| The Gamble 07:24 - Jun 28 with 1522 views | muccletonjoe |
Kieron McKenna has in many ways become Ipswich Town over the past 3 seasons.
We play his way and have done since we were in the first division.
We now have almost all of his own signings, his back room staff , the ground and training facilities have all been improved under his tenure.
Therefore it's hardly surprising after a disastrous season in the Premier league, we still have a majority of supporters in the keep the manager camp.
In many ways the clubs fortunes are linked to his next season. Mckennas reputation as the brightest star on the horizon of young british coaching talent has taken a knock with the nose dive into the championship , it has also undoubtedly persuaded more than a few supporters to start to question his game management , and single minded approach to tactics which at times last season bordered on McCarthy- esque
The plus side is we all know what we will be getting next season and this is often preferable than waiting to see what a new manager will bring to the table.
However, the good will bank of itfc, in which Mckenna has deposited vast sums in two promotion campaigns has been severely drawn upon in the last 6 months or so.
Incoming players will not be bought with the bulging wallet which the Premier league supplies, they will have to settle far quicker into the yawning gaps left by those who have gone or returned to pastures new. The excuses of playing Manchester City at the Etihad on a saturday afternoon are gone. Instead we will be playing teams with less resources than our own , which brings an entirely different kind of pressure as does the short odds on a quick return to the Premier league.
Whether you are Mckenna can or Mckenna can't. The bets have been placed , time to spin the wheel. |  | | |  |
| The Gamble on 08:00 - Jun 28 with 1382 views | SheffordBlue |
I personally don't buy into the 'single minded approach to tactics' line.
Here are some of the tactics I saw us use in and out of possession last season and I think the choice over which approach was part of a game plan.
Out of possession:
Low block - sat deep with 10/11 players behind the ball - very compact and passive - trying to force the opposition wide while cutting off passing lanes into the box.
High press - the type of pressing that we did in the Championship - aggressive and high up the pitch trying to win the ball back in oppositions final third.
Man to man - CM and defenders given key attackers to go man to man with. At times we had one of other of our CBs tracking attackers as high up the pitch as the centre circle before handing them off.
In possession:
Build through the pitch - usually our preferred method in the Championship (although even then we went more direct at times).
Rapid counter attack - when we regained possession we committed lots of numbers forward as quickly as we could. I think we reduced the amount we did this later in the Prem season as it made us vulnerable to conceding on transition if/when we lost possession counter-attacking.
Hit Delap and hope - when we regained possession we looked at rapidly getting it out to Delap, either with the hope he'd do something by himself or that he'd hold it up enough that we might commit a few more players forward.
Invite the press and then hit the channels. A version of hit Delap and hope but where we drew the press onto us to create a bit more space behind for him to operate in. |  |
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| The Gamble on 08:08 - Jun 28 with 1333 views | Blue_Heath |
So long as he's committed not a problem for me even though last season was very disappointing. Sir Bobby used to practically do everything and in some ways a manager should have full control.
I think this season will be very defining for KM, it will either end in tears around January or he'll get a statue in the future! | | | |
| The Gamble on 08:38 - Jun 28 with 1252 views | Chrisd |
Yes, it’s going to be a big test for KM next season, he’s not had to deal with this level of expectation since he’s been here and that brings its own level of pressure. Personally, I feel it is good he is staying, let’s see if he actually is one the best young coaches, which many have touted, he’s got plenty stacked in his favour to help him but make no mistake teams will want to bloody our noses next season. We will be seen as one of the favourites for promotion, my experience ‘the favourites label’ never sits comfortably with us as a club. | |
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| The Gamble on 08:53 - Jun 28 with 1206 views | Jon_456 |
| The Gamble on 08:38 - Jun 28 by Chrisd |
Yes, it’s going to be a big test for KM next season, he’s not had to deal with this level of expectation since he’s been here and that brings its own level of pressure. Personally, I feel it is good he is staying, let’s see if he actually is one the best young coaches, which many have touted, he’s got plenty stacked in his favour to help him but make no mistake teams will want to bloody our noses next season. We will be seen as one of the favourites for promotion, my experience ‘the favourites label’ never sits comfortably with us as a club. |
Not sure I agree.
We were expected to win the league in League One and if it wasn’t for the fact we had to rely on a 18/19yo in CM for 2-3 months we likely would have walked it.
When you look back at that spell from February through to May we were probably the best ever league one team, demolishing teams 4/5/6-0 each week.
‘Let’s see if he actually is one of the best young coaches’.. He’s already got a bottom half championship squad promoted from one of the most competitive Championships in years. I don’t think he has anything left to prove at this level. | | | |
| The Gamble on 09:06 - Jun 28 with 1136 views | BloomBlue |
I hate to tell you this but all managers have a style of play which they don't deviate far from. Yes they will tweak slightly, but when they have a style which is successful they will stick with it.
It was the same with Ramsey and Robson.
Look at Pep, a few people writing his single minded style off last season. What has he done to change that? He's replaced some of the older players with new younger players, but still playing the same style. Now if that results in success this season, its a wait and see. |  | | |
| The Gamble on 09:08 - Jun 28 with 1123 views | Axeldalai_lama |
You can only work with what you have in the building. His own signings yes, but that doesn't mean everything is set up perfectly. It's a completely different set of challenges this season. One doesn't prove the other, we didn't struggle in the prem specifically because of his bad decisions signing or tactics wise, we were just hugely behind the curve. Disappointing as that was.
So yes, it's an interesting season ahead, with a different kind of optimism and reasons to look forward. Roll on sorting the squad changes out and let's crack on being one of the big fish and kicking on once again.
COYB. |  | | |
| The Gamble on 09:14 - Jun 28 with 1097 views | SouperJim |
It might be an over-simplification, but it's players who win you football matches. The manager creates the ethos, belief, fosters team spirit etc. Have we got enough of that left and can we avoid the relegation hangover? We certainly have players good enough to win 30 matches at championship level.
The real hard bit isn't getting up, it's recruiting well enough to stay there. |  |
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| The Gamble on 09:18 - Jun 28 with 1055 views | Westover |
Taken from the opening post. the yawning gaps left by those who have gone or returned to pastures new.
Apart from Delap Cajuste how many games did the others play, Axel Burgess Mass Harness Phillips and the loan who only took part in two games I can't think of his name, that's not a yawning gap IMO. | | | |
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| The Gamble on 09:19 - Jun 28 with 1048 views | yesjohn99 |
He’s the man to take us back up. He is also intelligent enough to have learnt lessons to keep us in the PL. | | | |
| The Gamble on 09:28 - Jun 28 with 967 views | Swansea_Blue |
| The Gamble on 08:00 - Jun 28 by SheffordBlue |
I personally don't buy into the 'single minded approach to tactics' line.
Here are some of the tactics I saw us use in and out of possession last season and I think the choice over which approach was part of a game plan.
Out of possession:
Low block - sat deep with 10/11 players behind the ball - very compact and passive - trying to force the opposition wide while cutting off passing lanes into the box.
High press - the type of pressing that we did in the Championship - aggressive and high up the pitch trying to win the ball back in oppositions final third.
Man to man - CM and defenders given key attackers to go man to man with. At times we had one of other of our CBs tracking attackers as high up the pitch as the centre circle before handing them off.
In possession:
Build through the pitch - usually our preferred method in the Championship (although even then we went more direct at times).
Rapid counter attack - when we regained possession we committed lots of numbers forward as quickly as we could. I think we reduced the amount we did this later in the Prem season as it made us vulnerable to conceding on transition if/when we lost possession counter-attacking.
Hit Delap and hope - when we regained possession we looked at rapidly getting it out to Delap, either with the hope he'd do something by himself or that he'd hold it up enough that we might commit a few more players forward.
Invite the press and then hit the channels. A version of hit Delap and hope but where we drew the press onto us to create a bit more space behind for him to operate in. |
Yep. We’ve been different each season he’s been here. |  |
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| The Gamble on 09:31 - Jun 28 with 955 views | redrickstuhaart |
| The Gamble on 08:00 - Jun 28 by SheffordBlue |
I personally don't buy into the 'single minded approach to tactics' line.
Here are some of the tactics I saw us use in and out of possession last season and I think the choice over which approach was part of a game plan.
Out of possession:
Low block - sat deep with 10/11 players behind the ball - very compact and passive - trying to force the opposition wide while cutting off passing lanes into the box.
High press - the type of pressing that we did in the Championship - aggressive and high up the pitch trying to win the ball back in oppositions final third.
Man to man - CM and defenders given key attackers to go man to man with. At times we had one of other of our CBs tracking attackers as high up the pitch as the centre circle before handing them off.
In possession:
Build through the pitch - usually our preferred method in the Championship (although even then we went more direct at times).
Rapid counter attack - when we regained possession we committed lots of numbers forward as quickly as we could. I think we reduced the amount we did this later in the Prem season as it made us vulnerable to conceding on transition if/when we lost possession counter-attacking.
Hit Delap and hope - when we regained possession we looked at rapidly getting it out to Delap, either with the hope he'd do something by himself or that he'd hold it up enough that we might commit a few more players forward.
Invite the press and then hit the channels. A version of hit Delap and hope but where we drew the press onto us to create a bit more space behind for him to operate in. |
Indeed. Its a lazy analysis in the same vein as 'they cant play from the back all the time at this level'. We didnt... | | | |
| The Gamble on 09:34 - Jun 28 with 915 views | bluefunk |
| The Gamble on 09:06 - Jun 28 by BloomBlue |
I hate to tell you this but all managers have a style of play which they don't deviate far from. Yes they will tweak slightly, but when they have a style which is successful they will stick with it.
It was the same with Ramsey and Robson.
Look at Pep, a few people writing his single minded style off last season. What has he done to change that? He's replaced some of the older players with new younger players, but still playing the same style. Now if that results in success this season, its a wait and see. |
That’s not rue of Robson. His first Town teams were heavily long ball oriented, for proof look at the WBA 7-0 footage where there was a succession of long balls from the back creating goal scoring opportunities. He then moved on, after losing Talbot to Arsenal, to the team most see as embodying “the Ipswich Way” by bringing in the 2 Dutchmen and playing through midfield. He has success with both but they are definitely not the same style |  | | |
| The Gamble on 09:47 - Jun 28 with 877 views | Bellevue_Blue |
What a strange post! Weirdly critical and riddled with odd comments.
- Of course the fortunes of the manager and the club are linked next season. They are paired together.
- 'The single minded approach to tactics' because we all know during the week KMc sits with his feet on the table saying same again? Just because we went between two formations does not mean it was a single minded approach.
- Why will new signings have to settle far quicker? Quite the opposite. We could start the season tomorrow with a fully settled starting XI who played last season?
- The 'yawning gap' left by two/three starters leaving
- 'Whether you are Mckenna can or Mckenna can't' - any sensible fan is Mckenna can because he has shown it in two previous seasons?!?!
This is the opposite of a 'gamble'. We are all backing a bloke who has go us promoted twice and has already shown he can deal with the pressure of being a big team expected to win games in League 1. | | | |
| The Gamble on 09:58 - Jun 28 with 812 views | billlm |
| The Gamble on 08:00 - Jun 28 by SheffordBlue |
I personally don't buy into the 'single minded approach to tactics' line.
Here are some of the tactics I saw us use in and out of possession last season and I think the choice over which approach was part of a game plan.
Out of possession:
Low block - sat deep with 10/11 players behind the ball - very compact and passive - trying to force the opposition wide while cutting off passing lanes into the box.
High press - the type of pressing that we did in the Championship - aggressive and high up the pitch trying to win the ball back in oppositions final third.
Man to man - CM and defenders given key attackers to go man to man with. At times we had one of other of our CBs tracking attackers as high up the pitch as the centre circle before handing them off.
In possession:
Build through the pitch - usually our preferred method in the Championship (although even then we went more direct at times).
Rapid counter attack - when we regained possession we committed lots of numbers forward as quickly as we could. I think we reduced the amount we did this later in the Prem season as it made us vulnerable to conceding on transition if/when we lost possession counter-attacking.
Hit Delap and hope - when we regained possession we looked at rapidly getting it out to Delap, either with the hope he'd do something by himself or that he'd hold it up enough that we might commit a few more players forward.
Invite the press and then hit the channels. A version of hit Delap and hope but where we drew the press onto us to create a bit more space behind for him to operate in. |
We have good defenders shouldn't panic there,
So I hope our of possession we have a very high pressure,
We should get good turn over from thin in dangerous position or at the very least quick possessions from hoofs up the pitch,
Key will all be in our high pressure,
Can't see us not doing that with our forward players at his disposal, |  | | |
| The Gamble on 10:18 - Jun 28 with 740 views | bsw72 |
So in summary, the squad is now full of the players the manager wanted, we play according to the managers preferences, the clubs facilities are improving, we don’t have the funds that we had as a PL side and this coming season is important.
Errr, thanks? |  | | |
| The Gamble on 10:26 - Jun 28 with 703 views | muccletonjoe |
| The Gamble on 09:18 - Jun 28 by Westover |
Taken from the opening post. the yawning gaps left by those who have gone or returned to pastures new.
Apart from Delap Cajuste how many games did the others play, Axel Burgess Mass Harness Phillips and the loan who only took part in two games I can't think of his name, that's not a yawning gap IMO. |
We have lost 2 regular players in midfield and the other one is well into his thirties. Perhaps you don't see midfield as a yawning gap but I would prefer to play someone in there | | | |
| The Gamble on 10:41 - Jun 28 with 659 views | Chrisd |
| The Gamble on 08:53 - Jun 28 by Jon_456 |
Not sure I agree.
We were expected to win the league in League One and if it wasn’t for the fact we had to rely on a 18/19yo in CM for 2-3 months we likely would have walked it.
When you look back at that spell from February through to May we were probably the best ever league one team, demolishing teams 4/5/6-0 each week.
‘Let’s see if he actually is one of the best young coaches’.. He’s already got a bottom half championship squad promoted from one of the most competitive Championships in years. I don’t think he has anything left to prove at this level. |
So this season should be a breeze then? When we got promoted to the Championship we were dark horses, teams I think underestimated us and our momentum and confidence gathered pace as the weeks passed, but we certainly got on the right side of some tight games which could have easily gone the other way. For me, and you don’t have to agree, you are fully entitled to your opinion, he’s got plenty to prove especially this season when he has got that expectation on his shoulders from our fans, he’s not really had that previously even when we were in L1. [Post edited 28 Jun 13:58]
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| The Gamble on 11:11 - Jun 28 with 563 views | RIPbobby |
I believe you are thinking out loud a little bit here. Spend a bit more time putting your argument together and then people can critique it for what it's worth. Looks like you are trying to put a point across without doing so. Might turn into an interesting debate. |  | | |
| The Gamble on 11:25 - Jun 28 with 505 views | Jon_456 |
| The Gamble on 10:41 - Jun 28 by Chrisd |
So this season should be a breeze then? When we got promoted to the Championship we were dark horses, teams I think underestimated us and our momentum and confidence gathered pace as the weeks passed, but we certainly got on the right side of some tight games which could have easily gone the other way. For me, and you don’t have to agree, you are fully entitled to your opinion, he’s got plenty to prove especially this season when he has got that expectation on his shoulders from our fans, he’s not really had that previously even when we were in L1. [Post edited 28 Jun 13:58]
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Of course this season won’t be a breeze, far from it. But IMO he has nothing to prove at this level, he’s already been here and done it in harder circumstances.
Maybe I’m cynical but I don’t buy into this momentum thing and think it takes away from the hard work the staff and players put in. If momentum was such an important factor then you’d see more teams do what we did but the reality is most teams that go up into the Champ tend to be fighting relegation. | | | |
| The Gamble on 11:48 - Jun 28 with 440 views | Chrisd |
| The Gamble on 11:25 - Jun 28 by Jon_456 |
Of course this season won’t be a breeze, far from it. But IMO he has nothing to prove at this level, he’s already been here and done it in harder circumstances.
Maybe I’m cynical but I don’t buy into this momentum thing and think it takes away from the hard work the staff and players put in. If momentum was such an important factor then you’d see more teams do what we did but the reality is most teams that go up into the Champ tend to be fighting relegation. |
It’ll be interesting to see how Birmingham get on this season. | |
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| The Gamble on 11:51 - Jun 28 with 405 views | itfc1108 |
| The Gamble on 09:34 - Jun 28 by bluefunk |
That’s not rue of Robson. His first Town teams were heavily long ball oriented, for proof look at the WBA 7-0 footage where there was a succession of long balls from the back creating goal scoring opportunities. He then moved on, after losing Talbot to Arsenal, to the team most see as embodying “the Ipswich Way” by bringing in the 2 Dutchmen and playing through midfield. He has success with both but they are definitely not the same style |
I think Arnold had to ask him to change it though! | | | |
| The Gamble on 11:55 - Jun 28 with 389 views | mellowblue |
| The Gamble on 09:34 - Jun 28 by bluefunk |
That’s not rue of Robson. His first Town teams were heavily long ball oriented, for proof look at the WBA 7-0 footage where there was a succession of long balls from the back creating goal scoring opportunities. He then moved on, after losing Talbot to Arsenal, to the team most see as embodying “the Ipswich Way” by bringing in the 2 Dutchmen and playing through midfield. He has success with both but they are definitely not the same style |
and he preferred using wingers like Woods and Lambert in the earlier years. In the latter years he used Mariner and Brazil to run the channels into the dead space where wingers would have been. | | | |
| The Gamble on 12:10 - Jun 28 with 292 views | ITFCSG |
| The Gamble on 08:53 - Jun 28 by Jon_456 |
Not sure I agree.
We were expected to win the league in League One and if it wasn’t for the fact we had to rely on a 18/19yo in CM for 2-3 months we likely would have walked it.
When you look back at that spell from February through to May we were probably the best ever league one team, demolishing teams 4/5/6-0 each week.
‘Let’s see if he actually is one of the best young coaches’.. He’s already got a bottom half championship squad promoted from one of the most competitive Championships in years. I don’t think he has anything left to prove at this level. |
“Best ever” League One team eh?
After spending a further £150 million or thereabouts and a season in the Prem, if we don’t destroy newly promoted Brum (whose supporters also claim to be the “best ever League One team”) on 8 Aug means we have gone backwards right?
So naïve | | | |
| The Gamble on 13:03 - Jun 28 with 177 views | Jon_456 |
| The Gamble on 12:10 - Jun 28 by ITFCSG |
“Best ever” League One team eh?
After spending a further £150 million or thereabouts and a season in the Prem, if we don’t destroy newly promoted Brum (whose supporters also claim to be the “best ever League One team”) on 8 Aug means we have gone backwards right?
So naïve |
Christ talk about taking it out of context. How we get on against Birmingham this season has nothing to do with it.
I said during that spell between Feb-May in 2023. Find me a team that destroyed the league for a run as long as we did. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say we were one of the best ever league one teams. In fact Michael Appleton implied as much the season before that when we beat Lincoln under McKenna. | | | |
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