| I can understand why people are nervous 23:41 - Aug 11 with 6781 views | Guthrum |
After all, we are constantly told that the step up the the Prem "is enormous", "huge". Massive hype. Best league in the world, etc., etc.
But we've just watched the team as it is currently constituted beat Europa League qualifying teams, which finished 7th in the Bundesliga, 5th in Ligue 1. Two clean sheets. Opposition similar to a lot of what we'll be facing over the coming months. We beat Wolves last season, Southampton twice, teams we'll face during this campaign.
And we haven't even finished building the squad. Almost certainly there will be more players to come before the end of the month. We have a gifted, Prem experienced manager in Kieran McKenna, with a top-notch backroom staff and excellent facilities behind him.
Yes, it will be a stiff test. There will be heavy defeats along the way. But I fail to see how the evidence justifies such deep gloom - terror, even - among the fanbase. We have the momentum, spirit and squad to give it a good go. Which I'm sure is McKenna's aim.
We are in the Prem on merit. We are not interlopers under false pretences. We are no more underdogs than the teams which only just avoided relegation last season, the two who came up with us. Indeed, we lack some of their off-field issues.
Be encouraged, we have a fighting chance! |  |
| |  |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 with 4759 views | J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 04:52 - Aug 12 with 4514 views | MK1 |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
This is what I have been saying all along. Just enjoy it for what it is and what will be will be. |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:24 - Aug 12 with 4304 views | homer_123 |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
Nothing will take the fun out of it like VAR!  |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:37 - Aug 12 with 4234 views | Churchman |
Agree with this and J2Blue’s post. These seems to be a complete failure in some to appreciate where we were and where we are. Evans’ time: mediocrity, tedium and worse with no hope of anything beyond the certainty of decline.
After three and bit seasons of interest, chaos at the beginning, expectation and outrageous progress, here we are. Plenty has gone wrong, a lot more right.
I’ve no doubt plenty of mistakes have been made since May and many things could have been done better, whether it’s dealing with longstanding supporters or doing player deals. But it’s not for the want of trying.
Am I nervous about the new season? Of course. Especially as without two of our best players for a couple of months we look light. But I’m excited too. We’ve come such a long way - and have a long way to go. Next Saturday, even if we get battered, will be a marker and an amazing one at that. |  | | |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:40 - Aug 12 with 4207 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
You've hit the nail on the head with "just enjoy it." If "Running Towards Adversity" is the mantra for the staff and players, then "Just Enjoy It" should be the mantra for the fans. Every summer we have people on here fretting about this and that... yet each of the last 2 seasons we've won promotion, despite their fretting. When will they ever learn?! |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:54 - Aug 12 with 4120 views | Steve_M |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
I think most of us will enjoy it but it's disappointing that we are at least three key players short (CM, LAM, CF) of where we want to be so close to the start of the season. It's not setting ourselves up for the best possible go at this season.
Optimism tempered by a degree of concern really. |  |
| |
| word up cuz on 07:54 - Aug 12 with 4105 views | Dyland |
nft |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:58 - Aug 12 with 4075 views | TractorWood |
I'm really looking forward to it. Can't wait.
If I'm being honest though, I think they'll be some cricket scores if we try to play expansively with a high line.
Hopefully McKenna can work his magic for another year. All to play for. |  |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| I can understand why people are nervous on 08:01 - Aug 12 with 4034 views | ibbleobble |
We beat Shaktar too. People just take popular opinion and use that as their soundbite either because they don’t know any better or they place a lot of misguided trust in journalists and pundits. Pundits are wrong every week. Journalists are poor imitations of the word and bookies will do anything to make a quid.
It’ll be a tough season but we’ll be comfortable. Plenty of other sides with more to fear this season. |  | | |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 08:57 - Aug 12 with 3803 views | Pinewoodblue |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 08:01 - Aug 12 by ibbleobble |
We beat Shaktar too. People just take popular opinion and use that as their soundbite either because they don’t know any better or they place a lot of misguided trust in journalists and pundits. Pundits are wrong every week. Journalists are poor imitations of the word and bookies will do anything to make a quid.
It’ll be a tough season but we’ll be comfortable. Plenty of other sides with more to fear this season. |
There are a lot of teams, and their fans, not looking forward to visiting Portman Road, let’s, as fans, add to that discomfort. |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 09:18 - Aug 12 with 3676 views | portmanking |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:54 - Aug 12 by Steve_M |
I think most of us will enjoy it but it's disappointing that we are at least three key players short (CM, LAM, CF) of where we want to be so close to the start of the season. It's not setting ourselves up for the best possible go at this season.
Optimism tempered by a degree of concern really. |
Nail on't head. It's not that some fans aren't looking forward to the season, it's more a case of knowing we're undercooked and not going into game week 1 champing at the bit with 22 players fit, firing and knowing the system inside out.
We're all going to cherish the PL experience. But those on this thread in particular who think it'll be "comfortable" could be in for a rude awakening unless 5-6 more additions come through the door. | | | |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 09:26 - Aug 12 with 3563 views | tractorboy1978 |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:54 - Aug 12 by Steve_M |
I think most of us will enjoy it but it's disappointing that we are at least three key players short (CM, LAM, CF) of where we want to be so close to the start of the season. It's not setting ourselves up for the best possible go at this season.
Optimism tempered by a degree of concern really. |
Liverpool and Man City first up is a bit of a saving grace for me. If we had Leicester and Southampton first up I'd be feeling like we could be about to miss an opportunity. As it is, we are going into two games where anything more than 0 points was always going to be a bonus regardless of our squad. | | | |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 09:28 - Aug 12 with 3529 views | Whos_blue |
Amen brother. |  |
| Distortion becomes somehow pure in its wildness. |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 09:59 - Aug 12 with 3375 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
If Ladapo is on the bench it will be because he can be brought on if we need him. We may well urge caution over that for the reasons you give but if we need him we play him. One point or goal difference might make all the difference at the end of the season. I would expect Al Hamadi to be ahead of him anyway. Is Buabo fit or another youngster showing enough promise to sit on the bench and come on if needed? |  |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:12 - Aug 12 with 3338 views | Guthrum |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 00:40 - Aug 12 by J2BLUE |
People should just enjoy it. Some on here are taking the joy out of it.
By the end of the window we will have a very good squad. We have enough for Liverpool and City, two games which will not define our season.
People keep talking about Ladapo. I would be amazed if he plays a minute against either of those. He may be on the bench but I don't think he plays due to the three club rule. We would be relying on someone taking him on a season long loan. Also, if he gets injured we're paying him to stay here. It's just not a GC/Ashton move to have him play, especially if Al-Hamadi has 30 minutes in him.
We're a bit short but it's not a crisis. Just try and enjoy the occasion. |
People are also talking about Freddie Ladapo as if he were Conor Sammon. The man has scored 25 goals for Ipswich Town.
If called upon, he would give a decent account of himself. | |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:16 - Aug 12 with 3302 views | portmanking |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:12 - Aug 12 by Guthrum |
People are also talking about Freddie Ladapo as if he were Conor Sammon. The man has scored 25 goals for Ipswich Town.
If called upon, he would give a decent account of himself. |
Fred was always competent for us, but you do have to say, most decent League 1 forwards would've had a field day as our #9 in 22/23. | | | |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:22 - Aug 12 with 3253 views | Bloots |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:12 - Aug 12 by Guthrum |
People are also talking about Freddie Ladapo as if he were Conor Sammon. The man has scored 25 goals for Ipswich Town.
If called upon, he would give a decent account of himself. |
….you could quite equally say that he has only ever scored for us in one match at a level above the third tier!
I’ve got nothing against Freddie, but to try and make out it’s not a negative that he’s our second choice CF as we head into the PL is stretching things a bit! |  |
| "He's been a really positive influence on my life, I think he's a great man" - TWTD User (May 2025) |
| |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:29 - Aug 12 with 3172 views | Guthrum |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 07:54 - Aug 12 by Steve_M |
I think most of us will enjoy it but it's disappointing that we are at least three key players short (CM, LAM, CF) of where we want to be so close to the start of the season. It's not setting ourselves up for the best possible go at this season.
Optimism tempered by a degree of concern really. |
True. The post was prompted by concern that the mood (on here at least) was getting very dark and ugly, before the season had even kicked off. I wouldn't want that to transfer to the stands and start affecting things on the pitch.
All this when the evidence suggests we are not in so bad a position, really.
The fans have to guard themselves against the Prem's own exceptionalist hype. The idea that the gap is so huge, any team coming up is foredoomed to relegation - just because it happened once last season (the one before, all three stayed up and are still there, two of them mid-table). We're only "defying" 50% odds (over the last decade) if we survive in the division. That's not so long given all the things we have running in our favour - momentum, team cohesion, manager, infrastructure, club stability and so on. | |
| |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:33 - Aug 12 with 3138 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:22 - Aug 12 by Bloots |
….you could quite equally say that he has only ever scored for us in one match at a level above the third tier!
I’ve got nothing against Freddie, but to try and make out it’s not a negative that he’s our second choice CF as we head into the PL is stretching things a bit! |
But he really isn't our second choice, is he?
Hirst (out injured) or Delap (available) is our first choice with the other second choice. Al Hamadi (when fully fit) is likely our third choice. That makes Ladapo 4th choice. You can't simply discount players who are on the books because signing someone to cover for them beyond when they are fit will create different problems down the line.
Sometimes some clubs will have to filed their 4th choice player in a position. Ladapo is fine as a 4th choice but I am also sure we are looking to upgrade the options with someone better than Al Hamadi at least (at which point we are then looking to move Ladapo on). It might even be that we are keen on a Prem loan at the end of the window. | |
| |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:45 - Aug 12 with 3067 views | Ryorry |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:33 - Aug 12 by Nthsuffolkblue |
But he really isn't our second choice, is he?
Hirst (out injured) or Delap (available) is our first choice with the other second choice. Al Hamadi (when fully fit) is likely our third choice. That makes Ladapo 4th choice. You can't simply discount players who are on the books because signing someone to cover for them beyond when they are fit will create different problems down the line.
Sometimes some clubs will have to filed their 4th choice player in a position. Ladapo is fine as a 4th choice but I am also sure we are looking to upgrade the options with someone better than Al Hamadi at least (at which point we are then looking to move Ladapo on). It might even be that we are keen on a Prem loan at the end of the window. |
Like NSB, I also wondered if Buabo is now fit and a potential surprise package - youngsters showing no fear etc. |  |
| |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:46 - Aug 12 with 3046 views | Guthrum |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:22 - Aug 12 by Bloots |
….you could quite equally say that he has only ever scored for us in one match at a level above the third tier!
I’ve got nothing against Freddie, but to try and make out it’s not a negative that he’s our second choice CF as we head into the PL is stretching things a bit! |
My point is not that he's the glowing solution to our striker shortage in the Prem, more that he isn't rubbish, he can put the ball in the net and, most importantly, he is well drilled in our system which uses the Centre Forward as much for holdup play as goalscoring.
Also, I think Al-Hamadi, now he's returned from his operation, is more likely our second choice forward (third, really, once Hirst is back). Even assuming we don't sign someone else - which I think is likely. | |
| |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:49 - Aug 12 with 3000 views | portmanking |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:46 - Aug 12 by Guthrum |
My point is not that he's the glowing solution to our striker shortage in the Prem, more that he isn't rubbish, he can put the ball in the net and, most importantly, he is well drilled in our system which uses the Centre Forward as much for holdup play as goalscoring.
Also, I think Al-Hamadi, now he's returned from his operation, is more likely our second choice forward (third, really, once Hirst is back). Even assuming we don't sign someone else - which I think is likely. |
Where is the proof that he "isn't rubbish" above League 1 or even bottom 6 Championship?
Just playing devil's advocate, like. | | | |
| I can understand why people are nervous on 10:50 - Aug 12 with 2980 views | Ryorry |
Very good point that KM *does* have Prem experience, which could help a lot. I for one had forgotten that! | |
| |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:52 - Aug 12 with 2956 views | Guthrum |
| That’s some “spin” there Guthers…! on 10:22 - Aug 12 by Bloots |
….you could quite equally say that he has only ever scored for us in one match at a level above the third tier!
I’ve got nothing against Freddie, but to try and make out it’s not a negative that he’s our second choice CF as we head into the PL is stretching things a bit! |
He also didn't play that many games, with Hirst, Moore and being out on loan. But one of the teams he scored against was Wolves. | |
| |
| Love the positivity Guthrum, a couple of things to add on 10:53 - Aug 12 with 2932 views | unstableblue |
A few more items as we look ahead to Saturday back on pre-season.
- as you say the transfer window ends on the 31st August not at kick-off against Liverpool
- we somehow managed to sign Omari, and you need those spark players in the Premier League
- we have a very tight knit group with great culture, and who are schooled in the McKenna system, I think the likes of Burns may do better than expected in the top flight
- we have improved right back, keeper, and I think Axel who has real top level pedigree is now hitting full form
- we have the Portman Road crowd, it needs to step-up and make a visit to Suffolk intimidating
- McKenna is not rigid, he can flex systems in game and to suit the opposition |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
