I'm not bothered about the goalkeeping situation. Fulop is as useless as ALB. Jewell was right to take a risk. The CB situation no of course not but nor is PJ. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Would like to see JET play a more central role behind Chopra. Could be good. Scotland and Ellington - never been impressed with one and not impressed so far with the other. Thing is, do any of us really think that we can recognise our lack of strength in certain areas but PJ hasn't got the vision that we have? If something can be done or needs to be done, I have no doubt it will be.
Completely agree with this. I seem to think PJ knows what he's looking for and if we have any shortcomings, he is working hard to improve that area.
I've got no real worries with PJ at the mo, but a couple more before the window closes would certainly make me feel more at ease with our defensive issues. Seems unlikely we'll get anyone in time for this saturday though.
I'm sure PJ is trying to make things happen but there are other factors to consider when buying players. The other club have to accept our bid and the player has to agree to join us, it's really not as easy as just saying 'let's buy Upson etc'. I was hoping Ronan Murray would get a run out on tuesday, maybe it's time for him to step up and challenge for a starting spot next to Chops.
I'm very happy with how the seasons started. Cracking win at Bristol City. Obviously Northampton wasn't a good result, however he has kept the squad together and stopped it getting fragmented. Players that didn't have the opportunity against Bristol City had the chance to show how good they are, and should have been very motivated against Northampton. Very good management, not Jewell's issue they failed to perform. Some will be moved on. 5 subs instead of seven causes a different approach for players, as some won't even make squads so will be desperate to leave. I'll be happy to see the back of certain players too. Very pleased with the batch of players signed this summer. I did state I wasn't at all in favour of the Ellington transfer, however lets see how he's getting on after 10/15 games. Unfair to judge at this stage really. He's been unmotivated and not interested for a while, apparently he has the hunger back so will really need to work hard and get his speed back. Agree the main cause for concern is certainly CB. Ingarmarsson is a very good signing, however he's rather injury prone. Not a huge Delaney fan, however he's better than a lot at this level. Smith for me is an absolute donkey and I'd love to see the back of him. We really need to bring in 2 cb's by the end of August. Have a strong feeling Danny Collins may be one of the players. He'll be 5th choice at Stoke after their signings. As for remarks such as " time wasted chasing Woodgate + Upson " - Not at all. These enquiries would hardly have taken long, and Jewell says himself we've been after a good few players not even mentioned in the media. We'd all moan if they went to other championship clubs and we hadn't even tried to get them ! As for idiotic comments such as ' the wheels coming off ' and other negative comments, I really do wonder about people at times ! I'm as happy as anyone when we're hammering teams, and annoyed as others when we're getting tanked. What I do know, is for me one of the main reasons Ipswich appeal to me so much as a fan is the fact we STICK BY the manager. I don't want to chop and change, I want to build. Lets take stock of where we are, and see how the season unfolds !
Good post Westlake. I don't think I have heard any rumblings of complaints about the manager yet - and quite right too. I actually have absolute faith in him. The players that turned out against Northampton had a chance to stake their claim for a place in the team (even the squad) but didn't take it. Saturday's game against Hull and then Tuesday's match, will provide something of a benchmark for us - but still way to early to judge where we might finish.
WESTLAKE As for remarks such as " time wasted chasing Woodgate + Upson " - Not at all. These enquiries would hardly have taken long, and Jewell says himself we've been after a good few players not even mentioned in the media. We'd all moan if they went to other championship clubs and we hadn't even tried to get them ! You mean like St Ledger and Pearce to name but two. While chasing Upson and Woodgate we missed out on the likes of the two mentioned above!! You call any negative comments 'idiotic' but we can't be positive about the whole situation without telling lies. There are a few problems which have been highlighted but nobody has called for the managers head, just pointing out a few concerns, this my friend is not idiotic but truthfull. In the main, things are good but certain things need sorting out sooner rather than later!!
I disagree, by going for players of this calibre, it makes a statement of intent. OK we did not manage to get them but by going for these players it shows are intent on getting out of this league and into the premiership... bringing quality players in. For Example a quote from Chopra "The manager's ambitions were key, though. He told me the players he was trying to bring in and that impressed me. I could see how determined he is to take the club forward and where he wants Ipswich Town to go." http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=18710
I cant understand why some fans think the sky is falling down. The keeper situation isn't a massive one for me, ALB could fill in for a couple of games if needed. Right Back - yes it would be nice to have a little more cover but I think PJ has faith in Edwards and therefore so do I, Aisnley has done half decent there in pre season. Centre Backs are our main concern and I believe one is minimum, depending on who and how adaptable they are. I cant see us signng any other positions this window simply because of the volume of new faces through the door. A new centre back (or two) and possibly a wide player but all this talk of 6 or 7 players short is bloody moaning for the sake of it
All I've got to say is DON'T PANIC! We are in a state of rebuild at the moment it will take a while for Jewell to put his stamp on the team. In terms of the Upson / Woodgate stuff I bet we are in disscussions with loads of players over the summer, all clubs are. Just because don't get every player who we go in for does not mean the four horsemen will be here anytime soon. also... Top of the league! (come on we got to enjoy that while we can )
I doubt because Jewell made an enquiry about Upson and Woodgate that meant less time was spent on Pearce or other targets and in any case Pearce was probably more unrealistic than either Upson or Woodgate what with his sell on fee being due to Pompey and the fact that he's spent his entire career playing for south coast clubs so far. As for our signings so far, I was actually quite impressed with Ellington on Tues night, he looked decent on the ball but lacked confidence to go for goal. A good signing on a free. And JET and Chopra will be our main strikers if we play 442, excellent partnership at this level and with Carson and Martin on either wing, Bowyer and Andrews in midfield we have an excellent starting front 6, just need a little more strength in depth and some decent CBs. Exciting times from my view.
Hmm, could you read PJ quote again, I am wondering how many changes of a starting eleven constitutes "a few"...?
As Spanish has said it is not a case of being IDIOTS if we suggest that the CB & Goalie situation is far from ideal at this time, I am also sure PJ would agree on this if asked. It is also not the case that I or anyone else has lost/no faith in what PJ is trying to recover from the damaging reign of RK. But you are not always going to think everything in the garden is rosie. Who would have thought a couple of months ago that for the 2nd game of the season our CBs would be 2 from; Ainsley, Damo & Smith, would you have been happy with that back then.? All I am saying is that we have issues with our squad, the CB one needs sorting asap. I have every faith in PJ to do this, I would have prefered though that we had not been hear though in the first place. (the wheels on the bus..........hmm, probably OTT on my part, apologies to all)
