 My Personal and Very Honest Review of the 2013/14 SeasonWritten by Sindre94 on Monday, 5th May 2014 00:28 First of all, thanks for a brilliant season. I hope you enjoy the blog! This season has been unique. Not only for Ipswich Town but also from a personal perspective. I’ve attended 11 Town games, bearing in mind that every game is an away game for me who lives in Norway. I’m pretty proud of that. Numerous of times have I had to get four different planes, get up at three in the morning to get a bus to Stansted, followed by five or six hours of travelling until I finally get back home. It’s been exhausting and I’ve experienced some incredible games (Derby, Charlton, Barnsley and Blackpool away to name a few) and also some really disappointing ones (Stevenage, Wigan and Boro away to name a few). During this season I also took part in the Soccer AM show along with a bunch of Town mates, which I thoroughly enjoyed and that is definitely an experience I will look back on for the rest of my life. We started the season off by playing Reading away, a fixture which me and my dad witnessed from the away end. Not the best of starts, but certainly a quality away day with two or three thousand brilliant Town fans. You could just feel the optimism and belief around the place. A 2-1 defeat at Reading was followed by a 2-0 loss to the now relegated League One side Stevenage in the Capital One Cup. At that time, it had been 15 games since I’d seen us win a game of football, and the tweets from other Town fans telling me to stop going to games were clear to see. I though returned in September for the Yeovil and Wigan games, and that home game proved to be my first win. A scrappy, ugly football game against the Somerset side was the first win with me in the stands for quite a while, and considering that we weren’t exactly top of the table, that was a vital three points on the board. The Derby game is also worth mentioning. Such a thrilling game for the neutrals, but then again, the lot of us Tractor Boys aren’t exactly neutral. One of the strangest first halves I’ve ever seen. I don’t think we were especially good, but we somehow managed to be 4-1 up at half-time. Crikey! We could not believe what we were watching. Reality soon struck us and Derby managed to find a way back in the game by completing an amazing comeback and making sure the three points weren't heading back to Suffolk. I remember that we looked like sealing our first away win of the campaign at that time, but Steve McClaren and his Rams took the role as party poopers. That by the way, was one of the longest journeys back to Norway after that second half display... Heartbreak!! November 9th and my next game at Blackpool proved to be our first win on the road of the season. A day of mixed emotions to the say the least. One of our own sadly passed away after the game, and Kempy will forever be remembered amongst us Town fans and when things like that happen, it really puts things in perspective. The game itself though was remarkable. The worst first half performance I have seen for a while with Cole Skuse playing right back for instance. Mick moved away from his usual tactics and went crazy in the second half by having Paul Taylor, Stephen Hunt, Daryl Murphy, Carlo Edwards, David McGoldrick, and Frank Nouble on the pitch at the same time. Amazing comeback by the Town and the away end went mental. I’d rather focus on the good experiences of travelling around to watch us play rather than being pessimistic and negative. Therefore I'd rather not say too much about the Boro, Millwall and Wigan games :) Out of the 11 games I went to watch, nine of those were away from Portman Road. There have been quite a few TV games and also extended highlights have been possible to watch on Ipswich Player. As a season review, I’d like to point out the different highlights and disappointments, and also have a quick look at each player and rating them on a scale out of 10 (this is of course very subjective and your opinion in the comment section is very welcoming). The success - transfers and team spirit Mick has done a great job in the transfer market by not just bringing in quality players, but he’s managed to get these players without paying a penny in transfer fees. I wonder what the market value is put together for Skuse, Didzy, Berra and Murphy. He has brought in some disappointing players, but we cannot complain after such a positive season. Jay Tabb, Hunt, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Freddie Veseli have not impressed a huge lot of us Town fans this season. In my opinion, what Mick has done best is that he has managed to create such a positive environment around the club by putting together a group of players that is willing to get muddy not just for the team or the club but also for us fans. I don’t know about you, but I prefer honest, hard-working players that plays for the club rather than some overpaid foreign player that dilly-dallies around in midfield afraid of getting stuck in. That said, the balance is key :) The disappointment – defensive mentality I will be the first person to accept that we can’t pass our way out of this division but I think our group of players is better than what Mick might believe. There must be some kind of reason behind the fact that we have lost so many leads this season. As soon as we go ahead, we sit back and hope to see the game out. I think that is a fair solution if we are away at Chelsea or Man City, but at home to Doncaster, Watford and other average Championship sides we simply cannot play in that manner when we go 1-0 up. Also the line-up at Burnley when we need to win was very strange. Frazer Richardson is not a winger in my opinion, some of you might disagree! Also in the last game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday I thought it was a shame that out of the likes of Jack Marriott, Alex Henshall and even Veseli only Marriott got a five-minute period on the pitch. I honestly believe that Jack would have scored more goals than Frank Nouble (three in all competitions) if he had been given the same amount of game-time. Nevertheless, I back Mick and support his choices, even though I don’t always agree. I am one of those who think Paul Taylor should have got more time of the pitch, basically because I haven’t seen him have a terrible game in the Town shirt yet and it’s obvious that he makes things happen when he is on the pitch. I think it’s a shame that he won’t be playing for our fantastic club next season, but it doesn’t come as a surprise. I met Tayls prior to the Barnsley away game, where he left the city on a train four or five hours before kick-off. 'That' picture got a few headlines and I think we all understood what was going to happen with the boy at that time - he’s obviously not in our manager's plans. I’m not complaining though. It’s been a superb season. Ratings Gerken [5] In my opinion Gerks has been both great and below average this season. I think he’s had his point/game-winning games, where Forest and Charlton away spring to mind. At the same time he’s cost us points this season. He didn’t have a particularly good game up at Middlesbrough and his mistake at Millwall lost us the game. The goalkeeping area needs improvement. Loach [4] Barely played and I personally don’t see that much of a difference between him and Gerken. Looks like he will move on in the summer. I wish him the best of luck. Chambers [6] The captain has led by example like never before this season. He doesn’t look perfect on the right-back, but is still a great player for us and his fist pump at the end of a decent victory deserves a mention as well :) I’m not sure whether he’ll be in our starting XI next season. Mick will without doubt have a hard time leaving him out if that’s the case. Berra [7] Without doubt one of the players of the season. He has been tremendous and must be one of the best bargains the Championship have seen in a while. Chips in with goals and also puts his body on the line. I met him on the train back from Blackpool, when he was about to head to Scotland. Quality player and a top lad as well. Smith [7] Good old Tommy. The steps that he has taken during the last few seasons have been enormous. A loyal, hard-working and very passionate player that always plays for the Ipswich badge, and not for himself. I think he and Christophe have been great, and I would as far as saying that we might have one of the best CB pairings in the league. Cresswell [6] Has not has his best season for us. But despite that I feel he has been very consistent and the reason why he gets so much stick might is because he has turned out to be our only 'star player' if you look at the last three seasons as a whole. He has been great and his assists have helped us a lot. Sad to see him leave in the summer as it looks like he will. But he (as Mick points out) deserves to play in the Premier League. Mings [5] I feel sorry for Mings in a way, because he deserves to get some more minutes than he’s currently getting at Town. The times he’s been called upon this season I think he’s been alright and except the pen against Donny he hasn’t really set a foot wrong. Next season might be his breakthrough if/when Cressy leaves. Skuse [6] He is one of the players at the club I really rate. No, he doesn’t get many goals or assists but he is a very composed player and has a bit of flair as well. A poor man’s Carrick I like to say! He just needs a more offensive player next to him. Him, Hyam and Woody could work together in a 4-3-3 next season but we might bring in another midfielder in that system. Someone like Jonny would be good. I think Skuse is a great player and should be here next season. Hyam [7] I will get a lot of stick regarding this one. Luke Hyam has been fantastic this season and is in my opinion one of the most underestimated players I’ve seen play for Town. Ever!! I am very surprised to know that Hyam was not considered as one of the players of the season. The lad is local, hardworking, passionate and plays with his heart on the sleeve. He wont score many but on the other hand, how many has Hunt, Skuse, Green, Nouble or even Ebanks-Blake scored? Such a good bloke and I'm proud to have those types of players in the side. HE'S ONE OF OUR OWN! Wordsworth [5] Not really featured this season so would be unfair to be too critical of him. He’s done well when he’s come into the team, and I look forward to seeing him play more next season. Green [4] Would not come as a surprise if we sign this guy up permanently in the summer, but he’s not my type (as Mick says about Taylor). He’s got two goals and hasn’t been terrible, but in my opinion he is not the long term solution. Tunnicliffe [5] Tunners was alright when he was here and played a key role in Mick's team. If he hadn't been recalled by Manchester United, we might never have gone on to sign Williams on loan. Tunnicliffe always battled out on the pitch and I personally thought he was quite decent. He obviously didn't contribute enough with either goals or assists to ever be a popular player just like Williams has gone on to be. Williams [7] He’s not been at the club for very long but still has managed to become a cult hero. Great little player that has made ITFC 'very' entertaining to watch again. After Didz got injured, we needed that type of player. Can’t see him every playing for us again. Such a shame. Hunt [4] The little Irishman has been full of energy and running, as we all expected, but he, along with Green is not the long term solution in my opinion. Hasn’t scored a goal and is “='just another Tabb' I feel. Great attitude but just lacks that final quality. Tabb [4] What a fantastic start to the season Tabby had. He was without doubt our man of the match against Reading but never managed to keep that form up. Ordinary at best. Anderson [4] Ando never got going I feel. He’s been in and out of the team and always puts in a shift for the team (as every current Town player does). I’ve seen him have decent games but also some shocking displays. I hope we keep him in the summer though to see what he can do next season. Scored a few goals, unlike the majority of our midfielders. Nouble [3] I know this rating may be harsh. But big Frank has never ever impressed me immensely. He runs around and can make things happen as a last ten-minute sub, but all around he definitely hasn’t done enough. Two goals this season where both of which were howlers by the opponent goalies. Lacks quality, a proper football brain and the technique to ever be a decent Town striker. I love him like a guy, he’s a top lad but I can’t see him be a regular in our starting XI next season. Please prove me wrong Noubz. Murphy [7] Murph has been tremendous this season and deserve a lot of credit. A striker which does all the dirty work and still gets a fair share of goals. Copes with playing as a lone front man and also does well while playing with McGoldrick. Always ready to battle and is a real aerial threat. I still thank you for the injury time goal up at Blackpool. What a great moment that was!! :) Fair play Daryl, you have been superb. McGoldrick [8] Not my player of the season although he gets the best rating here. I just think David McGoldrick is the best footballer this club currently have, and must be the best player we’ve had for some time as well. February 14th was the day we all heard he was out for the rest of the season. That might have been the turning point, although we’ve managed to pick up some points after that. His contribution is massive. The lad can make something happen out of nothing and has the skills to be a Premier League player, without doubt. Sixteen goals I think it was, just fantastic. He doesn’t score many tap-ins but that just proves how many wonder goals he gets. I am already buzzing to see him fit and on fire next season! Taylor [6] Yes, I am a Taylor fan. I’ve already said a few words on him earlier in the blog, but the reason why I’ve given him a six is quite simple. He hasn’t had a bad game this season and turned the game against Blackpool (first one which springs to mind) on its head. I don’t think he’s lacked work ethic in those games he has played either, so I don’t see why Mick constantly insists on leaving him out. Hope he stays, but he won’t. Not too happy with this decision by McCarthy. Players like Richardson (he's been great to have around the place apparently), Veseli, Hewitt, Graham, Henshall, Edwards, Crowe, Marriott, SEB (struggled for fitness and won't get a new contract. Haven't seen enough of him anyway) and Lee (GOAL) haven't really featured enough for me to give them a rating. So that being said, I think it’s been a very good season and we have made huge steps compared with last season. Next season will be such a joy!! Already buzzing for Brentford, Fulham and of course scum away :) LETS HAVE IT!!! Sindre Eliassen, Norwegian blue. COYB Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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