belong.

I hate that saying.

Where do we rightly belong? You could very well say that based on the past 30 years we are already where we rightly belong as a 2nd tier club. Yes we all would like to see us back in the top tier doing well but we certainly don't have a right to be there.

Shed, this is exactly right, where do we think we belong ? We would all love to be in the prem but in truth what makes so many of us think that is where we should be ? Too many fans of our club live so far back in the past it is unreal, it's like a trip down memory lane, unfortunately our glory years are so long ago they are but a distant memory and almost certainly never to be repeated, if it were not for Sir Bobby it would never have happened at all. That is not to say we should nt strive to get back there but to think that is where we belong is just not correct anymore.