Ten years ago, at this stage of the season, Joe Royle's low-budget Ipswich Town side were top of the table after 21 games played. Shefki Kuqi had scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Brighton. Times were good. Fast forward a decade and, ignoring a series of campaigns mostly consisting of disappointment, underachievement, false dawns, and mediocrity, it appears Mick McCarthy's Ipswich outfit are on course to emulate, if not hopefully surpass, Royle's brilliant achievement. That Royle side, with an attacking vim arguably not seen at Portman Road in the intervening decade, contained some brilliant footballers. Reliable goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, towering centre back Jason De Vos, club legends Fabian Wilnis, Jim Magilton, and Tommy Miller, and the prolific duopoly up front in Darren Bent and Kuqi. We were an acknowledged force. Ultimately, the side missed out on automatic promotion by two points, and Ipswich went through the grinding formality of the play offs, despite being nine points off Derby County, in fourth place below us. A semi-final defeat to West Ham ended any hopes of promotion that year and, with the lure of Premier League football proving to be too enticing for some of our more promising players, the club's decline began and we have failed to make the play offs since. Like that 2004/05 season, McCarthy's low-budget side are looking good value, and a top six finish appears attainable. Since the defeat to Norwich in late August, a result which had some supporters calling for Mick to get the sack and castigating the lack of quality in the team, the side have only lost once. Bolstered by a stingy defence, an in-form strikeforce, and a management team that seems to know what they are doing, the club sit only one point off the top of the table as we approach the mid-way point. Having said that, the club has some difficult challenges it must confront over the next couple of months. Most notably is the festive fixture list that, unfortunately, isn't looking quite so festive. Games against Middlesbrough, Brentford, Charlton, and Derby, who are second, fifth, tenth, and third respectively, offer a run of crucial games to determine whether we can realistically challenge for automatic promotion. Another concern is the mounting interest in our star players. Tyrone Mings, debatably the most improved player in the side, has reportedly attracted the interest of Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea. The potential departure of our key defender, in January, would no doubt bring in some much-needed funds. But at the expense of our accomplished and decent defender, playing with such stability in a settled back four, such a move could derail a promotion push. Another issue is the lack of strength-in-depth up front. Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick are undoubtedly effective strikers at this level. But Conor Sammon, despite his passion and undoubted work-rate, lacks proficiency in front of goal and Balint Bajner sadly does not look Championship quality in the few appearances McCarthy has afforded him so far. Noel Hunt seems to be a decent short-term move, and his winner at Charlton hopefully indicates he can overcome his poor goalscoring form over the past couple of years. Another concern is whether the club can resist a potential second bid for McGoldrick. Almost sold on deadline day in the summer transfer window, McGoldrick could be tempted to guarantee Premier League football in 2015 and further his career. The club might be tempted to cash in on a player who cost nothing in transfer fees, and net a sizeable profit. However, this is admittedly a less imposing concern. He should stay at a club which has a strong team spirit, and, with promotion looking a more realistic objective than seasons gone by, I would think McGoldrick would stay and relish the challenge of using his impressive abilities to further enhance our chances. A fourth potential issue is the squad depth in general, and the feeling that something is missing from our industrious midfield. With Jonny Williams injured and back in London, the need for a creative presence in midfield is something that should be addressed in the transfer window, as Anglian rightly pointed out on this board. Kevin Bru is often inconsistent, Teddy Bishop is finding his form at this level, and Darren Ambrose appears to be perennially short of match fitness. Bishop has the potential, true, and should get the minutes to further his development. However, an out-and-out, creative attacking midfielder, if only for cover, would be an addition that would go some way in providing the squad depth to prolong a promotion bid. We could also do with cover at right-back. Luke Chambers, while putting in some impressive performances at right back is, naturally, a centre-back. With Elliott Hewitt out on loan, and having limited first-team opportunities at Portman Road, and Jonathan Parr more comfortable at left-back, bringing in some cover in this position should be a compulsory move in the window. Despite the doubts, I am feeling optimistic about the club's future. McCarthy has sorted the team out. We are a lot more organised and efficient with the ball, and we have a knack of gaining points at grounds where, under the previous few managers, we would have been rightly written off. As well as this, the club appear to be sorting itself out behind the scenes too. In the summer, I criticised the board for a perceived lack of ambition by failing to provide McCarthy with a decent transfer budget. Fortunately, McCarthy's management skills and an eye for a bargain has enabled the board to cut costs, slash the budget, and also oversee a period of progress. With promotion look increasingly more likely, touch wood, after every game, I hope we can avoid the lottery of the play-offs, such as 2004/05, and secure a top two finish to finally return to the Premier League after what would be a 13 year absence.
Well the transfer bans of three clubs help to a degree, lets hope more are banned too it'll help! Not entirely sure. Back in 04-05, our squad was thin however we were definitely top 6 material. We had class going forward, sure we conceded loads but Bent/ Kuqi were anything as good as Roberts/ Ellington. Had we been given £500,000 or so, or got another couple on loan we'd have 100% gone up. No ifs and buts, we would have. Still very irritated we didn't that season, as I think we could have become a Chartlon/ Wigan / Fulham and certainly had a good few years in the prem. This season, the squad on paper is probably around 9th/ 10th/ 11th if I'm being honest. However, we have plenty that other teams don't have - * Spirit * Continuity * One of the best managers in the division Our squad on paper isn't a patch on Norwich / Forest / Cardiff / Fulham / Derby but paper doesn't mean a great deal as other sides are finding out. I'm quite sure we will be top 8, infact certain of this. Yes that may sound negative, however we're still only five points clear of Norwich in 7th. For what it's worth, I think we'll come play offs, however perhaps fade and come 5th/6th. That would still be a magnificent achievement Also, I'd be quietly confident of this team doing it in the play offs. Who on earth would want to play us over 180 minutes in the semi!!?! We're an absolute nightmare to play. Depends what we do in January transfer / results wise whether we can go even further. Should we resign Williams on loan, perhaps add another elsewhere then who knows! What i do know, is I'm very excited to find out. We don't have 100 loanees, we're no longer " Roy Keane's Ipswich " and the team spirit looks the best I can ever remember. I think spirit wise we're far better than the talented bunch of 04/05 too!
" nother issue is David McGoldrick's contract. With the possibility of our striker moving on for free in the summer " This can't happen, the club has the option of another season which should we want to renew McGoldrick cannot reject. It's our option, not his so he effectively has 18 months left on his deal. No way Leicester would have bid £7 mill for a player in the last year of his contract.
Westlake33, I mostly agree with the sentiment that, with a bit more investment and ambition, we would have been promoted in 2004/05. Of course there is not a nailed on certainty in football and hindsight is a brilliant thing. Having said that, we were in poor financial health at the time, and I wonder if we did have that kind of money knocking about. I remember we bought Darren Currie for about £250k in that winter window, but that was it. Did we have more cash to spend? It's a shame Joe Royle did not move on to another football club. He was a talented manager, and I'm surprised he didn't continue his career afterwards because I felt he still had a lot to offer a club in terms of ability, experience, and managerial nous. Apparently Leicester City and West Ham were interested in him, but he rejected both offers. A shame really. I think the play offs would be an incredible achievement for us. Considering at the start of the season, improvement on last year's ninth place finish was the target for most supporters. Some feared a regression, and with a limited transfer budget and an underwhelming transfer window, I don't blame people who thought that. But I get the impression that we are a tightly-knit and well-organised club, which can only help and, as you rightly say, in McCarthy we possess one of this division's most experienced managers. Regarding McGoldrick's contract situation, I've heard that it is the player who has the option on a 'final year' on the contract, and not the club. I don't think McCarthy or the board have come out and explicitly say the club has the option on extending the contract, it seems to be a bit mixed over who has what say. The Leicester bid was crazy, but they wanted a striker on deadline day and, for a striker of McGoldrick's quality, that's the kind of bid they would have to put in to turn our heads, regardless of whether he had a year or two left on his contract.
My mistake Westlake33, it appears the club does have the option to increase McGoldrick's contract by an extra year. Thanks for the heads up, I'll edit that paragraph.
I remember Currie being our only cash signing for ages! 3 things BADLY let us down that campaign from memory. 1- When Kuqi got injured, we achieved 1 point in 12........... Scowcroft didn't work out whatsoever. 2- Bowditch/ Counago. Bowditch was managed poorly, he started the season brightly then was shoved out on loan !? Decent squad player to have. Counago was a total waste of space that season, and no one wanted to take him on loan. 3- Left back issues. I remember Daniel Karbyassoon amongst others having a total mare there until Unsworth fortunately arrived on loan!
Don't remember him! The first Town goal my son ever saw was against Burnley when Matt Richards crashed one in off both posts!
Not surprising, he's just one of those niche players I vaguely remember. Dean McDonald, we got him from the Arsenal academy, played about 15 odd matches for us I think? Mostly came off the bench as he was pretty quick. Fast-forward to about 19 seconds on this clip and watch him score the winner for us against Crewe. Decent finish as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZjIfEzKrkI
Old Joe did sign some absolute garbage during his time! Adam Proudlock! Sam whatshisface from Swindon Sam Parkin that's it! I watched him play in a friendly against Cambridge and he couldn't hit a barn door. The beginning of the nightmare was 05/06 after we failed in the play offs.
Yeah, we've had some right dross in the mid-00s. Sam Parkin is who you're thinking about, signed him from Swindon where he had a prolific reputation. I remember he was hyped up so much. Think he struggled with injuries, but he struggled finding the net too. We also signed Vemund Brekke-Skard (?), Gavin Williams, and Castro Sito. Nicky Forster up front as well.
Castro Sito was a bit of a cult hero! Yes I said Cult! Jim then went out and signed Maurice Voltz and Ivan Campo!
Under Royle perhaps like Mick is now we certainly didn't have the best team in the division. Under Royle we had a great keeper in Davis, great leaders on the pitch in De Vos and Magilton then frightening pace, power and strength up top with a bit of skill on the wing in Currie and a great goalscoring midfielder in Miller. It was by no means a great team but he got great things out of it, it was a team of journeymen such a mixture of players assembled under a needs must basis. But I loved it, it wasn't by anymeans purist football we were very direct but it was entertaining and we showed courage on the ball. The season after Kuqi, Miller and Bent left we probably had one of the worst Ipswich teams I have seen, it wasn't a good season and tbh although Royle did an outstanding job in his time at the club Magilton was like a breath of freshair in his first couple of season just a shame that breath became stale. There are definitely similarities, we are far more solid nowadays, infact we're probably the most solid ITFC team I've seen and we've got a far better defence than back then but it's still not a great team but through organisation, workrate and team work we're getting there. I would actually say the team we have now is more similar to that of Burelys but with less talent and obviously not as good on the ball. Under Mick there's far less ups and downs than other managers we've had it's just all very consistent which is a recipe for success in this division but sometimes doesn't make it the most interesting.
We haven't half had to put up with some dross over recent years -Tony (Wide load)Dinning anyone? and I actually saw a kid yesterday with Skuse on the back of his Town shirt-has to be related!
" Old Joe did sign some absolute garbage during his time! " Well the board refused to give Royle the £150,000 for Fuller in 05/06 so he walked. Fair play to him. Forster + Parkin SHOULD have been a good partnership too. Parkin was banging them in for 2/3 years at Swindon. 05/06 we were a striker away from a good side. I remember Alan Lee joining, us going unbeaten until the 1-0 Wolves defeat where Currie was immense. Fuller unregistered and Lee injured. Proudlock was soooo out of shape but Royle simply needed any striker that could do half a job! I disagree ITFCPTC. We were by the bookies a top 5 favourite for 04/05, whereas this season we were 15th or so. Bent/ Kuqi/ Counago were 3 very good strikers, we'd just added a superb rock in De Vos, Westlake was getting England U21 honours + Miller/ Magilton were two of the better midfielders at this level. Sooooo annoyed we didn't go up that year!
