 | News
Comment | Ashton: McKenna Has Similar Attributes to Rodgers and Boothroyd
at 22:27:35
I think this is the one and only aspect of the appointment of McKenna that makes me feel encouraged - Ashton does seem to have an OK track record with appointing a manager in this ilk.
Otherwise, there is nothing (other then blind faith and optimism) that tells me this is going to be anything other than a disaster. Paul Cook was absolutely the manager you would have picked and that was a disaster. I would say we were 'cursed' if I believed in that sort of thing.
McKenna has no management experience and was coach at a team who have massively underperformed relative to their budget and play some of the dullest counter attacking football and lack a real sense of identity...
Despite solid references form Jim Magilton - I have seen a number of articles that suggest the United players were not overly enamoured with McKenna. Two examples linked below:
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/man-united-kieran-mckenna-coach-241720
https://thepeoplesperson.com/2021/10/12/kieran-mckenna-and-michael-carrick-are-n
Agree with the post from Chris_ITFC (if I have read the subtext of it correctly) Ashton talks a big game...
We need to see REAL ACTUAL PROGRESS.
Will support the new manager and give him time. Welcome Kieran and good luck. |
| News
Comment | Ashton: I’m as Confident As I Can Be That Kieran Will Be a Success
at 17:51:56
Don't get me wrong, I will give the guy a chance and hope he does well but for me, the only positive sign here is that Ashton has a track record of giving decent young managers their first chance.
Apart from that, there isn't much evidence to suggest he will do well. United had been coached by this guy for some time and they play terrible football with all the resources in the world at their disposal. H |
| News
Comment | Town Confirm Roberts Signing
at 11:46:43
I was disappointed with Webster being sold - but as others have pointed out, it probably is a good bit of business for someone who has not played a whole lot for us and although full of promise can be replaced.
On the other hand though, Chalobah and now Roberts - both appear good signings, probably won't have made a huge dent in our budget and if selling Webster means a bit more cash for the manager to play with than this could be a good summer of business for us.
The thing I am most impressed with is that deals are getting done, and, getting done early. PH will have a decent amount of time to assemble and work with his squad.
Bodes well.
Pleased and impressed, welcome to both Trevoh and Jordan. |
| News
Comment | Emmanuel and Rotherham Targeting Wembley
at 17:59:09
Shortmarine:
Just a quick note!
You say in your comment
''to say he had no money is a bit disingenuous and this is a prime example of that.''
I didn't actually mention anything about Mick not having any money! |
| News
Comment | Emmanuel and Rotherham Targeting Wembley
at 17:51:31
Bluemachines, Shortmarine:
I totally get what you're saying and almost put in my original post that I understood the argument that he could have developed playing for us (but I was trying to keep it short!).
My feelings are that Emmanuel is not quite comparable with Kenlock - who looks more advanced in his development as a player. So, it wouldn't have necessarily been certain that he would get an extended run of games in the side.
I think sometimes the reality is that if a player is not quite ready for the first team; and the championship is a pretty tough league, then their development can become stagnant, so the option to loan players out becomes incredibly useful.
Take Ryan Fraser for example, when we had him on loan he had an opportunity to progress that might not have been available to him at that time at Bournemouth, now he is doing really well.
Our season started ok-ish and then fairly quickly dripped back into the same old mediocrity we have all been frustrated with for so long. I don't think we would have been that much better with Emmanuel in the squad but I do think we will be better off having him back after his excellent year on loan.
That's why I said I was somewhat baffled by the negative reaction to his loan, because it seems to have worked out really well and fingers crossed we'll start the season with Emmanuel as first choice right back! |
| News
Comment | Emmanuel and Rotherham Targeting Wembley
at 13:04:56
Kind of baffled with comments saying sending Emmanuel on loan was a bad idea. He has improved tremendously and will come back to us a far better player, with bags of experience, having won an individual award for his loan club and possibly having achieved promotion through a Wembley final. He has become a better player BECAUSE of the loan and opportunity to play regularly, so getting Iorfa in as cover, to me at least, was a good move. Why not let one of our young, inexperienced players develop elsewhere without the pressure of having to perform in a struggling team? This is what the loan system is for, to develop players where it is not possible within your own squad. He will come back to us and rightly challenge for a starting eleven spot and will be like a brand new signing. I think McCarthy deserves credit for a good move regarding the loan and would imagine Emmanuel would probably say the move was the best thing for his career.
Re. Allardyce. Alot of negativity surrounding him at present but I think he was unfairly treated at Everton and did a good job turning their season around. Would imagine a Prem club would still give him a chance and that he would not consider a step down to the championship but I for one, would consider it a good appointment.
Hurst remains my first choice though. |
| News
Comment | Shots Loan Just What Duo Need to Progress
at 23:53:22
''Playing men's football is better than U23s, it's competitive, there's three points at stake and I can't wait to get into it.”
sounds good. These kind of loans are a really good option for these young players and you would hope that others follow suit and that it helps them progress toward the first team.
One of the things I am enjoying most about the club at the moment, amongst the optimism of a strong start to the season and a squad that looks like its been decently assembled, is following what seems like a crop of good youngsters coming through.
There has been so much negativity about the club for a long time but having Kenlock, Emmanuel, Smith, Bishop, Hyam, Dozzell, Downes, Nydham, McDonnell progress from the academy into the first team squad; potentially adding to that, Fowler, McLoughlin, Folami and others, is great.
Isn't that the Ipswich way? |
| News
Comment | West Brom Youngster Linked
at 00:20:51
This would be a great signing, even as a season loan, anyone saying anything otherwise is clearly a turd |
| News
Comment | McCarthy's Big Keeper Decision
at 23:49:17
Agree with what has been said about McCarthys comments being a vehicle to promote what we have, drive competition and ensure a happy, balanced squad - there would literally be no point in him coming out and saying that he rates neither keeper and wants something better.
However, I do also agree with other posters that express a level of concern at our perceived reluctance to invest in new squad additions for key positions.
For the sake of providing a balanced and fair perspective on the situation, you must remember we do not have a luxury of riches, we have financial fair play to contend with and signing players with that additional quality in this league is not easy to do. Financially many players are beyond our reach and it is harder to attract players to this league, whether established or promising young talents.
We have seen in many examples that throwing money at the problem is not the solution.
However, we did brilliantly last year and have alot of momentum. We have made good money from the sale of playing staff and are in a position where we need to kick on to the next level.
Perhaps it is better for us to air on the side of caution and look to continue establishing our selves as a consistent top six team in this league. However, we were so close to promotion last year and it is not possible to keep hold of players unless the club really pushes on to the next level and gains promotion.
The problem is it has been communicated that money is available to spend. I also remember reading interviews with players like Daryl Murphy saying that they are looking forward to further investment of quality in the squad. A player like Murphy is undoubtedly committed to the cause but I would start to worry that our better players might start to question the clubs ambition if we remain unambitious in the transfer market - and who really could blame them.
Of course, its not that easy. People say we need a GK, RB and creative attacking midfielder. However, can anyone really offer names of reliable, affordable players that fit the mold?
I do believe now would be a wise time to invest a (relatively) substantial amount in some players of real additional quality. If you buy smart and buy right then arguably you only have to do it once but it will always leave the question - is it viable?
We do need to kick onto the next level but not for the sake of the overall health of the club. If there are funds available and targets worth the outlay then I would be worried if the club decided not to roll the dice.
If there are not funds available I would be concerned if the club communicated to the contrary.
It has been a long time since we have had our club in such a good position. With academy players in and pushing through to the first team. We have the best performing striker from last season along with a very enviable attack and strong defense.
This is not to be scoffed at. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 1 | | Comment Votes: | 12 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 13 |
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