[Blog] My ITFC Season 2012/13 Rules of Engagement
Written by IpsRich on Tuesday, 24th Apr 2012 21:46

As another Ipswich Town season meanders to an unsatisfactory lower mid-table conclusion, with play-offs, promotion and the Premier League seemingly further from our grasp than ever in recent times, my thoughts turn to pre-season and the blind optimism that a new campaign brings.

However, my expectations and faith in the clubâ€™s management to do anything positive in turning our fortunes around is now at an all time low.

So, because Iâ€™m a helpful soul, I thought Iâ€™d offer the club my assistance. So I have written a list. Consider this my 2012/13 season ticket â€˜riderâ€™.

Or, my demands as a disgruntled other-half which if ignored, may result in separation proceedings being initiated time this next year.

Here we go (in hope rather than expectation!).

Transfer and selection policy
> A new first choice goalkeeper (must be a permanent signing); a new centre back (x2?); a new right back; a new midfielder if Grant Leadbitter and Lee Bowyer leave; a new striker.

> One or two young Premier League players on season-long loans (no recall clause), potentially satisfying some of the outfield acquisition requirement outlined above.

> No new outfield permanent signings over the age of 32.

> No new permanent signings on a single year contract.

> Employ a dedicated foreign scout (if there is not one appointed already). Focus on scouting neighbouring northern European countries (France/Belgium/Holland)

Contract Policy
> A new contract for Lee Martin agreed and signed before August.

> Release (preferably mutually) any senior player who started fewer than five games in the 2011/12 season.

> Adopt a strict policy on contract renewal:
- New terms to be offered at least one year before existing deals are due to expire (for players we want to retain).
- Players out of contract in the summer but who have not agreed to new contracts by the preceding January transfer window to be sold or frozen out of the first team.
- If a player under 27 is offered new terms, the contract offer must be for at least two years in duration.

Squad Management
> Luke Hyam and Josh Carson to be given a run in the first team from the first match of the new campaign.

> Joe Whight and Jack Ainsley to be given a comprehensive pre-season with a view to active first team involvement. If deemed not ready for first team football by August send out on loan for the season.

> Have at least one back-up tactic and selection policy well trained and tested in pre-season in addition to the primary tactical policy

Respect and integrity
> Appoint a full-time club captain who acts responsibly on and off the pitch. Must be a positive, vocal influence on matchday.

> Curtail any drinking culture at the club, at least during the season.

> Impose strong and consistent sanctions on antisocial behaviour and in particular criminal behaviour by club staff.

> Mandate all first team players not selected in match day squads to watch the game together from the stands or the bench.

Academy
> A target of at least four academy graduates in every matchday squad by end of 2012/13.

> A target of at least two academy graduates in every first XI by start of 2013/14.

> A target of at least six academy graduates to be involved in every matchday squad by start of 2014/15.

> A target of at least four academy graduates in every first eleven by start of 2015/16.

Matchday experience
> Consult an acoustic expert to improve noise retention and distribution around Portman Road.

> Move away supporters to opposite end of Cobbold Stand for matches not considered high risk by the police.

> Select proper pre-match build-up music (no 80s movie or Euro 96 mega-mixes), and proper half-time entertainment.

Supporter Engagement
> Host regular open training and player autograph sessions throughout the season (not just in pre-season).

> Create a supporter opinion forum pooled from season ticket holders rather than just the Supporters Club.

> Reinstate fan vote for the home kit design.

> Reward season ticket holder loyalty with free programme or refreshment voucher for first home match.

> Improve stability and performance of Ipswich World service on matchday.

> Have behind the scenes and player interview videos free of charge on the website rather than via Ipswich World subscription.

> Widely publicise the clubâ€™s customer charter.

Stadium management
> Sort out the puddle in the run off area in front of the Britannia Stand.

> Put up more respectable signage for the newly named Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

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GTRKing added 22:33 - Apr 24 Spot on mate I 00% Agree with you
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hunters_headers added 22:46 - Apr 24 well thought out & everything there should be looked at as a way forward by the club... because this as supporters is what we want!
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 23:09 - Apr 24

VERY unrealistic targets regarding the academy points. In 3 seasons, you want to see 4 academy graduates in our first XI? We're not Barcelona, the youth we bring out simply isn't good enough and isn't going to solely cement a place in the Premier League. We do need the right mixture between youth/hungry/local talent and the odd older/more experienced head. Which i think is sort of beginning to happen, just! Yes it'd be nice to go back to the old days where our academy was one of the best around and we produced world class players, but now it simply isn't. Since the days of Bent, Dyer and Wright (a long time ago now...) what have we really produced other than Wickham, and in some respects, Rhodes?

I agree on everything else though. I think the club need to realise (mainly Evans and Clegg) that this isn't just a business and that they'd find things improved dramatically business wise if they thought about us supporters more and did more for us. Here's hoping for a better campaign next season but first the small matter of (hopefully!) giving Donny a small thumping to end on a nice note to a rather topsy-turvy season. COYB

Big_Foot_Blue added 23:25 - Apr 24 The only point I disagree with apart from potentially unrealistic academy goals is Josh Carson as guaranteed starter at start of season, when he has had a chance this season he hasnt been good enough unlike Hyam who took it with both hands and therefore would put Carson in the Ainsley/Whight category and add a winger to the transfer list. otherwise spot on
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davekl12 added 23:34 - Apr 24

While this blog outlines some very useful pointers, modern day football makes many of these targets unrealistic. It's great to have youth players coming through the ranks, giving them first team action can reap the benefits if they adjust quickly... But where are we suddenly going to find 6 gems rising through our academy? Top class coaching can certainly help, but it takes raw ability toppled with a "wise head sitting on them shoulders" to succeed at this level, that invariably applies to the whole football league. This is football, if you aren't good enough, you aren't good enough.

TheDalaiFarmer added 04:21 - Apr 25 I stopped reading when you mentioned "pre match build-up music". Clueless.
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bedsitfc added 06:04 - Apr 25 some people just dont understand that if you put young players in the starting line up who are not ready for it it will not only cause the team a problem but also the young players career will go backwards.
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aliCOYBmason added 08:02 - Apr 25 Great points there mate! But I can't really see 4 academy graduates in the squad next season as I cant see past Hyam and Carson being in the squad and we havent even made any transfers! Maybe in another year we might see Ainsley/Lawrence/Wright in the squad but not next season.
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SouperJim added 09:22 - Apr 25

Dalai you are the most miserable troll on TWTD, have you ever contributed anything?

A few unrealistic points, but in general, IpsRich for chief exec! A few I would add to the Stadium management section (may seem petty, but say a lot about respect for fans):

> Get someone to clean the parcel tape from the planet blue end of the north stand lower, it's been there for 18 months (since a banner was stuck up there)
> Come up with a permanent solution to the grotty tarpaulins at the back of the north stand lower, or at least by some new ones to replace the filthy tatty norwich yellow ones
> Do something about the lack of a properly working PA system in the north stand lower
> Get rid of Bobby Swift, who have the worst odds I've ever seen, not a single bet worth having all season (but then I guess that's because the club are taking a larger slice of the pie)

Many thanks.

Surco72 added 10:31 - Apr 25

Garvan,Trotter,Wickham,Rhodes,Eastman, Smith ,Hyam,Carson,Lawrence all come from our academy ,perhaps it is not as bad as people think ? Especially if we had kept 4 of the ones sold ?
The thing we need to do is build the team around a talisman figure in the likes of Adam,Taarabat,Lambert,Holt etc and stick to their strengths by building a team around them with a game plan .Bullard if he sorts himself out could be that man as he has the ability and this season wasnt played in his right position to accomadate other players Andrews,Bowyer etc

SuperReuser added 12:01 - Apr 25

IpsRich, i think what you are trying to say in one line is that you want the club to operate in a way more like it used to. I agree with the majority of your points and although some of them are small issues - they make a big difference to us as supporters of this club. Im not sure about the academy ones -as it depends on the quality of the players but it is always nice to see a young player come through the ranks and do well. A good blog - would be nice if it somehow made its way to Jewell, Clegg or Evans!

brendanh added 17:34 - Apr 25 I'd add to selection policy: If we have a winning spell with a consistent team that puts us top of the form table, it indicates the strongest 11. Do not abandon.
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IpsRich added 20:38 - Apr 25

Thanks all for comments.

I certainly concede that the Academy stuff might be a bit of a stretch (I did say 'target'!). However I do feel the club's justification for it is to merely unearth gems to sell on every few seasons, rather than to nurture for our first team. I'm tired of seeing our home grown players making it for other clubs as Surco72 mentions.

Fair comment brendanh on employing a consistent selection policy, if/when Jewell 'stumbles' upon a winning formula!

Thanks SouperJim - on the petty bits, attention to detail separates the good clubs from the bad. I accept there are more fundamental problems than the Britannia puddle however (even if it annoys me)!