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Reply | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 07:25 14 Aug 2025
I didn’t know he was there. It wasn’t abusive. Had I known he was there I might have thought of a better way of asking.
I appreciate we are far from where we have been as a club. Always happy to be called out on things but the scenario was not as you describe. |
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Reply | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 07:22 14 Aug 2025
I was thinking about some of the poor transfers of the past Paul Digby Giles Coke etc & we are a long way from that. But success is like a drug and you just crave more. I hope this is just a little blip in an otherwise good season but I think it does have the potential to be more than that with some of the off field moves and changes as well. Also does anyone know anything about a company called Paradigm Sports Intelligence registered at Portman Road with Ashton & the CFO as directors but it’s dormant.
I remember a fairly frank exchange of views between fans and MM at Griffin Park. |
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Reply | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 18:59 13 Aug 2025
I think that’s a fair point. It’s just we haven’t looked great in those two games I hope I am getting across I am not panicking I am just surprised that with the early Delap money & knowing for sometime we were relegated I expected us to be better set up at this stage. I am hopeful it will all come together. |
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Reply | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 18:57 13 Aug 2025
I agree I think it’s incredibly difficult. It really requires an established premier league club, and due to promoted sides being relegated they are all in effect established, really working hard to mess up. Spurs & Man Utd tried their best to mess it up & it looks like Wolves are trying hard this season. If all the promoted clubs get relegated again then there is in effect a ‘Super League’ |
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Reply | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 17:16 13 Aug 2025
I was fairly direct about the need for further signings & he was fairly direct back about what did I know. I was surprised by his reaction but maybe he is just as frustrated as anyone else. I should have been more polite I didn’t swear or anything but I should have asked a question in a different way. |
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Thread | Its the best of times its the worst of times
at 15:22 13 Aug 2025
Since relegation from the Premier League I don't think any Ipswich fan anticipated this summer and start of the new season going as it has. Signing players has proved so far to be very difficult and on field performances are not those you would expect of the bookies favourites for winning the Championship. (I don't think any Ipswich fan expected a return to the Championship to be easy).
I was at last nights match amongst the home fans, with a fair few Ipswich fans who weren't part of the 497 away ticket holders, in the West Terrace. The general view was a good point on Friday and hopefully the match against Bromley would help in getting the squad up to speed and hopefully some good attacking moves leading to a few goals. In the end the match highlighted plenty of issues but a bit like the transfer activity (or lack of) it seems we are already at an early cross roads where things in both areas need to be addressed quickly if Ipswich are going to have a positive season. Stealing from another TWTD poster and I forget exactly where I read it so apologies that I cannot attribute the quote but it summed up exactly how I feel. I am scared of Ipswich not being good and being mid table obscurity or worse. The last few seasons have been very positive. There were some good things last night Finley Barbrook did a good job in midfield and it was good to seem him play back at Bromley when I last saw him in the FA Youth Cup alongside his twin brother who was released.If I was being really harsh I would have liked to have seen some more passes forward from him but the lack of a decent forward option is something I will return to later.
On the left we have a difficulty where it should be really strong. Jack Clarke and Leif Davis should be a left handside that dominates this division. Clarke was guilty of doing a bit too much when he should be releasing the ball earlier. However I think both players really want to be in the same space. Clarke wants to start those cutting into the right runs from almost exactly where Davis wants to be crossing the ball. There was some interesting stuff with Davis underlapping and playing high up more inside at times and this could create some interesting opportunities also both players just need to understand each other better so they can maximise each others impact on the game I still think this combination can come good. The player that seems to naturally work best with Davis seems to be Broadhead who naturally comes inside more giving Davis that space but again last season sometimes opposition knowing Davis was going to overlap on the outside made it easier for Premiership level opponents to exploit the space left behind. I think the current partnership could work better with Clarke coming in to make room on the outside for Davis' amazing distribution and also when Davis comes inside and then offering a passing option for Clarke or moving back outside drawing defenders away or being an option for a reverse ball from Clarke. On the right side Ogbene had a decent game but should have offered a bit more and too often his crosses were too deep. This also seemed to be a pattern with our corners too deep and too little variation.
Young had a good game Kipre looked solid and I wanted Woolfenden to show some more aggressive passing as very often he was left with plenty of time and space as Bromley primarily looked to block passing lanes rather than press on. Up front though, where do you start. When Al Hamadi was signed I expressed some concern having seen him on loan from Wycombe at Bromley but I had not followed his move to Wimbledon where I understand he did well. At the time of the signing despite some reservations I trusted the process. That trust is over he is truly woeful and offers nothing I think his overall poor play limited Barbrook Humphries and Chaplin to play quick attacking link up balls through the middle knowing that Al Hamadi was guaranteed to mess up. I note a current Wycombe strike Kone has gone to QPR for about £2.7 million that should have been our option but again it might have been difficult to attract the player if he wasn't sure of his role considering Hurst and Akpom.
This moves on to the transfer activity always going to be a difficult window as we are after premiership ability and or potential whilst being in the championship but we seem short in a number of areas and Townsends unfortunate injury has made that situation worse. We need quality and numbers through the door. I would ideally want a left back another striker and two midfielders (one defensive and one more attacking and on top of that another wide option as both Broadhead and Hutchinson look likely to go. I am very surprised by Hutchinson's attitude as with a different approach I think fans would have wished him well. I think we overpaid for him and for a player that can't go round the right hand side and cross with his right foot the fact someone is willing to pay north of 35 million is staggering but I suppose that's the market.
I still think this can be an excellent season for Town the opportunity needs to be seized right now.
I am also slightly concerned by the lack of ownership and senior leadership communication with the fans I hope this is because they are busy on transfer activity for the club.
Also I don't suppose he reads this but taking advantage of being able to walk home from a Town game for the first time I thought I would stick around to see the players and management team leave and just get a bit more of an idea of reaction body language but was also just a bit curious. Apologies for doorstepping Mark Ashton. I want to keep the faith and trust the process but I am concerned and didn't think I would be feeling like this as the season starts. On to Sunday and my sons first away game at Preston the week after (Bromley doesn't count) bloody expensive train ticket but should be a god day out. Thanks for reading. [Post edited 13 Aug 16:03]
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Reply | Guide to Bromley
at 17:15 28 Jul 2025
If you are quick at the changes you can get the 2233 from Bromley South to Victoria which gets into London at 2251
Victoria line to Kings Cross then a choice of lines to Liverpool St best option is Metropolitan as that gets in closest to the trains at Liverpool Street. You will need to shift it but it can be done. |
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Reply | Guide to Bromley
at 15:10 19 Jul 2025
Forgot about the Swan & Mitre as you say used to be quite rough & guaranteed Friday night punch ups haven’t been in there for years. Will have to give it a visit.
As with all Town centres Bromley is suffering but is still pretty good. Ipswich town centre by contrast just seems worse & worse each time I go. |
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Thread | Guide to Bromley
at 12:12 19 Jul 2025
With Town being drawn against League Two Bromley in the League Cup in what will be the first ever match between the sides I thought I would give a quick bit of info about the local area for those fans coming down.
Getting here
Driving, the Dartford Crossing is always a bit snarly but coming across from Essex into Kent generally goes more smoothly than the return leg through the tunnel. Come off on the A21 junction which is junction 4. The roads near to the ground can all pretty much be parked in with some restrictions on those a bit closer to Bromley Town Centre and Bromley South train station.
Train. Into Liverpool Street and then loads of options to get here. Aim for Bromley South Station not Bromley North or Hayes (these are both on a slow line out of London Bridge, Bromley South on a fast train is only 15-20 mins out of Victoria. On the tubes if its a baking hot day the tube is awful but the Circle Line round to Victoria from Liverpool Street is often noticeably cooler but takes about 10 minutes longer plus once on there are no changes. Alternatively you can get to Victoria on the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City plus the Circle going the other way to Kings Cross change on the Victoria line and head south to Victoria. Alternatively Central line to Oxford Circus and change on to the Victoria line. Once at Victoria, there a few pubs near Victoria station two Spoons and an expensive Sports bar across from the station plus Supermarkets for a carry out to keep topped up on the short journey to Bromley South. At Victoria avoid the stopping trains and get on a fast train to Kent and the first stop on those will be Bromley South, there is a big clear departures info board and the fast trains are usually those to Ashford, Dover Rochester and Gillingham.
The Bromley Ground is a short walk from Bromley South train station and there are plenty of pubs in Bromley.
There is a biggish spoons across from the Station its far from the best and its in the bottom of an office block but its a straightforward Spoons. There is a Nando's behind the pub. Alternatively there a pubs 5 minutes into the town centre that are much better these are found on two roads the High Street and East Street. On the High Street you have the second Spoons, The Star and Garter which is really good lots of interesting beers The Barrel and Horn quite trendy, The Artful Duke which is a bit of a sports bar The Patridge which is a Fullers Pub not much of an atmosphere. On East Street you have quite a few different restaurants mostly chains an O'Neils and the Railway Pub.
Closer to the ground you have the Bricklayers Arms and the Cork and Cask. Bricklayers Arms recently done up sells food, Cork and Cask tiny micro bar. A little bit further on you have the Hit or Miss on Chatterton Road a small neighbourhood bar which sells good beer and is very welcoming. All of these pubs accept away fans.
At the ground there is an entire stand which is being redeveloped which restricts the capacity of an already small ground. Not sure what the Bromley allocation of tickets will be for Town but would have thought 500 - 700. There is a bar at the ground but this will be for home fans only the redeveloped stand will hopefully in the future improve facilities for away fans but on the whole the provision for away fans at Bromley has been pretty poor but the club were non League until last season with the current league two standing being the highest in the clubs history.
The sides have not played each other previously. Luke Wolfenden was on loan here a few years ago, Omar Sowunmi a giant of a centre back for Bromley used to be an Ipswich youth player. New signing for Bromley and the games pantomime villan Will Hondermarck was at Norwich but did not make an appearance for the Budgies. [Post edited 19 Jul 15:13]
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Reply | The season gone and the season to come
at 19:30 15 Jun 2025
I lack knowledge in loads of stuff. Do you think Harry definitely sure of my Clarkes this time was any good in those premier league games? |
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Reply | The season gone and the season to come
at 17:20 15 Jun 2025
I think if he signs after 30th June he will be free wherever he goes. Bookmark a 1st July signing. A good player but we need to strengthen other areas as a priority. |
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Reply | The season gone and the season to come
at 13:38 15 Jun 2025
I think every transfer window is important but this one seems particularly key with lots of work to do. I understand Poku on a free from Peterborough is looking likely, a good player but not where I think we need to strengthen as much as other areas. Really difficult to bring in at the right price players of either premier league potential or capability as well as having the desire to mix it in the Championship. |
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Reply | The season gone and the season to come
at 13:33 15 Jun 2025
I think this is one of great things about football you rate him and I don't particularly. I think we can do better and in our championship season I think he did ok against mid table and below but was lacking against the better teams. Its a shame as it is great to have local players in the squad. |
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Thread | The season gone and the season to come
at 13:20 15 Jun 2025
I think it is possible to believe that the club is in a much better state under the new owners, note the progress made and still be critical of the performances last season and also be concerned about some of the decision making both on and off the pitch. A few not particularly well structured thoughts and apologies for the rambling.
Last season exposed a weakness in McKenna for not being able to set up the team to see out games and there seems to be a pattern of bringing on substitutes far too late. Whilst it is great to have a manager in demand last season we lost the advantage of automatic promotion as the club set about keeping the manager and this put back work on transfers. KMcK has been great for this club and I am sure last season will have been a massively steep learning curve and I hope he is here to stay for some seasons yet. I don't think he will go to Brentford as I think Brentford put their very successful system above everything including the manager and this limits the role and scope of decision making of whomever has that role at the club. I think KMcK would want a club where he has much more control and also I think it would be very difficult to kick Brentford on to the next level after the excellent tenure of Thomas Frank.
I think recent transfer windows have shown how far the scouting and analysis departments at the club were decimated under the previous owner and the work to improve them is going to take a very long time. Once we lost access to Tony Blooms magic spreadsheet our more recent signings on the whole have not had the impact of the windows before but then the level the club is at has increased significantly so it is a harder task. This upcoming window is going to one of the most challenging with comings and goings. Cajuste is a player that was fantastic last season but I do worry about his failed Brentford medical and his managed game time with us suggests that there is an underlying problem there and will be able to play the long hard winter months of Saturday- Tuesday Championship football I hope so as he would be an immense signing. I also hope we can ship off players such as Jack Clarke (I meant Harry apologies) who is simply out of his depth at the top end of the Championship let alone the Premier League.Also I was always worried about the quality of Slicker simply based on what you see when the squad warm up for games and his recent performance for Scotland is further cause for concern. Again is this an indicator of poor off field work as I understand the goal keeping analysis was outsourced. Ali Al-Hamidi looked like he had won a competition to be a footballer, he is not quite at the level of performance Best and Reo-Coker turned in for us but he is definitely a player we should look to move on. Off the field I think the chief operating officer Luke Werhun needs replacing and I would like to see a director in place with more experience something lacking since Mike O'Leary left
More generally I worry about the American ownership in the longterm. So far there have been huge levels of investment but a pension fund will want a significant return on that spending and I am not sure of what their exit strategy is. I suppose you have to judge them on their actions so far which have been excellent but I do have this worry in the background but maybe that is unfair.
Overall though if I look back to the club five years ago we are in a great place the work to become a category 1 academy and the new training ground are really positive and hopefully will be great assets for the future of the club. It is exciting to be thinking about players we might be signing rather than scrambling around in the bargain bin of windows long past. Central midfield, right back and an additional striker should be the focus. Morsy has been a great player and captain but the legs are going. [Post edited 19 Jul 11:42]
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