Summer 2011: Riots spring up over England, marking the start of huge social and economic restlessness and disillusion throughout Britain. It was earmarked the summer of discontent.

Yet, for fans of Ipswich Town Football Club, it was not one of discontent, but another of optimism and renewed belief in the constant, elusive, holy grail of promotion.

The new signings looked decent, Premier League experience mixed with a smattering of untested but talented youngsters. Lee Bowyer and Keith Andrews looked to give grit to the midfield, whilst Jimmy Bullard, the prodigal son, was on the verge of returning.

Turns out Simon Clegg could both tie up his shoelaces and run a bath. The new manager seemed down to earth and to be starting to grasp his new job by the horns. The term 'Dark horses of the Championship' was being spouted often by both pundits and fans alike. Promotion, a tentative possibility, the play-offs, most fans expected outcome.

You don't need me to tell you that this optimism was, with the benefit of hindsight, misplaced. The season was a damp squib. To be stored along with ITFC's recent Championship history, in a file named 'Easily Forgettable'.

Now, we fast forward to Summer 2012. Britain is caught in the grip of Olympic fever, only shortly after recovering from royal wedding euphoria. The summer of discontent is all but forgotten, but for fans of ITFC, it was merely delayed.

Here I am referring to the general mood that surrounds Portman Road, as to me, this summer differs from the others that have preceded it. In previous summers, I have more often been buoyed by the summer, blissfully optimistic that the squad has been improved, tactics refined and that this, this would be the season we finally push for promotion.

This summer however, is the first in a while that it feel that fans are genuinely worried and concerned for the season ahead.The squad feels, at the very best, thin. Pre-season friendlies, which I believe should not be used as a definitive pre-cursor to assess a squad, have shown fragility.

Whilst many, including myself, feel that the first XI does possess genuine quality, the lack of options in terms of personnel off the bench and in changes to the tactics being implemented does seem worrying.

Paul Jewell has lamented this weakness himself, as he seems to be getting almost desperate in his quest to fill the gaps. Comments to the press have been mildly unsettling, in terms of the difficulty in acquiring new players, and the funds available to attract new talent. Although these problems may not have been fixed by the start of the Championship season, there is still plenty of time before the end of transfer window to amend these issues.

Furthermore, the very fans of ITFC seem to be falling into petty infighting. This maybe just because it's my first summer on Twitter, but I personally have found the arguments between ITFC fans startling, as they are branded 'Pro' or 'Anti' Jewell, 'overly negative' or 'sickeningly positive'. It seems it is now out of fashion to just be 'Pro Ipswich', whilst we as a collective snigger at Norwich for buying Leeds' midfield from League One for over-inflated prices, whilst their overweight messiah blackmails the club for a lucrative contract.

For that is what I would define myself as; 'Pro Ipswich'. I may not agree with all the decisions, but I support the club through thick and thin, especially as it seems we have been stuck in the 'thin' for a good few seasons.

This, for the first time I think, is a season where we as fans go into it not looking up, but glancing hesitantly downwards. Some bookmakers have Jewell as the manager favourite to get sacked first, whilst ITV, in all their 'obvious collective wisdom', have put our target for next season as finishing 21st.

The point of this blog, is not to make predictions for next season, but to say it could be one of the most important in ITFC's current Championship era, due to this swing of optimism and expectations. Promotion, I think many agree, would be a massive ask, the play-offs; a vague possibility. Relegation; a dismal thought.

But I will support my club through whatever next season, and I encourage you to do the same, despite this summer of pessimism and veritable frustration.

COYB.

Twitter: @Devereuxxx

mike_holmes1990 added 22:59 - Aug 10 Ironically i think the change in attitude of the fans and club this summer is a good thing. Although it is possible we have swung too far, we have needed to tighten the purse strings and buy wisely, actually build on the team, not buy a completely new one. The club seems to be running a lot more professionally on the whole. We have improved the defense with the signings of Loach and Chambers. Yet to see how good Hewitts going to be. but there are many promising reports Seem to have found a gem in Luongo, if only for a season and good management over the summer seems to have done wonders for Chopra. I think the team might surprise a few people this season.

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algarvefan added 00:34 - Aug 11 Mike I'm with you on this, there hasn't been massive change and the nucleus of a good side is taking shape. As I've said before I think it'll take a season or two and I will accept mid table mediocrity to achieve the side we are capable of building. I WILL ALWAYS support ITFC no matter where we are or which league we are in, I always have and I always will. Most of you will have seen the massive difference the crowd has made at the Olympics....to quote the lovely Delia 'We need a twelfth man here' so come on guys and girls get behind the team and give them your support....you never know, you just never know!!!

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christiand added 07:54 - Aug 11 I think it is a good thing we go into the new season with a little more perspective and a sense of realism. Pj is not too far away from assembling a decent side and yes others now need to step up and show their worth. I would be heartened, if this season, we can play a brand of football which is far more appealing than in recent seasons and finish inside the top 10. If we start well you never know there is always a surprise package that the so called experts overlook....why can't it be us this season?

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bigolconnor added 09:37 - Aug 11 Jewell's Team: Loach, Chambers, Hewitt, Cresswell, Bullard, Stevenson, Luongo, Drury? (Keane? ), Chopra, Ellington. This is a very able and skilful group of young players, with the exception of Jimmy and the Duke, who are on there way out. this transfer window alone we have only signed players that have something to prove, a fresh start. Loach and Chambers have both been excellent for their clubs in the past. Hewitt needs to show that he is good enough to wear the shirt. Luongo needs to prove to AVB that he can boss the Tottenham midfield. We are absolutely blessed this season with a group of hungry players wanting nothing than success. We are also in, what is becoming, a far more unique position to hold our heads above water with regards to the FFP situation. Agents fees and transfer fees have come down drastically and ITFC are sticking to a very tight wage structure. Very shrewd. Plus, with the return of Klug to the youth set up, we are clearly looking towards the future. Even the addition of Steve Williams shows great business sense. Make the existing small squad fitter by thinking way outside the box. Clegg and Evans have at last found a balance, it has just taken a little longer than we all would have liked. Jewell has to make it work now and with a couple more additions, I think he just might. Onwards and upwards. COYB!

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