| I no longer recognise my Ipswich 10:38 - Aug 22 with 18330 views | blueysbackside |
There, I’ve said it and I feel relieved. All these signings….back to back promotions. Wow wow wow. What a time to be a Town fan Maybe it’s an age thing, I don’t know, but this potential £100m summer splurge is, well, nuts for our beloved club. We could already field an XI completely different to the team that got us up. Yes, progress. Yes, we want to stay up. Yes, this is the Prem. It just seems a massive gamble. Even bedding in these new boys will take a while….we’re back to the Cook days when he became the demolition man. Hope the dressing room spirit created over the past two seasons isn’t destroyed by this spend. I feel for Burgess, for Luongo. Oh, well…I guess this is top-level football in 2024. |  | | |  |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:40 - Aug 22 with 10351 views | portmanking |
If we'd splurged £100m on 30+ Finidis and Serenis I'd understand. But we're bringing in real quality with high ceilings and strong resale value.
The top dozen players who got us promoted last season will still play a huge role this season. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:43 - Aug 22 with 10268 views | blueysbackside |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:40 - Aug 22 by portmanking |
If we'd splurged £100m on 30+ Finidis and Serenis I'd understand. But we're bringing in real quality with high ceilings and strong resale value.
The top dozen players who got us promoted last season will still play a huge role this season. |
Apart from Leif, Morsy and Omari, I can’t see many of the other promotion lot being regulars | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:43 - Aug 22 with 10231 views | BlueBadger |
Elephantintheroom tribute act is no ambition to have in life, mate. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:43 - Aug 22 with 10248 views | TractorCam |
Ultimately, if the new signings don't perform, then you have the previous starters ready to step up. If you didn't sign anyone, and those players fail to make the step up, you're then looking to the Championship/league 1 subs, and obviously then we're in big trouble.
Players will still play, eg Morsy, but if he does happen to get found out, then you have players with more top level experience around him to fill in. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:44 - Aug 22 with 10238 views | portmanking |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:43 - Aug 22 by blueysbackside |
Apart from Leif, Morsy and Omari, I can’t see many of the other promotion lot being regulars |
The top dozen will all have huge roles to play off the bench and there'll inevitably be injuries/suspensions throughout the season. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:47 - Aug 22 with 10151 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
I think the downvotes are a bit harsh. I get the sentiment but there is much about the club that is the same. Much has always changed.
I feel a much greater affiliation with the well-run successful club we have now than I did with the run-down on its knees club that we were under Marcus Evans. However, at all times it was my Ipswich. Even under Keane, Hurst, Lambert, John Duncan. Of course, I loved us under Robson, Lyall, Burley, and Royle more but it has always been my club. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:51 - Aug 22 with 10024 views | Europablue |
All those downvotes are harsh. I agree with the first part, but certainly not the comment about Cook and demolition man. Just looking at all the loans and the natural churn with contracts that were up, we always needed at least 5-7 players and realistically 10-12.
We just needed to bring in players. The starters almost all need to become squad players. That is the nature of the gulf in class especially as we got promoted so quickly.
I certainly agree that this is the flip side of the promotion. I don't think we will have such joy in the Premier League and it takes time to love new players. It's kind of like growing up.
I won't be able to watch many games this season, or I have to watch them all on catch up and we just are going to lose many more than we did last season. There is still something to savour. The other thing is that we grew to love this team that was built from almost nothing starting from about 3 years ago. We will maintain the spirit. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:59 - Aug 22 with 9847 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 10:40 - Aug 22 by portmanking |
If we'd splurged £100m on 30+ Finidis and Serenis I'd understand. But we're bringing in real quality with high ceilings and strong resale value.
The top dozen players who got us promoted last season will still play a huge role this season. |
"But we're bringing in real quality with high ceilings and strong resale value.".... hopefully.
Nothing is guaranteed. But I can see the rationale in all the signings. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:02 - Aug 22 with 9775 views | rickw |
You say this after just 2 new signings started in our first match????
It seems clear to me that the new signings have replaced last season's backup players and the team from last season are holding the shirts at the moment and it's up to the new players to gradually force their way ahead of our old players which I think most will do eventually. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:03 - Aug 22 with 9763 views | blueasfook |
Those lads will be long remembered as heroes who got us back to back promotions. But we have to be realistic and accept we need a bit more quality if we're going to make a go of it in the premier league. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:06 - Aug 22 with 9663 views | homer_123 |
I posted this a while back:
So, I'd love to see us promoted, don't get me wrong. by homer_123 26 Feb 2024 11:24But I've been wondering if I would enjoy watching us as much in the Prem. Yes, we'll get to watch some world class players at PR again but I have this nagging, niggly feeling that it won't be anywhere near as much fun as watching us over the last couple of years under KM.
The heart and soul of the Club was slowly and surely extracted from the Club under Evans stewardship. The link to the fans became tenuous at best. The community and family that the Club once was, lost as Evans had little to no interest after a few years of ownership.
Lack of investment off the pitch contributing as much as the lack of investment in the playing side of things.
Yes, we are now owned by an American pension fund but since Ashton et al came in the Club has rapidly and effectively built back up those links to it's fanbase, to the people that have long supported and followed the Club. Add to this the work KM and the team have done on the pitch is nothing short of miraculous.
And here's the thing - my nagging feeling is the squad will change significantly when we go up - these players have delivered so much and watching them, week in and week out, improve both individually and collectively is quite a sight but I don't think this team can really compete at that top level without major changes. It's not a slight on them or me being negative, it is just what it is.
I have enjoyed, so much, watching this group of players play beyond what, I am sure, even they believed they were capable of doing. KM and team have not just developed their footballing and decision making abilities but instilled an ethic, an approach if you will, to football that is something to admire.
I fear it won't be the same as the core won't stay the same when we go up. I rather lament that thought.
I've been lucky enough to watch us under Robson, Lyall, Burley and Royle as well as others. Given where we were not just on the pitch but what had happened to us off it. This group of players and what they have done with the help of Ashton, KM and the team deserves to go down in ITFC lore.
We are simply a joy to watch as we go about our business. That trepidation, excitement and nervous energy you feel on the way to ground, for me at least, is well and truly back.
Don't get me wrong, I am sure in the Prem it will be similar but I don't think it will be the same and right now, I don't want that feeling to change.
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:06 - Aug 22 with 9638 views | Blue_Heath |
I get your sentiment as these guys have been great for us last two seasons, but unlikely more than a couple of players from last year will establish themselves as premier league footballers for more than one season as much as I hate to say it. If we don't spend we'd likely be a Sheff U. Spending gives us no guarantee but gives us at least a chance and no one can say we didn't go for it. If by some miracle we stay up the team will need to improve again and again over next few years if we want to establish ourselves in this league. I don't like it either and as you say felt really sorry for Burgess Saturday albeit Greaves was rightly MOM. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:08 - Aug 22 with 9575 views | MattinLondon |
Cook failed not because he couldn’t spot a talented player but because he brought players like an over excited kid in a sweet shop. There was no bigger picture and no consideration to style.
KM knows how he wants to play and which players will suit that style.
Players aren’t stupid and they will know when their time is up. It works both ways though - if AC Milan wanted Lunago then he’ll be off and most fans will completely understand. Treat plsyers with respect and dignity yes, but realism needs to be the over riding factor and that works both ways.
Yes the money spent isn’t the Ipswich way but that’s the way it is. Hypothetically I know, but if SBR was still a club manager in the PL then he would be spending tens of millions on players. I
Either a club moves forward and embraces the future (warts included) or it stagnant and gets overtaken. If Mick was progressive he would be managing on the top two divisions instead he’s yesterdays man. |  | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:12 - Aug 22 with 9460 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:08 - Aug 22 by MattinLondon |
Cook failed not because he couldn’t spot a talented player but because he brought players like an over excited kid in a sweet shop. There was no bigger picture and no consideration to style.
KM knows how he wants to play and which players will suit that style.
Players aren’t stupid and they will know when their time is up. It works both ways though - if AC Milan wanted Lunago then he’ll be off and most fans will completely understand. Treat plsyers with respect and dignity yes, but realism needs to be the over riding factor and that works both ways.
Yes the money spent isn’t the Ipswich way but that’s the way it is. Hypothetically I know, but if SBR was still a club manager in the PL then he would be spending tens of millions on players. I
Either a club moves forward and embraces the future (warts included) or it stagnant and gets overtaken. If Mick was progressive he would be managing on the top two divisions instead he’s yesterdays man. |
The other thing about the money is the inflation aspect. If the fees were put in the context of other transfer fees, we are not spending anything we didn't previously when at this level. | |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:14 - Aug 22 with 9408 views | Churchman |
Firstly, I kind of get what the OP is saying. The changes at the club have been rapid and show no sign of stopping. It’s scary and unlike anything I’ve seen before with my club. Change is always scary. The team that we grew to love is being replaced in part. Telephone numbers for transfer fees. Old favourites are becoming a mix of still favourites, back up or moving on.
The club is trying to grow; to move forwards; to grasp the opportunity our terrific team of the last two years has given it. I believe it has to do what it’s doing. To do everything it can to stay in this division. I know Liverpool are top end PL, but it’s blindingly obvious that without doing something we were almost certainly for the drop at seasons end with players a year older and the best of them wanting PL football.
If this doesn’t work, the best of our players will still want PL football, but given the ages of the likes of Omari, he’ll be worth a heck of a lot more than he is now. The rest of the team will provide a strong team for the Championship.
I’ve no idea how this is working financially, but a think and hope that the people running the club know where they are at with FFP etc. They’re certainly ambitious! So is our manager who for this season at least is our ace in the pack.
The good thing about this is that the investment in the club is not just players. It’s infrastructure too. The club are really trying hard and there will be mistakes. But I’d much rather they tried to hit the challenges head on and failed than not try at all, Norwich style.
If they succeed, who knows where it will lead the club. I certainly don’t, but either way it’s a heck of a lot more interesting than Evans stagnation or just about anything I’ve seen with this club post Robson.
Let’s enjoy the ride. |  | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:14 - Aug 22 with 9414 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:12 - Aug 22 by Nthsuffolkblue |
The other thing about the money is the inflation aspect. If the fees were put in the context of other transfer fees, we are not spending anything we didn't previously when at this level. |
We only signed a couple of players in the last Prem promotion season.
So globally, the spend wasn't that shocking. | |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:15 - Aug 22 with 9383 views | chicoazul |
Amazed you’re receiving so many downvotes Opie for expressing what is a simple normal opinion which seems genuinely held. Success has poisoned some minds on here. |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:17 - Aug 22 with 9329 views | Reuser_is_God |
What do you want us to become? Norwich? |  |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:18 - Aug 22 with 9277 views | Vaughan8 |
We are all allowed our opinions and in a way I get what the OP is saying. But unfortunately we need to, to complete and try and stay up. You could possibly argue we were playing above ourselves last season.
You look at most teams who come up, they need to buy players. I'm sure Luton bought loads.
Unfortunately we aren't like the Leicesters/Burney's etc who bounce back up and p[robably don't have to buy as many.
My only "sinking" feeling is that the last 2 years, I've gone into every game thinking we can win. These first 2 games this season........I haven't/don't | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:22 - Aug 22 with 9129 views | Rsj13 |
I think the question is, what's the bigger gamble: Trying to survive in the Premier League with a L1 / Championship squad, or risk disrupting the dressing room with a large number of signings that's required for us to be able to reasonably compete at this level?
Not investing in new players would - I believe - be embracing becoming a yo-yo club of parachute payments. Hardly the ambition that the new ownership has shown over the past two years.
We always use our five subs, so our 11 is actually a 16. Broadhead, Chaplin, Burns, Morsy, Woolfie, Tuanzebe, Omari, Leif will all have significant roles to play, even if not as starters. There really isn't that 'hierarchy' in this squad - the finishers are just as important as the starters. Sarmiento last year is a great example of that.
Yes, many of our squad players will move on, but they will be heroes here, and will have benefited greatly from the experience and coaching. I wonder if some of those would have left anyway if we stayed in the Championship and wanted to improve our promotion chances. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:25 - Aug 22 with 9061 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:14 - Aug 22 by Marshalls_Mullet |
We only signed a couple of players in the last Prem promotion season.
So globally, the spend wasn't that shocking. |
I am not sure the point you are making. In that season, we sold Dyer and spent the money on Marcus Stewart plus 3 other £500K+ transfers (Jamma, McGreal and Croft). This was from a base of being a solid play-off Championship team.
On promotion we then spent £4M on Hermann, £1.25M on Makin £1M on Reuser, £500K+ on Armstrong and Karic and also signed Scales on a free and Mark Burchill (the Scottish Michael Owen) on loan.
I really don't see what we are doing now as hugely bigger if you bear in mind that we were not already an established Championship play-off side 2 years ago (in fact we were a mid-table League 1 one). | |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:28 - Aug 22 with 9009 views | BlueySwede |
I understand your point.
First of all, it's a strange feeling to see us signing several multi-million-pound players. We're not used to it. But would I be happier if we were still in the Championship, under an unambitious owner, signing the likes of Leon Best? Or reading "quiet deadline day expected" when we seriously needed players?
Definitely not.
I want us to stay in the Premier League. Not by gambling the club in any way, but I certainly trust Ashton and the owners to manage that side.
I am immensely proud of the core group of players that got us to the Premier League, and I believe (and hope) that several of them will continue to play a vital role for us. But the reality is that some will inevitably fall away. Jumping from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons is a massive leap.
Professional footballers are accustomed to new signings coming in, and hopefully, it motivates them. They know that there is no room for sentiment in football.
Keeping everyone happy in a 25-man squad is a difficult task, but I honestly believe there are few better capable of doing it than Kieran McKenna. Burgess, Luongo and many others will have a role to play this season. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:32 - Aug 22 with 8929 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:28 - Aug 22 by BlueySwede |
I understand your point.
First of all, it's a strange feeling to see us signing several multi-million-pound players. We're not used to it. But would I be happier if we were still in the Championship, under an unambitious owner, signing the likes of Leon Best? Or reading "quiet deadline day expected" when we seriously needed players?
Definitely not.
I want us to stay in the Premier League. Not by gambling the club in any way, but I certainly trust Ashton and the owners to manage that side.
I am immensely proud of the core group of players that got us to the Premier League, and I believe (and hope) that several of them will continue to play a vital role for us. But the reality is that some will inevitably fall away. Jumping from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons is a massive leap.
Professional footballers are accustomed to new signings coming in, and hopefully, it motivates them. They know that there is no room for sentiment in football.
Keeping everyone happy in a 25-man squad is a difficult task, but I honestly believe there are few better capable of doing it than Kieran McKenna. Burgess, Luongo and many others will have a role to play this season. |
I am also quite sure that those players who are not happy with the role they have will be given the chance to move on. Just look at Greg Leigh, Kayden Jackson and George Edmundson for different examples of this. | |
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| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:33 - Aug 22 with 8919 views | Len_Brennan |
Omari, Greaves & Delap cost £55m or so, but were arguably our best players against Liverpool; certainly they were the ones who looked most like they had the quality to become established Premier League footballers.
That's were we are now; Chaplin has been a real favourite for us all, but he struggled against that opposition, as he was brought in to be a real threat at League 1 & the Championship, which was very much was.
If we are going to survive & even prosper at this level, we have to have Premier League quality players right through the squad, and they cost a whole lot of money.
Identifying them early, when they are young & before they've reached their full potential/value, is how we get them to come, and it makes it sustainable due to the likely enhanced resale fee. | | | |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:36 - Aug 22 with 8848 views | marvellous |
| I no longer recognise my Ipswich on 11:02 - Aug 22 by rickw |
You say this after just 2 new signings started in our first match????
It seems clear to me that the new signings have replaced last season's backup players and the team from last season are holding the shirts at the moment and it's up to the new players to gradually force their way ahead of our old players which I think most will do eventually. |
I was going to say something similar. Of the starting XI against Liverpool, 7 played for us in League 1 and 9 played for us in the Championship - that's not a demolition job!
If Hirst wasn't injured then I expect those numbers would've been 1 higher.
I think the evolution of the squad has been excellent. Allowing those that got us here the opportunity to step up to the top level whilst acknowledging that what has got us here might not get us there (wherever that is! Champions League?!)
I do agree that paying large transfer fees and multiple signings each transfer window is not particularly "Ipswich" but the game at the top level has moved on massively since our last visit so we need to do this just to try to maintain our PL status, let alone move forwards. | | | |
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