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Thread | Ipswich at the mid point in the season
at 06:58 28 Dec 2024
I really don’t want to keep reading, so and so is not up to it, so and so worst game of season. If you would like to look back and contribute to a discussion around how the players have adjusted to life in the PL and how we see the next half of season here is the place to do it! |
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Thread | Ten games into PL season
at 07:24 3 Nov 2024
Interested to see where people are with regards to how the season has gone, and where it is going based on those first ten games.
Here are my observations to kick things off.
It’s been even more challenging than I first thought it could be, and I thought it was going to be very challenging for club like us that has had to build a PL squad in one summer.
In the years away from the PL it’s changed by all recognisable features, basically the ball looks similar from afar and refs are still poor, possibly poorer than previous, recency bias perhaps.
Team structure, patterns, intensity, game management, officiating, pitch quality, stadia, media and social media interests, it’s all different. However the standing of referee is still as skewed to bigger clubs as it was.
GK
For me Muric is fine, it must be difficult adjusting to a new team and home and being the keeper when you are the team that is likely to lose 20 odd games in a season, and likely to be under pressure for high proportions of all games. He’s not the reason we are in the position we are in and we shouldn’t single players out in a squad game, that’s the work KMck’s is paid for. He’s made mistakes for sure, but most / all the players have. He will get better, like all the players we hope this is urgently to give us a chance of staying up.
Defensive side of the game
We’ve had problems adjusting. New keeper with new defenders. We’ve made persistent mistakes to concede goals often at crucial times, sometimes in quick succession. Highs have been Greaves, Leif is growing every week, even Ben J started to look like the RB we thought we’d bought last Sat. There has been too much rotation here, most because of injury. Defensive group needs to be better, more settled in the next ten, get on the page with the goal keeper particularly in the pressure moments, and contribute goals from set plays.
Midfield
Morsy is playing his way into the season after the flurry of yellows and slightly lower key performances, understandable when playing likes of ManC and Lpool. KP looks better each week too. Cajuste looks like a player that we expect he should be although games limited and sub cameos. Midfield needs to assist more with protecting the 18 yard box and work better to regain control when we have the periods of limited possession, help keep the ball recycled in last third, back to the chap and L1, confidence is key, go all the way back if need be, don’t keep losing in transition. There is much more to come from the engine and that gives me hope for the next ten.
Forwards
The group behind the striker is potentially a place where we’ve had trouble. Limited goal impacts, Szmodics aside. A few players not really able to get to the speed and trouble opposition. Chappers has been a bright spark in last two. Here we are really finding our way both in terms of goals but also control of the game high up the pitch. We’ve conceded goals in transition when this group should be helping retain the ball. This group has to start really contributing goals and supporting more to keep the ball all over the pitch in the next ten to help the whole team perform.
Striker
It’s a bright spot. Two strikers that look immediately able to work at the level and probably higher. These two give hope for the next ten.
In summary, very difficult start, looked like we found our feet, we’ve then been knocked back and had to deal with mounting losses and injuries. Not winning in the first ten is not the end of the season, but it’s far from ideal. It makes the rest of the season very tough on an average points basis, margins are slimmer. I probably hoped to have been on 10 points (dream world 12-14) ish by now.
Next ten games
What do we need, 4 wins to feel like we’ve arrived? I think KMck will have a bit of a reset mentality. We will start looking more at home, knowing what it takes to defend in a shape, looking harder to beat but be more clear how we score goals. More complete performances as we get to the pace and intensity of the PL. It will come but the time is now otherwise the season starts to get away from us very quickly. No one is expect 6-10 wins in the last 18 games right now are they even if we do prove to be a second half season team.
Im quite hopeful in the next ten we will see the team grow further and bring in at least 10 points. A few less injury issues would be helpful too but we then lead into a crucial Jan window period where anything could happen for a club based on club standing at the time.
Interested in other more considered views!
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Thread | Next 6 games
at 01:32 15 Oct 2024
Takes us to end of Nov.
Last group of games predicted was first 7. We are slightly behind where I hoped, hoped 6-7, actual 4. PL is certainly proving a bit harder to accumulate points than hoped! I knew it would take some games to get into the league and that time is now! In the 8 - 10 game range.
I’m expecting our performances and results to improve as the season goes on due to the significant squad build in the summer, albeit 17th, stretch 16th currently seems like success! If we can tick along and improve 2H of season P15, P14 becomes achievable but it feels a long way away at this time.
Predicting for the next 7 takes us to 14 games, over a third of the way through and a really good period to properly understand how we’ve built and adapted.
I’m going positive for this group of games!
8 points.
W 19 Oct Everton H
D 26 Oct Brentford A
W 2 Nov Leicester City H
L 10 Nov Tottenham Hotspur A
L 24 Nov Manchester United H
D 30 Nov Nottingham Forest A [Post edited 17 Oct 2024 3:11]
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Manchester City v Ipswich Town prediction logged |
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Thread | Weighing the squad
at 06:11 3 Aug 2024
Weighing up where we are currently by looking at those squad reductions and additions and assessing net balance
Squad reductions - 8
Vas (gk)
Aluko
Ball
Jackson
Williams (ignored tiny contribution but a good goal!)
Travis
Hutchinson
Sarmiento
Moore
Squad additions + 6
Muric
Johnson
Townsend
Greaves
Hutchinson
Delap
Assessment
We’ve improved the starting and finishing squad, and we’ve done a lot of tidying up, not mentioned is the other extended squad leavers, Hayes (gk), Ndaba, Camera, El Miz, Ahadme.
+ Muric
+ Johnson
+ Townsend
+ Greaves
~ Hutchinson
+ Delap
We’ve upgraded all over the place. We still have a few gaps most obviously these positions are commented on everywhere, imo CMf x 2, L10, Striker.
We’ve done good work and there are 4 weeks of window left to go.
[Post edited 3 Aug 2024 7:01]
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Thread | Supporters ask to support. Make PR difficult for opposition.
at 05:19 24 Feb 2024
We’ve shown all season that when we really stick together, when we really stick to the plan, when we really impose our atmosphere and our energy as much as we can on the opposition and when we really stick together when games aren't going our way, that we can be a really formidable opponent.
Our manager, 2024
Supporters you decide whether to help make PR a formidable place to come or whether we finish with a moan grown and whimper. [Post edited 24 Feb 2024 5:20]
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Thread | Predictions: 8 games to the end of Feb
at 07:32 3 Jan 2024
Sunderland H
Leicester City A
Rotherham United H
Preston North End A
West Bromwich Albion H
Millwall A
Swansea City A
Birmingham City H
16 points |
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Thread | Best home game of 2023
at 09:06 31 Dec 2023
There are so many to choose from.
Plymouth seemed like a turning point having come out of sticky December to then begin putting down performances against the form teams. Charlton 6:0 was fun, Port Vale 2:1 was important but Exeter was mad. This season, Nodge was bouncing before but not the result, whereas Blackburn and Hull for coming though the challenges, and Cov for that goal.
I’m still on Exeter for the all round experience. |
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Thread | ITFC squad depth and current state
at 07:01 30 Dec 2023
It should be no surprise to anyone that a newly promoted side hasn’t had the time to reassemble its squad to ensure championship quality and depth.
In the context of how the main starter-finisher squad has performed expectations have rightly risen. They have been nothing short of amazing. But why the outrage at sub performance when the squad is relied upon? PR and wider itfc fan club needs to refind its support for the cause pretty quickly as Leicester and Soton are waiting for no one.
This part of the starter finisher squad works, 19 players, those with brackets work when limited to single changes unlike last night as part of significant rotation.
Hladky, Walton, Clarke, Williams, Wolf, Tuanzebe, Burgess, (Edmundson), Leif, Morsy, Taylor, Luongo, (Ball), Burns, (Hutch), Chaplin, Harness, Broadhead, Hirst.
Fit and firing that’s not bad place to be, however going forward and in midfield Hirst, Broadhead, Chaplin, Burns, Morsy all have no equal in the squad. At the back Leif has no equal. 5 of those 6 didn’t start last night.
In the wider squad we have real challenges
Ladapo, Jackson, Donacien, Evo is where this current 25 looks to be struggling. Evo injured and the others will not be making the jump mainly in critical attacking and high intensity positions.
Over to you Mark Ashton.
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Thread | Let’s talk about winning games not promotion
at 13:01 24 Dec 2023
I understand why, and why not enjoy this time but the talk of promotion is very premature.
I preferred going into games hoping we could play well and get something from the game. There are a few people now talking like it’s a full gone conclusion. It is near certain that Leeds and Southampton are going to be very good in the second half of the season and we will have to be very good to earn each and every result.
Every song seems to include a promotion or win the league verse.
Let’s focus on winning each game and worry later about what might be in May! |
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Thread | Looking back to threads from May
at 11:44 18 Aug 2023
There was a particular thread, 04 May about what we need this summer.
In summary, our summer business has been much aligned with my expectations, both in positions and maintaining continuity, which brings me to the main point.
How were other’s expectations so far misaligned with mine in terms of expecting big money signings? I appreciate others are way more ITK than me, but it never felt like big change was a sensible course. We may still buy another player or two but maximising the current talents this season and building from there into next has always looked like the progress path.
In May, I said, I would have thought leavers will be (not correct on all).
Coleman and Vlad (Yes, ok Vlad was obviously happy to play his no2 role and is now getting minutes)
Keogh
KVY
Camara loan for football and possibly Evo
Aluko (no but he has his value)
Jackson (no and loads said on this but so far so good this season)
Assume we keep
Luongo
Hirst
TJJ (not totally out of the picture but looking less likely)
Incoming
GK (Yes)
LCD possibly RB (Not yet)
2 x CM one is Luongo (Yes)
RAMf (Yes)
Striker/10 Hirst and TJJ (Yes/ Not yet) |
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Thread | The squad today
at 05:50 8 Jul 2023
23 is the magic number,
22 if Hayes is swapped for the new <21 City Slicker.
Now we know the intention for Baggot, Camera, and Piggy there is
-space for 2 incomers (unless <21 permanent signing), or
-space for 3 with a change at GK cover as looks likely.
Limitations of squad:
-Short in CDf,
-Short on rotation quality in Attacking positions,
-1 genuine Striker on our books.
Unless they offer more, Edwards and Jackson must come under real pressure by Jan, if not already the case? A few months in the Championship might add a little value for trading purposes assuming they can’t cut it. If they do, that’s great. I’m expecting serious upgrades here, if we add a loan or permanent their game time probably reduces.
This is our back up and finisher group
2 Vlad (gk), Hayes (gk)
1 Edmundson,
2 Donacien, Leigh
3 Evans, Ball, Luongo
4 Jackson, Edwards, Aluko, Harness
Humphries (U21)
First XI as it stands today, this looks good on paper
1 Walton (gk)
2 Woolfenden, Burgess
2 Clarke, Davis
2 Morsy, Taylor
3 Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead
1 Ladapo [Post edited 8 Jul 2023 6:18]
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Thread | Back in the Championship. Fixture release day is here…
at 07:27 22 Jun 2023
Looking to
First day, first home game, Christmas, Easter and Final day.
Games:-
Nodge home and away
Leicester
Leeds
Southampton
Sunderland away - Newcastle weekender
Boro - the KMcK battle of ex Utd coaches (possible Newcastle weekender)
Blackburn Rov, Bristol City, Coventry, Plymouth away - Not been to these grounds
Sheff Wed - would love it if we beat them at Hillsborough!
That’s about it!
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Thread | Comparing now with the team of 2018/19
at 07:12 18 Jun 2023
…. now we can see where it all went wrong!
This was our Aug opening game squad versus BR at home.
In fairness, there was a sprinkling of talent in there, but it was a shocker, a mashup squad. This group managed 5 wins all season ffs. It infuriates to reflect back.
I don’t know whether there is a team as bad as this in the current Champ?
We now have a team, squad that’s actually focused, with leaders in the board room, on the coaching staff, a captain and others through the pitch. Compare captains then and now, the proverbial good guy with loads of time for people off the pitch versus warrior leader of men with delivery on the pitch!
I’m counting only Bart as an equal versus today starting XI. Whilst Chalobah and Downes have obviously gone on to greatness, they were still raw talents back then compared with the players we have now in those positions.
The Formidable bench is a place where we can improve but it compares favourably now to then, this summer is important to improve our starting XI and will mean players the likes of Donacien, Leigh, Ball, Ladapo, Harness and potentially some of last seasons starting XI players can come off the bench or back up for injuries compared with Roberts, Kenlock and Morris.
The spineless relegation squad
Bart
Spence
Donacien
Chambers
Knudsen
Skuse
Chalobah
Downes
Edwards
Harrison
Sears
The Formidable Bench
Gerken
Roberts
Dozzell
Edun
Kenlock
Wolf
Morris
[Post edited 18 Jun 2023 14:40]
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Thread | Day 2
at 07:45 1 May 2023
Does Wolf still have a hangover? I’m not feeling 100% myself! |
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Thread | The legacy of Marcus Evans
at 07:24 1 May 2023
An [crossed out - small blot -] unwelcome blot on the history books. Now corrected.
But what is the actual legacy? I can only see two things, a small one and a massive one.
1-SeatGeek - it has survived everything
2-New owners, with cash to invest and they get football and how to create and extract value - we are on our way, presumably the value side will become more and more important as the Championship is a quick way to lose a lot of money but I will forever be grateful to ME for finding this new ownership group and for season we are being gifted. [Post edited 1 May 2023 8:42]
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Thread | Focus on the next game
at 05:36 12 Apr 2023
Unless you are in someway part of scenario planning at ITFC. It’s good to be excited by what is playing out at itfc, its been long enough, its great to think about what might be in a few weeks time, it’s interesting to speak of points predictions but more than that is getting way to far ahead.
All attention should be on beating Charlton. If we do that we can speak of the next game. If we don’t win the next game, what then? all previous predicts are off. The more people speak of games and results that are to come the more disappointed everyone is for the next game ahead of that. No matter the result in the next game we have cup finals in each of our final games, isn’t that enough to look forward to!?
Each game at this stage is a one off, won lost drawn on its own merit. Long form counts for little.
Itfc was in a situation ahead of Cheltenham, people were speaking of winning every game until the end of the season, now we have to get back on the bike and finds ways to beat the next team.
How will people react when we ‘only’ make the playoffs?
This was the most likely outcome in Jan/Feb. It’s still a legitimate way for us to be promoted.
If we make the automatic places, awesome, we will all be celebrating but we know there is a lot of football to be played between now and May.
I’m sticking with OGAAT. [Post edited 12 Apr 2023 11:11]
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