Alliedaz - Billblue's right, links can be basically anything from a rumour, an agent trying to talk up his client and sometimes just a completely made up story. Remember this isn't the official Town website, if people want to avoid rumours/links and just hear about signings it's best just to visit that site.

I'd rather we didn't risk the financial status and therefore future of the club on taking a gamble on promotion, a gamble which may not come off anyway.

I believe the way forward is gradual progress over several seasons with some stability while staying within a realistic budget. As much as I hate to say it we need to follow the examples set by teams like Norwich, Swansea, Blackpool, Reading and Newcastle. Often looking in lower leagues or abroad for players with talent who can fit into their system and signing them on long-term contracts.

Nobody hear needs telling it's been a sh1tty last 10 years being an Ipswich fan so I'd be happy with even slow progress for the next couple of years. That way we could maybe develop a squad and style of playing even if it does mean a few more years in the Championship.

Dissboy, sorry to dis-enlighten you but your perception of history is somewhat askew of the facts:

1. We did not get relegated following the season we won the league;
2. The years you remember as barren resulted in promotion back into the top division under a good manager ( Bill McGarry) with a wealth of talented players who produced a good brand of football;
3. While the first couple of years of Bobby Robson's tenure were distinctly average it is not true that the general support wanted him out. Yes there was a reaction by some fans in one game in particular but generally the perception that the fans wanted him sacked is a myth. The situation now is very much different to those early Bobby Robson days; then, we had a steady stream of young players coming through the ranks. Now we have none. Then we had a relatively level playing field (in wages terms) allowing us to compete with other major clubs in the English leagues; now this is not the case. Ironically it was the long spell of success enjoyed under Robson that led to the downturn in fortunes. The financing of the Pioneer Stand did indeed result in a deterioration in the quality of the squad but the Duncan days are only perceived as miserable in comparison with the years before. I for one would happily go back to those times in exchange for another season of the like of recent times.

4. Finally I find it sad that your memory of David Sheepshanks is that of taking us into administration. True he presided over that sad time in our history but he also
steered us through several seasons of relative success under George Burley when as supporters we were all proud to be associated with the team.

For you, these are not the worst of times; for me I find it hard to remember when they were as bad. Yet even when things were comparitively bad in the past there was always a positive hook to hang on to. If there is one now, I can't see it.

Yours is a glass half full; mine is half empty. We still have commonality with a lifetime invested in ITFC but while you hope for a future for our team, I struggle to see anything positive coming through any time soon. The statements by our manager are too depressingly familiar.

Let's hope it's you that is right. I do love optimism.

For somebody who is struggling to come off antidepressant medication I fear I've come to the wrong website.

The sooner we can get rid of Jewell, then start calling for the head of the next manager who hasn't got us promoted within twenty minutes (then the one after that) the better.

"We are making progress with new signings, like lots of clubs, but these things take time and we need to be patient.

"It's an awkward time in that so many people in the game are away on holiday or tied up on other matters, but we are moving forward.

"We are not going to bring in seven or eight players to the club anyway. We are looking at maybe four additions and the owner and chief executive are working hard to try and achieve that, but it takes time.

"It's a case of quality rather than quantity. "

Who said this? Jewelio, no. Not this time. It was the dark lord and pundit RK.
Same old tripe pedalled by an ailing club.

"I've probably been off the phone about 10 minutes since last season ended. I've been here, there and everywhere talking to players and agents, but I'm experienced enough to know that getting players in always takes time.

"The fans probably want to see us signing five, six, seven players, and we are looking at doing that, but as I said, we have to be patient.

"There will definitely be more players at this football club for August 6th. No question about that. Ideally I'd like to have everyone on board by the time we return to pre-season training at the start of July, but in reality that never happens.

"We could sign 10 players tomorrow, but it's getting the right players that counts. It's quality not quantity."

God! it's gone so quiet on the transfer market over the last few days we are not even being linked with anyone! no doubt it will all happen in August.

bluey123 - agree with your posts on this thread - and Dissboyitfc - a man of many words, but many are truthfully way OFF the mark.