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Morning all. Going to my first away game in ages tomorrow... Match tickets and club coach tickets bought and ready to go. Just wondered if any away match regulars could tell me a bit about the NCP car park on Portman Road... Is it 24hrs, 7/7, 365 days a year? Was thinking about parking there tomorrow but as it's a) Sunday and b) a late return, didn't want it to be closed or to get locked in! Thanks in advance :)
sharvey22, Kitman, tractorboy2434, Reuser31: So what are the solutions? I suggested zero attendance at a cup game as it would perhaps be unreasonable to ask current season ticket holders to sacrifice an already-paid-for league game, but what other options are there?
PJ_Needs_Duncan: Now now, I didn't say that! Things are grim at the moment but I'm always hesitant to suggest a change of manager. Who does the defensive coaching though? And what about motivation of the players? Obviously Jewell is the head man, but they players, backroom staff and execs all have their role to play.
Vexorg: Those who went on strike ARE hoping for a better future- but you're right that they're motivations are arguably egocentric. I promise that this blog says nothing about my political views! You're right about the 'wanting for something for nothing' attitude of many people, though... I include footballers in this. I understand that their 'shelf life' is shorter than that of most careers, but their wages are still enormously disproportionate and I believe this is one of the factors that spoils modern football- the players are simply out to make as much as they can and they no longer care about 'representing their people' on the field.
Thanks for all the feedback. Just to respond to some of your points:
matt98765: Fair point. My tongue was firmly in my cheek when I used the word 'strike'. It seemed topical due to yesterday's news and the fact that I live among strike-loving Frenchies, but you're right in saying that 'boycott' is a much more suitable word. In fact, I even employed it while discussing this blog with a fellow TWTD contributor yesterday, so I agree with you on that point. I also agree that football is, after all, a game. Indeed, I even mention this at the beginning of the article. I disagree with you, however, when you use the phrase 'If you don't like it just don't go'. Many fans would love to go, but have been priced out over time.
Garv: I didn't intend to imply, through this blog, that fans should only go to games if the team is entertaining and/or successful. Obviously there is no guarantee of either of these things and the very definition of a supporter must be someone who offers support, through think and thin. I still think that fans should be rewarded for their loyalty by being shown respect, however- and I include reasonable and appropriate ticket pricing within the idea of 'respect'.
fourth, VanIsleBlue, Daleyitfc, yorksblue: I love hearing about the heroes and villains of each different ITFC era! it does seem that, during each successful period at the club, there has always been a 'local' (Ipswich/Suffolk) presence in the squad. Largely lacking at the moment sadly...
... while ITFC do all the taking. I'll always be a Town fan but, for on- and off-field reasons, I'm fed up and I know I'm not the only one. Maybe staying away from games, thus depriving the club of vital income, may be the only way to show 'them' that enough is enough?
"Frightened to death"? FFS. Well if it's because of the home supporters, they needn't worry as the numbers will only keep dwindling. Like many on this site, I live away from IP and am rarely able to get back for home games (the last two were Forest and Norwich last season, so I'm not exactly a lucky mascot!). The upcoming Leeds game provides me with a rare occasion for live ITFC action, but for the first time ever I'm simple not going to bother.
On the field, we're an embarassment at the moment. However, I think what hurts more is the complete lack of respect that the club has for its supporters. Zero reward for years of blind loyalty, ever-increasing ticket prices (adults FROM £29 vs Leeds!). And all that to sit next to the inevitable non-chanting ignorant and/or whining (yes, I recognise the hypocrisy here) idiot.
In his book Englische Fussball, Raphaël Honigstein highlights the issue well. The club-fan relationship is completely one-sided and we, the supporters, are doing all the giving
"Frightened to death"? FFS. Well if it's because of the home supporters, they needn't worry as the numbers will only keep dwindling. Like many on this site, I live away from IP and am rarely able to get back for home games (the last two were Forest and Norwich last season, so I'm not exactly a lucky mascot!). The upcoming Leeds game provides me with a rare occasion for live ITFC action, but for the first time ever I'm simple not going to bother.
On the field, we're an embarassment at the moment. However, I think what hurts more is the complete lack of respect that the club has for its supporters. Zero reward for years of blind loyalty, ever-increasing ticket prices (adults FROM £29 vs Leeds!). And all that to sit next to the inevitable non-chanting ignorant and/or whining (yes, I recognise the hypocrisy here) idiot.
In his book Englische Fussball, Raphaël Honigstein highlights the issue well. The club-fan relationship is completely one-sided and we, the supporters, are doing all the giving
As some others have mentioned, I actually think the central defence played reasonably well- even if it strange to say so having conceded 5. Edwards was a stand-out player IN ATTACK but not defensively, while O'Dea spent all of his time trying (and failing) to win the psychological battle with Holt. This left G-Mac and DD hopelessly exposed. I don't think the necessary changes are as wholesale as some are suggesting, but no doubt last night hurt. 2010/11 over, let's focus on 11/12.
...Admittedly I did buy seats in Britannia Upper, sacrificing ambiance for a decent view. What I don't understand, however, is why people are so negative. In addition, I've noticed that people barely even clap anymore, let alone sing or cheer. This isn't unique to the Britannia Upper, by the way- my last home game I sat in North Stand Lower and was shocked to discover how quiet and negative people were. Since giving up my season ticket in 2007/08 for geographical reasons, I've tried out most areas of the ground and nowhere seems any better. DO any of you regulars have a view on why this situation has arisen and what could/should be done to change it? The quality of football is one thing of course, but much worse teams than ours enjoy much more vocal support.
So... the morning after the s***e before. Obviously the result was a major disappointment, but in fairness Norwich are a good side this year and if they go up, hats off to them. I have decided to post to see what people think about an off-pitch issue- the atmosphere in the stands.
As my user name suggests, I live away so don't get to games as often as I'd like anymore (last night was my first live game since Forest and Chelsea in January). Therefore, when I do go, I do so in the naive hope that regardless of the result, I'll at least enjoy the atmosphere, or the event if you will. Sadly last night, the positives had all been exhausted after the pre-match Portman Pie and Samba group (both of which were very enjoyable).
After kick-off, not only did we take an absolute knobbing (hey, these things happen) but I also had to put up with an absolute idiot sitting behind me. You all know the sort: negative, sarcastic, loud-mouthed 'jokes'/comments throughout, has clearly never played the game. Why bother to turn up if you're going to be like that? He stressed me out far more than the result...
Mister Pfister? Sounds like a product that would be found in a dark, seedy corner of Comet or Curries...
Not my favourite Otto though. That'd have to be a toss-up (again, 'teehee!') between Greece's Euro 2004 hero Rehhagel and the bus driver from the Simpsons. Anyone else have a favourite Otto?...
@NorthstaNder: In defence of campowasgod, I think he's probably, just maybe aware that Dos Santos is no longer at our club and that he hasn't been for a while. It's never a great idea to take things too literally, old chum.
Regarding giving Wickham a rest, I think people who say 'He's young, he can play a game every day of the week' etc etc are massively missing the point. Hard as it is to believe when we look at him, given his enormous frame, he is still only a teenager and his body will still be developing. He's not having a kick about down the park, he's competing against experienced, adult athletes. It could therefore do more harm than good to over-play him at this stage of his career and, indeed, life.
He may want to play 90 minutes of every game, but I'm pretty sure that the staff (management, physios etc) may know a bit more than we do about these things. Luckily the squad has a bit of depth and cover nowadays, so no reason not to sit Wickham out once in a while.
blueherts- your comment (11:12), following on from Lightningboy's, actually made me 'LOL'! Excellent stuff...
Concerning Scotland, I'd love to hear his own opinion on the situation, rather than that of the 'source close to the player'. Unless he's unhappy I'd definitely keep him, as he's surely the most prolific forward in our squad? As others have said, we'd need a very decent loan striker in before he leaves- and they're not exactly ten-a-penny.
In other World Cup Squad news, Domenech is announcing the French 23 live on French TV channel TF1 tonight, during the 8pm news programme. Raymond is known for his strange choices, but even for him Thetis and Legwinski are probably long shots...
Imagine if Capello announced his squad live during BBC News, sat next to a thoroughly uninterested and sarcastic Huw Edwards. That'd be worth a watch.
@MyBlueHeaven... Great knowledge! I had no idea and thus I have Australasian Geography egg all over my face. I guess a Wellington derby is a rare thing indeed in that case! I wonder if it can still be called a Wellington derby because of the place names, or are derbies strictly local jobbies? I.e. Aberdeen vs Man United could be jokingly called the Sir Alex Ferguson Derby, for instance, or Town vs Newcastle the Bobby Robson derby etc etc...
... aimless waffling aside, great news for Town fans and of course for Smith himself. Looking forward to those NZ games much more now! Not that I wasn't excited before, of course...
Looking at that squad, the Wellington derby must be an absolute firecracker of a fixture.
BLUEBEAT, I know what you mean about Panini stickers... I was fortunate enough to be at Marseille vs Rennes last Wednesday and they were dishing out free albums at the ground- gutted to see that Tommy Smith won't be getting the 'got, got, NEED!' treatment in playgrounds across the globe this summer!
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