Someone once remarked that destiny is not a matter of change, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. Now I can guess what some of your are thinking. Here he goes again. One small ray of light in that dark foreboding tunnel of disappointments and he scurries excitedly towards yet another false dawn.

This may indeed be the case but I have never felt so positive about the future of this wonderful club for many a year and the feelgood factor seems to have enveloped most of us, I am delighted to report!

Paul Jewell is unusual in that he not only admits to his mistakes but corrects most of them too. He accepts that he hired too many players that were probably past their sell by date last season, in the hope of rapid promotion.

Lee Martin intimated too in an interview recently that some of his old recruits were perhaps more interested in their own careers than what happened to the club and certainly, when you see how the current young team are responding, there is every reason to believe him.

Luke Hyam has been a revelation so far this term and he has been ably assisted in midfield by Australian Massimo Luongo from Spurs, who although only on a season-long loan, is quickly finding his football feet at Ipswich Town.

I am sure that in an ideal world Jewell would not be looking at loan players but given the present financial restrictions imposed upon most clubs, he is not really left with a lot of choice. The likely acquisition of Guirane N'Daw from St Etienne, on another season-long loan, may not please everyone but he has proved his versatility in the past in France and when injuries start to decimate the small squad at his disposal, the Senegalese midfielder/centre-back, could become a very useful asset.

What PJ must guard against most of all however is rocking the boat. The team are playing for each other just now and there is a togetherness about the squad that we have not witnessed for some years and Town fans are reaping the results.

Yes, another striker is still a must in my view and another solid central defender too but given Town's current form there is every reason to believe that we will get some new recruits before the window closed on the 31st August.

For much of last season Paul Jewell was facing a barrage of criticism from some quarters and sometimes justifiably it must be said. At the start of this campaign, he was in fact the bookies favourite for the chop but ironically it could be Chops that saves his bacon in the end. Twenty goals from him and suddenly the promised land doesn't seem that far away - especially if Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Jason Scotland and, of course, Lee Martin weigh in with a few!

As Mick Mills alluded to on Radio Suffolk last weekend, Tommy Smith and Luke Chambers are goalscoring center-halves and if they could in some way emulate the striking prowess of Russell Osman and Terry Butcher and defend well as a unit too, then there could be goals a plenty from this exciting young team. Aaron Cresswell certainly has goals in him as well - as does Andy Drury, so as the season progresses, I can see goals aplenty for the men in blue!

What I have perhaps enjoyed most of all from this rejuvenated young team however, is the quality of their passing and their determination to keep the ball on the floor cuts down the errors too. That late, late strike by Michael Chopra on Tuesday night against the bogey men from Watford, came after 14 Town passes were completed. Now when was the last time we said that?

Blackpool on Saturday is a huge ask. If we do succumb to the men in orange, then providing we show the same commitment and determination that we have been showing, then all I am sure will be forgiven. And then perhaps it is time to forgive Paul Jewell too.

mike_holmes1990 added 11:34 - Aug 24 If we beat Blackpool tomorrow it would, in my opinion, break another 'mental barrier' that seems to stop us beating other teams playing well, before the match has even started. On its own losing at Bloomfield road wouldn't be an issue but I cant help but wonder how fragile this new dawn is. Not so much among the players and management but among the fans. Lose at Blackpool and I fear a nervousness would creep into the stands when Huddersfield come to visit regardless of the result against Carlisle. But saying that, all the signs so far are positive and I don't see why we can't get at least a point at Blackpool.

0

SouperJim added 12:09 - Aug 24 It's nice to read some optimism and I agree with much of what you've written, however, the season is only two games old. Our start has been promising and certainly we seem to have a great team spirit at present, but let's not get too carried away. If we've won more games than we've lost after 10 games or so, then your optimism might be justified, but at present we're just one club amongst 23 who think they've got a shot at promotion.

0

Pessimistic added 13:57 - Aug 24 Mike Holmes 1990 is absolutely right when he suggests that a draw away to table-topping Blackpool would be a satisfactory outcome. I think there will be goals though so I am predicting 2-2! Souperjim is also correct when he says that we should not get too carried away after only two promising league results. The season has only just begun but it is an encouraging start and this has to be good for players and supporters alike. Even a narrow defeat tomorrow won't dampen my enthusiasm but if we can sneak a draw then this would make for a very fine weekend!

0

cutmeibleedblue added 15:59 - Aug 24 The most impressive thing for me so far has been the fact that we are playing as a team. This is something we didn't see until over half way through last season. Yes we had some good players - who can deny that Andrews and Collins had an influence even if Bullard and Bowyer failed to impress. But despite on many occasions having eleven decent players on the field they could not play together as a team. This season is different and Paul Jewell has already stated that wants players with the right attitude to complement the team as well as having the requisite footballing skills. Much blame has been heaped upon Paul Jewell for briniging in older experienced players to try and gain instant promotion last year, but this would have been a strategic decision taken not just by the manager but also by the owner and CEO, probably because it was cheaper and potentially offered instant results. How wrong they were. A harsh lesson was learned last season after a close brush with relegation, and this strategy has been abandoned. The new one is producing good teamwork, stylish football, and to date results. Whilst promotion this year would be great, with only two games gone we see just one team (Blackpool) with maximum points, and only two with zero. To me this indicates even at this early stage how tight a league the Championship will be this year. As long as we see entertaining football, and see progress being made through the development of younger players, I for one would not rush to condemn the current strategy, or management team, if it leads to a finish outside the play-offs this season with promise of more to come in the next.

3

algarvefan added 16:21 - Aug 24 Pessimistic, I too am more optimistic than I have been for a number of years. I think the next week will help define our season, we are still short of a few players to give us sufficient cover in the likely event of injuries but first indications are good. There have been previous false dawns though and it's important that the team don't get carried away too soon! So it's important to bring in the players we need, I feel for PJ as he rightly sticks to a tight budget, but some players are more interested in their wages than the club....we don't need players like that! For me goalscoring needs to be a priority and even if it's a loan, a quality finisher should be on the books. Looking forward to the new season though and anywhere in the top 10 will be an achievement this year.....although the play offs would be nice....well we can all dream :-)

0

BuckieBlue added 18:06 - Aug 24 Good post. As you say team spirit is vital, and that's why i'm not too bothered by those sides who've splashed the cash this summer- will they necessarily build that spirit? Also I don't think the league will be as difficult this year as last, in that 4 of the six sides relegated/promoted into the division last year finished in top 5 (and Brighton were in the top 6 for ages...even Peterboro had some good results!), i can't see that happening this year. Ok too early to get carried away but things going in right direction....onwards and upwards!

0

azza01 added 07:21 - Aug 25 Gr8 post m8 I feel the same way I'm not the best at piston but that mskez a lot of sense to me and Wat a big future r young blues have I feel a gud win today a close 2.1 fingers crossed coyb's
0

bawsedog added 08:03 - Aug 25 Excellent post, very well written. Good to see some sense being talked on TWTD recently! I've always supported PJ even at the lowest points last season, and good to see that faith being rewarded!
1

Thebest added 19:27 - Aug 26 Paul Jewel is better than Roy Kean
0

Chop_Chop added 09:38 - Aug 28 6-0 and this blog is now obsolete.
0

Pessimistic added 10:14 - Aug 28 Another false dawn it would seem Chop Chop and maybe it is about time I lived up to my pen name... I still believe however, that although Town are still likely to capitulate horribly when they concede poor goals, they are a much better side than last year. Ian Holloway is an honest man and he was not just being patronising when he suggested that Ipswich performed far better that the 6-0 drubbing suggests. Tonight may reveal a little more about our team spirit - or conversely soft underbelly.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers