Tight ars Marcus and clanger Clegg wont remain that way forever. They are both very successful, very confident men that have now got that very necessary ingredient, experience! Onwards and upwards.

On paper(!) I don't think this year looks as tough as last season: I mean all three relegated clubs from 2010-11 were up there challenging all season, whereas this year Wolves and Blackburn look in a mess and Bolton seem to have released half their squad!
Also can 't see any of the three promoted clubs being as good as Soton (nor probably Brighton.... and even P'boro had some good results!).
Agree we need to strengthen but let's wait and see what deals are being done before we jump on PJ's back.

Well i would rather Jewell Say that, compared to what the last idiot said, he was gonna get us promoted inside the first season. Most sensible managers play the kidology card at some point, Roberto Mancini kept saying that man u were the favourites for the title ( bet it was a different speech in the dressing room).

For me, and i am not a jewell fan, jewell has been a distinctly average manager for itfc, every good decision he makes has an equally poor one to follow, every good signing has an equally poor signing to accompany it. But He should be allowed to see his contract out with our support.

We are, and i take no pleasure in stating the obvious here, a very average second tier side and like every one else, i long to be back amonst the elite( Diss is full of scum shirts everywhere). There are many reasons why this is so, but imo changing managers every other season certainly doesnt help. We have a very proud past and that has happened because the club has stuck by managers. I cant think of any town manager that achieved any real success in that short a period(18 months), Sir Alf took 2 seasons to get us out of The 3rd division south followed by 3 seasons of mid table finishes in the old second division.b4 we reached the top division.

PJ is indeed very lucky to be in a job, the way the managers get sacked these days, he knows it too.

I am by no means pleased with Jewell's progress or lack of it, but bring on next season and start making judgements around xmas time...coyb

Good post Diss boy.

Already on the defensive!

Don't look at the other teams PJ you just concentrate on what you need to do to build a team that will challenge hopefully for at least the play-offs (about time) - big season for you mate.

I agree with Jewell - it IS going to be a tough season. We wont know exactly how tough however, until the end of August at the earliest.

I don't really understand why so many are on here moaning already. It will be tough but that's not to say that our team wont be up to the challenge? And would it really be better for PJ to build up the expectations to unrealistic levels again? I think not...

Tough season .. and no decent recognised signings! End of last season PJ said he needed new defenders and a new keeper (as a priority) - none signed as yet (lets hope!).

Tough season .. and no decent recognised signings! End of last season PJ said he needed new defenders and a new keeper (as a priority) - none signed as yet (lets hope!).

Jas... the 2 greatest managers we ever had were given longer than 18 months to turn town into a force and without the patient shown to those managers we would have hardly any history to be proud of, would we?

Phil
Maybe you should add razor blades to the merchandise list so some fans? can slash their wrists before season starts.

Is this a fans web site for Ipswich town? and please moaners don't give me that cr*p about I must be alowed to express my opinion why bother, why don't you just go and support Man U instead?

Please do not reply with ' I have been a fan for 30 odd years" ,look up the word fan and see what it means. Are you the person who sat behind me when we were beating West Ham 4-1 and moaned saying we should be scoring more goals and left before the end of the game

I must be allowed to express my opinion. I have been a fan for 30 odd years. (BTW I left early to collect my winnings for a 5-1.)

Here we go again .... any fans who add words of caution, or are genuinely worried about the state of our once great club are not true supporters!

Walberswick, just for once, I totally agree with you above opinion. I have well over 30 years under my belt of following the Blues both home and away, and I am still a season ticket holder, but I know that what I am about to say, will mean I am "not a true supporter".

And that is this, that unless Jewell hurries up and strengthens the present squad with a little genuine class then we will be lucky to achieve last season's mediocrity.

No, I honestly don't believe we will be relegated, but we will only be a little bit above that.

Sorry. Nonetheless, COYB!

Why exactly shouldn't we expect positive statements from our Manager of all people? He sets the tone and his consistently downbeat (which is not the same as realistic) comments are just not helpful to players or fans. It is insensitive when we're clearly average and in need of some fresh impetus uet ghe signs of acheiving this are dubious. Yes we have no right to expect promotion but some sort of plan, clearly explained has got to be better than the same old depressing cr&p.

PJ is only trying to play down expectation by putting pressure on the promoted clubs; Huddersfield, Wednesday & Charlton.
I think PJ and the squad are quitely confident and will be raring to go come Blackburn on 18 August! This is the ideal time to play a demoted/demotivated team by the way.

Its been a productive summer so far with Hewit, Korouma and Klug all joining. Chops seems to be knuckeling down with his off season training and Smith is improving at a rate of knotts. With a few more signings as identified above I think we can all have reason for optimism!

I hope you are right brian_a_mul, I really do, though comments like this don't put pressure on other teams..a couple of positive signings and some positive results are more likely to do that. Unfortunately, whatever anyone says, I am massively unimpressed by Paul Jewell and his management style and I just don't think he's as bothered as he should be (or certainly doesn't ever sound it) and I think this, more than Clegg's failings is the cause of lack of poor performances and players turning us down. The happy brigade can disagree all they like but at least I, like Jas and others actually give reasons for our opinions rather than making uninformed personal remarks....

Aimed at Michael Down Under and his ilk, not you brian_a_mul

Paul Jewell gets asked a question about his views to the upcoming season. I knew this would bring all the moaners and morons out of the woodwork. He hasn't said anything which isn't true.

What do youant him to say? 'It's going to an easy season an we're going to pi$$ over everyone in this league?'

hopefully Jewellio will do really well up to christmas and then Bradford will make hin an offer

No bother WorchesterBlue,

Talking to some of my mates recently (Derby, Forrest fans) they seem quite certain they will struggle this season, more so than town.
The Derby friend seems certain Steve Davis (striker) will leave along with some other key players. Green has already left.

I think most clubs and their fans are nervous about the season ahead. One thing is for certain, it will be tight league and every team has a chance of a play off finish. IMO if we sort out the GK situation & get Chops fit and banging in 20+ there is no reason why we cant be in the hunt come April.

'It's going to be tough with the quality of the relegated and promoted sides alongside some strong teams who were there or there abouts last season but we're looking forward the challenge. We've made some exciting signings with more to come over the next few weeks and alongside our existing squad and the likes of Carson and Lawrence who will push on, we're going to give anyone a game. With our hard work and a bit of luck, who knows where we might find ourselves. But let's be realistic and take each game as it comes as lots of other Managers will be feeling the same way' - that do it for you Wicked? Realistic but just a little bit interested and positive.

Yes Brian_a_mul I agree and I actually think with a few shrewd signings we'll be in with a shout. We have some good players and we might surprise a few. Mates of mine who are Derby, Wolves and Brum fans don't see a lot of positives. I just get wound up by PJ and just don't see any evidence that he better than average at best. Frankly ITFC deserve better. Anyway lest I should cop any more flak I'll move on.

...... moronic statements continue to prevail, while Jewell feels forever more smug - 'we have no right to expect promotion' is a classic quote - What the h#ll are we in this game for then ...... !!!!! ??????

In Mr Jewells own words "It will be just as tough next year, possibly even tougher"
Ok so a couple of early signings on unexperienced youth looks promising but if you really believe this Mr Jewell we clearly need to sign some quality through the spine.i.e.GK,CB,Midfield General and target man.
Its a shame such an experienced and obviously gifted keeper has chosen IMO a lesser club.Can't help feeling the first part of the jigsaw could have been sorted here? I assume there is a plan B?

Sounds like an early excuse but what a pity they didn't realise that they blew a fantastic chance last year to get out of the division!!