Town boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues have been handed a "tough start" to the season with a visit to Brentford up first on Saturday 8th August. The 2015/16 fixtures were released at 9am this morning.

“It’s going to be a tough start but we had a good result the last time we went there,” McCarthy told the club site recalled Boxing Day’s 4-2 victory over the Bees at Griffin Park.

“Both sides are coming into the season having lost in the play-offs and both will be wanting to push on again.

“It’s a competitive league, the Championship. You’ve got the teams that have come down with their parachute payments and you’ve still got the likes of Fulham and Cardiff who you’d expect to be stronger this time around. But I’m excited, definitely!

“I’ve had a lovely break but it’s back to reality now and when the fixtures come out, that’s when you want to get going again.

“We’re back in training in a couple of weeks and the fixtures coming out is a reminder of that. A reminder that there’s work to be done and I’ll be looking forward to getting back with the lads and the staff.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Anderson says he's no clearer on where he'll be playing football in 2015/16. The 26-year-old's contract is up and Town are yet to offer him new terms, although manager McCarthy hasn't ruled out the former Bristol City man remaining at Portman Road.

He tweeted: "Looking forward to getting back into training and getting ready for the new season. Still no clue as to where but fixtures have got me ready."

Wigan are understood to be the frontrunners for his signature, while Fulham have also shown strong interest and Birmingham have been linked.

Photo: Action Images

AYACCA added 11:32 - Jun 17 There are no easy games in the championship....... But we can win them all, so lets just do that and get promoted.
5

Suffolk_n_Proud added 12:39 - Jun 17 Oh god its started already. I'm an MM fan but I do get annoyed with him going on about every other team being a tough game. Yes we know Mick, please don't start saying it every Saturday again
6

dugoutdave added 13:06 - Jun 17 Suffolk n proud. I totally agree. Always sounds like he's on the defensive immediately.
3

blue_movies added 13:18 - Jun 17 we might have a chance if MM can get his team and squad together and ready for the start of the season. he usually gives all the top teams a months head start by doing his signings at the last minute or dilly dallying until September to get his loans.
0

radiogaga added 13:21 - Jun 17 Suffolk n Proud - I struggle to understand your annoyance. He's giving respect to a team that deserve to be respected as they finished above us last season... It's not being negative or defensive, it is a difficult game, they finished 5th last season. And besides, paying respect to the opponent and the 'there are no easy games' mentality is a key method of MM's preparation for games and it guards players/ fans against complacency.

6

radiogaga added 13:26 - Jun 17 blue movies - very few clubs have started transfer business yet & that's pretty standard for this time of year, as players' contracts expire at the end of June/ players and managers have breaks etc. Let's hope MM doesn't mess around too much on signings, because we wouldn't want anymore disappointing campaigns like last season...! (Last comment is sarcasm folks)
5

blue_movies added 13:36 - Jun 17 how much more disappointing can a season be? losing in the play-off final maybe
1

radiogaga added 13:42 - Jun 17 All I'm saying is there are plenty of positives to take out of last season. Whilst the climax was very tough to take, there's no doubt we're moving in the right direction again so there's no need to panic. Last season was a marked improvement on past seasons.
3

dirtyboy added 13:47 - Jun 17 Managing expectations, who'd have thought a manager would do that?
3

Seasider added 13:58 - Jun 17 Looks like Mick has his mobile switched on again so might see a signing before he actually comes back; as he doesn't get involved too much in contract side of things. Expect he will be back anyway next week for a few days before players;so things could get more interesting from now on. Cant remember such a short close season with Englands last game the other day,and the women in action tonight in World cup against Columbia(BBC3)

0

afrodids added 14:30 - Jun 17 I think MM plays the media well, there are no easy games in the championship. If He comes out and says we'll smash Brentford it should be an easy 3 points then if we get beaten he'd look a right t*t. Think about it.
3

yorksblue added 14:30 - Jun 17 I'm having a change of tactics for this season.......I'm going to be super optimistic from the start, so with that in mind, I reckon we'll make the 2nd round of the League Cup and should change the title of this piece to "Tough start for Brentford". I'll review this around 10 Aug!!
5

Stato added 15:01 - Jun 17 I'm not a fan of the Mick Mccarthy style of football but between him and the new MD I thought our transfer dealings last year were pretty impressive considering the budget available. The noises coming out of PR seem to imply there might be a bit more to play with this season and hopefully continue to get our targets with minimum fuss as we did last year.
1

RaymondovicBlue added 15:05 - Jun 17 I'm GLAD Mick has said "tough start" in advance - it means that he will be preparing for a good start, not for us to wake up after 75 minutes 3-0 down! Like others have said - this is a VERY TOUGH league. More than ever, almost anyone can beat almost everyone on their day . But thankfully we are in the group of "almost anyone" who can do it... we showed that last year and will (I believe) be even stronger this year) Yes, show respect in the preparation, But I do agree that Mick telling us that weaker teams (on paper or by league position) were tough in his POST-match interviews is disappointing and DID become too repetitive last year. If he knew they were tough, he should sort out the team and formation (and have the game-changing subs on the bench) to beat the weaker teams ... like other teams managed week in week out in some cases. I'm delighted to have such a good manager and I honestly believe that this is our year to go up ! COYB

0

ChestnutSe added 15:48 - Jun 17 I agree with the posters on here who say that Mick should ensure he has signed enough quality players before the season starts to make sure we can easily beat every other team in the Championship. oh, and the League cup and the FA Cup as well. For goodness sake, how hard can it be?
1

dubblue added 16:51 - Jun 17 Yes the earlier we strengthen the squad the better, starting with a creative midfielder. Rather MM was defensive than complacent!
1

jas0999 added 17:18 - Jun 17 Tough but winnable. If we go there and attack we have every chance. Defend and we may get beat.
1

Bluetone added 17:47 - Jun 17 McCarthy will see it as a chance to defend and hoof ball nothing changes with the dour but reasonably successful Yorkshire man. If we succeed and I hope we do it will be at the expense of any thought of playing attractive passing football. And yes I do hope, fervently, that we succeed on achieving an automatic promotion spot and yes I hope I am proved wrong and we start playing attractive football next season. Nowt wrong with hope.

0

therein61 added 17:58 - Jun 17 Whatever views we have on the season ahead and the fixtures all we can do is try for maximum points from which ever side is put in front of us and if we get enough Happy Days!!!!! while we will not win every game our boys are capable of beating any side in the division, and it's about bloody time we went up(before I go 6ft under please!!).
1

blueboy1981 added 21:15 - Jun 17 ....... before we start worrying about this game and making excuses about it being a tough one - can we sign a few players, otherwise it will be even tougher. Replacing the 'departed' from last season would be a decent start - if not people - EVERY game will be a tough one.
3

farquinell added 15:59 - Jun 18 Hoofball handball betterball stapleford i don't give a FARQ as long as we get up!
0

RaymondovicBlue added 21:36 - Jun 18 White horse..... I redirect your opinion, but PLEASE tell me what seeing with my post? Then we can discuss! Have a good evening!
-1

RaymondovicBlue added 21:37 - Jun 18 Er, that'll be "I RESPECT" your opinion!
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls