| When optimists start to turn… 22:44 - Dec 2 with 1648 views | Chris_ITFC |
That’s when the bubble is near to bursting. No, not the stock market, but Ipswich Town.
I consider myself one of the most optimistic. I shoot down the moaners. But boy, for all the madness of the equaliser, I’m heading home worried.
Blackburn didn’t sit deep, it was quite the opposite of our usual excuse. Yet we were so bad, so devoid of ideas, so predictable, and Kieran’s wonderful system that has brought us so much success now looks SO RIGID. Players stick to such set positions, with zero movement, and passes that are so telegraphed. If we know what’s about to happen, so do the opposition analysts, managers, players.
Quite bizarrely, the best thing about our system used to be Leif. He was the whole flipping purpose of the system! Yet that’s the only thing we’ve changed - such an athlete and crosser is forced into a narrow central role - and when he does get wide, Clarke and Philogene want to occupy the same 5x5 yards of grass. We’ve literally fecked ourselves.
I actually don’t blame the players, or all the changes. The system and patterns of play look so rigid and so choreographed now, I don’t think it matters which 11 are out there.
My worry is that poor performances probably result in things being even more drilled and choreographed on the training ground. Trouble is, we’ve got a set of attackers who thrive off freedom.
Even this morning, I was shooting down moans. But after a week of travelling and watching, we feel fundamentally flawed by the thing that made us so good, and I don’t see it getting much better quickly.
The remaining optimism is telling me we could still be 6 months from the Premier League - and that thoughts scares the life out of me! |  |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 22:47 - Dec 2 with 1600 views | BrockleyBlue78 |
Nice post. We’d be starting from a weaker place than summer 2024 if we do get promoted with this squad. |  | | |
| When optimists start to turn… on 22:50 - Dec 2 with 1551 views | Nutkins_Return |
Leif is shattered.
It's all so slow and obvious. If you do your homework on us you know what is coming.
And yep...I'm half glass full with us. And I still back McKenna to get it right, we just need to see some performances. [Post edited 2 Dec 22:51]
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| When optimists start to turn… on 23:05 - Dec 2 with 1472 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 22:47 - Dec 2 by BrockleyBlue78 |
Nice post. We’d be starting from a weaker place than summer 2024 if we do get promoted with this squad. |
Absolutely. I think we’d basically be buying a new XI again, maybe Leif and Azor aside.
Seems like a nice problem to have right now though! | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 23:07 - Dec 2 with 1438 views | BrockleyBlue78 |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:05 - Dec 2 by Chris_ITFC |
Absolutely. I think we’d basically be buying a new XI again, maybe Leif and Azor aside.
Seems like a nice problem to have right now though! |
Can we recruit a couple in January who are both able to get us promoted AND good enough for the prem?! | | | |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:08 - Dec 2 with 1415 views | FrimleyBlue |
Always so negative. Don't be like old frimmers. |  |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 23:12 - Dec 2 with 1383 views | Hugoagogo_Reborn |
Kudos for making the trip. More than I did, from the comfort of my armchair and the TV.
Today was pretty abject. Only a fool would say otherwise.
There is definitely talent in this squad,.but I think there needs to be an end of year shuffle. Some of these players are not earning a bench place. Is that tactics, or attitude?
There are some great youth players we could try. I struggle to understand why the likes of Elkan and Cam are here and not on loan, when they are effectively being left to rot on the sidelines. The club needs to do better for them, as a minimum. |  |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 23:22 - Dec 2 with 1304 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:08 - Dec 2 by FrimleyBlue |
Always so negative. Don't be like old frimmers. |
I almost mentioned you! You know how belligerent and annoying I am at disagreeing with the negativity more than anyone. But I’m wavering after everything I’ve seen this week.
We’ve seen every combination of players, yet everything looks the same. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 23:28 - Dec 2 with 1273 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:12 - Dec 2 by Hugoagogo_Reborn |
Kudos for making the trip. More than I did, from the comfort of my armchair and the TV.
Today was pretty abject. Only a fool would say otherwise.
There is definitely talent in this squad,.but I think there needs to be an end of year shuffle. Some of these players are not earning a bench place. Is that tactics, or attitude?
There are some great youth players we could try. I struggle to understand why the likes of Elkan and Cam are here and not on loan, when they are effectively being left to rot on the sidelines. The club needs to do better for them, as a minimum. |
I never thought I would be in a position to say this, but this McKenna team is currently less than the sum of its parts.
I suspect (and possibly hope) it’s caused by tactics, which again feels bonkers to write. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 00:24 - Dec 3 with 1176 views | Hugoagogo_Reborn |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:28 - Dec 2 by Chris_ITFC |
I never thought I would be in a position to say this, but this McKenna team is currently less than the sum of its parts.
I suspect (and possibly hope) it’s caused by tactics, which again feels bonkers to write. |
Therein, I think, lies the problem.
I hope the gaffer can work out the team dynamics and get us running at full capacity soon. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 00:53 - Dec 3 with 1122 views | Ryorry |
I'm usually an optimist too.
But when none of your lucky clothing or rituals are working, you know there's a problem Houston :( |  |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 01:10 - Dec 3 with 1104 views | Churchman |
I do not want McKenna replaced or the players slaughtered. As usual, I see the usual suspects and plenty of new ones calling for McKenna’s head, moaning away and loving every minute of it. Time of their lives. Not me. I’m just bitterly disappointed.
But views on to what I see. Not on tonight’s game, but seen the previous three (only the home one live)
If I was the opposition, however short we were talent wise, I’d relish playing Ipswich. Any of you who played even the bottom of the pile Sunday rubbish like me will know why. You know that if you but into them early, be brave and don’t concede early, at least a point is yours. Soft teams however talented are there for the taking if played right.
Why? Collectively our team has no bottle. They are not all putting in the hard yards. You have to earn the right to play by doing the basics. We are not doing that. Why? I just don’t know. Maybe the mix of characters is wrong, maybe the players are fed up with playing well and getting dropped? Maybe they feel locked into a system that isn’t them?
Rotation works for the top six, but not the ham and egg championship. Do the players get on? Do they have each others backs? Are they scared to let go and play? Are we lacking a true on field organiser? Maybe bits of everything, but something isn’t right. If it was, McKenna wouldn’t be making strange comments about not getting over Friday.
Unlike so many experts on here, I’m not one. I might have played a little and watched a lot but that only means I can offer an unqualified view.
It’s a long season. Who knows but a team worthy of the players’ ability (and if you’ve seen them close up you will know they are far better than most in this division) looks a mile off at the moment. Saturday and Stoke next week? Hope (probably forlorn) rather than expectation.
If the supporters could do one thing on Saturday, it’d be to get behind the team instead of abusing it, but we all know after the last few games thats not going to happen beyond the first misplaced pass or error and I’m sure the players do too.
I still believe in patience. Let them get on with it. Who is out there who is better and would they want to come here and fit with what the club is trying to do? [Post edited 3 Dec 1:13]
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| When optimists start to turn… on 01:26 - Dec 3 with 1060 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Agree with a lot of that.
As for your last sentence, what should scare you far more is wasting two years of parachute money, we might not get another chance for a long time. [Post edited 3 Dec 1:28]
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| When optimists start to turn… on 02:33 - Dec 3 with 977 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 01:26 - Dec 3 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Agree with a lot of that.
As for your last sentence, what should scare you far more is wasting two years of parachute money, we might not get another chance for a long time. [Post edited 3 Dec 1:28]
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Oh, I’m not too fussed about that. I just want to enjoy watching us.
And to be honest, I’m struggling to comprehend how much money we’ve spent on the squad that finished 2nd in this league, only to now be at risk of falling out of contention. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 06:36 - Dec 3 with 736 views | Blue_Heath |
Your last paragraph hammer, nail, head. This is my concern if we go up we're going to make Southampton and Derby look like prime Pep.
We've regressed so badly in the last year and a half and there are no signs it will get better, if anything it's getting worse.
We have to look at context and for a squad that is the most expensive ever assembled in this league with little stand out competition other than Coventry to get one point at Oxford/Blackburn (no disrespect to them) which in all honesty should have been zero and be knocked out the cup by Bromley and not even be in a play off position shows we are closer to L1 than PL.
That said will be typical Ipswich we beat Cov but then likely can't beat Sheff Weds. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 07:31 - Dec 3 with 581 views | Bluemike31 |
A decent opening post but you really shouldn't be shooting down the moaners, let's face they have a very valid reason for moaning, the football is dross, the squad rotation is laughable, the formation and tactics are flawed and not working, we have turned good players at previous clubs into ineffective waste of times. Apart from that everything is tickety boo. | | | |
| When optimists start to turn… on 11:12 - Dec 3 with 430 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 00:53 - Dec 3 by Ryorry |
I'm usually an optimist too.
But when none of your lucky clothing or rituals are working, you know there's a problem Houston :( |
Have you analysed each of them in turn? This could be the key to unlocking our season; forget how do we get Clarke and Philogene in the same side, that can wait. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 11:15 - Dec 3 with 403 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 06:36 - Dec 3 by Blue_Heath |
Your last paragraph hammer, nail, head. This is my concern if we go up we're going to make Southampton and Derby look like prime Pep.
We've regressed so badly in the last year and a half and there are no signs it will get better, if anything it's getting worse.
We have to look at context and for a squad that is the most expensive ever assembled in this league with little stand out competition other than Coventry to get one point at Oxford/Blackburn (no disrespect to them) which in all honesty should have been zero and be knocked out the cup by Bromley and not even be in a play off position shows we are closer to L1 than PL.
That said will be typical Ipswich we beat Cov but then likely can't beat Sheff Weds. |
I heard that so much on the way out last night: “I bet we’ll go and beat Cov now.”
But we just won’t. We really won’t. Sadly.
With our December fixtures, I really worry about where we’ll be in a few weeks. We’ve had so few convincing performances this season, and when the level of opposition ramps up now, muddling through won’t cut it. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 11:21 - Dec 3 with 384 views | NthQldITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 23:07 - Dec 2 by BrockleyBlue78 |
Can we recruit a couple in January who are both able to get us promoted AND good enough for the prem?! |
Thing is, it's not about individual players, so the usual 'recruit a striker and a CM and we'll have all the pieces of the jigsaw' sort of thing doesn't really apply.
We need to create a much better morale, team spirit and positive attitude and we need far more fluidity and freedom - when we have possession in that arc from the half way line to the pushed up full backs, out front four are just SO STATIC! - waiting for the process to work as instructed, with no spark in them.
It may be that recruiting a couple of players IS the answer, but it won't be for their footballing ability per se, it will be if they are the sort of characters that can engender a robust, positive, enthusiastic team morale and drive out the negativity which is beginning to be apparent in some faces.
The likes of a Sam Morsy and a Conor Chaplin would be ideal, not sure if those two in particular would work again now, but those type of people. |  |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 13:51 - Dec 3 with 291 views | Chris_ITFC |
| When optimists start to turn… on 11:21 - Dec 3 by NthQldITFC |
Thing is, it's not about individual players, so the usual 'recruit a striker and a CM and we'll have all the pieces of the jigsaw' sort of thing doesn't really apply.
We need to create a much better morale, team spirit and positive attitude and we need far more fluidity and freedom - when we have possession in that arc from the half way line to the pushed up full backs, out front four are just SO STATIC! - waiting for the process to work as instructed, with no spark in them.
It may be that recruiting a couple of players IS the answer, but it won't be for their footballing ability per se, it will be if they are the sort of characters that can engender a robust, positive, enthusiastic team morale and drive out the negativity which is beginning to be apparent in some faces.
The likes of a Sam Morsy and a Conor Chaplin would be ideal, not sure if those two in particular would work again now, but those type of people. |
That’s my worry. I actually hope it’s tactical.
Did you hear Kieran with Brenner, on the chemistry point? It was a great question / answer. | |
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| When optimists start to turn… on 13:56 - Dec 3 with 270 views | NedPlimpton |
| When optimists start to turn… on 22:50 - Dec 2 by Nutkins_Return |
Leif is shattered.
It's all so slow and obvious. If you do your homework on us you know what is coming.
And yep...I'm half glass full with us. And I still back McKenna to get it right, we just need to see some performances. [Post edited 2 Dec 22:51]
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Not sure if Leif is shattered, but what is really noticeable is that he makes the overlap on Clarke/Philogene but they'll always try and cut inside to look for the shot. Quite often taking 2 or 3 defenders with them leaving Leif wide open.
He was top of the assist charts last time round in this division but for some bizarre reason we've decided against utilising his ability to get the ball into the box |  | | |
| When optimists start to turn… on 14:19 - Dec 3 with 212 views | billlm |
| When optimists start to turn… on 11:21 - Dec 3 by NthQldITFC |
Thing is, it's not about individual players, so the usual 'recruit a striker and a CM and we'll have all the pieces of the jigsaw' sort of thing doesn't really apply.
We need to create a much better morale, team spirit and positive attitude and we need far more fluidity and freedom - when we have possession in that arc from the half way line to the pushed up full backs, out front four are just SO STATIC! - waiting for the process to work as instructed, with no spark in them.
It may be that recruiting a couple of players IS the answer, but it won't be for their footballing ability per se, it will be if they are the sort of characters that can engender a robust, positive, enthusiastic team morale and drive out the negativity which is beginning to be apparent in some faces.
The likes of a Sam Morsy and a Conor Chaplin would be ideal, not sure if those two in particular would work again now, but those type of people. |
Agree, it's a lot of things,
It's a talented squad for sure,
When things have t go e right before I've asked is it like the patterns must play the patterns, that takes away a footballer being a footballer, taking a risk seeing a gap almost scared to make mistakes then ultimately do,
To structured for me the 1st team, |  | | |
| When optimists start to turn… on 14:58 - Dec 3 with 105 views | peterleeblue |
| When optimists start to turn… on 06:36 - Dec 3 by Blue_Heath |
Your last paragraph hammer, nail, head. This is my concern if we go up we're going to make Southampton and Derby look like prime Pep.
We've regressed so badly in the last year and a half and there are no signs it will get better, if anything it's getting worse.
We have to look at context and for a squad that is the most expensive ever assembled in this league with little stand out competition other than Coventry to get one point at Oxford/Blackburn (no disrespect to them) which in all honesty should have been zero and be knocked out the cup by Bromley and not even be in a play off position shows we are closer to L1 than PL.
That said will be typical Ipswich we beat Cov but then likely can't beat Sheff Weds. |
Closer to league 1 than Prem - Give your head shake!!!
We've just took 4 points out of 9 away from home.
Hull - was in the end acceptable
Oxford - Did enough to win - Sh!t happens
Blackburn - We were poor albeit against a highly motivated (we know why) team.
The concerns are justified but we are moving into hyperbole territory. Had we played Oxford at home and won it would be 6 from 9 -2 points a game and a fan base that had seen a home win. In terms of points accumulation we aren't far off. I accept this season could end in play off defeat. Maybe the personnel just isn't quite right. Its a journey and right now i'd still rather have Kieran driving the bus. |  | | |
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