| Forum quality....... 19:09 - Aug 28 with 5319 views | allezlesbleus |
At the risk of getting slated, is it just me or do others think that the quality of posts/discussions/debates on here has declined immensely in the last year or so?
I have visited this forum most days for a number of years, primarily to keep up with developments at ITFC, but also to read and sometimes participate in some of the varied discussions (I particularly enjoy the posts on Ipswich / Suffolk life, past and present). Topics used to be discussed in a reasonable manner. Occasionally they would get slightly heated, but normally posters respected each other's viewpoints without resorting to childish name calling, personal insults or worse.
Recently most posts (regardless of the topic) seem to end up degenerating into one of the 3 following slanging matches:
1) pro or anti PL/MM/RK
2) pro brexit or antibrexit,
3) left wing or right wing
It's a real shame that a lot of decent, interesting posts seem to get "hijacked" and various posters insist on carrying on their personal vendettas in public.
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| Forum quality....... on 22:18 - Aug 28 with 1345 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| Forum quality....... on 22:13 - Aug 28 by m14_blue |
Yep, this isn’t a TWTD thing, it’s how things are at the moment.
The world, and particularly our country, is deeply divided, angry and scared. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and about to face probably the worst recession in history whilst being led by the most polarising PM since Thatcher.
On top of that, Ipswich haven’t played a competitive game for over 5 months and haven’t won a game for well over 6 months. We have a very unpopular manager and are at our lowest ebb in generations, with very few apparent reasons for optimism. We don’t even know when we’ll be able to go and watch our team again FFS.
It’s hardly surprising that this place isn’t exactly an oasis of harmony and contentment at the moment.
I still love TWTD anyway. |
Yep, that's it, the intro to the musical right there! |  |
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| Forum quality....... on 23:29 - Aug 28 with 1310 views | Ryorry |
| Forum quality....... on 22:13 - Aug 28 by m14_blue |
Yep, this isn’t a TWTD thing, it’s how things are at the moment.
The world, and particularly our country, is deeply divided, angry and scared. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and about to face probably the worst recession in history whilst being led by the most polarising PM since Thatcher.
On top of that, Ipswich haven’t played a competitive game for over 5 months and haven’t won a game for well over 6 months. We have a very unpopular manager and are at our lowest ebb in generations, with very few apparent reasons for optimism. We don’t even know when we’ll be able to go and watch our team again FFS.
It’s hardly surprising that this place isn’t exactly an oasis of harmony and contentment at the moment.
I still love TWTD anyway. |
I agree with all of that & Sitters' point that inflamed arguments, whether re football, politics or whatever have gone on since forever on here. It's kind of understandable on internet forums so we put up with it.
What really gets me though is that a few people, a very small minority, are actually willing to deliberately and knowingly lie about some other members of the forum - literally just make defamatory stuff up - simply because they've had a disagreement with that person about politics, the performance of our current manager, or whatever. Worse, they are then backed up by their mates on the same "side", despite those mates knowing full well that what they're backing up is untrue. The same people will often then go on to write piously in other threads that anyone posting anything should always provide factual evidence for what they're saying, support those with mental health problems, say "of course" to Phil's 'ahem' requests etc.
Fgs, we're all Town fans, we should be supportive, not destructive. We're a broad cross section of society (one of the things that makes this place so interesting!) apart from being ITFC supporters, so there's bound to be heated debates, but the level of absolutely vitriolic & unjustifiable personal attacks (including even peoples' real lives being dragged into it - albeit thankfully rare) is just horrifying sometimes. |  |
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| Forum quality....... on 23:49 - Aug 28 with 1295 views | Trequartista |
Absolutely |  |
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| Forum quality....... on 00:03 - Aug 29 with 1285 views | BlueBadger |
| Forum quality....... on 23:49 - Aug 28 by Trequartista |
Absolutely |
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| Forum quality....... on 06:40 - Aug 29 with 1198 views | solomon |
Keyboard warriors and all that. |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 08:48 - Aug 29 with 1138 views | Herbivore |
Here's a suggestion. Instead of starting a thread about how terrible the forum is, why not try starting a thread on one of the subjects you used to enjoy reading about on here? Be the change you want to see. |  |
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| Forum quality....... on 08:58 - Aug 29 with 1122 views | Bogblue |
| Forum quality....... on 08:48 - Aug 29 by Herbivore |
Here's a suggestion. Instead of starting a thread about how terrible the forum is, why not try starting a thread on one of the subjects you used to enjoy reading about on here? Be the change you want to see. |
that would hardly address the the root issue though would it? |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 08:59 - Aug 29 with 1115 views | hampstead_blue |
I'd change the word 'quality' from your headline and replace it with someone akin to the actual post.
There has been a divergence and I am one who has stood firm for what I believe which has riled some and is in direct contradiction to the thoughts and beliefs of others. I don't apologise for that as I find the constant left wing complaining rather onerous.
This isn't a post to start a riot btw.
Others have offered some very well considered thoughts with which I agree, check my uppies, so I won't repeat them.
I will say that it did get rather fractious and Phil was required to step in, and rightly so, to carefully adjust the membership to give all a safe a place as possible to chat away.
There is a good sense of 'are you sure' and 'how about this idea' and I like it. Challenge is wonderful and it's the way to swing the debate.
I've read some very interesting and compelling arguments contrary to my own which have helped me in shaping my thoughts.
Have a good day and TWTD my friend......... |  |
| Assumption is to make an ass out of you and me.
Those who assume they know you, when they don't are just guessing.
Those who assume and insist they know are daft and in denial.
Those who assume, insist, and deny the truth are plain stupid.
Those who assume, insist, deny the truth and tell YOU they know you (when they don't) have an IQ in the range of 35-49.
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| Forum quality....... on 08:59 - Aug 29 with 1122 views | Sharkey |
On my first post back in TWTD a few months ago, after a long break I was called a 'special kind of idiot', which made me feel quite special. |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 09:04 - Aug 29 with 1110 views | trueblue1970 |
It’s not what it used to be spoilt mostly by politics, those that are most vocal will say just use the football section but the rude abusive attitudes spill over into the football posts from the same posters, interestingly most of the up votes on this post are from people you don’t really see posting as much as the people who spoil it for others
As some one else has already posted “keyboard warriors” |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 09:04 - Aug 29 with 1111 views | Herbivore |
| Forum quality....... on 08:58 - Aug 29 by Bogblue |
that would hardly address the the root issue though would it? |
What is the root issue? There are loads of threads on here that aren't about politics or about Lambert being a terrible manager. Yesterday there was a nice thread about fancy restaurants in Suffolk. No ill feeling in there, just good discussion.
Politics in the UK is a mess and has become deeply divisive, it shouldn't be a surprise that those divisions are reflected in some of the discussions on here. I'm not sure it's realistic to expect that won't happen. Politics threads are easy to ignore though.
Lambert has also become a deeply divisive figure with most thinking it's shocking that he's still in a job and a hardy few still defending him and emploring people to ignore that he's a terrible manager and get behind the team. After 2 years of abject dross and an 11th place finish in the third tier, fans are feeling a bit frayed. That's natural. There are, however, still lots of discussions about Town that don't descend into people bickering.
I'm just far from convinced that the way to remedy a perceived negative atmosphere on the board is to start a thread complaining about a negative atmosphere on the board. Maybe try contributing something positive instead? That might be a good place to start. [Post edited 29 Aug 2020 9:06]
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| Forum quality....... on 09:05 - Aug 29 with 1106 views | Dubtractor |
| Forum quality....... on 08:59 - Aug 29 by hampstead_blue |
I'd change the word 'quality' from your headline and replace it with someone akin to the actual post.
There has been a divergence and I am one who has stood firm for what I believe which has riled some and is in direct contradiction to the thoughts and beliefs of others. I don't apologise for that as I find the constant left wing complaining rather onerous.
This isn't a post to start a riot btw.
Others have offered some very well considered thoughts with which I agree, check my uppies, so I won't repeat them.
I will say that it did get rather fractious and Phil was required to step in, and rightly so, to carefully adjust the membership to give all a safe a place as possible to chat away.
There is a good sense of 'are you sure' and 'how about this idea' and I like it. Challenge is wonderful and it's the way to swing the debate.
I've read some very interesting and compelling arguments contrary to my own which have helped me in shaping my thoughts.
Have a good day and TWTD my friend......... |
As I see it, part of the problem in the left vs right side of things on here is that if someone from the 'right' (you're a good example tbf) posts something they like/agree with/want to challenge then those on the left will come and challenge it or debate it. Now some of that debate is possibly more robust than is helpful, but there is nearly always a discussion (10 pager etc).
If someone from the left posts something they like/agree with/want to challenge then usually you'll just get someone come and post a dismissive one word response such as 'triggered'.
Now possibly I see things through a slight bias, I do sit to the left, but overall I'm pretty balanced I think. [Post edited 29 Aug 2020 9:07]
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| Forum quality....... on 09:08 - Aug 29 with 1087 views | IpswichBoyBlue |
| Forum quality....... on 09:04 - Aug 29 by Herbivore |
What is the root issue? There are loads of threads on here that aren't about politics or about Lambert being a terrible manager. Yesterday there was a nice thread about fancy restaurants in Suffolk. No ill feeling in there, just good discussion.
Politics in the UK is a mess and has become deeply divisive, it shouldn't be a surprise that those divisions are reflected in some of the discussions on here. I'm not sure it's realistic to expect that won't happen. Politics threads are easy to ignore though.
Lambert has also become a deeply divisive figure with most thinking it's shocking that he's still in a job and a hardy few still defending him and emploring people to ignore that he's a terrible manager and get behind the team. After 2 years of abject dross and an 11th place finish in the third tier, fans are feeling a bit frayed. That's natural. There are, however, still lots of discussions about Town that don't descend into people bickering.
I'm just far from convinced that the way to remedy a perceived negative atmosphere on the board is to start a thread complaining about a negative atmosphere on the board. Maybe try contributing something positive instead? That might be a good place to start. [Post edited 29 Aug 2020 9:06]
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We are simple soles on here, nothing to heavy to scramble the brain. Something nice like favourite tree or a like. |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 09:11 - Aug 29 with 1077 views | Horsham |
| Forum quality....... on 09:05 - Aug 29 by Dubtractor |
As I see it, part of the problem in the left vs right side of things on here is that if someone from the 'right' (you're a good example tbf) posts something they like/agree with/want to challenge then those on the left will come and challenge it or debate it. Now some of that debate is possibly more robust than is helpful, but there is nearly always a discussion (10 pager etc).
If someone from the left posts something they like/agree with/want to challenge then usually you'll just get someone come and post a dismissive one word response such as 'triggered'.
Now possibly I see things through a slight bias, I do sit to the left, but overall I'm pretty balanced I think. [Post edited 29 Aug 2020 9:07]
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I’m not here all that much but I’d say that is incorrect from my own observations. The people arguing from the left side of the fence can be extremely immature...and I say that as someone who by and large doesn’t get involved but to clarify I’m no right winger. |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 09:19 - Aug 29 with 1061 views | Mullet |
It used to be way worse on here. People (I loathe to call them that) digging into others' private lives and posting malicious stuff about them, threatening them, going to their employers etc. because they were made to look an idiot or have no balls.
Scum like that have no place anywhere and should definitely be banned from here no questions asked.
There are loads of ways people can just use the ignore button, scroll past or not click on a thread they are not interested in or is in the wrong place - this happens with stuff that clearly isn't football getting put there and you always get the same few swearing at them and having to have it moved, when it's easier to just not click on it.
I think little things like that mount up and make it seem worse if you're looking for it.
There are a group of people who moan about this place and don't ever dare post, but have friends that do or some sort of axe to grind elsewhere, which is just as big of a problem. If their view is that terrible or rubbish that it doesn't stand up to someone posting evidence or opinion to the contrary or that weak of a person it is too much to bear, that's on them. But going around slagging it off or just coming on to stir the pot enough to sit back and watch is even worse.
The reality is, apart from a few not handling themselves this past couple of weeks it's been really tame. There's just been more focus on the fact that ITFC are in the toilet and don't look like doing anything again if Lambert perseveres. That probably doesn't help much. |  |
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| Forum quality....... on 12:35 - Aug 29 with 982 views | Ryorry |
| Forum quality....... on 09:19 - Aug 29 by Mullet |
It used to be way worse on here. People (I loathe to call them that) digging into others' private lives and posting malicious stuff about them, threatening them, going to their employers etc. because they were made to look an idiot or have no balls.
Scum like that have no place anywhere and should definitely be banned from here no questions asked.
There are loads of ways people can just use the ignore button, scroll past or not click on a thread they are not interested in or is in the wrong place - this happens with stuff that clearly isn't football getting put there and you always get the same few swearing at them and having to have it moved, when it's easier to just not click on it.
I think little things like that mount up and make it seem worse if you're looking for it.
There are a group of people who moan about this place and don't ever dare post, but have friends that do or some sort of axe to grind elsewhere, which is just as big of a problem. If their view is that terrible or rubbish that it doesn't stand up to someone posting evidence or opinion to the contrary or that weak of a person it is too much to bear, that's on them. But going around slagging it off or just coming on to stir the pot enough to sit back and watch is even worse.
The reality is, apart from a few not handling themselves this past couple of weeks it's been really tame. There's just been more focus on the fact that ITFC are in the toilet and don't look like doing anything again if Lambert perseveres. That probably doesn't help much. |
Re your first para, I've seen stuff like that going on recently too. But on the plus side, the absolutely rampant sexism that used to be on here 10-20+ years ago has thankfully diminished to a state of near non-existence, which is a credit to the site.
Re your para 3 - ignoring, scrolling past etc just doesn't do the job, as those who keep gunning for the same individuals are still able to see & reply in abusive manner to their posts. There'll always be problems on that score until a 2-way block, similar to twitter and fb, can be introduced on here.
Re para 5 - I've heard on the grapevine that some people are avoiding posting on here because they see others being "hounded" and don't wish to come in for the same. | |
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| Go and do the washing up love. (n/t) on 12:50 - Aug 29 with 953 views | Bloots |
| Forum quality....... on 12:35 - Aug 29 by Ryorry |
Re your first para, I've seen stuff like that going on recently too. But on the plus side, the absolutely rampant sexism that used to be on here 10-20+ years ago has thankfully diminished to a state of near non-existence, which is a credit to the site.
Re your para 3 - ignoring, scrolling past etc just doesn't do the job, as those who keep gunning for the same individuals are still able to see & reply in abusive manner to their posts. There'll always be problems on that score until a 2-way block, similar to twitter and fb, can be introduced on here.
Re para 5 - I've heard on the grapevine that some people are avoiding posting on here because they see others being "hounded" and don't wish to come in for the same. |
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| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Go and do the washing up love. (n/t) on 12:57 - Aug 29 with 927 views | noggin |
| Go and do the washing up love. (n/t) on 12:50 - Aug 29 by Bloots |
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Uppied for the humour rather than the sexism, before someone clicks 'abuse' [Post edited 29 Aug 2020 13:07]
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| Forum quality....... on 14:00 - Aug 29 with 886 views | MonkeyAlan |
Well said. |  | | |
| Forum quality....... on 14:21 - Aug 29 with 858 views | Mullet |
| Forum quality....... on 12:35 - Aug 29 by Ryorry |
Re your first para, I've seen stuff like that going on recently too. But on the plus side, the absolutely rampant sexism that used to be on here 10-20+ years ago has thankfully diminished to a state of near non-existence, which is a credit to the site.
Re your para 3 - ignoring, scrolling past etc just doesn't do the job, as those who keep gunning for the same individuals are still able to see & reply in abusive manner to their posts. There'll always be problems on that score until a 2-way block, similar to twitter and fb, can be introduced on here.
Re para 5 - I've heard on the grapevine that some people are avoiding posting on here because they see others being "hounded" and don't wish to come in for the same. |
Then I hope you reported them and they are now banned as they should be, permanently.
It's all cyclical. It's quite easy to scroll past the scumbags if necessary and not respond, especially once you suss out what knackerless kippers they tend to be. It takes away all their venom very quickly, I say that as someone who gave the sex-offender type stalkery oddballs far too much credit in the past.
As for fear of being hounded, what do they intend to post or say that would enact that? | |
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| Forum quality....... on 14:25 - Aug 29 with 840 views | Clapham_Junction |
| Forum quality....... on 09:11 - Aug 29 by Horsham |
I’m not here all that much but I’d say that is incorrect from my own observations. The people arguing from the left side of the fence can be extremely immature...and I say that as someone who by and large doesn’t get involved but to clarify I’m no right winger. |
I'd say it's correct.
A fair amount of the political debates have had one side making stupid or disingenuous claims and the other trying to point out that they're wrong using evidence. Many of those in the former group have left the forum complaining about how they are treated on here - I think the reality is that they simply don't like their views being challenged/corrected and would rather post on Facebook or somewhere people are less likely to point out they're talking crap. |  | | |
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