Paul Jewell

Ipswich Town: Where did it all go wrong?

Chris Brammer Monday, October 22, 2012
5:51 PM

EDITOR Terry Hunt, an Ipswich Town fan for 45 seasons, analyses the current crisis, looks at where it’s gone wrong and asks how we can put it right.

Former Ipswich manager Jim Magilton

So, how on earth did we end up here?

The manager is talking about quitting, the team is staring at the very real threat of third-tier football for the first time in more than 50 years, and the side is packed with short-term loanees.

Is all of the above really the fault of Paul Jewell and his predecessors, Jim Magilton and Roy Keane? Or should others, notably club owner Marcus Evans, shoulder their fair share of the blame?

It’s difficult to remember the euphoria we felt five years ago, when Evans’ takeover of the club was announced. Here was our saviour, we believed. He would solve our financial worries at a stroke, and enable manager Jim Magilton to strengthen a team which was already challenging strongly for promotion to the Premier League. The Land of Milk and Honey is ours, we thought. How wrong can you be?

Roy Keane

Instead, the last five years have seen steady, dispiriting decline. From being promotion candidates, we have slipped so far that we are now staring into the abyss of Third Division football. To put that into perspective, the last time Ipswich played in the third tier was in May 1957. So, only those Town fans who are 65 or older can really recall it.

Don’t listen to those who try to convince you that relegation would be a blessing in disguise. Absolute nonsense. For every Norwich, there’s a Sheffield United, who are still struggling to escape the clutches of League One. And look where Coventry are in the table. So, let’s not go down the ridiculous “relegation will be good for us’’ route.

Let’s assess the managers. Both Magilton and Keane were essentially rookies. Jim made a good start but then lost his way, and it was the right decision to replace him, despite people looking back with rose-tinted spectacles at his spell in charge.

Marcus Evans made a big mistake in appointing Roy Keane. I know it’s all easily said with the benefit of hindsight, and we fans were thrilled at the time. It quickly fell apart as Keane’s shortcomings as a manager became apparent. Some strange transfer dealings (Jordan Rhodes’ departure is a particularly painful example) coupled with some even stranger on-pitch tactics and selections soon saw Town supporters fall out of love with Keano.

I knew the tipping point was coming when he started making pointed remarks about transfers which had failed to be finalised. “We agreed…but the deal wasn’t done,’’ or sentiments to that effect. In other words, I did my bit but other people didn’t close the deal. Who did he mean? Marcus Evans? Chief Executive Simon Clegg? Keane didn’t stay long enough for us to find out. But we will come back to failed transfer deals later on.

Paul Jewell’s experience – good and bad – at Championship level was a key factor in his appointment in January 2011. But he messed up almost immediately with a “Dad’s Army’’ recruitment policy with the ambition of a quick-fire promotion driven by the experience of the likes of Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer. But it failed miserably, and Jewell was honest enough to admit it.

But the summer transfer window was another disappointment. Yet again, the club was linked to players, it seemed the deal was as good as done, and then…nothing. Yes, Luke Chambers and youngster Elliot Hewitt came in, and Paul Taylor slightly later. But the exciting names we were hoping for never materialised.

Now we’ve gone back to the loan market, in a short-term effort to pull away from the relegation zone. That might work – although Saturday’s performance at Hull was shocking. If it doesn’t work, what’s Plan B?

But the big question is this: Why can the club not attract quality players? The kind of players who will push up up the table? Is it because we’re struggling? Well, we weren’t struggling in the close season, were we? Is it because of geography? Surely not every player is put off because Suffolk isn’t London, or Manchester?

Or is it simply down to money? Marcus Evans is an enormously successful and very wealthy businessman. People who do so well in the business world don’t get there by frittering their money away. No-one is suggesting he should do that. We know that Evans is involved in transfer and contract negotiations and, as the boss, has the final say.

His stated ambition is to get Ipswich Town to the Premiership. To do that costs a great deal of money. To stay there costs even more. While talk of the top league might seem crazy right now, the question of Evans’ spending policy is a here and now issue.

I agree that he has seen millions wasted on poor signings by his various managers. I can understand his reluctance to shell out loads more. But I think he has to re-adjust his sights and accept an element of the crazy world that is footballing finances. To be blunt, I think he needs to loosen the purse strings so that we’re on a level playing field, money-wise, with more of our Championship rivals.

Sadly, I also have to join the throng who believe we should change the manager. I have been desperate for Jewell to succeed, because we so badly need stability and, bluntly, because he seems like a decent, honest guy. But the malaise has lasted so long now and, after expressing such self-doubt on Saturday, his position has now become untenable. The danger is he’s now a lame duck. Evans and Clegg will recognise that danger. In my opinion, they should appoint a young manager and put a wise old head alongside him.

I’ve supported Ipswich Town for 45 years, and this is a definite low point. It will be a long road back. This season, simply avoiding the drop will now be a success.

Like many thousands of diehard Blues supporters, I so badly want better times. I believe the man who holds the key is Marcus Evans.

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48 comments

The result against Derby was totally predictable. Why doesn't ME recognise what ther rest of us do? SC must go, PJ must go, and if ME can't do what is needed then he also should consider his position.

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Blue and true since 1962

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Jewell out now!!! PLEASE!!! I think the likes of Curbishley, Wilkins & Hoddle should all be approached asap. Another good shout might be speaking to Frank Yallop and Paul Mariner who both have very good managing and coaching experience respectively. Frank has managed at international level with Canada and has also managed LA Galaxy who are high profile. He currently manages DC United who are also big in the states. Paul Mariner did a good job as coach and caretaker manager of Plymouth beating Ipswich at portman rd a couple of seasons ago before financial problems at the club. He has also coached at many MLS clubs. I think Frank and Paul's experience would be as good as Jewell's if not better but more importantly they understand Ipswich Town. They understand the history of the club. They understand the clubs values and they will always have blue blood in their veins, and that is something that will drive them on to see this famous old club succeed. I truly believe that trying to find that special ingredient is absolutely paramount when looking for Jewells replacement. They wont be expensive to bring in either and the fans would welcome them with open arms.

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Godders

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Jewell out now!!! PLEASE!!! I think the likes of Curbishley, Wilkins & Hoddle should all be approached asap. Another good shout might be speaking to Frank Yallop and Paul Mariner who both have very good managing and coaching experience respectively. Frank has managed at international level with Canada and has also managed LA Galaxy who are high profile. He currently manages DC United who are also big in the states. Paul Mariner did a good job as coach and caretaker manager of Plymouth beating Ipswich at portman rd a couple of seasons ago before financial problems at the club. He has also coached at many MLS clubs. I think Frank and Paul's experience would be as good as Jewell's if not better but more importantly they understand Ipswich Town. They understand the history of the club. They understand the clubs values and they will always have blue blood in their veins, and that is something that will drive them on to see this famous old club succeed. I truly believe that trying to find that special ingredient is absolutely paramount when looking for Jewells replacement. They wont be expensive to bring in either and the fans would welcome them with open arms.

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Godders

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The manager (Paul Jewell) has got to go! Simple as that. If you look at how many signings he has made and then the same players he has either released on free transfers or sold on for next to nothing! This has happened in only two years of him being here. Clearly he does not know who is a good player and who is not! I put this down to him being out of work for two years prior to him coming to town. He was sacked at his last club due to relegation from the premier league and then followed that up with a poor start to the championship campaign with Derby. Why did Marcus Evans then believe he was the man for Ipswich? Crazy!! I can only think that there was no one else who wanted the job. I did hear from a close club insider that only Jewell and Megson were interviewed for the job after Keane's sacking. Not much to choose from there! Jewell was a panic appointment who was brought in one day after Ipswich were thrashed by Chelsea 7-1 in the FA cup. Marcus please speak to the likes of Alan Curbishley, Ray Wilkins, Glen Hoddle all full of far more knowledge and all have the ability to attract very good players.

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Godders

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Cyril is indeed correct here. It is all very well pointing fingers but we need more than this - especially from so-called investigative sports journalists. Jewell is easy meat but Terry Hunt wants to get his teeth into the real causes of our woeful recent history then he must look beyond mere cannon fodder and examine in much more detail the real reasons for our demise and not look for easy options.

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FRANK WESTON

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I agree 100 per cent with Kevin Bailey. It's been a catalogue of mistakes since that brilliant fifth place finish in the PL all those years ago. The club, and Burley, should have kept their heads - and their money. We splashed out on ludicrous transfers, Finidi George quite rightly singled out by Kevin as the most absurd. And we spent too much money too soon in improving the stadium. It was all downhill from there with moments of hope along the way. But what ever the rights and wrongs we have a manager who has overseen the most disastrous period in the club's history for half a century or more. it's a no brainer. He's got to go.

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Jerry Jones

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I can't let this slanderous comment go unanswered. Keane was NOT a disaster at Sunderland. Check your facts. He got them promoted to the Premiership in his first season; when he took over they were in the relegation zone. Is that your definition of failure? With limited resources, he kept them in the Premiership during the the 2007-08 season. Is that your definition of failure? Yes, Sunderland's form at the start of the 2008-09 was too inconsistent (but included a historic win over local rivals Newcastle) and eventually Keane resigned after friction with the owner Ellis Short. No one can regard Keane's time at Sunderland as a failure, even if it ended in a disappointing fashion. Keane is still learning his trade as a manager and I firmly believe that in time he will prove to be a great boss. His period at Ipswich was poor and he made a lot of mistakes. I think his Achilles heel has always been in the transfer market; not surprisingly, given his background, a lot of his signings (both at Sunderland and Ipswich) were ex-Man Utd and Irish national team, and many of these were unsuccessful. I also believe that he would have benefitted from having an older,more experienced assistant manager at his side, who might have prevented some of Keane's errors. Tactically and in terms of man-management, he did okay. Some players did not like him and have mouthed off to the press, but this is because he is demanding and a strict disciplinarian - rather like that other "failure" Sir Alex.

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Jonathan_Ray

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
@iethomas, You've hit the nail fairly & squarely on the head !!!!!!! Good on 'yer

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Brian Betts

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
EADT please explain why so many posters comments are rejected as 'other' and why the 'supposed' independent ombudsman fails to reply to complaints about unreasonable moderation.

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Brian Betts

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
iethomas - have never seen you comment on this site before - which is a pity - you make so many good points. I for one agree with virtually everything you say. Sadly there doesn't seem to be similar insight from the ITFC management team.

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Old Timer

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Andrew, we can stay up, yet equally we could get relegated. The game against Wednesday could be very important, and should we lose, it may have far reaching consequences.

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Kevin Bailey

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Hall, thanks for the comment. I have absolutely no difficulty in accepting just how dreadful we are, and you Colchester supporters must be chuckling into your half time pies!

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Kevin Bailey

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Why do people persist with the totally discredited idea that Marcus Evans is here to put money INTO the club? There is no tangible evidence available to UK tax payers, accountants or journalists that Evans has any assets at all. His UK business is very small, his UK football club is as we know very small - and allegedly£70million in debt. Somehow, despite having a skeleton staff it pays out far more in wages than it takes in. It also appears to have inexplicably mislaid the income from Walters and Wickam's sale. The only realistic conclusion is that whatever wealth Evans allegedly has is syphoned OUT of his businesses which are transferring money between themelves to keep the noses in the trough above water to gullible unquestioning eyes in each country - none of whom know what is going on elsewhere.

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Rob Steroo

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tom, I think you will find that the reason for these players leaving had nowt to do with the players and more to do with the clubs financial position and I believe what was the Pioneer stand was behind this. Yes, I agree that not all players in those days were loyal, but if they are good enough now a days they know there is a team around the corner waiting to give them even better money. I worked for a local Company for 25 years and it wasn't until I took redundancy that I had any intentions of leaving. There will be very few in this day and age that will work for one Company for 25,30 years or more. Admittedly not all to do with loyalty.

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whymarkmariner

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
So many good comments and observations. In the end, the final analysis is at the owner supported by the CEO control the destiny of ITFC. We could debate much of the other influences such as managers and players, but the buck rests with our elusive owner and our Chief Executive Officer, the roles are as clear as the names on the box. One owns the situation and it is the making of the executive with operational executive responsibility. Simples!

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Blue and true since 1962

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Odd mix of easy targets missed completely or off-target, could be one of our strikers!! The easy target avoided is Clegg, the man who should have been in charge of contract negotiations and has allowed quite a few millions pounds worth of talent leave this club through poor negotiation skills; or has the assumption for the last three years or so been that we are going to get relegated and so we cannot afford to offer new contracts? There is also a rather fundamental flaw in the article; that ITFC has been tight with money. I thought that all the stats showed that ITFC have been one of the highest in terms of total salaries in our league expenditure related to income. Sorry, we have become a badly managed club from the very top, and on a day to day basis that means Clegg. The off-target comment is Keane and Rhodes. Not sure if Keane ever saw him play, his judgement must have been largely based on what people at the club told him, and lets remember he hadn't actually set the club alight at that stage had he, despite quite a few appearances. Yes we appear not to have negotiated a good sell on clause, but that again is Clegg. The other thing to bear in mind in terms of Keane's decision was that presumably he had to choose to sell him or blood Wickham. Sorry, but that was a right decision! Yes of course it would be good to have a goal scorer like Rhodes now, but ignore the benefit of hindsight and recognise that it really was not the blunder that everyone want to make it out to be. Sorry getting £8m for Wickham can not be seen as a blunder!!! Or if it is, then I bet Evans wished Jewell could make similar blunders! And of course Keane made mistakes, but by far his biggest mistake was coming to ITFC with Clegg there. Read between the lines of Keane's very limited comments since and you can see he knows that. And obviously Jewell for the future of the club has to go, but so must Clegg.

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iethomas

Monday, October 22, 2012
how about giving players a big kick up backside or bring in a pay as u play with bonuses for outstanding perforance ie scoring goals

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Micky Beeby

Monday, October 22, 2012
agree with metalhead after robson came burley he could make it work again

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Micky Beeby

Monday, October 22, 2012
Running before we could walk, basically. And we weren't the only ones; plenty did before us, at the same time and many more since. The Sheepshanks board spent millions we didn't have on big contracts (Sereni, Finidi, Le Pen) for players who's presence shattered a great team spirit in the dressing room,borrowed heavily to build the South extension and the North Stand, then fell foul of the ITV digital collapse. It's all well and good blaming Evans but unlike the owners at Portsmouth and Leeds he actually puts money in to the team (admittedly at a cost; where's the Wickham fee gone?), albeit then seeing it wasted by Magilton, Keane and now Jewell. what he lacks that other clubs have is a CEO with real football experience; this would have stopped Keane blowing millions on expensive mediocrity and the scandalous sale of Jordan Rhodes. Make no mistake, we can get out of our current mess, but avoiding relegation rather than making the play-offs (perfectly possible with the squad we have) is now the priority. And funnily enough, it's been the same for the last 3 seasons, which is what is causing so much frustration currently.

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Andrew Mehen

Monday, October 22, 2012
Firstly, IS Evans as wealthy as we assume, or does Steroo have a point about this being phantom money? Secondly, there must be something systemically wrong if no players wish to join the club, and that cannot only be down to the manager, proven incompetent though he be. There is some kind of obscured tragedy being acted out here, and the only solution, if there even is one, is for someone to buy out Evans and commit real money to the club. Such an expression of ambition might even attract a decent manager, and, with that manager, promising players. But I am not going to hold my breath.

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Ken Hairy

Monday, October 22, 2012
Before Marcus Evans wormed his way in, we weren't great, but were finishing just outside the play-offs on little money, and we had a stable team. Years later, we're much more in debt and the team of loanees and under-performing players is rubbish. So, work it out for yourself who is to blame!

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The Poacher

Monday, October 22, 2012
The players that lack passion on the pitch for ITFC are not interested in saving ITFC from relegation. Let the youngsters who want to progress and get seen on the TV or be read about in the papers (Luke Hyam Josh Carson) play. Do not get caught paying top dollar for players who want to finish their careers with a nice wage packet. Its obvious that the youngsters have the passion to play and want to say that they played for (or against) a premier team. They need to learn the trade by being taught by experienced people like you Mr Jewell. I believe that you can turn this around but time is running out.. release the youngsters.

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IAN ROBERTS

Monday, October 22, 2012
Give it time, you might be lucky enough to get Paul Lambert from Villa at the seasons's end. He did okay in getting Norwich up from League 1, didn't he?

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nathanp

Monday, October 22, 2012
As has already been pointed out, the problem does not lie wholly in the Managers that have been appointed, but in the way the club as a whole is being run. It was great news for everyone at ITFC when ME came in to take on our debt - even though we will need to clear this debt IF we ever get to the Premier league. The writing was on the wall that day Magilton was sacked and Clegg was appointed CEO, the fact that he has no knowledge on how to run a football club speaks of an appointment by an idiot. When appointed PJ was probably the better of a poor selection of managers looking for clubs. Sadly you cannot draw a manager to a club on false promises, though this combined with his totally understanding of Football Tactics has found us always wanting. The only reason he is bringing in Loanee players, is because he cannot attract anyone else - Its obvious to everyone, except Clegg & ME. It goes along way for PJ to admit he has his best ever team - when the squad contains 7 loan players. We need to search Divs 1 & 2 for their star players and entice them to our club. Get players that are hungry to play, who want to better themselves by playing at a higher level. Instead of signing players who are not in the starting 25 of their parent clubs, who are basically surplus to requirements and who we take on just to get them match fit and 'dust the cobwebs off'. Sort out these problems and we may just stay in this league this season.....

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oilburner1978

Monday, October 22, 2012
Whymarkmariner - you say that in the past players would run through walls for the club but you have to remember two things. First, there was less money in the game pre-1990s, so less chance of being seduced away and second, are you sure the great town players were that committed? I recall robson's team breaking up when the players came to the end of their contracts and wanted to go and play for more money at bigger clubs - Mariner, Brazil, Wark, Muhren etc.

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Tom

Monday, October 22, 2012
well, maybe someone knows TERRY BUTCHERS phone number,we never going to get harry, so why not gice Terry a try!!!

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beachboy

Monday, October 22, 2012
As can be gathered from my previous posts being a Col U. supporter I read these tales of woe with a large smile on my face... BUT.. I must say Kevin B, your detailed statement of what I term the real facts rings very very true.. well stated

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Al K Hall

Monday, October 22, 2012
THE SITUATION THIS CLUB IS NOW IN ,IT'S NO WONDER THAT ( M.E ) WANTED TO STAY ANONYMOUS

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MIGUEL100

Monday, October 22, 2012
Kings G IPS - you seem to be advocating draconian measures as regards players contracts yet suggesting Jewell is handled with kidd gloves.?????????????? Also are you being serious when you talk about 'tearing up contracts' ?????? I would be surprised in any manager has torn up as many contracts as Jewell in the past - necessitating further short tem loanees to fill the gap. Furthermore the players you deride are the ones Jewell has brought in - often at the expense of our own youngsters. Yes ME & SC are also contributing factors but - having now recruited & often discarded over 30 players - what you see on the pitch on a Saturday after noon is something Jewell has created in his own image - & he certainly cannot be absolved from their inadequate performaces. These players are often played out of position in outdated formations with no confideence - knowing one bad performance will see them dropped. You're riight it's not all down to one man - but they do take their lead from this naive inept manager who belongs to a different age & should have preserved some dignity by going at the weekend - he has now lost all credence.

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Old Timer

Monday, October 22, 2012
Yet another excellent article Terry, agree with every word!

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Alex Dray

Monday, October 22, 2012
Sadly I think the days of players walking through brick walls for their team is long gone. The era of the Terry Butchers, where they gave their heart and soul disappeared probably with the introduction of so many foreign players. When the real influx came in, post the Muhren's and Ardiles a lot of them were players who's premier years were behind them, but they knew that a good chunk of retirement pay was available. Then came the advent of BSkyB with it's huge input of cash. This then lead to the better quality foreign players, but also lead to a massive increase in wages, with little or no loyalty to the team that supported them. This tidal wave of cash flowed down to the Championship, through safety. net payments and cash rich people wanting to get a slice of the football cake. The problem is unless you are the richest person in the World there's always someone with more money than you. Players, despite the recession hitting everyone else feel they are immune from the constraints that everyone else feels, think that it doesn't affect them, so out goes loyalty and in comes the £ signs. So don't expect loyalty just because you fork out millions.

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whymarkmariner

Monday, October 22, 2012
Refering to " Is all of the above really the fault of Paul Jewell and his predecessors, Jim Magilton and Roy Keane? Or should others, notably club owner Marcus Evans, shoulder their fair share of the blame?" Well my honest answer is yes. I have been a fan for over 40 years, and i cannot believe that such a big club full of history like ours is in this mess. Marcus Evans is to blame by appointing Roy Keane and now Paul Jewell and not forgetting Mr Clegg. All three the worst ever decisions that this club has made. Bring in a younger manager who is hungry for success and if that means we go backwards before we can go forwards then so be it. Bring through the youth , play players who wear there hearts on their sleeves and want to play and die for this club. I will carry on supporting this club through thick and thin and i hope that one day the so called saviour of this club will awake from his dreams and do us all a favour and sack PJ and Mr Clegg

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gary martin

Monday, October 22, 2012
There are 3 people to blame for the shambles we now find our self in & we all know who they are, until all 3 or at least 2 go & go soon this club is doomed to play in the lower leagues. Like a lot of other teams we will only be watching premier league football on TV for a very long time.

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dockboy

Monday, October 22, 2012
Is Terry Hunt really an Ipswich Town fan? Those who took the trouble to analyse the invisible Marcus Evans and his opaque business empire were appalled as everything pointed to the current situation. Also anybody who followed Town and what the club stood for were equally well aware of how unsuited to management Keane was - and how utterly disastrous his stint at Sunderland proved to be. Nothing tangible exist to prove that Evans has any assets - and his treatment of the club suggests the complete opposite.

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Rob Steroo

Monday, October 22, 2012
Answer: Marcus Evans Do I win a prize?

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russell mariner

Monday, October 22, 2012
As Terry Hunt appears to accept the answer to itfc problems lies with ME will he and his reporters put the same pressure on him and they have tried to do to PJ. I dont think so.

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Cyril Baker

Monday, October 22, 2012
Question Ipswich Town: Where did it all go wrong? Answer -: Marcus Evans bought it and installed Clegg....The rest is history

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bluearmy78

Monday, October 22, 2012
Terry, agree with every word. And if Norwich and Colchester had the ability to find the right manager so should we. But Evans and Cleggie need some very good advice from someone who knows the game as they so obviously do not. You and I and many others must count ourselves lucky we saw the good old days, and just hope they come back. But don't know if I shall last the course!

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JOHN BURLS

Monday, October 22, 2012
"Ipswich Town: Where did it all go wrong?" - In my opinion, sacking George Burley!

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Metal head

Monday, October 22, 2012
I personally think that Paul Jewell should go, his tenancy at the club has proved fruitless and he has to be responsible to a great degree for the awful mess that our club is in at the moment, his policy for playing one up front for instance, is self defeating to say the least. Now that he has shown so much self doubt in his ability, I agree with Terry Hunt, his position is now untenable. However, he, in my opinion isn’t totally to blame. He has had to work alongside a CEO who, as far as I can gather, has a very limited knowledge of football in general, of how football clubs work and of how professional players see their futures. Of course Marcus Evans appointed Clegg so he has to share some blame. However, when he gave Clegg the job, was he really concerned that Clegg is not a football man? I personally think that he wasn’t. I think what was more important to Marcus Evans was to appoint a man who would carry out his instructions to the letter without question. Had he have had a football man as CEO, he surely would have questioned why we couldn’t sign the players that we needed. To be fare to Jewell, he did name some good players that he wanted at the club, only to be knocked back at the personal terms level of negotiations. So, if Jewell does go, his replacement will have to put up with the same problems at CEO level.

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NB

Monday, October 22, 2012
Why is there always a focus on creating a scape goat? what true resources does PJ have available? what's the true situation with the current players, and why aren't they performing. In any other business where "staff" members aren't performing they are put on short term objectives; they are also subject to salary review and moved towards performance related remuneration. If PJ doesn't have the true support of key stake holders his role is very difficult to say the least... this is not a job of one man it requires a "team". if the players don't want to deliver tear up their contracts. how tough is it to get a job when you have been sacked! the team needs ruling with an iron fist but as already alluded its very much a strategy that requires everyone to want to succeed, and this includes the supporters and their cynicism.

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Kings G IPS

Monday, October 22, 2012
They should not have sacked Magilton. He made some brilliant signings such as McAuley and Walters. He was a fantastic player and had the team playing some attractive passing football. The team was also steadily improving each season. I was disappointed when he was sacked. I wish he was still our manager today!! Paul Jewell has to be the worst manager in the history of Ipswich Town. We have suffered some very heavy defeats under this man. We never expericed heavy defeats under Burley, Royal, Magilton or Keane. Paul Jewell is just not the right character for Ipswich Town.

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jimlovesitfc

Monday, October 22, 2012
Don't waste words. Guilty party: the Rendlesham Boys, for selling out to the Invisible Man.

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Bertie Shrimp

Monday, October 22, 2012
An excellent article which sums up most supporters feelings on the past five years. Incredible then that the present situation is being allowed to drag on and on with no real purpose. Yes I know Sir Bob has his problems initially and was rightfully given time to improve the Clubs lot, but this team clearly has no direction and is totally devoid of confidence. The current regime seem incapable of halting the decline of this great club. Please Marcus do the right thing and put us all out of our misery.

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rover

Monday, October 22, 2012
Richard Wright going......signing Sereni.....signing Finidi....building the North Stand end too soon......getting relegated ( a little unluckily) in our second season....administration...hurting local businesses.......selling to Marcus Evans......giving Magilton money (he did a better job without it) sacking him on the telephone(disgraceful)......replacing him with Keane, without meeting Keane.....Keane taking the job without meeting Clegg....Keane selling Rhodes...allowing Keane to sell Rhodes.....sacking Keane too soon....appointing Jewell....poor communication with supporters.....turnstilegate.....alienating thousands....ticket prices....on the pitch we have an out of date manager, using out of date tactics, and we are precisely where we deserve to be. A squad full of short term loans, short term contracts, and players who are out of contract next summer is one that will usually be relegated. Unless something happens quickly, we will be that team, and Jewell is living on borrowed time.

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Kevin Bailey

Monday, October 22, 2012
This is simple to answer, get rid of Clegg, problem solved, get a CEO in who knows his what he's doing.

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Ashfordblue

Monday, October 22, 2012
I find it remarkable that after sacking Jim and Roy, ME is so deluded that he thinks PJ is the man to lead us forward. We have won just ONE game in 11 - so with 35 games left we need to win at least 16 just to equal last years win total. PJ is considerably worse than both Roy and Jim and I now believe that ME is to blame. I really hope many season ticket holders protest tomorrow. ME has to start listening to the fans - as well as realise that the appointment of PJ was a poor one - along with his refusal to sack him. A win tomorrow would mean very little - just papering over the cracks of a very poor record. PJ OUT PJ OU PJ OUT

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Jason

Monday, October 22, 2012
And not a word about the short-comings of Mr Clegg and the rest of the board.............

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Mike Wyatt

Monday, October 22, 2012