Be careful what you wish for.

[Charnwood]

Be careful what you wish for. I'm no great fan of MM's style of football but remember he's running this team on a shoestring and the end result is as good if not better than many other managers would probably achieve given the same resources.

If he were to leave I can't imagine a long list of potential exciting managerial replacements queuing up at Marcus Evans door begging for the job. More likely an unemployed "has been" looking for some extra money, whereas I do believe McCarthy really cares about our club.

For me Evans is more of a problem than McCarthy as I would like to see McCarthy given a chance with funds to see how/if he could manage differently, after all we're not far short of top six with little spending which in itself is no mean achievement.

What I don't want to see is McCarthy leave and be replaced with someone less experienced, less careing about our football club than Mick, and less able to manage on a shoestring and hence see our club collapse into League 1. I know some may think this would serve as a good wake up call, but I go back to my opening words, be careful what you wish for.

I know it's hard for those of us who've seen Town play at the highest level but we're so far removed from that now that maybe we should accept that "we are where we are" and enjoy watching our team do the best they can in the second tier of English football, after all it's still a decent level playing other decent sides.

Maybe over time the good times will return but realistically that's not likely sometime soon. In the meantime let's try to enjoy it as best we can.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Be careful what you wish for. I'm no great fan of MM's style of football but remember he's running this team on a shoestring and the end result is as good if not better than many other managers would probably achieve given the same resources.

If he were to leave I can't imagine a long list of potential exciting managerial replacements queuing up at Marcus Evans door begging for the job. More likely an unemployed "has been" looking for some extra money, whereas I do believe McCarthy really cares about our club.

For me Evans is more of a problem than McCarthy as I would like to see McCarthy given a chance with funds to see how/if he could manage differently, after all we're not far short of top six with little spending which in itself is no mean achievement.

What I don't want to see is McCarthy leave and be replaced with someone less experienced, less careing about our football club than Mick, and less able to manage on a shoestring and hence see our club collapse into League 1. I know some may think this would serve as a good wake up call, but I go back to my opening words, be careful what you wish for.

I know it's hard for those of us who've seen Town play at the highest level but we're so far removed from that now that maybe we should accept that "we are where we are" and enjoy watching our team do the best they can in the second tier of English football, after all it's still a decent level playing other decent sides.

Maybe over time the good times will return but realistically that's not likely sometime soon. In the meantime let's try to enjoy it as best we can.

And the clue is in your own words - I believe a lot of fans do not care about results so long as the football played is decent - sadly, in recent times this has hardly been the case.

[Andym]

Be careful what you wish for. I'm no great fan of MM's style of football but remember he's running this team on a shoestring and the end result is as good if not better than many other managers would probably achieve given the same resources.

If he were to leave I can't imagine a long list of potential exciting managerial replacements queuing up at Marcus Evans door begging for the job. More likely an unemployed "has been" looking for some extra money, whereas I do believe McCarthy really cares about our club.

For me Evans is more of a problem than McCarthy as I would like to see McCarthy given a chance with funds to see how/if he could manage differently, after all we're not far short of top six with little spending which in itself is no mean achievement.

What I don't want to see is McCarthy leave and be replaced with someone less experienced, less careing about our football club than Mick, and less able to manage on a shoestring and hence see our club collapse into League 1. I know some may think this would serve as a good wake up call, but I go back to my opening words, be careful what you wish for.

I know it's hard for those of us who've seen Town play at the highest level but we're so far removed from that now that maybe we should accept that "we are where we are" and enjoy watching our team do the best they can in the second tier of English football, after all it's still a decent level playing other decent sides.

Maybe over time the good times will return but realistically that's not likely sometime soon. In the meantime let's try to enjoy it as best we can.

And the clue is in your own words - I believe a lot of fans do not care about results so long as the football played is decent - sadly, in recent times this has hardly been the case.

I would hate to see us collapse into League 1. It would be a disaster. And I am one of those that Rossi describes; quality of football over results every time assuming we can avoid relegation. I'm not sure what would happen if MM left; it would indeed be difficult to attract anyone with experience, but maybe there are alternatives; it just needs a gamble. For example, when we had no money and Joe Royle left, Magilton did a reasonable job without money. His (JIm's) failing was that once he had money he couldn't spend it well - as with Keane afterwards.

Fans want results. But it depends what we mean by results. If (as I firmly believe) promotion and relegation are extremely unlikely, then winning one week and losing the next two with some entertaining football is preferable to three boring draws where we grind down the opposition.

So yes, we must be careful what we wish for. But attendances continue to decline which presumably means the fans who stop going are either bored to death or were hoping for promotion but no longer expect it. I'm not one of those who remembers the glory days. despite being an old man, I watched my home town of Luton until I was 18. The I moved and played a bit, and only starting watching Ipswich in the Joe Royle era when I was too old to propel myself around a pitch any more. But I would say what we watch is probably the worst football I have seen since then, even worse than the Keane era.

[marko69]

The game itself is completely different though, Andy. Yes, all eras are relative to their time, but if you extracted late 70's, Ipswich Town, or even early 80's Luton Town and tried to slot them into today's game, they'd both be League Two, guaranteed. I watched extended YouTube highlights of Ipswich beating Manchester United 6-0 in 1979, and seriously......., the Grimsby Town conference play off final this year was MILES ahead for quality.

And your theory about it not being a complicated game? Ok, on paper, yes, it shouldn't be complicated but the levels of difficulty faced will always outweigh how uncomplicated the game should be. That's never changed. Brendan Rodgers is a very good manager in a lot of people's heads, brilliant at Swansea, done a job a Liverpool, and plays open, passing football ......,,but it got a bit difficult last night v Barca.

Definitely not saying Derby County or Reading are Barcelona, but sometimes the opposition is just a lot better (I believe Derby are better, Pearson needs to sort them out) and the desperate defending tactic, as sh*t as that looks on the eye, sometimes needs to be applauded. A very good 1-0 away win at Derby for example? Players like Berra, Chambers, Bart, Skuse will have been exhausted both mentally and physically after last night, busting a gut for the three points.

If it's less difficult wins that are wanted then maybe a few more Ryan Frasers required......., but the defeat 4-3 but be entertained ain't going to happen (very often) in today's game.

[Andym]

1. I watched extended YouTube highlights of Ipswich beating Manchester United 6-0 in 1979, and seriously......., the Grimsby Town conference play off final this year was MILES ahead for quality.

2. And your theory about it not being a complicated game? Ok, on paper, yes, it shouldn't be complicated but the levels of difficulty faced will always outweigh how uncomplicated the game should be.

3. If it's less difficult wins that are wanted then maybe a few more Ryan Frasers required......., but the defeat 4-3 but be entertained ain't going to happen (very often) in today's game.

I've picked out those three quotes because I think they sum up what I mean.

1. I imagine THE Grimsby Town conference play off final was miles ahead of the average Ipswich performance too.

2 & 3. All I'm trying to say is we don't actually need the Ryan Frasers of this world. He, too, would all too often lose possession because he overdid it. A better player than Sears and Bishop, but still lost possession. My point is - until you get in the attacking third, pass the bloody thing. Don't run with it. That's what good teams do and good players do. But they need:
a) the ability to pass the ball
b) the vision and awareness to see the pass
c) teammates moving into space. I think we fail because of a combination of all these things.

I didn't see Friday's game because I was on the way back from France. My son's opinion was:
Both of their penalties were penalties.
Ours wasn't.
We deserved something from the game because we didn't allow them to play.

That final point is important in any game (my previous post said that - lose possession and immediately close them down) but it seems the only tactic we have. Stop them playing and hoof it. There are other ways; most other teams try alternatives and are more entertaining. Some are more successful, some less so, but nearly all are more entertaining to watch.

[Bluemike]

Very good post Charny, we really do have to be careful what we wish for. I would go as far as to say that there is NO-ONE out there that would do anywhere as good a job as MM with the resources to hand, nobody.

I also do not accept that for the most part the football thios season has been poor, yes there have been moments but there have been some very good spells of improved football too, 1st half at Brentford, 2nd half against Barnsley, both games against Wolves & Norwich to nbame but Four and lets remember we have a team that are at least trying to adapt their game after the loss of their main striker at short notice, to go to 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 will take time to adapt, just as it will with Webster coming into the back Four, having Two CB's who know each others games is one of the most important partnerships within any team and has to be worked at.

Our last Three games against Preston, Reading and Derby have seen us win Two and the thing that stands out for me is that we have not been been breached in open play in those Three games, Two suspect penalties which were awarded beyond the allotted time and that is it, credit needs to be given for that, yes Bart had a great game last night but that believe it or not is what he is there for, would we rather see a Scott Carson howler ?

[number 9]

Very good post Charny, we really do have to be careful what we wish for. I would go as far as to say that there is NO-ONE out there that would do anywhere as good a job as MM with the resources to hand, nobody.

I also do not accept that for the most part the football thios season has been poor, yes there have been moments but there have been some very good spells of improved football too, 1st half at Brentford, 2nd half against Barnsley, both games against Wolves & Norwich to nbame but Four and lets remember we have a team that are at least trying to adapt their game after the loss of their main striker at short notice, to go to 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 will take time to adapt, just as it will with Webster coming into the back Four, having Two CB's who know each others games is one of the most important partnerships within any team and has to be worked at.

Our last Three games against Preston, Reading and Derby have seen us win Two and the thing that stands out for me is that we have not been been breached in open play in those Three games, Two suspect penalties which were awarded beyond the allotted time and that is it, credit needs to be given for that, yes Bart had a great game last night but that believe it or not is what he is there for, would we rather see a Scott Carson howler ?

Mike, you obviously have one of the most informed opinions of our style of play since you go to so many games. Do you really believe we are trying to 'adapt' to playing a more passing game on the ground? If you do, then I believe you...but why are so many still saying we play poorly, and we're still hoofing?

For me: 'touch & go passing on the ground', 'movement to create space', and 'team movement forward' are the fundamentals of football...not pretty football. The only time you should hoof the ball is for a defensive clearance. There's nothing wrong with passing the ball in the air as long as it gets to the player, or is played into space for the player to run on to. MM needs to 'adapt' much faster, especially without the services of Mr Murphy. We all just want to see some decent football.

[Bluemike]

"9" we have tried to do it in parts of games, NO we have not just suddenly adapted our style of play and that is that, it cannot work that way, by his own admission yesterday MM states we have to do the dirty stuff and do it well, last night we clearly did that. I do think at times Town fans get wrapped up in this hoof ball thing and all too often it aint as bad as some will have others believe, trust me we arent by any means cured of it and at times I am bloody glad we hoof it, it is incredible how fickle a crowd can be, you get a player phaffing around with it and teh crowd shout clear the bloody thing LOL.

We played some really good stuff at Wolves, in the second half against Barnsley and against the scum, lets not just ignore those sections of the season. If we had hoofed the ball away when we had the chance against Reading Grant Ward would not have been unfortunate to give away the first penalty, I can't remember who it was, possibly Bru.

[herforder]

Groundhog Day post, albeit well intentioned. Groundhog Day responses. Read and undestand MM's lips. When we're home and hosed and safe from relegation, then he might just take the odd risk. We need to undestand the pro game relative to the squad he has available, and the league we're in. Not to, is being naive. Given our limitations, 'if we can't win, then we're not going to lose' isn't a bad philosophy - as was proved against relentless pressure last night. Won't work every time, but 3 points gained away against an expensively assembled squad with high expectations, shouldn't be a cause for 'disappointed of Ipswich' supporters to crave for whistles and bells. Getting JW and DMcG fit might help in the longer term. In the interim, until and unless he's given significantly more money, and is able to bring in players of significantly better quality than those that we have, in a results driven business, I can't think of many other obvious candidates likely achieve comparatively so much with so little.

[marko69]

Groundhog Day post, albeit well intentioned. Groundhog Day responses. Read and undestand MM's lips. When we're home and hosed and safe from relegation, then he might just take the odd risk. We need to undestand the pro game relative to the squad he has available, and the league we're in. Not to, is being naive. Given our limitations, 'if we can't win, then we're not going to lose' isn't a bad philosophy - as was proved against relentless pressure last night. Won't work every time, but 3 points gained away against an expensively assembled squad with high expectations, shouldn't be a cause for 'disappointed of Ipswich' supporters to crave for whistles and bells. Getting JW and DMcG fit might help in the longer term. In the interim, until and unless he's given significantly more money, and is able to bring in players of significantly better quality than those that we have, in a results driven business, I can't think of many other obvious candidates likely achieve comparatively so much with so little.

Groundhog Day perhaps, but definitely a well worded version, and 100% accurate in my opinion.

[number 9]

Groundhog Day indeed. We've been debating style of play for quite sometime. I just can't accept, you have to have million pound players to play basic football. Surely the lack of passing and movement is something any manager can instill into the players. We are a professional entity after all, aren't we?

Look out! There he goes! Someone whack that groundhog before he digs more holes in ITFC's fan base.

[Watership Down]

Football is a simple game made difficult

[marko69]

Not out to start any big debates or anything, but I really do not think its a simple game made difficult. It's a tough game.
For me, snooker is a very tough game, but Ronnie makes it look so easy........., and football is also a very tough game, but Messi makes it look so easy.
All the others need to make that little bit more effort because it's a bloody tough game.

[hallamblue]

Not out to start any big debates or anything, but I really do not think its a simple game made difficult. It's a tough game.
For me, snooker is a very tough game, but Ronnie makes it look so easy........., and football is also a very tough game, but Messi makes it look so easy.
All the others need to make that little bit more effort because it's a bloody tough game.

Snooker ...."tough"??? ah yer bloody woooose !
But I agree
Football is a simple game made difficult. In fact it's been ruined with "tactics"....I love the Brazilian way" ( in the Pele, Socratese era). .....sod the defending, just attack, attack and if yer opponents score 3 , we'll score 4. That was also the Joe Royale way......I'd have him back in a shot even now!

[marko69]

Been playing snooker for effin 35 years and ma highest break is 12, Hallam. It's flippin tough, hen!

And err........., Pele and Socrates were different eras!

[hallamblue]

12 !!!!

hang ya wee head in shame ma wee man !

Have you ever considered 10 pin bowling ??

[Bluemike]

Marko's right LOL, 27 is my best break, while I did a 242 at Bowling.

[barmy billy]

I had a pal (now sadly deceased) who had his own table and we used to play every Tuesday evening for three hours over about 25 years. I am ashamed to admit that my largest break was 21. My eyesight was so bad that I wore old single vision glasses upside down and tied on with knicker elastic a la Dennis Taylor.

Happy days indeed with lots of laughs.

[Bluemike]

Pool on the other hand, take on anyone.

[marko69]

12 !!!!

hang ya wee head in shame ma wee man !

Have you ever considered 10 pin bowling ??

I did try 10 pin, Hallam........, but I was so good, they gave me the job permanently.

Seriously though, I call it "gutter ball" ......, that's where my ball spends half its time!

[marko69]

I had a pal (now sadly deceased) who had his own table and we used to play every Tuesday evening for three hours over about 25 years. I am ashamed to admit that my largest break was 21. My eyesight was so bad that I wore old single vision glasses upside down and tied on with knicker elastic a la Dennis Taylor.

Happy days indeed with lots of laughs.

LOL! And was it 25 years of a close fought thing, Billy? Or did you get your arse handed to you most Tuesday nights? OR, (I'm hoping) was the snooker just a distraction and it was the banter you enjoyed most?

[marko69]

Pool on the other hand, take on anyone.

Only if it's freestyle. I sink doing breaststroke.

[barmy billy]

I had a pal (now sadly deceased) who had his own table and we used to play every Tuesday evening for three hours over about 25 years. I am ashamed to admit that my largest break was 21. My eyesight was so bad that I wore old single vision glasses upside down and tied on with knicker elastic a la Dennis Taylor.

Happy days indeed with lots of laughs.

LOL! And was it 25 years of a close fought thing, Billy? Or did you get your arse handed to you most Tuesday nights? OR, (I'm hoping) was the snooker just a distraction and it was the banter you enjoyed most?

We used to play thing like best of 70 frames which usually involved one of us going on a long run of wins only for the other to do the same and at the end of the day there would only be a few frames in it. Luckily, we were both about the same level.

As you say though, the banter was the best thing and we would often laugh so much we couldn't hit a thing. Honestly, the bollocks me talk when they get together! A good mate for 30 years who sadly died about 3 years ago and an ITFC fan to boot. I still miss his company.

[marko69]

Completely agree on the bollocks that can be spoken while out socialising. I try and get out to the snooker last Sunday of each month with a Jambo buddy. You should hear the bollocks he talks!