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Reply | Slightly surprised by the level of negativity on here
at 11:56 15 Jan 2023
This is exactly how I’d feel. Utterly deflated and frustrated- if I had to bet my life on anything it would be us finishing 3rd/4th. It’s not over by any stretch, but cannot see how we get rid of this soft underbelly when a little bit of momentum shifts. We need luck, and we need to go on a big run of wins, and we now need to beat Wednesday imo. We have some stinking away games against some very strong, awkward top six teams and I would t back us at the moment to win them. Yesterday’s game was won and we contrived to shoot ourselves in the foot with the same profligacy that has hampered many big games before. McKenna is a brilliant coach- one of the best things about the club in many years; but his fault is his passivity in these moments of flux in a game. Subs were negative and conservative, perhaps a little boldness and aggression might have helped us keep the press rather than retreat. The problem is that this has happened at Charlton, Wednesday, fleetwood and today. Easy to be wise after the event, but it felt like another big moment yesterday that we failed to grasp.
Who knows what will happen- loads of football still to play, but I don’t see an assuredness under pressure or ability to grind out results. I see a team that is very sophisticated and well coached, lacking character when it really matters at the moment. Let’s see, but by god this club drive me to despair sometimes, despite the positivity around the club. |
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Reply | Plymouth really seem to hate us don’t they?
at 14:13 5 Jan 2023
Well the 3rd Round has certainly been unchartered territory for a few years. Normally we like to be out of all cups nice and early before the Christmas decs start going up, so this year really is an anomaly!
Who knows where MW will end up- we are normally good for a never-ending transfer saga, so perhaps we will play our part in another one. Either way, I'm sure he will end up being paid handsomely for his services somewhere. As you say, these things come and they go..... |
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Reply | Plymouth really seem to hate us don’t they?
at 13:30 5 Jan 2023
Great read.
We all live in our own little echo-chambers when it comes to our club, so it's always interesting to see what varying states of anxiety/ excitement other fanbases find themselves in.
There are plenty of Town fans that will empathise with Plymouth with having been at the thin end of the wedge when it comes to transfer windows- we are in unchartered territory at the moment given we are being linked with good footballers- we have become accustomed to watching anyone decent be sold or recalled, and any incoming transfer either be injured, crap or both.
It has been a great season so far. Hopefully we can both keep it going- for the first time in years it has been enjoyable to watch, consistently. Your form has been fantastic-I hope we can both do it and get out of this league. |
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Reply | How do you see things at town.
at 09:54 4 Aug 2022
I think that we are very controlled and methodical as a team, and as a result will be a tough nut to crack for a lot of teams, but the tradeoff is the lack of clinical attacking (I guess a little like England under Southgate). I don't think we truely open teams up and create really big chances- therefore I am sceptical that a striker is the solution to everything (albeit, we do need one!), and do wonder if we need a little more craft in CM.
I am intrigued by the signing of Harness- I think he could be a very important player for us if we can get him to work within the system (at Pompey, he did his best work playing off Hirst in the nr 10 role). We are a bigger and more physical team this year, which bodes well.
Ultimately, we have to become more clinical and ruthless, have some luck with injuries and go on some long winning runs. If we can do that, the belief in the process from the player will be very powerful. A hell of a lot of variables for a successful season, it has to be said. Saturday is a really important game- they will be right up for it, energised by the occasion and a good team who know their roles to boot. We need to manage the game really well, and take the chances that come along (which we were so poor at last year when playing newly promoted teams). What is clear in, is that we are in a very fortunate position of being well run, well supported and well coached- it is all there, and the foundations of something really hopeful. Lets hope that equates to success in the long term. |
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Reply | Hirst
at 09:45 14 Jul 2022
In truth, nobody really knows other than those closest to the player. Whether he goes to Ipswich or Pompey there are no guarantees that he will be a success, but he's clearly made an impression at Portsmouth and is a talent. I think you will find the for the most part, Town fans are realists and in no way entitled. The last three seasons of 9th and 11th places will certainly rid any sense of that! After years of abject, rudderless dross (no playoffs, big wins, FA Cup runs etc etc) under an owner who had checked out, many of us are feeling positive (for once), and it is quite intoxicating to have some hope again. As last year proved- this league is a beggar to get out of, and there are several 'bigger' clubs who all want the same thing. Good luck for the season. |
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Reply | Dons missing out on the play off final.
at 13:46 10 May 2022
Yes, certainly better at set pieces. I laugh at the excitement of the crowd every time we get a corner as they are normally dross or nobody gets close, so too our inability to defend them / 2nd phases properly. Add that to a team that is well set up, well drilled and has some 'never beaten' spirit and we will have a right go this year. Rotherham beat us up in the second half in April, having stayed in the game during the 1st half and made the game a mess, and took midfield out of the equation. Wigan dug in when they looked done for at 2-1 down and found a point. Sunderland have scored loads of goals after the 90th minute this year- its crucial.
The 2000 analogy is interesting. I think a lot of our success came from a team that knew its jobs so well, a premier league that underestimated us, and a striker that was utterly clinical and a fantastic team spirit and belief. Magical times, if only for a short while! |
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Reply | Dons missing out on the play off final.
at 11:57 10 May 2022
Getting promoted relies on so many variables, from injuries and suspensions through to good recruitment and sometimes dumb luck. This years points tally has been crazy, and there are some really effective teams in this league. I think the main point for me is that we need some more leadership experience in the group, coupled with options for alternative means of scoring (set pieces, effective substitutes to change a game) and then the intangibles- the belief and character that Wycombe and Sunderland have shown despite setbacks this year. The last two don't come overnight, and with some momentum and belief from McKenna's reign to date next season we should see more of it. We have to stop the softness (Oxford away, Sunderland away, Plymouth away) and we have to find a solution to dealing with the 'low block sit-in' type team. Other than that, I think back to the 2000 promotion and consider that we need a few 'sliding doors' moments to go our way across the season. Who knows, maybe the most significant one is that we have unearthed an excellent management team. Only time will tell, of course. COYB |
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Reply | That’s what you get isn’t it?
at 22:30 20 Nov 2021
Yes, the top six is the only realistic aim it seems. A really tough few fixtures coming up, but that 2 PPG is the aim. For me, a Win on Tuesday will settle that worry that Wycombe and Portsmouth were outlier results, hard to see after losing to a pretty brittle and fragile team today, and considering how effective Rotherham are at this level.
Still lots of games and points to play for, but evidence of improvement in situations like today and Plymouth to get a point or three when on too, is critical to our seasons success. |
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Reply | That’s what you get isn’t it?
at 22:07 20 Nov 2021
Yes, you are probably right. More evidence needed to show that this team can grasp a moment or turn the tide. We are neat and tidy and easy on the eye, but those traits do not get you out of this league. I suppose my biggest gripe with Cook is the ‘if plan A fails do plan A better’. It is passive and predictable, and very easy to play against. There are lots who feel we will get it right based on his previous record, or the promise of a few good results- the black and white of it is that our start is so poor that it requires a ruthlessness for the rest of the season I am yet to see. Still, plenty of time left and return fixtures against all of these clubs. We are into the 2nd third of the season, and must start to pick up 2 points per game on average from here- I’m not sure we can, but it starts with a dog of a fixture on Tuesday. |
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Reply | That’s what you get isn’t it?
at 21:49 20 Nov 2021
Being brittle under a moments pressure is a very Ipswich Town trait, and this team love a self- destruct button. Some will attribute that to ‘newness’ others to some fairly basic coaching- im not sure you can read much into today other than a lack of conviction in the attacking play. I struggle with the obsession with Celina- lots of promise but lacks conviction when it matters. Would much rather him wide left instead of Edwards if he has to play with Chaplin in the number 10. We flatter to deceive sometimes and our inconsistency will probably see us struggle to make the top six IMO, which is a criminal waste of a decent, hand-picked squad and represents failure. I fear for us over the next few games- we are starting to look a little devoid of ideas going forward, much more tentative and predictable than we have been. Not sure I fancy much on Tuesday night- 7 points adrift is not insurmountable, but I do worry about the teams ability to grind out points, as you say. |
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Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 14 | | Comment Votes: | 8 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 22 |
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