Great Interview with Mark Ashton and KMck

[mendipblue]

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/48951

[mendipblue]

Ashtons passion is first rate

[Bluemike]

Yes very good viewing, and personally I think i needed that because it's very easy to get frustrated on certain things when it's not going to plan and forget all the really good stuff that is going on.

[Steve and Jo]

Yes very good viewing, and personally I think i needed that because it's very easy to get frustrated on certain things when it's not going to plan and forget all the really good stuff that is going on.

I totally understand you Mike, I really do but I have tried putting things in perspective of where the club is now to where it was. I think Mark admitted we maybe done too much too soon and now the club is taking stock, yet has he said we are only nearing the ending of the beginning. Keep the faith, look around we are as a whole so much better off now that just a few short years ago and I still believe in everybody connected to the club including Kieran and even Ed Sheeran

[Bluemike]

Don't get me wrong I still stand by most of what I've said over the last few regarding how we've wasted Golden opportunities and been a bit predictable, Kieran himself mentions how things would look so different with 3 or 4 extra points, well we threw them away. My point is the club as a whole is in such a good place, on the pitch it's struggling which is probably as we expected. I really wanted Matt Holland to ask what the implications were should we go down.

[shabba]

I often will avoid some threads if I see a negative sprial or such, hence I may go quiet on here after a defeat as I'm quite a positive person and I need to avoid biting at negative comments.

What really got to me was the last time I went to PR, usually its always SO positive and the atmosphere has been so good this season. However at the Saints game I was sat near some right twats (I can't think of a better way to articulate it sorry!).

Constantly being negative, and just yelling abuse at the players - an example being 'Morsy - useless get rid of that c**T'. They just seemed quite a few very basic humans there who have no idea about context, and also felt it acceptable to abuse and call people all sorts - despite those people trying their best (even if they don't have the ability to excel at this level). I'd genuinly love to find where these people work, go there and bombard them with the C word for any slight mistake they made.

Anyway it really bothered me, I try and stay quite as I don't want to cause a scene wasting my time on these people - especially infront of my son, or risk getting kicked out etc.

Anyway gone off a bit there, but my point is we DO need to stick together as MA says, IMO if we go down so be it, we have given it a good go and we will regroup and go again, sticking by the club as I genuinly believe we have world class leadership and we WILL go again. This is not a flash in the pan success, its built to be sustainable and for the long term.

If you actually look then a few clubs who are now established PL teams - they came up, went down, came back and then stayed up.

I have so much respect for MA, KM and the squad and I'll back them with positive energy.

[marko69]

Just had time to view. Two guys who know their stuff and are very passionate about the future of ITFC. You homegrown supporters are very lucky to have this all going on.

Trust the process, guys and keep the "noise" to a minimum. (Mash's words, not mine!)

[Steve and Jo]

My understanding by reading and hearing over past few months is if we go down we carry on. The owners and investors still back Mark and co on and off the pitch. Seemingly though I admit I do not fully understand the rulings with the EFL and Premier regarding how much can lose, but I understand everybody wages drop as in their contracts

Basically no doubt be couple or even more players leaving, I would imagine Delap and possibly Leif be sold for good money.

Training ground and stadium improvements still going on and they back the manager for it seems he is not going anywhere, obviously that could change just like anything else but overriding message from the club is onwards and upwards albeit with choppy waters and highs and lows. Keep together

I understand your feelings also Shabba, similar to mine and Marko, quite agree we could be lot worse off

[AzzurroMark]

I often will avoid some threads if I see a negative sprial or such, hence I may go quiet on here after a defeat as I'm quite a positive person and I need to avoid biting at negative comments.

What really got to me was the last time I went to PR, usually its always SO positive and the atmosphere has been so good this season. However at the Saints game I was sat near some right twats (I can't think of a better way to articulate it sorry!).

Constantly being negative, and just yelling abuse at the players - an example being 'Morsy - useless get rid of that c**T'. They just seemed quite a few very basic humans there who have no idea about context, and also felt it acceptable to abuse and call people all sorts - despite those people trying their best (even if they don't have the ability to excel at this level). I'd genuinly love to find where these people work, go there and bombard them with the C word for any slight mistake they made.

Anyway it really bothered me, I try and stay quite as I don't want to cause a scene wasting my time on these people - especially infront of my son, or risk getting kicked out etc.

Anyway gone off a bit there, but my point is we DO need to stick together as MA says, IMO if we go down so be it, we have given it a good go and we will regroup and go again, sticking by the club as I genuinly believe we have world class leadership and we WILL go again. This is not a flash in the pan success, its built to be sustainable and for the long term.

If you actually look then a few clubs who are now established PL teams - they came up, went down, came back and then stayed up.

I have so much respect for MA, KM and the squad and I'll back them with positive energy.

I'm completely on the same page as you here Shabba. Great post, thank you.

[Bluemike]

Incidentally Shabba, where were you sitting?

[ITFC2024]

MA is a great spokesperson for the ITFC brand! Yep, it's true, we are so much better off as a club than we were under Evans. We now have a very professional structure financially and as an aspiring, top level football club. It will be a near miracle if we survive, but many of us thought it would take a miracle for back-to-back promotions. Let's begin the resurgence against Villa and go for the win.

[shabba]

Incidentally Shabba, where were you sitting?

for the last 2 league games I was in U block, i.e low down at pitch level. It's just across and below from the Blue action section so the atmosphere is really good, and you ge the noise from the north stand etc. It's not where I'd actually choose to sit, but its all I've been able to get, and its good for my son as he can see players really close up.

I usually prefer the middle or top of the West Stand as I like that 'tv view' of the game.

I'll be in K block for Spurs and R block for Forest so lets see how they compare, usually O or P block would be my pick. I personally dislike sitting behind the goals.

[hallamblue]

I've said several times now this season is a free hit for McKenna because we weren't expecting to be in the Plastic League yet.

I also feel, by and large our recruitment strategy, has been largely unaltered ie, we would have signed the players ( mostly) we have. We'd made moves for example, for Omari, b4 we got promoted. Of course once promoted we then try to sign additional players who think might give us something at this level. Nothing is done at this club now on a whim or by chance. Everything is planned, and well in advance. I think the summer activity will be interesting, what ever division we find ourselves in.

[Bluemike]

There must be an element of truth in that because MA stated the recruitment procedure for next season starts now and we have no idea what league we'll be in.

[hallamblue]

He said in a much earlier interview ( last season?) That they are planning for something like 2- 3 windows ahead

[Mauswara]

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/48951

I read the EADT page for this, which I think is identical.

Gotta admit hadn't really warmed to MA, nothing to do with all the Bristol stuff about which I know very little, just a feeling of him being a bit of a corporate showman with all the right words.

But I confess having read this that I am wrong and that he is a passionate and capable CEO.

And then I remembered Simon Clegg.

[Bluemike]

I know a lot will disagree but for me MA is far more important for the long term than KM.

[mendipblue]

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/48951

I read the EADT page for this, which I think is identical.

Gotta admit hadn't really warmed to MA, nothing to do with all the Bristol stuff about which I know very little, just a feeling of him being a bit of a corporate showman with all the right words.

But I confess having read this that I am wrong and that he is a passionate and capable CEO.

And then I remembered Simon Clegg.

If you get chance to watch the video please do. You might be very impressed with his passion for Ipswich Town Fc.

[marko69]

The issue in these areas is guys like Mark Ashton will no doubt have the tendency to “hide” when things like the sh*t really start to hit the fan. Front line management, (in this case, Kieron) are in the line of fire,…… guys operating in the background dodge the bullets. Its like that across all walks of working life.
And yes, some will say, “well front management, do your job better,” ….. But its not always as easy as that.

Years ago after the Govt announced that every pensioner would have a new gas boiler before the millenium, we all joined that “one day install” scheme. Most of the 90s was great. Worked all over the UK. But the district manager guys were under so much pressure that sometimes they either left due to stress or they were relieved of duties. But the regional manager guys?? Well those bum licking twats hid in times of stress. One particular guy springs to mind.
I have no doubt Mash is doing a great job at the club and long may he continue to do so ——->> but i potentially see that one particular guy traits in him. Not 100% on him at all.

And lets face it…….. if Kieron McKenna had’ve made a c*nt of the League One season (like countless other useless f*ckers) then Mashton would be completely insignificant and he’d be in hide mode!
He’s got the Carlsberg job in my opinion. Let others do the stuff thats open to instant public scrutiny and sit back and hope it all goes well.

They should do a “Ipswich Til i die” type documentary on Netflix (like Sunderland) and lets see a day in the life of Mark Ashton.

[hallamblue]

I said to Mike a week or two ago that I wouldn't be surprised down the line if MA ended up working in USA through the Gamechanger contacts he now has. I agree with you marko that people in these positions take the plaudits in the good times, but when the wheels cone off, tend to walk away. But I also agree with Mike, that MA is probably more valuable to the Club long term than the manager. Time will tell I guess.

[Bluemike]

McKenna took 99% of the credit the last 2 seasons, not Ashton, so he takes the credit or otherwise this season.

And let's not forget it was Ashton's vision that brought McKenna here, without that who knows where we'd be.

[mendipblue]

McKenna took 99% of the credit the last 2 seasons, not Ashton, so he takes the credit or otherwise this season.

And let's not forget it was Ashton's vision that brought McKenna here, without that who knows where we'd be.

Yep, a very good point

[marko69]

To be honest, I wasn’t ever being down on the guy. Just wary of him. He’s done nothing but good things with the pension cash ….. would just be curious as to how he deals with big pressure. Hopefully that curiosity isn’t ever answered.

And the Bristol City vitriol was never really answered. Or maybe it has been answered and I missed it.

[Bluemike]

Well for me it's ridiculous to even suggest he'd disappear if things were going badly, I mean he's just this week given an interview with the team sitting second bottom and strong odds on to go down, we've just been turned over at home by the worst team in Premier League history and were currently on a run of Four straight defeats, we are currently the only side in the Premier League not to record a win in 2025 so yeah I think if ever he was going to hide when things are tough it would be now but he hasn't.

[Mauswara]

McKenna took 99% of the credit the last 2 seasons, not Ashton, so he takes the credit or otherwise this season.

Or maybe it was bestowed upon him by us loving supporters.

[Bluemike]

McKenna took 99% of the credit the last 2 seasons, not Ashton, so he takes the credit or otherwise this season.

Or maybe it was bestowed upon him by us loving supporters.

Possibly so, just as it will be this season whether it be praise or criticism?

[Mauswara]

McKenna took 99% of the credit the last 2 seasons, not Ashton, so he takes the credit or otherwise this season.

Or maybe it was bestowed upon him by us loving supporters.

Possibly so, just as it will be this season whether it be praise or criticism?

Praise.

[marko69]

Well for me it's ridiculous to even suggest he'd disappear if things were going badly, I mean he's just this week given an interview with the team sitting second bottom and strong odds on to go down, we've just been turned over at home by the worst team in Premier League history and were currently on a run of Four straight defeats, we are currently the only side in the Premier League not to record a win in 2025 so yeah I think if ever he was going to hide when things are tough it would be now but he hasn't.

I disagree very slightly in the sense that, “if ever he was going to hide when things are tough, it would be now” ……. Mainly because (for me, maybe a few others) it’s largely an unknown free hit season. Was always going to be tough anyway. Was never going to be a “When it GETS tough” scenario. It IS tough.
His resilience and performance to the media will be tested if the club struggle after a relegation.
It is all about opinions though, …… and i am flippin delighted with the way things are going for the club as a whole since Mevans.
Just cant 100% shake off the, “wary of you, dude” thinking. Its 90-10!

[Bluemike]

Of course it's about opinions, I mean there were lots of voices in the Summer, who have vanished now by the way, that didn't want Ashton anywhere near the club, for me I feel he is exactly the type of CEO we needed after the sad cases we've had in recent times, yeah great at pouring the wine, f**king useless at everything else.

[marko69]

Yes, I was definitely in the “ok, what’s this guy done wrong” camp when he appeared on the scene. Still can’t figure out the root cause of the blatant abuse he got from Bristol City fans. Can only put it down to them blaming everyone including the canteen staff for their state of affairs.

One thing for sure is that he certainly knows his stuff. Which in reality is all that should matter. In any other job, that IS ALL that matters. But in times of adversity? Hmmm.
Like the guy named Alex in Bexleyheath, London who managed to fk up an entire contract before it even started, and it all coming to light AFTER 12 squads of 3 engineers rocked up to start on the Monday from all over the UK! In meetings, Alex was THE MAN! But Alex turned out not be the man.

Another major unfortunate, and no doubt trapped somewhere in my subconscious mind……. Mash & Alex are doppelgängers!