Chief executive Simon Clegg has admitted that the Blues’ 15th-place finish was far from where he wanted or expected Town to finish the 2011/12 campaign. Clegg admits that yet another mid-table finish constituted another season of underachievement for the Blues.

The Town chief was amongst a number of Championship figures asked to look back on the season for the programme for the Championship play-off final which saw West Ham beat Blackpool to gain a place in the Premier League. He wouldn’t be drawn on which other sides he felt had failed to live up to expectations but conceded that Town were amongst them: “It would be inappropriate to list other clubs who have underachieved but I’m certainly prepared to admit we have.

“Mid-table is not where we wanted — or expected — to end the season.

"As for next year, our aspirations remain the same. We feel we can be contenders, along with most of the other clubs in the Championship.”

Reflecting on the season’s best Championship performers, Clegg cited Southampton frontman Rickie Lambert and Reading manager Brian McDermott as his player and manager of the campaign: “I will go for Rickie Lambert at Southampton, who was voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals. He scored twice against us at the start of the season and kept on scoring.

“It’s a results-driven business,” he added, “and Reading finished top of the table after an extraordinary run of form, so I’ll go for Brian McDermott. He lifted the club after losing in last season’s play-off final and deserves all the accolades he gets.”

The Saints’ early season victory at Portman Road was for Clegg the most notable opposition display: “Southampton winning 5-2 at Portman Road in August.

“I can remember speaking to Paul Jewell after the game and he said that Southampton would be in the promotion picture come the end of the season. They were ruthless on the night.”

His most memorable individual performance wasn’t just down to footballing reasons: “Billy Sharp for Doncaster when they won 3-2 at Portman Road.

“He scored one of their goals but it wasn’t just his display, it was more about the occasion as it was only a week after he suffered the tragedy of losing his baby son.

“He was given a terrific ovation by our fans and it made me very proud to be involved with Ipswich Town that day.”

As for the season’s most impressive Championship youngster, Clegg was tempted to pick a Town player: “If I can’t say our own Aaron Cresswell, then I’ll go for Jay Rodriguez at Burnley.

“We were interested in signing him last summer and he showed what we missed out on when we played them in November.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

TurinBlue added 10:39 - Jun 9 And what is Mr Clegg's assessment of why we underachieved? This is important, if we don't know why, then how can we hope to change? This isn't an invitation to contributors to post their opinion as that has been done since last season began - I want to know what the club management's assessment is.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 10:51 - Jun 9 I, as I'm sure most of us who contribute on TWTD, are frustrated with yet another mid table finish. I still do not think that it is fair to blame PJ. The blame should lay largely with his predecessor. However, what's done is done. I do not even blame PJ for trying a quick fix with older players last season. I still think that the worst decision for many years will be the sale of Jordan Rhodes. I still cannot think of a word that adequately describes that episode!! Lets hope that Cheick Kourouma fills the bill. He's gotta be better than Lead Boots!! Surely??

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monytowbray added 11:00 - Jun 9 I tend to zone out when Clegg talks as usually it's general hot air shaped slightly to appear he knows anything about the game.
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bluearmy4life added 11:01 - Jun 9 Last season was very dissapointing. With the team on paper we had at the start of last season I thought we could finish in the top 8 or 9. Even top pundits were backing us to be the championships dark horse. For many reasons it didn't happen. Everyone at the club (except the fans) are to blame for last seasons poor performance. By the sound of Cleggs view another mid-table finish would be the end of PJ reign at town. If we can get the right players in I would be happy finishing in the top 8 or 9.

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itfcjc added 11:05 - Jun 9 Any idiot can see that 15th is underachieving Clegg has no clue Anywhere outside the top 6 is a failure
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Marcus added 11:30 - Jun 9 “It would be inappropriate to list other clubs who have underachieved but I'm certainly prepared to admit we have." That's not just sitting on the fence but trying to distract the conversation to what colour the fence is.
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daniel9624 added 11:41 - Jun 9 At least he is coming out and saying it. People would complain if he came out and said "we are happy with this". At times ITFC management can't win
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TimmyH added 11:44 - Jun 9 We've benn 'under achieving' ever since Roy Keane turned up, another season around that position would really be testing us. Big season for PJ coming up.
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Bluesquid added 11:50 - Jun 9 "As for next year, our aspirations remain the same. We feel we can be contenders..." Well Clegg, u need to have a word with Jewell as he seems to think we can have a successful season outside the top 6.
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tractorboy11uk added 12:11 - Jun 9 I'm surprised he had time to comment what with all his Olympic commitments
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petermorris added 12:24 - Jun 9 Pasted from Cleggs Wiki page : "One of his (Cleggs) first tasks was to replace Jim Magilton with former Sunderland FC manager, Roy Keane. Which was recognised as an outstanding appointment during which Ipswich Town underlined their status as one of the big hitters of the Championship. Clegg has also been instrumental in securing the signatures of players like Nathan Ellington and attracting the cream of Championship such as Joel Ward to the club".

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petermorris added 12:29 - Jun 9 Clegg - stop buggering about at the Olympics and start running our club properly. Even your Wiki entry is second rate. The Cobbolds and SBR must be turning in their graves.
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Mark added 12:35 - Jun 9 We have underachieved ever since Evans and Clegg joined the club sadly. Perhaps the pressure of the money on Magilton was too much, then the disasterous appointment of Keane which we will suffer from for many years (probably until Jordan Rhodes retires, although maybe he will play on to 38 like Kevin Phillips to keep on haunting us!). Jewell hasn't yet been able to restore us to where we want to be, but I think any manager would have struggled to take a team from 19th to the play-offs when losing McAuley, Norris and Wickham and not having a relatively right transfer budget.

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ArnieM added 13:36 - Jun 9 The mistake was appointing Roy Keane. This guy did more damage to this Club in 18 months that the administration period. Jewell has had a mess to deal with. Yes he got it wrong in signing older players, many of whom looked strong on paper. Unfortunately they were just a season or two past their sell by date. But Jewell acknowledges he got it wrong and is now turning to younger players. He is building a team upon the small nucleus of talent it currently contains. I for one think we are in for a very good season - the side will have energy, flair, and pace . Something we Town fans havent had to cheer on for bloody years. The appointment of Klug and giving him a 5 yr contract is a helluva statement for my money. He will be instrumental in rebuilding our Academy - despite what that tw@ Steroo posts in the scum owned paper! COYB's - get behind the team guys!

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Tractastic added 13:37 - Jun 9 As you say Clegg “It's a results-driven business,” so can you explain exactly why you are still here at ITFC? Since your arrival we have had season after season of underachievement. Can you please use the words responsibility and accountability in your next interview please?
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walberswick added 13:40 - Jun 9 Major Clegg is an obvious weak link in the ITFC setup. No business background, no football background, no Ipswich background, no improvement since he arrived and too busy with Olympic side projects. Why sink £40million into a project and get this no hoper in?
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ArnieM added 14:00 - Jun 9 So Town have only underachieved since Clegg joined us eh? Conveniently forgetting the 7-8 years post administration there I think !
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jas0999 added 14:04 - Jun 9 Absolutely. Completely agree with Clegg. It was in fact a terrible season - only saved by some decent showings later on. Some of the thrashings we have had under PJ is simply unbelievable and there is little doubt that PJ would have been sacked at any other club. Still, last season has gone and we move on in hope that PJ has learnt from some very bad errors.
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Duncan added 14:45 - Jun 9 ArnieM could't agree more that the mess from the Keane era will take at least another year to recover from. I just pray we don't get many loan players in over the summer as I'm really looking forward to chearing on our players next season not players from other clubs who can be recalled at any moment or go back to their club after xmas.
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itfchorry added 14:55 - Jun 9 Poor old Guam
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Garv added 14:57 - Jun 9 Jas we are not 'ANY OTHER CLUB'. I can't stand people constantly using this as an excuse to sack a manager one full season into his job. Jewell deserves to be sacked because lots of clubs would have sacked him by now?
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Dog added 15:15 - Jun 9 More nonsense. 75% of the idiots on this website want immediate signings and Immediate success. It takes time to build a team especially when the heart and soul of the side was ripped out by a muppet called Keane. Yes, Jewell as made mistakes but he needs time and i honestly think he will make some shrewd purchases this season. The last person who wanted immedaite success at this club was Keane - and look what happened. I, for one, would rather spend the money on players, not paying up another Manager's contract. Be patient.!!

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wewerefamous added 15:44 - Jun 9 Someone remind me how much Clegg is paid to state the bleedin obvious!!
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buryblue77 added 16:51 - Jun 9 ArnieM, completely agree with you. The mess left by Keane and the damage he did is going to take time to clear up. I can see what Walberswick is saying (most of the time most of us wont agree with him) I have no confidence in Clegg, just because of the reasons Walberswick states. He's not a football business man and with Evans lack of experience in the game I feel he needs an experienced football chief exec working for him.

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bluey123 added 19:20 - Jun 9 why does everyone blame Keane that was nearly 2 years ago your wonderful Jewell has signed loads of players on loan and permanent and yet at the end of last season we ended with 7 Keane players. Why do people on here keep blaming everyone except this idiot why dontr you blame Magilton,Burley and anyone else who has managed here. Your wonderful Jewell signings have been a disaster with the exception of Cresswell

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