Jim Magilton's Blue & White Army

Another decent performance - another poor result. We gave them a free header in front of goal in the first minute and spent the rest of the game trying to fight our way back into the game - we came close several times - notably Jon Walters and Alex Bruce, but it wasn't to be. George B was in no mood to help his old favourites out, nor was Kelvin Davis who was back to his best goal-keeping form.

We haven't got the depth of squad that Southampton have got - they had Pele on the bench.

Next up QPR (sorry Mark), Hull and Southend - three must-win games if we are going to stay in the championship - I hope Jim's concentrating on the fundamentals in training: putting the ball in the net.

Hate to say it, but I have an awful feeling about how this season will end - please let me be wrong!

Ok ...can I have your kind permission sir's to be your token smug Mackem this weekend

..............?

quote:

Originally posted by Jet Johnson:
Ok ...can I have your kind permission sir's to be your token smug Mackem this weekend

..............?

If you don't need all the points you keep amassing, please can we have some.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Originally posted by Jet Johnson:
Ok ...can I have your kind permission sir's to be your token smug Mackem this weekend

..............?

If you don't need all the points you keep amassing, please can we have some.

..If we could still go up fine!

Seriously it's a bummer to see how far Ipswich have fallen (is it any consolation to see the canaries below you?)I guess like us the answer is somewhat obvious ....you need a benefactor ..there's little Magilton or anyone else could do with so little dosh around.
..Let's face it Keane wouldn't have come to us without the Irish consortium to back his plans

Bobby Robson (like Niall Quinn) must have made a few rich contacts over his years in the game - any mileaqe there?

I was wondering if anybody had any comment on this story on the BBC re our beloved Town.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/6387577.stm
The article states:

Ipswich cautious on buy-out talk

Ipswich are looking for investment
Ipswich are refusing to deny reports that the Championship club are set to hold talks with a mystery consortium about a possible buy-out.
BBC Radio Suffolk reports that such a plan would involve the transfer of more than £30m of debt from Town's books.

In a statement, Ipswich said: "We are in constant dialogue with our lenders.

"We have commented many times on record that we are continuing to explore possible solutions to the ongoing debt burden and this remains the case."

This possibly could lead to a "benefactor" of the kind Jet refers to!

Yours in Blue,

Giles

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

Next up QPR (sorry Mark).....must-win game if we are going to stay in the championship

Same for us ROTF. It's looking bad and I can't see us taking anything from you. Just 3 wins in 18 is relegation form in anyone's language.

Mark

Are we saved?

http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~990388,00.html

Well I'll give him a chance - I'm surprised by the move as we have lots of strikers even though none of them seem to be able to do that thing strikers are supposed to do - score goals.

I'd never rated Jeffers in the past, but if he can turn his career around and our fortunes then I'll be a fan of his for life.

quote:

Originally posted by Giles Felgate:
I was wondering if anybody had any comment on this story on the BBC re our beloved Town.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/6387577.stm

Yours in Blue,

Giles

Hi Giles

I understood it to be a consolidated loan to clear the debt and I remain a little uncertain if that is what we need. We do need somebody to manage the clubs finances that is very true and a bit of luck on the pitch would be welcome too.

I'm not sure how well Sir Bobby is these days, but if he led a consortium that would be very interesting.

Three big matches coming up - I remain optimistic.

All the best, Rotf

PS - the official stance from the Chair is

One - we have recruited nine new permanent signings this season, mostly young players full of energy, skill and ambition - to add to our existing squad, itself containing maturing and improving young players from our own Academy. These players will get better,much better,if they all apply themselves to the new improvement ethos that Jim, Bryan and their coaching staff are providing on the training field.

Secondly, Jim Magilton is developing rapidly as a manager. The experiences of this season will stand him in good stead. Like the board in Bobby Robson's time, we want to give him time. His appointment was the unanimous decision of the board and it was widely supported by the fans. He needs everyone behind him to get through this wobble.

And thirdly, financially we are working on long-term improvements that, if successful as we hope, will enable yet further investment in the squad, thereby accelerating a promotion push. The media reports last week were inaccurate and premature, but progress is being made. I am sorry that I cannot say more now.

I only want to see us score a goal tomorrow (and win of course!!) and if Jeffers can help then well done Magilton!

Bugger!

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Bugger!

You will understand why - with no sense of gloating at all (sincere smilie) - I am relieved you said that, and not me...

Ah well, perhaps there'll be comfort in being 'as good as your next game', not 'as good as your last one'...

James

You're right James. It looks like I'll have to find my solace in the upcoming rugby match .

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
You're right James. It looks like I'll have to find my solace in the upcoming rugby match .

Mark

If you've got a beer in your hand, Mark, I'd start crying in it - you might as well get well-practised for 28th April...

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
You're right James. It looks like I'll have to find my solace in the upcoming rugby match .

Mark

Mark

For the first 20 minutes, there was only one side in it - I thought we were still in changing room. Rangers started really well and I was worried - very worried.

Then suddenly we got a grip - Gary Roberts making things happen - a great cross, a decent header from Alex Bruce and an unbelievable save from Rangers' keeper, Camp.

But in the action replay, a minute later, Gary Roberts cross found then head of Alan Lee and even Lee Camp couldn't stop his header.

The whole complexion of the game changed - a couple of Rangers' heads may have dropped, but there were chances at both ends. The balanced had shifted our way. I have to say that Lee Cook looks a very impressive player and he gave us problems throughout the game.

Camp made great saves from Alan Lee and Jon Walters before Gary Roberts put Jon Walters in for our second goal.

I thought we were well on on top then with Jon Walters nearly adding a third, but another fine save by Camp.

Then on came Furlong and he was first to react when a shot hit the post and it was 2-1 and then came a nervous last 20 minutes.

Good reaction from Jim to bring on Francis Jeffers and then Danny Haynes, if you're put on the back-foot then throw on a couple of attackers - keep playing football and try to make sure you win the game; it worked and we were relieved. In fact Camp pulled off another fine save from Francis Jeffers.

We desperately needed the points. I wish QPR best of luck for the rest of the season; they are a good football side and shouldn't be struggling at the foot of the table. So I hope they stay up.

As for us, Town have got to show this spirit for the rest of the season and get away from the drop zone. We really needed that first goal to get some belief back, but now we believe we can start our surge - I hope.

Well I thought we were heading for mid-table mediocrity, but these games with so much to play for are really exciting.

It also shows it's possible to play a game of this importance with passion without players trying to kick lumps out of each other.

All the best, Rotf

mark,james.fotf,
see ya next season !! scotty

What the f*@k....
http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10272~34547,00.html

quote:

Originally posted by RoyleBlue:
What the f*@k....
http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10272~34547,00.html

7 points above the drop-off zone, that's what the f*@k!!

I was particularly pleased with last two results - one of my closest friends is a QPR supporter whose dad is from Hull, so he got a "2-1" and a "5-2" phonecall this week! He was only slightly mollified when I pointed out that our thrashing of Hull had lifted QPR out of the relegation position through goal difference.

Regards,

Giles

Hi everybody

At last the company I work for did something useful - I had a meeting in Sheffield on Tuesday and so could make the long trip back to the West of England via Kingston-upon-Hill. Probably not the quickest route I know, but I was able to break my journey at the wonderful KC Stadium.

What a great game - Franny Jeffers was superb - he played for only an hour (4-1 when he made way for Jon Walters), but his contribution was immense. The whole team got it together and it was as good a performance as I've seen for quite a while. The best goal was Danny Haynes superb run and shot,

10 games to go - 30 points to play for - and only 17 points from a play-off place.

If we can keep FJ till the end of the season and he turns in performances like that then we'll be climbing the table.

Here are the words of the extra special one, Jim Magilton: Franny was outstanding and a real threat. He will always score goals at this level. I was absolutely delighted with his performance. He was the outstanding individual for us and has real quality. He gets one chance in this game and takes it - and that's the difference. We felt he could give us something..

Can we do a Stockport, I wonder?

All the best Rotf

BTW - Having seen QPR and Hull in quick succession, my money would be firmly on QPR to beat the drop: much the better side IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:

quote:

Originally posted by RoyleBlue:
What the f*@k....
http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10272~34547,00.html

7 points above the drop-off zone, that's what the f*@k!!

And above Narwich again

We hit the post twice, forced numerous saves from the excellent Southend keeper (why do keepers always have their best game against us?), but we couldn't get the ball in the net - well at least not legitimately (Alan Lee sent off for doing a Maradona). Franny Jefferes was injured. And Southend scored the freakiest goal you'll ever see - a hit and hope ball in to the box from miles out that everybody left.

It wasn't our day - I'm seriously thinking the play-offs are wishful thinking.

So Alan and Franny will be missing against Preston and Alex Bruce didn't look too well to me either.

A bad day at the office really.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
It wasn't our day - I'm seriously thinking the play-offs are wishful thinking.

I'm still looking below us - it ain't that far, we still have to go to Narwich and Leeds.....