Jim Magilton's Blue & White Army

Great result - although by all accounts we should have won and according to Jim we were the better team throughout - good to see our draw at Elland Road ensured the Tykes stayed up, it would have tragic if Barnsley had gone down as they are a truly nice club with great supporters. I think we've made Hull safe too, but it is a shame to see the Shrimpers go down. I'd like to see them bounce back next season: I suspect they'll be battling Forest near the top of League One next year.

Looking forward to seeing Alan Lee's goal on the championship highlights this morning. He has had a good season - Manchester United and Chelsea hands off: we want Alan leading the attack at Portman Road next season

Of the pitch invasion and our players and fans (surely a points deduction for Leeds is in order for next season to stop this kind of thing), the mighty one said:

It was shambolic at the end and my main concern was for the safety of my players. The Leeds fans obviously heard the Hull result and they are a passionate set of supporters. Once they came on the pitch with so little time left I thought that was it. I didn't think it was a rational decision to go back out there but we did and nobody got hurt so we move on. We had a lot of young players out there and it was always going to be a hostile atmosphere and I was delighted with the way they handled it. They were impeccable. Our fans were brilliant. It was a terrific goal and we could have won the game at the end.

Well done to Mr Burley and his Saints too - a good win in budgieland.

One game to go and let's hope we can finish in style.

Next season I'd love to see both of the top Anglian teams challenging for promotion - us and Colchester

BTW - I wonder who Leeds new manager will be for next season. I hear Mike Newell is being tipped to take over.

Great result ROTF in terms of how it affected "Dirty Leeds" ..

..As I get older my animosity towards other clubs has mellowed somewhat ...you do (eventually) realise life's too short for getting too wound up by how other teams fair.

...But ....I'll make an exception for Leeds!
(Ok and NUFC but that's in my genes!)

...SAFC's animosity with them goes back to the early 60's when we were promoted together ..only to be kicked all over the park by them at every meeting ...we had players with broken legs ..sending off's galore etc....they did have some wonderful players (e.g. Bremmer, Giles,) but their approach too often borded on the thuggish ...say what you like about current big clubs such as Man U/Chelsea/Arsenal but they generally play football the right way.

..Leeds's approach in the 60's/70's was too often confrontational and often downright nasty ..the stupid thing was they had enough good players to not need to stoop to such antics but Don Revie had such attitudes drummed into them.

..Their fans mirrored their team's approach ...and I've never worked that one out ..why aren't other Yorkshire clubs fans such as Sheff Wed or Sheff United's fans as violent or as keen on mayhem as Leeds?

If you'd asked any football fan prior to this weekend whose team followers were most likely to invade the pitch and attack anyone near them the vast majority would have said "Leeds"

Yes I KNOW that most of their fans must be decent and are hurting badly at the moment but their "minority" is sizeable ....the reality is the Championship (not to mention the Premier League)is well rid of them!

Hi Jet

Congratulations on the promotion.

Agree with you about Leeds - although as you say it is a minority. Only ever had two bad experiences supporting my team - when we knocked Leeds out of the cup 3-2 in 75 at Filbert Street in the 3rd replay - a group of Leeds supporters(?) decided to hurl bricks at our bus. The other was a pitch invasion at the Den when we beat Millwall 6-1 in the cup.

One of the best experiences was when we beat the Tykes 4-2 in the play-off final. The Barnsley fans were incredible and made it the best atmosphere I've ever been in at a football ground. The game was excellent too - swinging from them to us and back again before Martijn Reuser's wonder goal.

ATB Rotf

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks paid tribute to Town fans for staying calm in the face of what he called "extreme provocation" at Leeds on Saturday. Hundreds of Leeds supporters went on to the pitch near the end of the game after a late Ipswich equaliser almost certainly relegated the Yorkshire club. Sheepshanks told BBC Radio Suffolk:

They were a credit to themselves and the club. Our thoughts are with those who were hurt as a result of what happened.

Sheepshanks was at the game, which was delayed for half an hour after the pitch was invaded, and he said those that entered the field

generally displayed aggressive intent and in some cases harm towards Ipswich Town fans and indeed our players. We utterly deplore what happened as, it must be said, do the majority of Leeds United supporters, some of whom have even contacted us to express their regret. It was a stark reminder of a past era of football violence that I thought we had managed to leave behind in this country. It will now be a matter for the Football authorities to investigate and take whatever action they see fit.

I would also like to commend our players for their recognition of both what our own fans endured and their display of empathy for the sad plight of the real Leeds United fans who remained at the end of the game.

A good end to the season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Cardiff - decent goals by Franny Jeffers and a brace from Jon Walters.

We finished the season well and if our recent form is carried on through next season then we'll be up at the top.

Definitely happy with Jim's first season.

BTW anybody notice where the budgies finished

And if we can bolster the defence a tad I will look forward to next season more than I was the one just past.

ps where did the Narwich finish?

All I'm saying is that us exiles in Nfk is smiling

Ne'r mind, lads, the merry-go-round starts again in 10(?) weeks' time, and we'll do even better next time

James

...So all in all a canny final day of the Championship season! ....Thanks to Preston for giving my beloved Sunderland the chance to actually be Champions ...it's a strange old game though init? PNE have beaten us 3 times this season and didn't even make the play-offs!

..And I don't know if anyone else has realised it but ...if WBA win the play-offs all 3 of last seasons relegated clubs will have bounced back at the first attempt (has that ever happened before?) ..not sure that would be a good thing actually ...

To sum up as Roy Keane said today ...

"I've had worst days"

Best of luck for everyone's teams next season chaps when no doubt the crack will start all over again.........

Hi Jet - well done on winning the Championship; hope you set the Premier on fire - there should be no fear, just go for it - none of this it'll be a good season if we survive - start the season with one aim: to win it. I'm sure with Roy Keane there - you'll do very well.

ATB Rotf

Job going - wanted 20 goal a season man, please send CV to Jim at ITFC. Applications from Didier Drogba (or Robbie Fowler) most welcome, Andriy Shevchenko need not apply.

SEARCH FOR A GOALSCORER

Jim Magilton has targeted signing a goalscorer as his main priority for next season as he looks to enhance his squad. Franny Jeffers is top of the Town boss' wanted list after impressing at Portman Road while on loan from Blackburn but the England international still has a year left on his contract at Ewood Park.

Even if Blackburn boss Mark Hughes does decide to allow the 26-year-old frontman to move on, Town are likely to face competition for his signature from a number of clubs.

"There is a lot to happen first before we can look at signing Franny but my number one target is to bring a goalscorer to this Club," Jim told the Club website.

"Alan Lee scored 17 goals last season which was a fantastic effort from him but we didn't have anyone else in double figures.

"We have a midfield that I believe can provide the ammunition and if we can find a goalscorer then it will greatly improve us.

Saturday, 11 August 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Sheff Wed, 15:00
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Carling Cup
Milton Keynes Dons v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 18 August 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Plymouth v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 25 August 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Crystal Palace, 15:00
Saturday, 01 September 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Watford v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 15 September 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
West Brom v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Leicester, 19:45
Saturday, 22 September 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Coventry, 15:00
Saturday, 29 September 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Hull v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 02 October 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Burnley v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 06 October 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Preston, 15:00
Saturday, 20 October 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
QPR v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Colchester, 19:45
Saturday, 27 October 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Wolverhampton, 15:00
Saturday, 03 November 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Norwich v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 06 November 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Sheff Utd v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 10 November 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Bristol City, 15:00
Saturday, 24 November 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Cardiff v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Southampton, 19:45
Saturday, 01 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Barnsley, 15:00
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Bristol City v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 08 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Charlton v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 15 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Scunthorpe, 15:00
Saturday, 22 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Burnley, 15:00
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Leicester v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 29 December 2007
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Coventry v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 01 January 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v West Brom, 15:00
Saturday, 12 January 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Stoke, 15:00
Saturday, 19 January 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Blackpool v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Plymouth, 19:45
Saturday, 02 February 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Sheff Wed v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 09 February 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Watford, 15:00
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Crystal Palace v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 16 February 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Blackpool, 15:00
Saturday, 23 February 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Stoke v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 01 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Southampton v Ipswich, 15:00
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Sheff Utd, 19:45
Saturday, 08 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Cardiff, 15:00
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Barnsley v Ipswich, 19:45
Saturday, 15 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Charlton, 15:00
Saturday, 22 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Scunthorpe v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 29 March 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v QPR, 15:00
Saturday, 05 April 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Colchester v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 12 April 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Norwich, 15:00
Saturday, 19 April 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Wolverhampton v Ipswich, 15:00
Saturday, 26 April 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Preston v Ipswich, 15:00
Sunday, 04 May 2008
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Ipswich v Hull, 15:00

Fixture list coming soon - our first match is Sat 11th August - home to the Owls.

Full fixture list got stopped by moderators because of that team that won league 1 last year.

BTW seems like we're selling Alan Lee to raise money for Franny Jeffers

Ah ha - the fixture list has now appeared.

Whoo-hoo - now who shall we buy? Jeffers AND Christie?
http://ipswichtown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=911&p=2&stid=8449967

Let's hope Jim gets the money to spend - Jeffers will cost £700,000. I heard he wanted to get Richard Wright back and sell Lewis Price, not convinced that I'd like that. A top notch defender would be useful.

whu are trying to offload hayden mullins by all accounts ! any good to you ?
scotty

Prefer Mark Noble ..... don't know much about Mullins - would he be useful in the Championship - is he better than Gavin Williams?

David Sheepshanks said we would not be rushing into the transfer market without careful thought.

We've repeatedly said we'd like Francis Jeffers and nothing has changed. We will not be held to ransom. We've made a good offer to Blackburn that provides them with a major stake in his future career on top of a realistic guaranteed fee. I hope we can agree terms for Franny, but if it doesn't happen Jim has other players he would like to bring to the Club. Because the money is over a period of time it's not burning a hole in our pocket and it's important we're deliberate and strategic in using it to our best advantage.

And I thought with Spurs getting Bent, which surely makes Dimitar Berbatov surplus to requirements that we could ......

...Not that I'm one to normally recommend a player from my own team but ....howzabout David Connelly ROTF?

....I have a feeling he will be surplus to Keano's requirements in the Prem and he has always scored goals in the Championship .....you could a lot worse I reckon

..Meanwhile since Nugent faffed around too much for Keano's liking has anyone got any ideas where Sunderland can get a 20+ goals a season striker for the prem ??? (easy question or what!!!)

Interesting suggestion Jet ..... never though about Connelly, wonder if Jim has...

Billy Sharp would be my suggestion provided you don't want somebody to lead the singing

ATB Rotf

Franny Jeffers got greedy so thanks, but no thanks. We'll look for somebody else - perhaps David Connelly, all we want is somebody to pop in 30 goals for the season and come cheap: not much to ask.

I noted that, in his official statement about the Jeffers thing not happening, David Sheepshanks did say there had been some signing.
James

i told you - you need the donkey ! (harewood)

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
I noted that, in his official statement about the Jeffers thing not happening, David Sheepshanks did say there had been some signing.
James

You're right. James - Thanks.



Pablo is back.

Pablo Counago is set to return after David Sheepshanks confirmed the Club had agreed personal terms with the striker. The 27-year-old Spaniard will arrive at the Club on Thursday for a medical with a view to completing his move from Malaga as a free agent within 24 hours. Counago joined Town in 2001 and spent four years at Portman Road, hitting 31 goals in 99 League appearances and finishing as the Blues' leading scorer in the 2002/03 season with 21.

Lacks a bit of pace, but quite skilful and knows where the goal is .............. he'll do nicely.

Pablo is back

Tractor Boys 2 Panatinaikos 0

Two first-half goals from Pablo Counago gave Town a commanding lead that Jim Magilton's side rarely looked like losing. The Spanish frontman took just seven minutes to open the scoring, sliding the ball past Arkadiusz Malarz from close range following a corner. His second was even more comfortable as he put the ball past the Greek keeper.

Alexander, Wright, Bruce, De Vos (Wilnis 76), Harding, Walters (Haynes 46), Miller (O'Callaghan 76), Garvan (Legwinski 64), Williams (Peters 76), Lee, Counago (Clarke 64).

Let's hope this is the shape of things to come.