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Doom and Gloom – But Why?
Written by paulthebluealien on Wednesday, 10th Sep 2014 15:01

It cannot just be me but we seem to have been here before. A few defeats and we have, perhaps unsurprisingly, been left with a horde of moaning and whinging Ipswich fans.

However, I for one am confused by the negativity surrounding the club. This blog is not aiming to, nor will it inevitably succeed in overhauling many Town fans' opinions on the state of Ipswich Town at the moment.

For, it seems to the masses, that we are loaning out our apparent ‘better players’ without actually bringing in any reasonable replacements. Or our money-bags owner who regularly makes rich lists in our daily newspapers seems to have given up on his ultimate goal of bringing Premiership football back into Ipswich. The very thing he confidently vowed when he strolled into the club in 2007. Wow, was it really that long ago now?

Yet I cannot help but see anything other than a knee-jerk reaction - fans expecting a miraculous start and then, for some baffling reason, being shell-shocked and angry when it does not materialise.

I think we should look first at our current crop of players. By all accounts, they are not spectacular. There is no real star quality present within it. With the exception of the obvious, David McGoldrick, who every Ipswich fan has a secret crush on and was utterly jubilant that he was not sold on transfer deadline day.

What Ipswich does have though, in abundance, is a group of players who will always provide 100 per cent in effort. Many Ipswich fans will respond to this by saying, ‘Well, effort is great but without the quality we are not getting anywhere.’

That may be true, but I will put this forward: we are not in the Premiership. Therefore, can we really, realistically speaking, expect a crop of players who wear bright boots, take on whole teams and score 30-yard screamers on a weekly basis? My answer would be no.

Let us just look at the Championship. It is a league that, in short, does not have teams full of players who can be labelled as having ‘genuine quality’.

I would only look at Derby and perhaps Cardiff. But I do not see barn-storming starts from either of those. I see Cardiff and Fulham, relegated sides, struggling to adapt. The Championship is, and always will be, a rollercoaster of unpredictability. As my Dad always says, ‘Anyone can beat anyone.’ He is truly, spot on. That is the nature of this division and also partly why it is the best division to watch but the worst to be involved in.

However disappointing the Derby day defeat to those arrogant Canaries was, we were playing a group of players the majority of whom had been playing Premiership football for the past three seasons. We lost, regrettably, 1-0. But should we have done?

I am not arguing it was spectacular or that we were particularly sensational. Unfortunately, we were not. We were on the whole lacklustre and struggled to open up a mediocre team. However, that is the nature of this league. Instead I argue that many Ipswich fans are overreacting. Desperation has replaced a level-headed approach towards our football club.

So, how about the results? Well, five points from five games is poor. On paper at least. Yet, let us not forget we have already played two relegated teams, and Derby away. Derby, that rings a bell, ah yes, the promotion favourites, were they not?

Neither Norwich nor Reading outclassed us. We should have drawn both. Defensively we actually look very good and Jonathan Parr I believe will be an invaluable signing. Christophe Berra is an astute defender at this level and players such as Kevin Bru and young Teddy Bishop could make a great impact in the midfield area. Let us not forget that our prince charming Jonny Williams or Jack Collison could still be on their way in.

Sure, a lot of Ipswich fans are becoming frustrated at McCarthy’s seemingly ‘hoofball’ tactics. Last year was very much similar, but we came ninth and I heard very little complaining then. Indeed, last year at this stage we actually sat on four points. In what was, arguably, a very similar start involving matches against two relegated sides (Reading and QPR respectively.)

Moreover, our upcoming fixtures see us at home twice in a matter of days. This was, just the case last year. We won the two home games then, against Middlesbrough (3 – 1) and Yeovil (2 – 1) which really kick-started our season. Or, at the very least put some welcome points on the board. It is too early to judge anything. Two wins and our season and our position in the league (which of course, everybody forgets is merely five games in) will look much rosier.

Finally, I would like to just discuss our manager. I read many interesting and often plainly ridiculous things about Mick McCarthy. McCarthy is not a fool. To me, he has managed at the highest level guiding the Republic of Ireland so close to the last eight in the 2002 World Cup.

He has been promoted with Sunderland and with Wolves and many Wolves fans speak of him as always having a place in their clubs' hearts.

Now, that is all very romantic and all and we have had this before with the likes of Paul Jewell slapping their CVs and shouting to the skies about their success (albeit, just not at Derby), but the point is this, name me a better manager who could get our team and squad out of this division.

McCarthy performed nothing less than a miracle in providing inspiration and organisation to save us from relegation. Anybody who believes otherwise clearly did not watch those dreadful games under Jewell’s leadership.

Last season we came ninth. Our best finish in a lot of painful years. McCarthy has had next to nothing to spend. The way I see it, he has transformed a whipping boy relegation team into a boring, stubborn team, albeit with an outside chance again of a top six season. Now, which would we really have? Let us be, realistic.

I would rather be where we are now then where we were a few years ago. Yes, I can hear you all shouting about ‘progress, dammit, we need to see progress!’. To that I reply shrewdly, ‘Let us not judge our season on five games or on a cup that we are never going to win and that actually means we can focus wholly on the league’.

What was that? We reached the semi-finals of the League Cup under Roy Keane? Well, we almost got relegated that year too, did we not?

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe this season will fail and end in unbearable humiliation and misery. Mick will leave and Town will be stuck in a rut.

Or, on the other hand, maybe we have just simply made an average start to a difficult league. We will improve. Does anyone still think that teams like Blackburn and Reading will be stuck in the bottom half all season? That we will be 19th? If you do, then that is your opinion. Just buy me a pint when you are wrong.

I want to see my beloved Ipswich Town back in the Premiership. I believe I will.




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PJH added 17:51 - Sep 10
I only joined this site last week but I have been reading online for quite some time.I have been supporting Ipswich Town for over 50 years apart from a period of just over a year when I stopped going when they had a temporary name change to "Roy Keane's Ipswich Town".
This is a blog that I wish that I had written as I agree with everything that paulthebluealien has written.
As a "new boy" I do not wish to upset anybody but it seems to me that there are some contributors that hope for something to go "wrong"(such as a player loaned out to score for someone else) so that they can say "I told you so".
At the end of last season Mick McCarthy had rescued us from the Keane and PJ era's and got us back to more or less where we were when Jim Magilton was sacked-in retrospect maybe Jim should of had one more season.
Mick McCarthy knows what works for him and he obviously has the full trust of Marcus Evans.
Ideally we would like to see thrilling winning football but I for one would rather be able to say "we won 1-0 but it was not exciting" than "we lost 4-3 but played well".
I cannot claim to agree with every decision that Mick makes and I very much hope that Teddy Bishop is kept in or around the team rather than loaned out.
Over the many years that I have been supporting ITFC I can only recall three first league games by a young player that impressed me as much as Bishop's at Derby-those of Colin Viljoen,Titus Bramble and Dean Bowditch.
One other point,although not really relevant,I wish that Joe Royle had been here at the same time as a reasonable amount of money.
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Pip50 added 18:44 - Sep 10
What pants. You must be watching thro the preverbal tinted glasses.
Shi*te football, average players, no spending. Interesting the news on QPR likely to get away on appeal regarding fair play. I suspect we will continue to hide behind these. Unless we buy, grow, borrow better players we are mid table neither dropping down to develop aka Norwich Southampton Wolves nor threatening promotion and getting relegated with a large bank balance.
MM is yesterday's coach sorry manager he can't coach, probably say he can't manage either beyond a favored few. Whilst we persist with him we will continue our lengthly stay in mid table Championship. I admire your optimism but it's mis placed.
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BillBlue added 18:58 - Sep 10
What a load of rubbish. For goodness sake, are your memories so short? It was Jewell who saved us from relegation after Keane left and what additional has McCarthy done? Loaned all the good young players out and brought in all his hoofball mates - just as the Wolves fans warned us he would!
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Toronto_Tractor added 19:10 - Sep 10
The reality is Pip that we had a spell of chucking money at it (leadbitter, Norris, etc) and it was wholly unsuccessful. Then we had a period of time where we tried to chuck money at it, and nobody wanted to play for us because we had no draw. Now we are in a period of not throwing any money at all and last season was our best finish for years. My initial fondness for MM has been strained too but you can't demand a man to work miracles. When you have no money, and have average players, you will inevitably play an average standard of football at best. We literally have no midfielders who can keep the ball, which is why I guess a lot of passing seems to bypass them completely. I agree with the article that there is a knee jerk reaction a lot of the time. We've had tough games and narrowly lost 2 of them which if Mings and murphy had finished their golden chances would be no losses at all. Why can't we just accept that it's a struggle for us at the moment and we need to develop some underdog spirit and not bemoan the fact we are working on a shoestring budget. Money does help, but as we found out, doesn't guarantee anything.
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tractorboybig added 09:27 - Sep 11
Ipswich sit where we belong an average championship side.
How can evans be critisied? without him we would probaly be a conference team.
MM has done what he can with limited resouces,his failing is the ability or faith in bringing the young talent through, the bed rock of our heydays.
I feel mm has done as much as he can at this club.
A few games in and the season is panning out for us as it will continue.
Further more whats wrong with a team of 100% hard grafters who are not that individualy skilled? Its the system employed that brings sadness to us old boys who have seen the glory days, this is not our once beloved family club thats gone, Ipswich are in the real world and to be honest we are not that good in it.
Evans failure has been in his selection of managers, none who have fitted the Ipswih ethos. He does not understand what this club is all about and never will.
Cause therefore for doom and gloom
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Pessimistic added 10:50 - Sep 11
This blog has been a good attempt to patch up reality. Town are a very average team with very average players and if we do scramble to the play-offs, it will be on the grounds of the mediocrity of the league rather than anything we have done.

Mick McCarthy is only intersted in grinding out results with zombie-like players who lack any creativity or individuality and gone are the days when people came to Portman Road to be entertained. This is not part of the McCarthy concept. The Kremlin would be proud of him. All grey and no play.
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carsey added 13:45 - Sep 11
Evans saved us financially but unfortunately was poorly advised getting Keane in as manager and PJ wasn't any better.
McCarthy saved us from relegation but has neither the vision or money to get us promoted - his brand of football is and always has been boring and out of date.
We are now a very average team in the second tier of English football and so it will remain for the foreseeable future.
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ITFCsince67 added 13:55 - Sep 11
First thing I will say is that you are have written a good article with valid points, However!
Watching Town playing these days is just horrible.
As others have said we have an outdated manager, yes he kept us up a few years back but e have really not moved anywhere in respect to talent in the squad or style of football.
We play long hoof football with the main aim of not losing the game and not playing attractive football that entertains. I would genuinely be happy to finish mid table if we watch entertaining football with goals.
Attendance will remain so low while we play that style of football and ME charges truly silly prices for tickets. Not selling out against the scum is unheard of.
People have written that we were not outclassed by Norwich, really? May have 0-1 but if they could finish it would have needed an abacus!
Town must bring youth into the side who are not afraid to go forward. Who cares if we lose 4-5 , we will see entertainment and one day we might win 5-4!
Remember the Joe Royle days when we watched great entertaining football, where have the 10K of fans gone from those days.
If you as old as me I could mention the Robson era but that just makes me cry to think how far we haver fallen. 1981 - European Football Team of the Year - 2014 Ipswich Town, who?
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rugbytomc added 15:55 - Sep 11
I just wanted to pick up on one thing;
"I am not arguing it was spectacular or that we were particularly sensational. Unfortunately, we were not. We were on the whole lacklustre and struggled to open up a mediocre team. However, that is the nature of this league. Instead I argue that many Ipswich fans are overreacting. Desperation has replaced a level-headed approach towards our football club. "
I admit to feeling desperate after that game, because of all the promise and progress we seem to have made over the last 18 months, and with summer gone and players going in and out sorted nice and early, we suddenly produced a performance that was just dire and to be honest seemed completely clueless - against as you say, a team who were mediocre themselves on the day. I mean where did that come from? Yes the result against Derby and the performance from what I hear was an improvement, but when you get a performance like that out of nowhere, regardless of who it is against, you have to feel a bit desperate.
MM is a good man and a good man manager and I agree with the way he treats the players completely and have no problems with his transfer and loan dealings in or out. But is the style of football he wants his players to play (even if he were able to bring in better players) the style of football that will get us promoted? the style of football that will give people hope we can get promoted and thus put more bums on seats? I'm not so sure it is, but recognise that he's evolving if not revolutionising the team/squad.
So I hope we continue to improve, I hope stewart adds something to the team when fit and that Ambrose gets a chance and that the likes of Bishop and Clarke, Hewitt and Henshall can break into the team (by playing well enough) and that Marriott will come back and do the same - but I'll need to see continued progress and not stagnation for me to be convinced, as we're running out of time to get out of the league.
I also have no problems whatsoever with Marcus Evans running on the club and am grateful to his support and investment - I just wish he'd taken better advice on appointing Paul Jewell and hadn't ever done it!


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Walk_the_Wark added 00:20 - Sep 12
McCARTHY OUT NOW
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WindsorBlue added 09:19 - Sep 12
If MM and TC were to walk into Liverpool tomorrow, would he play "Hoof-Ball". Probably not. MM and TC were initially appointed to ensure survival in the Championship. He took what he had, organised us, and kept us in the league comfortably. We will not transform into a free-flowing footballing side in two or three seasons. Don't forget what he started with. Is the aim now to be the prettiest side in the league? NO. This would require resources far in excess of what is available. Exciting players are the most expensive. We must look to develop from young players already at the club and rising through the academy. This is being done. Mings is a good young talent, that gets forward. He is a million miles from the finished article, but he will only get better (I've heard him get stick too, which is unacceptable). Henshalls loan signing is a small pacey winger...not a 6'2" lump. Bish has broken into the first team, Clarke, Hewitt & Marriott will do the same no doubt. I don't think these players would get a chance if we were throwing money at it. Keano and Jewell didn't seem too interested in our youth. With potentially exciting players breaking through will allow for different styles to be employed. I realistically can't think of a manager that would have done better (Eddie Howe would have struggled in that time period, and we needed serious organisation). We need to give him time, and not follow fashions of sacking managers willy nilly. By simply writing McCARTHY OUT NOW (Walk_the_wark), just fuels negativity without any justification or more importantly solutions, or direction for the future. It in fact exemplifies the point of the blog about unjustified negativity.

We need to stop living in the past, assess our situation, re-adjust our expectations, and look forward with our youth.
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J4ck22 added 11:19 - Sep 13
This blog is perfect. The fans need to accept reality and be patient instead of bitching at every god damn opportunity. Pip50, BillBlue, Walk_The_Wark, with no due respect, you're all f**king morons...
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Europablue added 17:31 - Sep 15
A simple answer is we haven't won every game and we lost to Norwich for the first time in a while after challenging for the top 6.
Anything too realistic is beyond a lot of people.
In terms of improving the value of his squad, I'm sure ME is really happy with what McCarthy is doing.
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