A thoroughly deserved win, although maybe a bit closer and scrappier than we would’ve liked! Much better defensively today - that should be the back four week in, week out unless there are injuries or suspensions. Didn’t quite flow for us attacking wise, but the subs did their thing against a tiring West Brom defence. On current form, Jack Clarke and Azon should be starting ahead of Egeli and Hirst. I also quite liked Nunez’s cameo at the more advanced midfield role - potentially a starting option there?
Agree about Taylor, motm for me tho Nunez dazzles and jinxes he needs to score some goals. Well won 3 pts today, and maybe KM knows his starting eleven due to injuries. Much better spirit too, esp 2nd half.
Decent performance if maybe a little nervy, a few stray passes, Davis looked good today Egali got better as the game wore on, I’d like to see Azon play just behind Hirst for a bit.
Forgot it was an early kick off. Nice surprise to see us win. Hopefully able to restore some confidence and momentum for next game. Unless Keiron concludes that making the 9 changes was the key...
Only one side wanted to win it in the second half and whilst it wasn't a great performance I'll take the win and clean sheet.
Aye the fans were **** and didn’t deserve a round of applause, the players should have lined up and booed them out at the end.
What fans? **** how? What did you hear? Heard nothing negative from where I was sat, except aimed at the diabolical ref.
Some context here -> https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/617713/mckenna-referenced-a-‘really-really-difficult-atmosphere’/#18 The party atmosphere and vibes of the League One season are long since gone. It’s on the players to give the crowd something to get excited about, has been in very short supply in 2025. Still the fans keep showing up and the support is overwhelmingly with the players. McKenna should have a taste of the Mick McGiven era if he thinks there was anything difficult about that atmosphere.
It’s all the same fans that have been there all the while and received praise for generating a great atmosphere in the past. When watching Ipswich Town is fun again then maybe the atmosphere will return. Only one man has the power to make that happen.
The same fans that like to sing ‘follow the town up OR down’ Seriously though I’m sure fans can drive the players on if they are vocal in their support and also affect players if their vocals are negative so why would fans want to be negative during a game.
Although I wasn’t at the game today, I must admit there does feel to be an element of entitlement from some supporters at Portman Road this season. As somebody who typically sits somewhere between the away fans and the Blue Action singing section in Cobbold Upper, there are many around me who only really make a noise when we score, applaud a good chance, moan when we give the ball away/make a mistake, or shout at the referee. For the rest of the match, they sit more or less in stony silence. This season and the second half of last season have been particularly noticeable for long stretches of near silence from our fans. The North Stand is quieter than the Blue Action section since they moved to that part of the Cobbold. Around the ground, it’s nowhere near as bad the Mick McCarthy years, but there’s been a noticeable change since the double promotion seasons. Specific to Ipswich, we’ve obviously had a lot more to celebrate in recent seasons. Fans are naturally going to louder and more positive when we’re winning or playing above expectations. We have also seen a lot of fan favourites leave over the last year or so - which means several fan favourite chants have had to be retired (or awkwardly repurposed). And while attendances have been consistently high over the last few years, there has been an increase in “fair weather” fans who jumped on a bandwagon and haven’t been used to watching us lose games. And of course across football, rising ticket prices and the “gentrification” of football attendances means that many people (particularly younger fans - who are more likely to sing) are being priced out of watching us live. McKenna made a conscious point of referring to the lack of atmosphere in the Sky post match interview. It’s possible he’s looking to get a reaction out of supporters. That’s not an unfair request, many other managers have done it across the sport. I get that fans aren’t exactly going to be cheering when we’re losing - but, to me, it does feel Portman Road is struggling to fall in love with a much-changed side. Fans can choose how to pass the time at a football match after spending money to attend, but I honestly can’t understand why they’d turn up just to be silent or to boo. You don’t need an excuse to support your team - get behind them. Players play better when they feel valued and get encouraged by supporters. It’s not rocket science.
I don’t think that an electric atmosphere is something that can just be manufactured from the stand. It comes when the fans feel emotional and excited. Nunez showed a bit of spirit when he came on and the crowd lifted. It has to come from both sides. In 2025 it’s mostly only come from one side and the energy and belief in the stands is depleted. New bonds and belief needs to be created and choosing not to show appreciation for a full stadium (or my 700 mile round trip today) only reinforces that the good times are a thing of the past.
