Brentford v Ipswich Town preview and matchday preview

[jaykay]

charming calling people cretins and bi polar because they dont think like you.
i wonder why many people dont post on this board.
one less now,and i know those insults werent ment fo me,to tell you the truth dont know who they ment for.
as i could see anyone going over the top about the results.

[herforder]

If these are indicative of the intensity of exchanges after just a couple of games, looks like we're in for a long hard season on this forum!

[marko69]

I was merely meaning the anger was OTT because it was spread over two threads!

I think you may be right, Herforder....., long hard season ahead. But as you say, (and I've said three times now) it's just too early in the season for big opinions. Give it 10 games at the very very least.

JK......., you can't leave......., the season has just started and I would say that every single persons opinion is a valuable opinion......, even if its a wrong opinion (in other peoples opinions!!) it's valuable because it's valuable for the purposes of discussion.

Just getting the wheels pumped up on my "Mick the Fk out" bandwagon!

JOKING!! And relax!

[Bluemike]

charming calling people cretins and bi polar because they dont think like you.
i wonder why many people dont post on this board.
one less now,and i know those insults werent ment fo me,to tell you the truth dont know who they ment for.
as i could see anyone going over the top about the results.

You clearly havent met some of the cretins that I have, as I said not aimed at anyone on this board so no need to be so sensitive, you would have felt the same had you witnessed the prat ripping into Knudsen when he came over to applaud us fans last season at cardiff ! I defend the players from tits like that and will continue to do so.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

I think it's time to take a more rounded opinion of things - probably easier for me as I'm here in Philippines at the moment and well away from things there.

On the one hand, we have new unexperienced personnel in the team this year, we are trying to play a different style, and things will obviously take time to gel. And in this, the players and management need encouragement.

On the other hand, by all accounts the team totally capitulated in the second half on Saturday: and that is totally un-acceptable. People that have spent time and money in going to the game are surely entitled to vent their anger and frustrations at the players in such a situation.

In short, there is no right or wrong way to support this club - we all have different opinions and expectations, and the benefit of living in a free society is that we are able to voice these opinions.

Of course, if we are saying that the players and management should be lauded and praised no matter what, then maybe we should consider supporting a team in North Korea

[Tangfastic]

Mike, I'm not having a pop at you, but people are allowed an opinion other than yours.
Compared to TWTD, this forums far more balanced. However, if we say nothing or gloss over frailties when they happen, then it's not a forum..... it's a just a blue-tinted PR website for ITFC!

Sometimes it feels like if negatives are brought up ... They need to be snuffed out ASAP because this influences the fortune of the club. It won't ! Owner, manager,players ( not neccasarily in that order) are greater factors than moaning fans on forum boards.

I agree with you we should give more time. If we change personnel / style, it will take time.

The defence, though, has been an issue.for a long time .... Probably a season and a half back from conceding soft goals. Take Webster out and we've had a pretty stable, experienced back four who should be well drilled by a former international defender ( MIck). Find it strange we concede so many soft goals. Would have thought a McCarhy side would be stronger in defence than other areas of the pitch.

Not worried, though, because I don't have high expectations other than bringing in younger players and changing style of play..... and only two games in.

Got to admit, the worse the results ... The tastier the forum is ... And that can make up for the bad results.

[Bluemike]

Tang, its fine, I have no issue with negative opinions as such, in fact if you read my Brentford report it was hardly glowing after the break so that was a negative one from me. The bit I was not sure what you meant was the " Real fans " comment, I hadn't said anything about real fans at all, although I do find a lot of our so called fans a disappointment, I can't deny that one, but it is not down to them being negative towards the player & manager etc, it is the way they go about it, fans fighting each other at Brentford because some dared to to applaud and support the boys even when they were playing poorly , does that warrant some idiot having a go at them ? I always thought support was just that, get behind your team, not fight fellow fans for doing it.

[Tangfastic]

Tang, its fine, I have no issue with negative opinions as such, in fact if you read my Brentford report it was hardly glowing after the break so that was a negative one from me. The bit I was not sure what you meant was the " Real fans " comment, I hadn't said anything about real fans at all, although I do find a lot of our so called fans a disappointment, I can't deny that one, but it is not down to them being negative towards the player & manager etc, it is the way they go about it, fans fighting each other at Brentford because some dared to to applaud and support the boys even when they were playing poorly , does that warrant some idiot having a go at them ? I always thought support was just that, get behind your team, not fight fellow fans for doing it.

I won't go into too much, but the 'real' fan comment was based on things you leave hanging there quite a lot, I just the get the impression you seem to blame the 'moaning' fans for bad results, not the team. Maybe if we all got behind the team a bit more it might raise some performance levels- I dunno 1 % or 2 % - but it can only influence the team so much over 46 games. And the players and management are paid a good wage .... and they can also influence the fans more and get them excited and behind them.

Don't understand pointless booing , picking on players unnecasarily and especially in-fighting with the fans, but can understand frustration and fans telling it how they see it.

Keep the match reports coming , theyre a good read.

[Bluemike]

If some of my comments infer to some not being real fans then so be it, as I have said before it does not necessarily mean anyone on this particular forum, I read things all over the place, TWTD is a disgrace at times, every single thread that is started is attacked by the same few, who in my opinion almost certainly don't go to games and yet they see everything and know it all, they have an agenda no matter what the thread is about to disrupt it and ruin it for everyone else, no way are they real fans, simple as that.

Anyway moving on, two games in and I just find myself not wanting to get into discussion about Town already, probably best if others post their match thoughts, from the comfort of their armchairs.

[number 9]

If some of my comments infer to some not being real fans then so be it, as I have said before it does not necessarily mean anyone on this particular forum, I read things all over the place, TWTD is a disgrace at times, every single thread that is started is attacked by the same few, who in my opinion almost certainly don't go to games and yet they see everything and know it all, they have an agenda no matter what the thread is about to disrupt it and ruin it for everyone else, no way are they real fans, simple as that.

Anyway moving on, two games in and I just find myself not wanting to get into discussion about Town already, probably best if others post their match thoughts, from the comfort of their armchairs.

I hope you continue to be positive, mate! I have to admit, I would have lost interest a long time ago if it wasn't for you dragging me back in with your positivity. As I said and the beginning of the season, I have lowered my expectations. I've just decided to face reality. Of course I'd love to see ITFC back in the vein of the early 80's...but just don't see that happening. So, I settle for continued growth with youth and hopefully quality football. I'm not bothered if MM stays or goes, but I agree he's probably the best man for the job right now. Anyway, cheer up everyone...it's only football!

[Andym]

Sorry - wrong thread!

[Andym]

The defence, though, has been an issue.for a long time .... Probably a season and a half back from conceding soft goals. Take Webster out and we've had a pretty stable, experienced back four who should be well drilled by a former international defender ( MIck). Find it strange we concede so many soft goals. Would have thought a McCarhy side would be stronger in defence than other areas of the pitch.

That to me is the real issue. When MM arrived he saved us from relegation by tightening up the defence. The defence at the time featured Smith and Chambers. In the close season he brought in Berra, and played Chambers at right back. And ever since the clean sheets have dried up. I could also add that he brought in Cole Skuse as defensive midfielder too. The left back has changed a couple of times, but the Chambers - Berra - Smith defence with Skuse in front has essentially failed. Two years later the only change (apart from left back, necessitated by selling good players) is to bring in a lower-league inexperienced central defender in Webster, in exchange for Clarke and a lot of cash - despite the fact that many Portsmouth fans thought there was little to choose between them. I'm not sure how the defence is going to improve without
getting a right back
preferably getting a better left back
getting a better defensive midfielder.

Until we do we will continue to ship in goals. And without the creativity we will struggle to score many.

I have argied for a long time that I want to see decent football. I'm actually starting to change my mind. I think we are incapable of it. We can't create. We need to play hoofball and hope to pick up on the second balls as our only realistic chance of scoring. We need to score lots to score more than the many we concede. Basically it's survival football.

I can understand Bluemike's frustration and irritation at the negativity. I have for a long time been just as frustrated by the opposite view; the positivity that we are high in the league so everything is lovely. It isn't and hasn't been since Evans arrived. I'm not blaming him; Magilton actually did a reasonable job on a shoestring; it was when he had money he showed that he couldn't spend it well. Similarly his 2 successors. But then I've always maintained there are managers who can do a good job without money and those who can do a good job with shedloads; and precious few who can do both.

I hope Bluemike will continue to provide match reports; for those of us who can't justify the time or expense of away games they are invaluable; and probably equally so to those who can't get to home games. I try to read beyond his positive spin and will argue the point when I disagree. That (I hope) sensible debate is what matters on this forum; different opinions expressed calmly and rationally. We all see things differently; if we can discuss things without insult, and agree with those bits we can, we'll all be happy. After all, that's what makes this forum so much better that TWTD.

Onwards and upwards...

[Bluemike]

Andy & Number9, thanks for the positive words and apologies if at times I almost lose the plot, it is something I fully intend to try and reign in as not everyone will always see it as I do and that can be a failing of mine I admit, passion beyond belief for ITFC I am afraid to say LOL. I like to give my views on the games as I know some can't get to see matches so it is pleasing they do somebody a favour by reading them. As you say Andy this forum leaves TWTD standing, I have tried to post a couple of times on there but I know if I was to use it regularly I would without doubt be banned very quickly, best leave it at that.

[herforder]

Keep on keeping on, Mike! Anyone with half a brain cell gets your passion for the club, and appreciates your totally unbiased, frequently downbeat, reports and subsequent comments!

However we choose to support - and who could begin to fathom that! - we're all bound by a deep love for the club, that goes far deeper than one result, one owner or one manager. Keep up the excellent work. On, on!

[marko69]

This thread needs a Mr Disco video.