I have just watched Ipswich almost lock up the final automatic promotion spot by beating Coventry in a must win situation due to Leeds Better GD. A point at Portman Rd against Huddersfield will seal the deal for their return to the top flight after so many years away. The "us" part of this thread is obviously about Mark Ashton who took major stick on many media outlets, including Not606, during his time at Bristol City, particularly towards the end prior to his appointment at Ipswich Town. When you look at the success of the Tractor Boys since his arrival by getting promoted twice and now seemingly on their way to dine at the top table, what is there not to applaud?. Bristol City's long checkered past when it comes down to the fates of way too many senior executives makes me seriously question the antics of the longer term hierarchy who either forced the people out or at least made their tenures always up for scrutiny by both parties. The big one that is deemed to be the start of the regular fiascos was the Steve Coppell affair which stunk the joint out for me and the more recent incidents just seem to add fuel to the fire as to what is actually going on? There has to be some voodoo magic going on for us to continue in the same old blurry world between what we want to be and what the owners will allow because it can't just all be smoke and mirrors. All of the end of season uplift we have got from our results and performances will be wasted unless the powers that be wake up to what we would like to see, rather than their own distorted view of the facts.
I think Mark Ashton was (is) a very shrewd businessman and dealer in the world of football. He operated within the liberal boundaries of the time when he was with us. Before COVID, before Brexit really bit and before the Ukraine war and the cost of living crisis. He bought players and sold them, knowing that their stock would rise. He has adapted very well after leaving us. He has done well. IMHO he has been a very lucky man being given a second chance at this level - but he rose to it. Begrudging congratulations to him.
I was questioning whether or not we lose top people because of who they have to work for, without a lot of support? Several people have left top positions at Bristol City to take on other opportunities, either because they are fed up with the hierarchy or loved cricket more. It just seems like our version of the brain drain.
Chalk and cheese Ipswich seem to have had a plan coming into this season with everyone at the club pulling in the same direction with one objective - promotion No empty words or false promises They got their heads down and got on with the job Admirable achievement
Hang on, you, 1For and Supcon said Ashton was the problem......not the ex Fleetwood Madrid Supremo. The only difference between us and Ipswich was the choice who Uncle Steve chose to work with Mark Ashton. Ipswich chose McKenna.......alas...... Uncle Steve chose Junior Johnson. How much more proof do you Silly Billys need ?
Ashton spent the Bristol City money, not LJ. Ashton was responsible for the overspending and brokering the big money wages, which we were left with when the bottom fell out of the transfer market. Johnson was responsible for things on the pitch. Some blame LJ for the overspending because it suits their anti-Johnson agenda.
Ipswich are my second club going back to that great side under Bobby Robson -they deserve it and have been a real credit-us we bumble along been waiting over 30 years and we still cannot get back to the promised land. We need to move on and finally have a real go next year can we do it. Down to the Lansdowns and Manning to produce.
Great performance by Ipswich, liked them under Bobby Robson, I wish them well, Ashton, allied with LJ I will make no comment.
What a team they had under Bobby Robson. Mick Mills, Frans Thysen, Arnold Muhren, Paul Mariner, Eric Gates, John Wark etc
I was at school then and everybody was Liverpool or Man Utd -little old me loved that Ipswich side plenty of England players in their Mills-Mariner-Butcher-Osman- and the scots Wark and Burley then the Dutch maestros who were absolutely class. A team as good as any at the time. Managed by one of England's best managers Bobby Robson
Yep, it’s not lost on me that the LJ haters are also the NP lovers, and are the naysayers on LM. It seems we have a large amount of fans on here who don’t like the young up and comer manager, but prefer the old fashioned manager, coincidence?
Never had a problem with LJ but come the last 12 months it was and i say it again boring football-as i said better watching paint dry.
This I agree with. I would go further and say it was ‘negative’ - we set out at home like an away team - not to lose. He had run out of ideas and it was right he was replaced. The manner of selecting his replacement however was an utter debacle and humiliation.
Your response hit it on the nail perfectly. Clowns running the show-the money and time they have wasted is beyond belief.
Why?, we took our time, we considered all the options and appointed a first class human being, I don’t understand your objection tbh
