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Ten Years Ago, We Came Close to Promotion. Can We Go One Better This Time?
Written by Nuggets on Monday, 15th Dec 2014 21:00

Ten years ago, at this stage of the season, Joe Royle's low-budget Ipswich Town side were top of the table after 21 games played. Shefki Kuqi had scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Brighton. Times were good.

Fast forward a decade and, ignoring a series of campaigns mostly consisting of disappointment, underachievement, false dawns, and mediocrity, it appears Mick McCarthy's Ipswich outfit are on course to emulate, if not hopefully surpass, Royle's brilliant achievement.

That Royle side, with an attacking vim arguably not seen at Portman Road in the intervening decade, contained some brilliant footballers. Reliable goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, towering centre-back Jason De Vos, club legends Fabian Wilnis, Jim Magilton and Tommy Miller, and the prolific duopoly up front in Darren Bent and Kuqi. We were an acknowledged force.

Ultimately, the side missed out on automatic promotion by two points, and Ipswich went through the grinding formality of the play-offs, despite being nine points off Derby County in fourth place below us.

A semi-final defeat to West Ham ended any hopes of promotion that year and, with the lure of Premier League football proving to be too enticing for some of our more promising players, the club's decline began and we have subsequently failed to make the play offs since.

Like that 2004/05 season, McCarthy's low-budget side are looking good value, and a top-six finish appears attainable. Since the defeat to Norwich in late August, a result which had some supporters calling for Mick to get the sack and castigating the lack of quality in the team, the side have only lost once.

Bolstered by a stingy defence, an in-form strikeforce, and a management team that seems to know what they are doing, the club sit only one point off the top of the table as we approach the midway point. Having said that, the club has some difficult challenges it must confront over the next couple of months.

Most notably is the festive fixture list that, unfortunately, isn't looking quite so festive. Games against Middlesbrough, Brentford, Charlton and Derby, who are second, fifth, tenth, and third respectively, offer a run of crucial games to determine whether we can realistically challenge for automatic promotion.

Another concern is the mounting interest in our star players. Tyrone Mings, debatably the most improved player in the side, has reportedly attracted the interest of Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea. The potential departure of our key defender, in January, would no doubt bring in some much-needed funds. But at the expense of our accomplished and decent defender, playing with such stability in a settled back four, such a move could derail a promotion push.

Another issue is the lack of strength-in-depth up front. Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are undoubtedly effective strikers at this level. But Conor Sammon, despite his passion and undoubted work-rate, lacks proficiency in front of goal and Balint Bajner sadly does not look Championship quality in the few appearances McCarthy has afforded him so far.

Noel Hunt seems to be a decent short-term move, and his winner at Charlton hopefully indicates he can overcome his poor goalscoring form over the past couple of years.

Another concern is whether the club can resist a potential second bid for McGoldrick. Almost sold on deadline day in the summer transfer window, McGoldrick could be tempted to guarantee Premier League football in 2015 and further his career. The club might be tempted to cash in on a player who cost nothing in transfer fees, and net a sizeable profit.

However, this is admittedly a less imposing concern. He should stay at a club which has a strong team spirit, and, with promotion looking a more realistic objective than seasons gone by, I would think McGoldrick would stay and relish the challenge of using his impressive abilities to further enhance our chances.

A third potential issue is the squad depth, and the feeling that something is missing from our industrious midfield. With Jonny Williams injured and back in London, the need for a creative presence in midfield is something that should be addressed in the transfer window.

Kevin Bru is often inconsistent, Teddy Bishop is finding his form at this level and Darren Ambrose appears to be perennially short of match fitness. Bishop has the potential, true, and should get the minutes to further his development. However, an out-and-out, creative attacking midfielder, if only for cover, would be an addition that would go some way in providing the squad depth to prolong a promotion bid.

We could also do with cover at right-back. Luke Chambers, while putting in some impressive performances at right back is, naturally, a centre-back. With Elliott Hewitt out on loan, and having limited first-team opportunities at Portman Road, and Jonathan Parr more comfortable at left-back, bringing in some cover in this position should be a compulsory move in the window.

Despite the doubts, I am feeling optimistic about the club's future. McCarthy has sorted the team out. We are a lot more organised and efficient with the ball, and we have a knack of gaining points at grounds where, under the previous few managers, we would have been rightly written off.

As well as this, the club appear to be sorting itself out behind the scenes too. In the summer, I criticised the board for a perceived lack of ambition by failing to provide McCarthy with a decent transfer budget. Fortunately, McCarthy's management skills and an eye for a bargain has enabled the board to cut costs, slash the budget, and also oversee a period of progress.

With promotion looking increasingly more likely, touch wood, after every game, I hope we can avoid the lottery of the play-offs, such as 2004/05, and secure a top two finish to finally return to the Premier League after what would be a 13 year absence.

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gazzmac4 added 10:00 - Dec 16
Has it really been 10 years already?! Bloody hell. That is crazy.

Good blog. I agree with the majority of the points you make.

For me the vast improvement in our play this season is our consistency. Losing only 1 game in 17 is very impressive form and we just look a lot more settled than we did under Jewell and Keane. And to an extent Magilton. We have a squad of 21 or so players who will throw their life on the line to win for the team. And that is a blessing.

At Bolton at the weekend I never really felt we would lose the game. That is a vast improvement on many away games I have attended in recent years when there has always been a feeling that they would break and score in the final 5 mins.

The back four actually work well with Chambo at RB for me. The fact he is less attack minded means that Tyrone has all the freedom he needs to get forward as often as possible, knowing that Chambo, Tommy and CB are hanging back to cover him.

If Tyrone were to be sold it would certainly be a shame but is JP not a LB by trade? Recall Hewitt and put Parr straight in and we would still maintain a relevant level of defensive depth.

As you say the key figure points remain the front 5 as I always call it. I have absolutely no concerns that Lukey Hyam and Cole can do their jobs well. They have shown on a number of times this year that they will do the dirty work for the team.

Teddy Bish has been a revelation but we need to make sure we don't burn him out and Kev Bru is turning in to a good find by MM. On Saturday he came on and had 5 touches in the first 5 mins. He wants the ball all the time and that is a fantastic attitude to have, be it off the bench or starting.

DMcG and Murph have been brilliant. Didz seemed to me to be hitting his stride again on Saturday. His first touch, vision and dribbling were back on point again. A real positive leading in to a tough xmas period would be to have them both fit and going at it. Strength in depth is a little concerning but our backroom staff seem excellent at keeping our players fit and healthy so long may it continue.

I believe this team is a better one than the Royle team although that team may have had more stand out performers on a regular basis. If we can escape xmas with some home wins and some away points then why cant we be up there come May?

The optimisim I am feeling is a world away from what I felt 2 years ago! Lets get behind the boys and push them up and there and keep them there!!

COYBS!!
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SouperJim added 10:57 - Dec 16
If a significant bid comes in for Mings, I think we should sell. It's important not to underestimate how much he gives us going forward, however, Parr has proved himself to be a very capable defender (he's primarily a left back don't forget) and Chambo has started to look excellent at right back of late (rather than just a centre half out of position).

£8m-£10m would be a significant war chest for Mick to spend on improving the first 11. Imagine what we could achieve if we had more in midfield, rather than just the excellent battling qualities we currently posses. I trust Mick to bring the right players in and 2 or 3 key signings could make us champions.
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