| Some issues that need to be addressed 09:25 - Dec 3 with 2926 views | GlasgowBlue |
Firstly, listening to Radio Suffolk and seeing comments on Ipswich social media, there is a massive overreaction to where the club currently finds itself. We are 5 points from the automatic promotion places, with 28 games left to play. Other than Coventry, no one is staking a claim for automatic promotion. So the calls for McKenna to be sacked are just ridiculous.
However, the following needs to be addressed.
Why after 18 games can we not get this talented pool of players looking anything like a team?
Why are this talented pool of players rarely able to execute a simple pass to a team mate? Over the last 18 games I’ve lost count of the number of simple passes we have misplaced and give to the opposition
Where has the pace and urgency gone from our game? We are slow and ponderous in attack, lack bravery and often turn the ball back to defence and goalkeeper. Are players hiding, therefore not offering their teammates any options. Or is this down to the management? It was highlighted last night that Ashley Young did this. That’s not Young’s game. He’s a very direct player. When Walton came in for Palmer, the first thing I noticed was how much more quickly he was distributing the ball. That lasted for a few games but he’s now holding onto the ball as long as Palmer did. That was really notocnle last night as I was sitting very close to the goal.
No on field leadership. O’Shea seems detached from his team mates. A superb defender and one of our better players this season, but imo not Captain material. A defender is not somebody who is going to take the game by the scruff of the neck when things aren’t going to plan so he’s not going to be able to lead the team in the way Morsy could from midfield. Not sure how we solve this issue. Give the captaincy to somebody else, and I don’t see any contenders in the squad, and we destroy O’Shea’s confidence. Bring back Sam Morsy, which I don’t think is the answer, we destroy O’Shea’s confidence and will have a divided dressing room. This is something only McKenna and O’Shea can address themselves.
We have spent many millions assembling what is universally accepted as one of the top two squads in the division. Why are we not seeing a massive gulf between us and the opposition. In 99% of our games this season a total stranger would have no idea that we had outspent the opposition in every area across the pitch with players considered the very best in the division. We saw the gulf between the top end of the Premier League and teams like us last season. Why are we not seeing that gulf when we are playing teams like Oxford, who barely survived last season and were in the bottom three when we played them on Friday. Sure, a bottom team can pull off a result against a top team. We beat Chelsea last season, but we haven’t outclassed anyone this season. Even Sheffield United had chances to go ahead in the first half before their defence completely imploded .
Where is the space on the pitch? Again, could this be players hiding. We pick up the ball in a congested midfield and have two or three players on us, can find anyone in space and often lose the ball.
The striker problem. We knew we were losing Delap in March. We should have been identifying his replacement the minute we knew he was going. We should have had a list of three or four possible replacements. Instead we got in Azon at the end of the window despite not going ahead with the deal due to fitness concerns. This is something we can put right in January but I’m not sure I have enough confidence in Ashton to do so. It’s been his weak spot since joining us.
The number ten problem. We don’t have a player like Conor Chaplin (or Omari for that final third of the promotion season). Akpom is totally unsuited to that role, Szmodics struggled there (although as Guthrum has pointed out elsewhere he at least brought some fight and passion to the team), Nunez isn’t really a ten, and although he’s had some very good moments in that position I don’t think he is really the player we need there. My solution would be to move Philogene to the ten. Then let Clarke and Szmoducs share duties on the left.
Putting a run together. Southampton, worryingly, Derby, Coventry (obviously) and others have been able to put four or five game winning runs together. We don’t look capable of doing the same, mostly because of the points I’ve highlighted above. If we could put a five game winning streak together we’d be sitting second very comfortably.
That’s pretty much all I can think of off the top of my head. If anyone else can see something then please feel free to add.
[Post edited 3 Dec 9:32]
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 13:26 - Dec 3 with 521 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 12:56 - Dec 3 by ReusersTown |
The rest of your statement is rubbish too tbf. Philogene was hardly involved or threatening in games other than when he pop up with a rocket. Clarke was outplaying him and deserved the minutes. Would it not be damaging to Clarke to be permanently dropped to sub. McKenna was damned if he did, damned it he didn't. |
I would like to see Clarke and Philogene together.
Clarke nearly always shows up when he comes off the bench. Some players can do that, others find it harder to get into the pace of the game. eg Harness was very good at coming on and just getting straight into it. Philogene, to me, looks more of a font dence player who needs everyone to believe in him than most. I don't think sub is his best role.
Plus, more generally, when you have a potential match winner who is hot and cold:
Play them when they are hot!
A similar point can be made about the defence finally getting a clean sheet v Wrexham and then Greaves being dropped for the next game.
We need to build consistency in key areas of the pitch, and that comes through establishing partnerships. |  | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 13:49 - Dec 3 with 493 views | Vic |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 11:21 - Dec 3 by ArnoldMoorhen |
Oh, and another thing:
Philogene is clearly a confidence player. He scored two goals and then got dropped.
That is emotionally unintelligent management.
Caveat: unless he had an injury or fitness issue that we don't know about. |
A couple of quick responses:
a) Phili wasn't dropped - dropped doesn't happen any more.
b) Chappers - by the end of the promotion season Chappers was no longer a guaranteed starter. If he was the answer he'd be the lynchpin for a struggling Portsmouth team. he's not, and there is a reason for that.
And i think 'emotionally unintelligent' is not something one can lay at McKenna's door.
Just my opinion (though b) isn't, its fact! |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 14:04 - Dec 3 with 473 views | GlasgowBlue |
Just to drop one more comment in. Azon isn't a starter. He's shown far more wehen. coming in with 15 to 20 minutes left but looks lost as a starter. If we are going to rotate strikers when we have a run of games in a short space of time then start Akpom and Hirst. Keep Azon as a bench option. | |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:06 - Dec 3 with 425 views | giant_stow |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 11:27 - Dec 3 by SomethingBlue |
It's a reflection of society, we really aren't in a good place. |
Maybe I shouldn't join this discussion (apologies). I think you're right about society, but would add on top of that that football fans everywhere are much happier *chasing* success after a period in the doldrums. Once that success has come, sustaining it is much less exciting and expectation starts to become a thing, where only the next success step up can keep the good vibes going. Happens time and again, everywhere. |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:42 - Dec 3 with 388 views | blueoutlook |
It’s the style of football that needs to be addressed. It’s basically cr@p! Everyone can see it apart from KM and the coaches by the seem of things. It’s like we are playing walking football. Where is the urgency, the pace, hitting teams hard , running through fire. It’s all gone. It’s so predictable teams know how to set up against us. We have an awful lot of players on good money who are supposed to be superior to what we had before the premiership who just look utterly dreadful. Who is recruiting these players ? For me Ashton has too much power now. He needs someone above him to reign him in and help make decisions on the players we bring in. He shouldn’t be chairman and CEO. |  | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:48 - Dec 3 with 373 views | Daninthecampo |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 13:05 - Dec 3 by hype313 |
The biggest issue is how do you get cohesion when you rotate half the team every week?
Yes, we've not got injuries, but at what cost?
How can players build relationships when every week a different players are utilised?
From the outset, it looks like McKenna is struggling to find the right formula after Ashtons scattergun transfer approach.
Trying to put Square pegs in round holes, this then leads to uncertainty, confidence, understanding of patterns.
It's a bit of a mess. |
I totally agree with this and to add to this, im a big believer in once you're given the starter role its upto you to earn it and play aswell as you possibly can and fight to keep it, then its upto the sub at 60-70 mins to try and outplay you and win back the starting spot.
Currently it doesn't seem to matter if you play a blinder or poorly as a starter or sub the team will just be rotated,just gives a totally wrong message to the players and a strange mindset.
This and the number 10 spot are the biggest issues for me, whilst our no9 have never been prolific( and should be improved) our no10's have always contributed with goals and assists. Akpom and Sammie just don't work there. If its too soon for Egeli to play as the 10 i'd consider the opposite to the OP and play Clarke as the 10 and philogene on the left. I feel Clarke has more ability centrally than philogene. Can't be any worse! | | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:50 - Dec 3 with 368 views | Vic |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:06 - Dec 3 by giant_stow |
Maybe I shouldn't join this discussion (apologies). I think you're right about society, but would add on top of that that football fans everywhere are much happier *chasing* success after a period in the doldrums. Once that success has come, sustaining it is much less exciting and expectation starts to become a thing, where only the next success step up can keep the good vibes going. Happens time and again, everywhere. |
Wise words from someone well familiar with chasing dreams only to find disappointment  | |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:56 - Dec 3 with 360 views | itfc_statman |
Good post.
I don't think McKenna is really the problem and gambling on changing him doesn't make sense right now. Everything in football is a gamble and if we were 12-15 points from auto's then maybe it's a different conversation.
I do think Ashton is the main problem here. Ridiculous overpaying on good but not exceptional talent resulting in raising expectations when the squad might not quite be at the level it should for the amount of money spent | | | |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:57 - Dec 3 with 352 views | bluebud |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:06 - Dec 3 by giant_stow |
Maybe I shouldn't join this discussion (apologies). I think you're right about society, but would add on top of that that football fans everywhere are much happier *chasing* success after a period in the doldrums. Once that success has come, sustaining it is much less exciting and expectation starts to become a thing, where only the next success step up can keep the good vibes going. Happens time and again, everywhere. |
Post of the day, spot on. |  | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:14 - Dec 3 with 327 views | Swansea_Blue |
KM’s all over the detail and I’m wondering if that can sometimes get in the way. Is there such a thing as being over-coached? You obviously need to be super organised with your shape and press triggers and all that stuff off the ball. But on the ball we play in a very proscribed, controlled and patient way and I’m wondering if that’s what makes us so predictable. The goal last night came from a bit of chaos, but I suspect that’s seen as a bad thing because it suggests a lack of control. And we’re all about controlling everything we can. |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:27 - Dec 3 with 300 views | hype313 |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 15:48 - Dec 3 by Daninthecampo |
I totally agree with this and to add to this, im a big believer in once you're given the starter role its upto you to earn it and play aswell as you possibly can and fight to keep it, then its upto the sub at 60-70 mins to try and outplay you and win back the starting spot.
Currently it doesn't seem to matter if you play a blinder or poorly as a starter or sub the team will just be rotated,just gives a totally wrong message to the players and a strange mindset.
This and the number 10 spot are the biggest issues for me, whilst our no9 have never been prolific( and should be improved) our no10's have always contributed with goals and assists. Akpom and Sammie just don't work there. If its too soon for Egeli to play as the 10 i'd consider the opposite to the OP and play Clarke as the 10 and philogene on the left. I feel Clarke has more ability centrally than philogene. Can't be any worse! |
I don't think it's too soon for Egeli, he's the only one that seems to be playing without fear, I guess youthful exuberance at play, but nonetheless, he is always trying to be dynamic.
Our other 10's seem to get in the way, or once it gets to them we become stodgy.
At this point, try something different. |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:35 - Dec 3 with 283 views | Blue_In_Boston |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 10:28 - Dec 3 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Don't know if you'll see this, but cheers for a sensible post on the issues. If the bedwetters could fashion something like this, as opposed to the 'McKenna out, McKenna's been found out, he's lost the dressing room, Ashton is useless' etc. nonsense, more constructive discussion could be had. |
Down voted for the pathetic, purile bedwetter comment aimed at people who dare to have a different opinion. | | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:43 - Dec 3 with 266 views | Blue_In_Boston |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 12:14 - Dec 3 by AVJones |
McKenna shouldn’t be sacked you say…
And then you give a long list of issues. A well thought through, and very long list. Too long to be ignored.
Which leads to the question - shouldn’t the manager have solved those, by December?
And if he can’t…??
We are an average team, with expensive players. That is not a good formula.
That’s a management issue.
There’s no excuses, not by December.
Come on Kieran, I want my manager back. [Post edited 3 Dec 12:15]
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So two question to the three who downvoted this perfectly reasonab;e comment ...
ReusersTown
The_Flashing_Smile
Cheltenham_Blue
If none of it is McKenna's doing, who is to blame?
If none of it is McKenna's doing, what are we paying him a multi-million pound salary for? | | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:54 - Dec 3 with 242 views | Daninthecampo |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:27 - Dec 3 by hype313 |
I don't think it's too soon for Egeli, he's the only one that seems to be playing without fear, I guess youthful exuberance at play, but nonetheless, he is always trying to be dynamic.
Our other 10's seem to get in the way, or once it gets to them we become stodgy.
At this point, try something different. |
I don't think its too soon personally,he's never going to be expected to play the full 90 which will help, can see a good pass and likes to shoot, definitely worth trying, his goal should give him alot of confidence. | | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 17:10 - Dec 3 with 212 views | ITFCSG |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:43 - Dec 3 by Blue_In_Boston |
So two question to the three who downvoted this perfectly reasonab;e comment ...
ReusersTown
The_Flashing_Smile
Cheltenham_Blue
If none of it is McKenna's doing, who is to blame?
If none of it is McKenna's doing, what are we paying him a multi-million pound salary for? |
The three famous happy clappers.
They'd still be wetting themselves over their messiah McK and saviour MA over the fairytale back-to-back promotions even if we get relegated this season. | | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 17:55 - Dec 3 with 159 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 16:43 - Dec 3 by Blue_In_Boston |
So two question to the three who downvoted this perfectly reasonab;e comment ...
ReusersTown
The_Flashing_Smile
Cheltenham_Blue
If none of it is McKenna's doing, who is to blame?
If none of it is McKenna's doing, what are we paying him a multi-million pound salary for? |
Can't speak for the other two, but I downarrowed it because of the insinuation that McKenna should be sacked because it's December and there are no excuses.
Neither of your questions were in what we were downarrowing, so you're simply strawmanning. |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 18:18 - Dec 3 with 122 views | strikalite |
I'm sure our net was spread wide and far( whether that is wide and far enough is another debate)in finding a replacement for Delap, many clubs would have been chasing the same quality player no doubt, given clubs knew the money we'd get for Delap/ Prem money it was obvious that we'd be held to random or the player would choose a better option..
For those thinking we'll dip into the market again in Jan think again, an awful window to do business in, we know this as we've been in this position many times before.. |  | | |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 18:28 - Dec 3 with 107 views | GlasgowBlue |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 12:14 - Dec 3 by AVJones |
McKenna shouldn’t be sacked you say…
And then you give a long list of issues. A well thought through, and very long list. Too long to be ignored.
Which leads to the question - shouldn’t the manager have solved those, by December?
And if he can’t…??
We are an average team, with expensive players. That is not a good formula.
That’s a management issue.
There’s no excuses, not by December.
Come on Kieran, I want my manager back. [Post edited 3 Dec 12:15]
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If there is one person I trust in the world to put this right it would be Kieran McKenna. | |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 18:50 - Dec 3 with 80 views | Radlett_blue |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 11:26 - Dec 3 by GlasgowBlue |
I'd have Chaplin back in the squad but his performances in the early games of the season weren't great and he's hardly pulling up trees at Portsmouth. Like Morsy, he's not the player he was two years ago. |
And we are theoretically aiming higher, although on the evidence so far this season, all we're doing is shooting ourselves in the foot. |  |
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| Some issues that need to be addressed on 19:07 - Dec 3 with 58 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Some issues that need to be addressed on 18:28 - Dec 3 by GlasgowBlue |
If there is one person I trust in the world to put this right it would be Kieran McKenna. |
My concern is the changes to his management team. When Kieran has talked about more changes than he would have liked I suspect he wasn’t just talking about on field changes of personnel.
If key personnel, to who he turned to help him make decisions , are no longer there he has to carry a heavier burden. He looks a more lonely figure especially when standing in the technical zone hands in pockets,
The one game at a time philosophy seems to have been cast aside, we are picking a starting eleven with one eye on upcoming games.
Perhaps we need a Director of Football to share the burden. |  |
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