| Ashton 12:22 - May 4 with 4763 views | PacittiJohn |
He doesn’t fit this club. Some great work by McKenna and the players over the past few weeks. Some humble interviews by all, but Ashton appears to have such a massive ego I fear he’s going to drag the club down. |  | | |  |
| Ashton on 16:56 - May 4 with 809 views | waveneyblue |
Only one set of people desperate to drag this club down....
Its even beginning to turn on here (voting wise) |  | | |
| Ashton on 16:59 - May 4 with 802 views | Benters |
| Ashton on 16:56 - May 4 by waveneyblue |
Only one set of people desperate to drag this club down....
Its even beginning to turn on here (voting wise) |
This.
Ashton in. |  |
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| Ashton on 17:10 - May 4 with 762 views | yesjohn99 |
| Ashton on 15:39 - May 4 by Illinoisblue |
By any football or finance metric, Ashton has delivered nothing but success. Just crazy how he threw away five years of goodwill and positive energy for an hour-long lunch with a toxic charlatan. |
Each and every player embraced him during the on pitch celebrations, plus McKenna. within my hearing range today, no boos from the crowd when he did a speech in the park.
Not sure just how much he has thrown away really. | | | |
| Ashton on 17:16 - May 4 with 729 views | KBsSocks |
| Ashton on 14:15 - May 4 by Bellevue_Blue |
I agree with much of what you and the Second Tier guys said but this idea that we have not had a good return on investment for the last few transfer windows is a mad thing to say.
Last summer we had over £80M in player sales from 4 players who cost us £40M. If we sell Muric/ Szmodics this summer that is another £10/15M.
We've been promoted with the team who we signed for the original PL money which is another great return on investment.
Then there is the rolling ROI on the existing players and really the only two players who we wouldn't get more for selling now than we did when we bought them would be Egeli and McAteer.
Yes we could have spent better but for our outlay, I actually think we have had a pretty good return on investment. |
I have to disagree with the "wouldn't get more" statement on Egeli and McAteer as these are not for selling. We might not get more, but neither are going to be sold. Or loaned out.
(OFC I might be wrong, but ...) |  |
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| Ashton on 17:22 - May 4 with 697 views | DJR |
Ashton seemed to have gone to ground recently, but the prominence given to him in terms of the interview at the celebrations today suggests to me that he is off the naughty step in terms of the owners, assuming he was ever on it.
Maybe things would have been different had we not been promoted, but I suppose the bottom line is the riches of the Premier League, and maybe the calculation is that to take action against him now might only bring unwelcome and wider (Premer League) publicity on an issue that has undoubtedly faded from the public gaze.
A chair, however, might not be out of the reckoning. Indeed, leaving aside the Farage incident, maybe he could do with the wiser and wider counsel that that may bring and be useful if we are to establish ourselves in the Premier League. [Post edited 4 May 17:35]
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| Ashton on 17:46 - May 4 with 632 views | Zx1988 |
| Ashton on 13:14 - May 4 by Churchman |
McKenna gives a list to the recruitment team, players are recruited. Who does the negotiations? Not sure, but McKenna approves or veto’s, in other words the final say. Thats the process as described - in front of McKenna. If that is not broadly how it’s done, please describe it and name the sources.
We have just been promoted to the EPL. If it’s the bog cleaners that have done the transfers, they must have got something right. In fact, in four or five years they’ve clearly got more right than wrong
As CEO, Ashton along with many others, has done a great job here overall. We’ve gone from a £40m club rotting its way towards non league to where we are now. Yes, it’s Gamechanger money, KM, players and staff but MA has played his part.
Has he made mistakes? Yes. Plenty. Show me anyone who hasn't and you will be showing me somebody who has done zilch.
Do I like the bloke? Never met him and have no interest in doing so. Would I get on with him? Doubtful. Does he have an ego? Massively but maybe in that role he needs one. But people like that don't tend to be my type of people.
The owners had confidence in him. Given what they've done for this club I’ll take their judgement over wallys from Bristol or certain keyboard warriors on here.
I suspect the top of the club will be very different by August. It needs restructuring as all organisations do after a time. There will almost certainly be a new manager too so all will be very different. Let’s hope they are as competent as the current incumbents and can move the club forward.
When it comes to it, the football club is not about them. It’s about those people in Christchurch Park of all ages, the employees and for short periods, those who wear the shirt. Nobody else. Not boxers, celebs, politicians, mates. They can put Vlad the Impaler and the Teletubbies in the Directors Box. Not interested. |
Ashton's comments after the January window shed some interesting light there. Along the lines of:
"We presented Kieran with a list of targets, but he didn't want any of them."
That suggests to me that KM identifies the broad type of player he wants, and then expects the recruitment team to identify achievable targets who fit those credentials.
After four windows of not being able to land a strong First XI striker, I'd question the ability of the recruitment team if they still weren't able to identify anyone in whom KM was interested. | |
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| Ashton on 17:49 - May 4 with 617 views | SouthBucksBlue |
| Ashton on 12:36 - May 4 by SouthBucksBlue |
He seems to have been massively low profile since Faragegate.
Allegedly there was an emergency meeting of the American owners at the time.
This resulted publicly only in the lame and arrogant apology.
I have assumed that he has agreed to go in the close season and hope he does. |
His profile seems to have significantly risen over the course of the day.
He doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
I’m disappointed how he’s got away with this. | | | |
| Ashton on 17:57 - May 4 with 579 views | britbiker |
| Ashton on 12:48 - May 4 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
I have think politics aside, you can’t doubt his success, re-energised a dormant fanbase, 3 promotions, developed PR into a stunning ground. Granted he can’t take ALL the credit for that, but he’s certainly overseen it.
There are questions around recruitment but for me the jury is still out. The profit from Hutchinson and Delap bought him a lot of credit in my opinion. In contrast Southampton missed out on autos, Leicester (well nuff said). Those are our closest peer comparisons imo. |
Last time around there was so much to do in such a small amount of time. Some of the so called poor recruitment has actually turned out ok.
Like it or not we are still small fry in terms of the Premier league. We get to pick at the table after the big boys have finished their dealings unless we get lucky.
Our goal this time was to get promoted and we have done that. Have we outspent most teams in the the division, of course. We also lost some of our best players.
This time is will be slightly different. We know we have to be physically stronger and will recruit accordingly.
There are very few teams who get every recruit right. Look at the current Chelsea and Spurs squads. Over rated players or baby coached ??
I think many of our fans have already forgotten how long it has taken us to become a real contender again. 10 million was more than our annual budget, now we don't blink if we spend that on an average player. Can't wait to see who we can recruit and hope there are a few hidden gems in there. |  | | |
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| Ashton on 18:04 - May 4 with 540 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Ashton on 17:46 - May 4 by Zx1988 |
Ashton's comments after the January window shed some interesting light there. Along the lines of:
"We presented Kieran with a list of targets, but he didn't want any of them."
That suggests to me that KM identifies the broad type of player he wants, and then expects the recruitment team to identify achievable targets who fit those credentials.
After four windows of not being able to land a strong First XI striker, I'd question the ability of the recruitment team if they still weren't able to identify anyone in whom KM was interested. |
The only thing I would say on this is strikers are the biggest financial risk for any Football club.
On the whole they cost big transfer/ loan fees, big wages and there is absolutely no guarantee they'll be successful.
Just look at some of the strikers purchased in the Championship this year who have been awful ...
Kyogo - Birmingham - 10 million - 1 goal
Priske - Birmingham - 5 million - 1 goal
Kvistgaarden - Norwich - 7million - 6 goals
Downs - Soton - 7 million - 0 goals
Idah - Swansea - 6 million - 6 goals
I also don't think it's as simple as 'they still weren't able to identify anyone in whom KM was interested'.
In January the questions were .... are they significantly better than Azon/ Akpom? Can they step up to the PL? Are they worth X amount of the budget? Is it eating into this summers budget?
Maybe those were the questions that led him not to want to sign anyone. | | | |
| Ashton on 18:20 - May 4 with 497 views | Zx1988 |
| Ashton on 18:04 - May 4 by Bellevue_Blue |
The only thing I would say on this is strikers are the biggest financial risk for any Football club.
On the whole they cost big transfer/ loan fees, big wages and there is absolutely no guarantee they'll be successful.
Just look at some of the strikers purchased in the Championship this year who have been awful ...
Kyogo - Birmingham - 10 million - 1 goal
Priske - Birmingham - 5 million - 1 goal
Kvistgaarden - Norwich - 7million - 6 goals
Downs - Soton - 7 million - 0 goals
Idah - Swansea - 6 million - 6 goals
I also don't think it's as simple as 'they still weren't able to identify anyone in whom KM was interested'.
In January the questions were .... are they significantly better than Azon/ Akpom? Can they step up to the PL? Are they worth X amount of the budget? Is it eating into this summers budget?
Maybe those were the questions that led him not to want to sign anyone. |
I agree with all of your points there.
The issue for me is that this was not just one window in isolation - it's four in a row now. I sincerely hope that lessons have been learned, and that the additions to the recruitment team will be sufficient upgrades in order to solve the striker issue this summer. | |
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| Ashton on 18:39 - May 4 with 458 views | Churchman |
| Ashton on 17:46 - May 4 by Zx1988 |
Ashton's comments after the January window shed some interesting light there. Along the lines of:
"We presented Kieran with a list of targets, but he didn't want any of them."
That suggests to me that KM identifies the broad type of player he wants, and then expects the recruitment team to identify achievable targets who fit those credentials.
After four windows of not being able to land a strong First XI striker, I'd question the ability of the recruitment team if they still weren't able to identify anyone in whom KM was interested. |
You could argue that the quote means that the manager has the final say on a player - as has been described previously.
As others mention, strikers are the most difficult to recruit and the most expensive.
The recruitment teams have grown and changed. Hopefully the ability to find the players we need has also improved. |  | | |
| Ashton on 19:17 - May 4 with 393 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| Ashton on 18:20 - May 4 by Zx1988 |
I agree with all of your points there.
The issue for me is that this was not just one window in isolation - it's four in a row now. I sincerely hope that lessons have been learned, and that the additions to the recruitment team will be sufficient upgrades in order to solve the striker issue this summer. |
I also hope that lessons are learnt from the Azon/ Akpom signings but I just think it's disingenuous to say it's 4 windows.
Summer window in the PL - bids rejected for Ioannidis and Latte Lath (both £20M+), signed Delap. That for me was a pretty good window and great intent shown. Oversight not to get a third striker though.
January window in the PL - Every single striker out there knew we were struggling, would likely get relegated and Delap was about as clearer first choice as you are going to get in the Prem. Failed bid for Igor Jesus (now at Forest) great intent shown.
Summer window in the Champ - Hirst was the clear first choice, had succeeded when called upon in the Prem and everyone thought he was going to kick on. Could we have signed someone of real quality? Yes. Azon and Akpom were both poor bits of business in hindsight. This is the only window I would have an issue with.
January window in the Champ - KM clearly didn't see a point with all of those questions I raised before in mind
So of the four, I think I take issue with 1 of them from a recruitment POV. [Post edited 4 May 19:25]
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| Ashton on 19:20 - May 4 with 376 views | lazyblue |
| Ashton on 12:36 - May 4 by SouthBucksBlue |
He seems to have been massively low profile since Faragegate.
Allegedly there was an emergency meeting of the American owners at the time.
This resulted publicly only in the lame and arrogant apology.
I have assumed that he has agreed to go in the close season and hope he does. |
Don’t be silly please , I’m not a Farage fan but why is this carrying as honestly only a few on here seem to want to moan about and the rest of fan never gave it a moment’s thought. | | | |
| Ashton on 19:20 - May 4 with 374 views | lazyblue |
| Ashton on 12:38 - May 4 by redrickstuhaart |
It wasnt a misstep. It was an active choice. |
So what? | | | |
| Ashton on 19:22 - May 4 with 374 views | lazyblue |
| Ashton on 13:00 - May 4 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
It willl come down to whether the Americans think the damage to our brand outweighs the financial rewards of promotion. Is suspect the return to the PL will probably see him stay - I think it’s more likely another limp PL season with poor recruitment, would be the end for Ashton at Town. |
No it won’t , he is here for the long term . Thank goodness. | | | |
| Ashton on 19:34 - May 4 with 347 views | Freddy |
Huge ego, just ask some of the staff | | | |
| I asked Brett Johnson.... on 19:39 - May 4 with 317 views | Bloots |
....if Ashton would be here next season, in the pub on Saturday afternoon.
He said "I hope so!".
Read whatever you want into that. |  |
| "....a smegma of a man” - TWTD User (Apr 2026) |
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| Ashton on 19:44 - May 4 with 313 views | witchdoctor |
| Ashton on 12:36 - May 4 by SouthBucksBlue |
He seems to have been massively low profile since Faragegate.
Allegedly there was an emergency meeting of the American owners at the time.
This resulted publicly only in the lame and arrogant apology.
I have assumed that he has agreed to go in the close season and hope he does. |
ha ha ha…dream on |  | | |
| Ashton on 20:01 - May 4 with 257 views | witchdoctor |
-27..oh dear..not going the way the OP hoped.. | | | |
| Ashton on 20:05 - May 4 with 219 views | waveneyblue |
| Ashton on 19:34 - May 4 by Freddy |
Huge ego, just ask some of the staff |
Ah this gem again.
All those people who have left ITFC and spoken out.
Theres been erm....... | | | |
| Ashton on 23:12 - May 4 with 122 views | balcombeblue |
| Ashton on 20:05 - May 4 by waveneyblue |
Ah this gem again.
All those people who have left ITFC and spoken out.
Theres been erm....... |
Exactly. A tiny proportion of people care. | | | |
| Ashton on 23:41 - May 4 with 88 views | reusersfreekicks |
| Ashton on 14:15 - May 4 by Bellevue_Blue |
I agree with much of what you and the Second Tier guys said but this idea that we have not had a good return on investment for the last few transfer windows is a mad thing to say.
Last summer we had over £80M in player sales from 4 players who cost us £40M. If we sell Muric/ Szmodics this summer that is another £10/15M.
We've been promoted with the team who we signed for the original PL money which is another great return on investment.
Then there is the rolling ROI on the existing players and really the only two players who we wouldn't get more for selling now than we did when we bought them would be Egeli and McAteer.
Yes we could have spent better but for our outlay, I actually think we have had a pretty good return on investment. |
Will get less than we paid for Muric, Szmodics and Ogbene |  | | |
| Ashton on 23:50 - May 4 with 64 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Ashton on 23:41 - May 4 by reusersfreekicks |
Will get less than we paid for Muric, Szmodics and Ogbene |
Given their ages, Szmodics and Ogbene where never intended to be part of our player trading activity. Both would have been expected to sell for less than we bought them for.
Muric is pretty much break even if Sassuolo take their option and, if they don’t, we’ll likely make a profit on him. | | | |
| Ashton on 00:13 - May 5 with 40 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Ashton on 17:10 - May 4 by yesjohn99 |
Each and every player embraced him during the on pitch celebrations, plus McKenna. within my hearing range today, no boos from the crowd when he did a speech in the park.
Not sure just how much he has thrown away really. |
Indeed, A timely reminder that TWTD isn’t actually real life.
There will be some people that never forgive him and even some that don’t go but it will be a tiny fraction with thousands waiting to take their place. The joyous scenes on Saturday in front of a packed house tell their own story and the club now has a guarantee of at least three years with tens of millions of pounds being pumped through the coffers. And that’s a worse case scenario. The ownership group will be thrilled with the outcome of the season, as everyone is connected with ITFC.
With all the stuff that’s gone on between the clubs this year, the fact that even Norwich weren’t singing songs about it at the derby shows how much that it was soon forgotten and didn’t really stick in terms of being a story outside of Ipswich for more than a week.
I think he made some pretty big missteps during that week but the idea that the brand has been irreversibly damaged isn’t remotely true outside a few people’s imagination. We’re back in the big time now and that success will bring in more and talent and growth. [Post edited 5 May 0:14]
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