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Comment | Rainbow Tractors Relaunch
at 10:30:51
Two points, Europablue.
First, sexuality is not about the bedroom. It's about your whole life. Relationships you see about you, in the media. Your ability to go to a pub, café, football ground with a partner freely. To get married, to be - for which in many countries you can be imprisoned or killed - it's not about sex. That's a really fundamental issue about homophobia and oppression.
Second, if someone, or a group, is homophobic, that prejudice needs challenging, not accepting. |
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Comment | Rainbow Tractors Relaunch
at 07:44:53
Europablue, every single player who has a girlfriend, a wife, is being open about their sexuality. So is every straight supporter who walks to the ground holding their partner's hand. Do you think they're activists? Why should a young gay man not have a boyfriend, husband, just because he's a footballer? Imagine reaching 33,35 and never having been able to tell your mates about your partner, not go to a party or barbecue, a pub, with them. That's not activism, that's living a normal life.
Queer fans are normal fans, just we're not always able to feel comfortable being normal because of other people's attitudes, that's not right.
I don't think most fans are homophobic, but some are, and some aren't but don't consider how comments and actions can impact on someone who is LGBTQ+ because it's not something they live and experience, their sexuality is integral to their life and accepted without comment. Until all fans, including LGBTQ+ fans, have that same experience, fan groups like Rainbow Tractors are essential. |
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Comment | Rainbow Tractors Relaunch
at 16:43:32
I'm heartened by so many positive comments, but the querying of the need for Rainbow Tractors (and most clubs have an LGBTQ+ supporters group now) demonstrates the need in itself, because so many don't see the barriers.
Simply, football echoes society, where prejudice still exists, and the culture of football can be a barrier in itself. Last year a Norfolk FA survey found over half of players had heard homophobic abuse while playing. There are no out professional players. I've heard homophobic slurs used at Portman Road in the games before we were locked out.
If you're not LGBTQ+ you wouldn't think twice about going to a game with your partner, holding hands, as a queer person, that simple unprovocative thing IS something your have to worry about. Things like that deter people from following their team, diminish us all.
While we still find ourselves in a situation where fans and players don't feel they can comfortably be their authentic selves, we need to work to improve the situation and ourselves. Credit to the club for working to make Portman Rd a place for everyone. |
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Comment | Pragmatism Comes Before a Fall
at 18:16:51
BlueandTruesince82 - I agree, although I was sceptical about the Jewell appointment. I think that's the thing with most appointments, however much due diligence is done, they're something of a lucky dip. I think Keane wasn't far away, possibly an ego too far, he was sorting the defence, but wouldn't accept enough assistance/challenge behind the scenes and alienated so many senior players.
On paper Moyes was a decent bet for ManU, there was no reason for Monk to fail at Middlesbrough... There are undoubtedly random, baffling, appointments - some that are just asking too much - such as Palace's misguided experiment - or not learning from other's experience (anyone who ever employs Pardew or Redknapp), but generally there's an element of luck to a rational thought process.
If we appoint McLaren, which I wouldn't be happy with but would match Evans' pattern to date, he might make things click and buck his story since his time in Holland. Equally, Cowley might carry on his success story, as might Steijn, or Kuqi could be the romantic hero, but dividing lines between success and failure are so narrow it's only with hindsight that an appointment can properly be judged - too late too often.
Just think, if Keane's side hadn't conceded so many late goals... Or JET's multitude of woodwork bound shots had been six inches lower... Or McCarthy's hadn't lost McGoldrick after Southampton... Or this season Dozzell and Huws had been fit all season and Iorfa had been the player reputation made him.
Lots of people weren't happy with Burley's appointment - Colchester and Ayr, not exactly setting the world alight - and being an optimist, I'll believe he'll be the one to restore good times (even if it is the awful Pardew) until such time as the evidence before me is dire and a Saturday afternoon only offers gloom. The future's bright, the future's Blue.
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Comment | Ipswich Town 0-2 Nottingham Forest - Match Report
at 21:25:04
Dire. Forest weren't any good, but we were worse, and showed no urgency to get back into the game as they happily sat back for the whole second half.
We can't take corners, Knudsen's throw ins are pointless... Why did McGoldrick spend so much time wide? Without a striker in the middle you're going to struggle, although having said that, we don't create chances, which for me is the most worrying thing. We get into the corners and then cut back. When someone (McGoldrick) is crying out for a quick through ball, we delay and allow them to regroup... and Knudsen seems utterly unable to run with the ball even if he's got space. The number of times he checked, passed inside and put us back under pressure beggars belief.
I know Chambers is the current bogeyman, but while his passing is poor, surely the lack of communication between Knudsen and Berra is worse; how often do we concede after losing the ball at left back, or Berra being pulled out of position because Knudsen isn't where he should be? I think that's why Berra had such a tricky season last year.
Williams, Lawrence, Emmanuel and Bart excepted, and to a certain extent, Skuse, there was no imagination, no movement, no urgency and seemingly no pattern or plan. I also don't think we've got a bad squad, but I can't see anything changing because it's not bad luck it seems systemic. |
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Comment | Town 0-0 Aston Villa - Match Report
at 17:26:21
Not a fan of Pitman, but I felt sorry for him today being so isolated. Chambers had a shocker... Introducing Best and Varney was a revelation though, an actual strike partnership (though why leave it so late?). Best looks hungry, pacy and strong - a proper striker - he needs to start next match in 442 alongside Varney who I think brings way more to the side than Pitman. |
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Comment | Town Topic: What Changes Would You Make?
at 17:06:01
BialkowskiMalarczykParrChambersSmithSkuseBruToureTabbMcGoldrickMurphy Substitutes: Gerken Knudsen Berra Douglas Maitland-Niles Oar Sears
(Gav: you needed to use [ team:742] without the space) |
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Comment | Town Topic: What Changes Would You Make?
at 17:05:28
I'd start by picking (or not) players who have shown form. That means McGoldrick, Toure and Bialkowski have to go in. It also means that Berra and Douglas are out.
After a good start, I've been concerned with Knudsen recently, so would play Parr in his first choice position, and bring Tabb in because he's hard-working, solid and is good at harrying opponents. Yes, I'd love Fraser to be there, but...
On the other side, Toure has been good, and Maitland-Niles either excellent or all over the place - so a sub for impact later on.
I don't have the same issues with Douglas some do, but he's been anonymous alongside Skuse, and while I'd naturally go with Bishop, I'm unsure of his fitness, so Bru comes in. If Bishop is fit, he's on the bench in place of Douglas. Murphy keeps his place up front because of his hold-up play and ability to draw players out, although I thought long and hard about Sears alongside McGoldrick.
changes:742 |
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Comment | Town 2-2 Bristol City - Match Report
at 17:33:15
Niles disappointing today, rather a headless chicken, I prefer him to have a definite role, then he's dangerous. Murphy seemed out of sorts, but I was pleased that Gerken looked less shaky than of late.
However, for me, I'm fed up with Berra being given a free ride. His distribution has always been iffy, but he was a solid defender who stopped things and had excellent positioning. This season he's awful, culpable in goal after goal. Of course, that's probably Smith's fault (along with global warming, the refugee crisis and the death of Nero), or it could be that he's struggling for form and needs dropping. |
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Comment | Town 0-1 Norwich City
at 15:41:16
Not much in it really between two very average Championship sides in my opinion, besides the defensive cock up, until the utterly bizarre substitutions surrendered the midfield and (as against Fulham) invited them to run at us.
Hyam was everywhere, and is finally starting to become more aggressive going forward, central defence solid and Murphy/NcGoldrick created several half chances.
I thought Mings was abject in the first half, missing header after header, being shrugged off the ball and caught out of position, although he did improve and saved us late on when Redmond broke. In Mings' defence, he had no protection from the woeful Tabb, who vanishes into the centre leaving his full back exposed time and time again. How he gets a game is beyond me, one of the worst players since the days of Graham Harbey.
The substitutions were awful, with the exception of Henshall, who did provide drive on the left, but losing Hyam and Anderson unbalanced the side and allowed them the run of midfield. Also, without anyone on the right really, when a header was knocked on from the box, their fullback had no one to challenge him.
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Comment | Shearer Also in Barbados
at 00:53:57
I'm wary of this one. Partly because of his inexperience as a manager, and failing to inspire an already doomed and dysfunctional Newcastle side doesn't count as either experience or failure in my eyes. Partly because of his role on MotD, which is scarcely scintillating or incisive - given the choice I'd rather have Hansen, although he has no interest in management I know.
Yes, he's a name. Yes, he'd command the players respect. However, tactical ability during a game? Coaching ability? Knowledge of the lower leagues (or Championship for that matter)?
I still feel we need someone who's not an experiment, not cutting their teeth and, probably, not a big name. |
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Comment | Town Topic: Who Next for Town?
at 19:26:11
McCarthy would provide the motivation, organisation and nous that the (talented) players so obviously lack.
Redknapp would provide that motivation, but he concerns me with his chequebook approach. We need some stability, players who actually last beyond three seasons (three months would be a nice start), and the last time he dealt with a club with limited resources was what, Bournemouth?
I like the idea of Poyet/Tarricco, or Mowbray, but can't see the former ditching Brighton's brave new world, or Mowbray forsaking his spiritual home.
Worried about Curbishley for his lack of recent experience, not to mention a fairly downbeat demeanour. Burley is tempting, in a nostalgic sort of way, but could he do it again? I'm unsure on returns. Megson / Kean / Keane / Robins / Hoddle ideas just laughable.
I'd like at least some connection to the Town's traditions in there, which leans me toward Mills and Butcher, but again both have minuses against their names too. Holland has limited experience, and I think our current situation isn't one for experiments and learning curves...
Which leads me to say... no idea really, and I'm pleased I don't have to make the decision. My heart leans toward Mills, my head toward McCarthy, but I'm intrigued by the wild-card of Frank Yallop. Long-serving, good player, a defender, successful manager; pair him up with someone with good knowledge of the English lower leagues, appoint a successor to Charlie Woods as chief scout, ferret about for a defensive coach in the mould of Don Howe and sorted.
So: Yallop, Mills, McCarthy... or someone else I hadn't thought of, who might be an unexpected stroke of genius or another short lived experiment in averageness - like most managerial appointments. |
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Comment | Your Team for Derby?
at 16:48:16
LoachAinsleyCresswellChambersHigginbothamEdwardsReo-CokerN'DahMartinScotlandCampbell Substitutes: Henderson Drury Luongo Smith Carson Murphy Chopra Standard 4-4-2, because I still think width is important, and unless you happen to have a few world-class midfielders wandering about, one up front is just that, and not a fluid 4-5-1/4-3-3 evolutionary cocktail. Play in triangles, move, track back... balls into the box, diagonals... set pieces have Reo-Coker breaking late into the box (ah, for Miller or Wark of old). |
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Comment | Keane Leaves Town
at 01:34:09
To my mind, this had to go one of two ways. Either the management approve of Keane's approach (especially the defensive improvement) and back him in the transfer market and with a contract extension - some buys (not loans) and an extra year would have done that - or they say no, enough's enough. You can't have 6 months left on a contract and "play it by ear", that's just dead man walking territory.
I like Keane as a man, I appreciate his honesty, I think the squad is better than when he took over, even Rory Fallon's winning me over. Magilton had too much dead weight, too many lazy overrated players like Counago and Lisbie (the worst signing since Pennyfather), and whilst I quibble with David Wright's departure, I think squad wise we're strong. Where Keane's been weak is tactics, he's missed an experienced assistant (how different might things have been if Peter Taylor had joined us?). I think his in match tactical decisions are baffling at best, Priskin and Townsend off was the final straw for me, never mind the Norwich result.
A little humility, and Keane could have been a great manager for Town, as it is he's left a springboard for the next incumbent, who I hope people have more time for. Some I feel will celebrate this and be pleased we've slipped to where we are just because they hated Keane long before which is unfair.
Jewell would be a mistake, a big one, Curbishley's been out of the game a long time and would be a caretaker I feel. I'm hoping for Hughton or Poyet/Tarrico, although Butcher could do a damned good job. |
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Comment | Keane: No 12th Man at Portman Road
at 12:54:06
Hmm. There is a certain comedy value in the way (some) supporters switch from joy to despair in seconds, where Bruce was the life of the club, or Priskin not good enough for the Blue Square etc.
However, booing has always been there, at half time, full time, after the game sometimes, when the performance deserves it. Think back to McGiven's day, or John Duncan. We pay our money, we support our team, and have a right to express our feelings. I'd love to have an in depth discussion with Keane for an hour or two about tactics, that's not going to happen. How can 18,000 people make their feelings known? Cheer. Boo. Sit in unimpressed silence. Yell, "you don't know what you're doing".
On the cheering Barnsley passes, surely that was ironic? When was it last that we managed to pass the ball to feet, player to player, fifteen or twenty times at Portman Road? When did we find space on the flanks consistently? If we'd have been able to pass, find space, pass... we'd have cheered, been that 12th man. But how can we cheer and encourage misplaced passes, lack of movement, no width and lack of momentum? What this feels like is the reign of John Duncan reprised.
There's another issue about atmosphere, which doesn't just affect Portman Road, which comes from the lack of standing. Even under Duncan, in front of an 8000 crowd in the Simod Cup there'd be more atmosphere - even from Churchmans. But there's no will to challenge the stupid all seater rules. |
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Comment | Keane: No 12th Man at Portman Road
at 19:14:45
Having been a fairly vocal supporter of Keane, that moment changed things for me. I now think it's only a matter of time before he goes, and rightly. Gullit, Taylor, McLaren... Burley's moment was Grimsby away. This was Keane's I think. |
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Comment | Norris Defends Keane\'s Management
at 00:55:09
Kentblue, if that's the case, why aren't Garvan, Rhodes, Trotter, Wright etc all pontificating at length? As far as I'm aware, it's Walters and Walters only. For me, the fact that Leadbitter, Colback and so on are more than happy to rejoin Keene speaks louder than one man's irrelevant bitterness (or naivety in the face of the press' obsession with Keene the marauder).
We're not there yet, but I'll argue that progress is being made. Magilton and Royle never sorted the defence, and if we have a slightly one dimensional midfield, we're a step forward. Would we stay up? Not a chance, but we're nearer a solid side than we were, and if you want a benchmark, go back to the days of Glenn Pennyfather, Graham Harbey and 10,000 crowds. Those were dark days. |
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