The start of something good, or the ending of a hugely disappointing decade at Ipswich Town. Call it whatever you want.

One month ago, on this very day actually, 23rd October 2012, I finished my annual trip to England with my best buddy Per. We were heading to Ipswich to watch the last game out of four.

We had previously been at Hillsborough to witness the crazy game, between Sheffield Wednesday and the aggressive Leeds, before we attended Man United-Stoke and QPR-Everton. It was about time to top it all, by watching my one and only love, playing the Rams from Derby County.

Spending the week in London, I felt it was vastly important to get to Ipswich early, so we could see and experience so much of my second home as possible, especially since my friend had never been there before.

So, we stepped off the train in town around 12 noon and got to Portman Road as quickly as possible. It still gave me goosebumps, the home of such a poor football team for the last five or six years still gave me goosebumps, strange really. As I do every year I printed my home and away kits with my favourite players, or as I like to call it nowadays, the players I like more than the others.

I ended up with Aaron Cresswell (reasonable choice) and JET (what was I thinking?).

Visiting Ipswich was nice as always, but the game proved to be Paul Jewell's last, not unexpectedly at all, but at the same time sad, because I honestly wanted the man to succeed here.

I was on my way home, sitting at Gatwick when I got the message that Mick McCarthy was hired as our new manager. I actually stood up and waved with my fist, in a way that THIS was the end, but at the same the start of a new and hopefully successful era at Ipswich Town.

Looking at the stats, 27 or 28 players have featured so far this season, unfamiliar loan players have been the centre of attention at Portman Road. It won't take long before Tyrone Barnett, Kelly Youga and Elliott Hewitt join that list too.

I know many like to think that these new loan-signings are 'needed', but are they really?

I genuinely trust Mick McCarthy but bringing all these loan players in won't do magic in my opinion. Now that we have brought Barnett in, we don't really need Daryl Murphy. Also, ship Stephen Henderson back to West Ham. If we do that, I think we will be getting somewhere. Although it's been a largely disappointing time being an Ipswich fan, I will forever back the team and the manager.

Anyway, I won't waste more time, I just wanted to say I hope this is the end of the ITFC nightmare, and hopefully the start of a long process getting us back to the Premier League in a few years to come. WE CAN DO IT!

COYB

TR11BLU added 09:26 - Nov 23 Admire your dedication and support from afar Sindre and reading this gave me renewed hope that we can turn the corner. Lets start with beating, good and proper, the Posh tomorrow. Big, big game that could have a huge bearing on where we are come May. COYB Boys
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jas0999 added 10:49 - Nov 23 "I genuinely trust Mick McCarthy but bringing all these loan players in won't do magic in my opinion" - just a reminder that it was PJ who flooded the team with loans - despite having ample opportunity to bring in permanent signings. MM has signed two loans himself (and got rid of one) - not unsurprising - but more likely they will end up here permanently than any of PJ's loanees (DJ apart). In addition, MM has had NO opportunity yet to bring in permanent players - he will in January. The club was flooded with loans by PJ - that's why we are in this situation. I'm afraid I still find it remarkable that you thought / still hoped that PJ would succeed! We are in this mess because of PJ!! Anyway, I seriously admire your dedication and there is little doubt that you are a true ITFC supporter. we will I'm afraid never agree about PJ - but I do share your trust in MM! COYB's!

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stinkiusminkius added 11:30 - Nov 23 Jas0999 - " I'm afraid I still find it remarkable that you thought / still hoped that PJ would succeed!". How can you say that??? If someone hoped pj succeeded means that they hoped Ipswich as a team succeeded and surely no one can question that if they are a supporter. I know you hated pj from day one and constantly sniped at him (not what a true supporter would do) but surely you would still hope for success!!?? And Sindre - another good read to remind us what supporting a team should be about.

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MVBlue added 14:06 - Nov 23 Respect, Sindre
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MattinLondon added 14:56 - Nov 23 What a positive blog - thank you Sindre for writing it. On a more negative sidenote - Jas0999 'I'm afraid I still find it remarkable that you thought / still hoped that PJ would succeed! Even if Town appointed a Bryan Gunn/ Jeremy Goss double act in the mould of managerial hell...I will still hope that they will be a success (but still unhappy with the appointments) as this would mean that Town will climb the league. Jas, I find your negativity a bit odd. But Sindre, once again thank you for a positive blog

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RevAdrian added 23:32 - Nov 23 Big respect - yes, I (and my beloved ITFC supporting wife Diane, are not so far away but far enough for practical anything other than away support but P road visit every year) seem to be where you are Sindre 94 - I believe thjs is a watersed/cusp for us all but,, hey, to quote the Tshirt - 'hope' - MM for you we pray in confidence!
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Edmunds5 added 23:13 - Nov 27 The start, Sindre.
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Sindre94 added 22:53 - May 1 What. Cannot believe how wrong I was. Mick wasn't hired the day I went home, PJ was sacked!!
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