I have just been browsing through the Blogs on TWTD and I have come across this cracker from a first time blogger who is a young lad with a very mature outlook imo. It was so well written that I wanted to share the whole text with you boys to see what you think and hopefully this will trigger some great debate! Article in full: Now I know what you’re thinking but hear me out. Celebrating the promotion of our greatest rivals seems spineless and cowardly, especially as they were the ones that dumped us out of the play-offs, but as I sat watching the second spectacular goal scored by that **** Nathan Redmond, I couldn’t help but ask myself whether this was really such a bad thing. Take this for a stat; since Alex Neil took over, Norwich have picked up more points than any other Championship team. Despite this impressive record, I don’t feel that this highlights how good a manager Neil is, just how much of a bad one his predecessor Neil Adams was. Like it or not, a squad of that calibre deserves a place in the Premier League, and I feel that a manager such as Mick McCarthy has done a much more impressive job taking us to the play-offs, than Neil has done taking Norwich to promotion. The constant relegation and promotion of Scum FC has given them a strong financial muscle due to windfall and promotion bonuses, reflected in the quality of their squad. So why is this a good thing, you ask. Next season our aim is to do the same, or perhaps to go one better (fingers crossed). As much as we can rely on the expertise of MM and TC, we need this cruel and unforgiving league to finally show us a bit of love. Three financially superior teams relegated from the promised land, and a whole host of teams looking to improve on a disappointing season, means that next season could be more competitive than ever. A squad of Norwich’s quality deserves a place in the Premier League (I feel sick), and I would feel much more comfortable taking points and finishing above Middlesbrough next season, no disrespect to them. A team that can’t prevent a flying header from Jay Tabb seems more beatable, then those inbred neighbours of ours from down the road. Try as I might, I can only see this as a blessing in disguise. Believe me, this wasn’t easy to write, without seeming traitorous and pathetic. I wanted to see the tears flowing down their sorry eyes after conceding a last minute winner from agent Grant Leadbitter as much as any Town fan, and perhaps I’m just trying to find the positives of this situation, but I feel that this has made next season marginally easier, without the thought of another depressing derby defeat.
For what it is worth I completely agree with the thrust of his argument. When I heard the result yesterday I felt very MEH about it. Yes the rivalry with the scum is all well and good but I rather we concentrate on our own progression as a football club and make no mistake under the guidance of Mick & Terry this football club has grown and grown in stature over the past couple of years. We may have missed out this season but I do believe that the realistic target for promotion was always going to be 2015/16 once the team has been fully assembled by two or three quality players gelling with what we have got. Good luck to the scum they achieved the minimum that was expected of them where as we have over achieved massively.
I believe you Warky, thousands wouldn't Not a wind up but I reckon the old boy McCarthy has taken you as far as he can as they say. Steve McClaren is looking for work
A very well constructed piece, balanced and thoughful and thank you for publicising it JWM. I don't disagree with any of it and think it is a fair assessment. I'm not here to gloat although yesterday was a magical day and I am delighted that we showed people how well we can play, that counted for a lot. Also, having gone 0-2 it was never really in doubt and Boro were a tad disappointing. Having said all that, there is no reason for you to be downhearted. The Ipswich season was above expectations and as a squad you have developed exceptionally well. To finish 6th was a solid achievement and one to build on. There does not need to be a huge investment to make the extra points as the team spirit is strong and of course, all being well McGoldrick will be able to play a full season and that will help enormously. McCarthy is certainly the man to get the most out of what he has got. I think that a promotion for you would have been disastrous this time around, but next time may be different. By the time the relegated clubs get cherry picked, the sides that finished 4th, 5th and 6th last time may be pencilled in as favourites in 2015/16. Let's see anyway.
Believe it or not KIO but I actually don't mind that you won the final I would have been amazed if you hadn't with the quality squad that you have! Rivalry aside your team is much better than ours in terms of quality and I do wish you well next season. I think it's time for us Townies to concentrate on our progression and in Mick we have the right man for the job of getting us promoted. I always thought that 2015/16 would be the most realistic opportunity given the strength of our squad.
agree with everything you say warky, next season is going to be a tight one again, the 3 sides coming down aren't of the strength of the ones going up in my view, so I believe next season will be a huge chance to progress and hopefully ME will take advantage of it.
I don't disagree with it....but I will say IMO if Norwich hadn't of gone up they could well have lost a lot of the players that make them tick and therefore not been as strong........but games against Norwich will always be tough games with the rivalry issue so I agree that without them to play it makes it a little easier.
TWTD Is for the hard core Ipswich fans so what do you expect! Pretty sure there are the same terms of endearment used on the Budgie only forums!
No fair enough, you've got to take it if you are prepared to dish it out. I actually think Bristol City might be a handful next term
A good article. As Weighty said, I think the likes of Redmond, Ruddy, and one or two others would have likely departed, had Norwich failed to achieve promotion. Yet they would have got good money to replace those players and would have likely remained competitive. It's a sad reality that we haven't been good enough against Norwich recently so, on paper, we should be better off with them gone. I also think it's a massive simplification to say that because Norwich have money and they've been relegated, they're automatically a good side. Look at where Cardiff and Fulham finished this season, despite their relegation and financial outlay. At this level, there have been a lot of clubs sinking millions into their squad over the past several years, including us at one stage. So while spending cash usually helps, it's not a guaranteed way to clinch promotion. Ultimately, I think Norwich benefit from a very sensible and pragmatic board. They have an eye for a good manager, Neil Adams aside, and that's been a massive factor in their recent success. As for competitors next season, it's early to tell but I think the relegated sides can pose us problems. If Steve Bruce stays at Hull, they'll be competitive and Burnley will be dangerous again. While I think Derby were wrong to sack McClaren, Paul Clement* is a respected English coach, and if he can keep that team together, they'll challenge for promotion. We cannot write off the likes of Wolves, Forest, Brighton, or Blackburn either. As Thurnby noted, Bristol City will likely use promotion as momentum, as many promoted League One sides have done, so MK Dons and even Preston are worth keeping an eye out for. Either way, should be an interesting Championship next year. *Assuming the bookies and recent media stories are correct.
I agree but it followed your assessment of - I have just been browsing through the Blogs on TWTD and I have come across this cracker from a first time blogger who is a young lad with a very mature outlook imo - yeah, really mature
One thing Nuggets, it will be another interesting division with no end of twists and turns and upsets and to a degree I will miss it as will some of my Canary colleagues. We all strive for the Promised Land but we are under no illusion it won't be all milk and honey
Thai if you aren't prepared to properly engage in this discussion in a sensible way then I would much rather you didn't bother saying anything at all... there's a good lad!
It was a genuine remark. Mature is not referring to other teams as Scum FC - in my opinion. I know you find it acceptable, as do many football fans but I like to think I am a little more grown up than that, and don't need to resort to childish humour for my laughs
Without a doubt the best side won and Boro were particularly dreadful but you can only beat whats in front of you and The Budgies certainly did that, so good luck to them next season. What we have to concentrate on is continuing to progress with MM and I think we all know that some quality is required to go with the hard working, tight knit side we already have, over to you ME.
I'm glad we made it as I can only see top 2 in the CCC getting harder every year with the increasing amount of PL income and parachute money each year. Best of luck next year you guys will miss beating you
Can't see why you would progress, you have overachieved, regression to the baseline beckons- you had a striker that played out of his skin- chances of it being replicated low, although Cardiff seem to think it's worth taking the chance on him Will you keep your other decent players?? .
We achieved the minimum target that the Manager,players and some fans were hoping to achieve ......so IMO there is no reason to believe that MM won't be able to improve things next season like he has every season he's been here....... I'd say we exceeded outside expectations but the players and management performed as expected.
