It’s not reading the news items that is depressing; it’s some people’s reaction to it

We are looking at PL. Most of it is already at PL clubs who won’t decide on their squads until late August, then the market hits up. We might have to wait longer for our really shiny toys. Too many people playing computer games who then start believing Ashton just has to push a button!

I wish some people would just chill. I have full faith in McKenna, Ashton and co in getting the deals done before the end of the transfer window but because some people on here play too much FIFA or Football Manager or just don't understand how transfers work they think they can do a better job and moan why there isn't much movement in terms of people coming in

Overall we built really strongly last year as I believe even then the club had a feeling they would be relegated and wanted to build strongly for the Championship/Premier league and this window we didn't need many people through the doors. In my eyes I still only think we need 1 more CM and 1 or 2 STs and I know McKenna is looking and wants to get it right instead of panic buying just to make up the numbers. Strikers has always been a harder position to fill as every club under the sun is always looking for a better/backup striker or 2

Yes we have had loads of links over the summer but as with every club this happens every year as agents use "links" to some clubs to increase their clients stock and make them more lucrative to higher bidders. How do you know that the club doesn't currently have 2 or 3 deals on the table? I will only listen to the club (and Romano) about deals and am more than happy to wait for them to announce it when the deal actually happens

And at the end of the day its also down to the club and the players whether the deal gets accepted or if they want to move. Their could be a number of reasons why a player doesn't want to join such as the contract not good enough, not wanting to relocate to another part of the country (or even another country), they might want to stay near family, they enjoy playing for their current club, they might not see us as a viable destination, might have a new club in mind they want to join and being a side just relegated they might be thinking "will that happen again when they return to the Premier League". Then of course their is the agents that usually ruin the deals because they want money and often in the case of younger talent can sway them away from joining us

Also don't forget we are only allowed a limit of 25 players (over 21) and as it currently stands we are currently at 28 so the club will also be working on any loans/sales out

I would be more than happy with the players that played the most during the pre-season in the opening game against Birmingham (and Bromley), just have a bit of faith and patience and the last few deals will come in

Johnathon = Norwich troll!!!

A look at Neom, called "The World's Most Dystopian Football Club"

Oh yes Blueboy I checked your posts. Of course you did call for KM to dismissed when we were in League 1 & then denied it proving you are a liar. Just thought id remind everyone what a truly poor "supporter" you are.

Gforce, re your entirely correct post on Norwich beating NAC Breda 2-0 yesterday. May I be permitted to put things into some sort of perspective? As you know, we won at Auxerre 3-0. Norwich were at home, we were away. On the current Opta world club rankings as of today, from a total of over 10,000 clubs, Auxerre are 100, NAC Breda are 904. I'm not saying you should read everything literally into that, just putting some context into things.

Well, armchaircritic59, your presentation of the facts (as opposed to the speculation that is rife atm) has cheered me up a bit. But I'm still rather worried that Naarwich might prove to be the surprise team of the season. I hope I'm wrong.

@armchaircritic........Fair point, I suppose we'll soon find out just how good the budgies 7/8 signings are ,starting Saturday.
Fingers crossed the majority are awful !

It was very noble of Town to allow Sam to leave early. Now however it’s beginning to look like that noble gesture has only served to nobble us as we fail to re-sign Jens, attract other midfielders and suffer serious injuries (4 if Leif’s is more severe than we’re told).

Right now surely Mark A has to say to Omari (and Broadie) “sorry but the Club comes first. You’re under contract and circumstances mean we can’t afford to sell either of you as things stand - no matter how much money is offered” (even if we do finally get Jens back). .

@Jonathan_Charles your comment makes no sense, given that Norwich is even more "geographically remote" than Ipswich...

A ship has moored opposite where I live from Napoli (Great Cotonou). I’ll let you know if Jens is board!

Steve ITFC, please whisper this very quietly, but weeks ago I put up our " friends " up the road and Swansea as the two dark horses in the Championship this season. Now please forgive me, as I'm going to hide behind the sofa!

What happened to getting players in early so they have time to gel how we are favourites to go up is baffling one midfielder we no nothing about a forty year old one injury prone striker the other one not good enough think we need a new recruitment team.

People seem to forget Humphries has just has a full season, rather than a few sub appearances. Maybe he will help the perceived deficiencies ? Which is better, loads of new faces, as recent windows, or a more settled squad who are a bit more used to playing together ? Time will tell, let's hope they get off to a good start.

PhuketPete: you do realise you're not allowed to post a comment or have an opinion on here don't you ;)

Ps great username lol :)

Cadiar …., ?? - and yet more Bullsh#t and blatant lies from you.
I have Questioned McKenna’s ability as a Manager, and STILL DO - but I have never openly stated he ‘should be sacked’ …. !!!
There is a difference, and with another 4 years on his contract we’ll see how good he is, or not - and see if he cares two hoots about ITFC - other than for the value of that contract to him ?
- which in itself has pretty much snookered the Club Owners in terms of financially, Win, Lose, ot Draw.
Time is, and will be telling very soon now with points at stake.
I personally think McKenna and Ashton are now under Owners pressure to prove their worth again - or else !!
It has to be the case.

Cadiar …., ?? - and yet more Bullsh#t and blatant lies from you.
I have Questioned McKenna’s ability as a Manager, and STILL DO - but I have never openly stated he ‘should be sacked’ …. !!!
There is a difference, and with another 4 years on his contract we’ll see how good he is, or not - and see if he cares two hoots about ITFC - other than for the value of that contract to him ?
- which in itself has pretty much snookered the Club Owners in terms of financially, Win, Lose, ot Draw.
Time is, and will be telling very soon now with points at stake.
I personally think McKenna and Ashton are now under Owners pressure to prove their worth again - or else !!
It has to be the case.

All the clowns are out tonight! Idiotic comments from ArnieM, Jonathan Charles and Gfirce to name a few - so called “fans” that need to take their support elsewhere, absolutely clueless!
The Paul Cook and Norwich recruitment comments are particularly laughable, look at the success we have had in recent seasons under McKenna and Ashton - get behind your club and keep the faith!

All the clowns are out tonight! Idiotic comments from ArnieM, Jonathan Charles and Gfirce to name a few - so called “fans” that need to take their support elsewhere, absolutely clueless!
The Paul Cook and Norwich recruitment comments are particularly laughable, look at the success we have had in recent seasons under McKenna and Ashton - get behind your club and keep the faith!

AllBlur …. including you msybe ??

We did have an awfully long time to plan this window, knowing our league, our budget, and even getting the Delap deal done early.

Can’t judge but right now…, but getting value and deals done late in any window is incrementally harder, you simply pay more and clubs need to get replacements and deals that are ‘close’ often don’t get done.., see Broadhead last summer, and maybe again this.

It isn’t looking like ‘progress’ and strategic genius as things stand. It’s looking a little chaotic tbh.

Cajuste was here for a year, the relationships are known, we really should know by now, especially as the Napoli side seems straightforward.

The talent ID side remains a huge leap away from elite.

Players in the building, who can’t be convinced to sign reminds me of the Keane days .., g/f’s with dogs in handbags etc

I’d love to know what about our set up is less than convincing to Burgess, Broadhead, Cajuste, Hutchinson .., Sam and Delap are easily explained.., but the others.., they know better than any of us.., and they don’t like it.

Cajuste pending and he would be a coup at this level.., but there’s clearly issues we are going have to talk about at some point.

We can’t just parrot Ashton for likes and think that’s ‘support’ at the minute we clearly have some very big strategic problems.

It’s not the time to melt .., but it’s not the time to burry heads in sand either, just because it’s easy and popular.

Players preferring to be at Wrexham and Swansea, isn’t great.

Allblue .., I haven’t seen the Paul Cook comments but Assiniboine is saying he was a genius?

Maybe not, but his recruitment of Chaplin, Walton and Sam was exceptional, he just didn’t get time to see the benefit.

I don’t think McKenna and Ashton would have jobs without Chaplin and Sam .., their leadership and contributions were pivotal - Sam especially, that’s not to detract from the coaching…, but we only just squeezed up from league one.., and our championship season was a lot of fine margins.

Ashton has been very good in the EFL, just looks miles off elite where it counts, maybe last season has knocked his and McKennas confidence, because it’s must have been humbling when you convince yourself you’re elite.., but measurably don’t get close to that level.

KM is a wonderful coach, but there’s enough evidence to see where he’s short in terms of elite management - he doesn’t have the structure around him to be just an elite coach.

We are struggling .., that’s obvious, there’s not a lot of merit in bloke support for the sake of it.., otherwise why stem Hirst or Lambert still here??

No point bed wetting either so I support you on that.

A fantastic coach, some great forward players especially, and we could have a great season.

But that would only paper over the cracks, and we don’t seem to learn from mistakes.

Just my gut feeling.., but Ashton wouldn’t be here if Gamechanger weren’t selling and didn’t want continuity for the sale.

He promised SO much more than he delivered for the investment he asked for.., and would have gone if Gamechanger were staying.

You can’t spend up to £150 million of someone else’s money, promise them the manager is champions league level contract wise, and then deliver 22 points.

There’s no mitigation at the 4th biggest spend from any promoted side ever in that window.

And the players that we did get right in that window, he hasn’t been able to retain.

There’s no world in business where that’s acceptable.

And this is a business, like it or not.

Mark has been left a bit high and dry, and he looks lost accordingly - but football makes fools of us all, one or two signings, promotion, and £150 million a year covers a lot of sins.

Gforce, just to be clear, the points you have made about Norwich are fair. I was just trying to put some context into the friendlies, and we must remember, that's all they were. A post I also made above, states my opinions on the prospects of Norwich for the season. I wouldn't be too unhappy if I was wrong, or even right, as long as we get out of the Championship again!

Armchaircritic......I tend to agree with you, re Norwich. The squad they have built over the summer is far stronger than they had last season.It pain's me to say it,but I believe they are now well equipped to finish in the top 6.

McKenna has already stated our scouting network is not up to scratch more like non league. Norwich seem to have a good recruitment in Europe signing players of international quality be interesting to see how they perform against us.