Owner Marcus Evans nailed it when he said that he does not want to make the mistakes of the past, and he will not be swayed into action on a whim. As he explained in a club statement yesterday, he will make his own judgement based on what he sees. I will not be swayed into making the mistakes neatly summed up by the term ‘be careful what you wish for’ which caused our demise a couple of years ago.
He may have been a little unhurried in his response to the Ipswich Town head-hunters, but when he did finally reveal his feelings on the subject, it matched my own. Football is about opinions, and we have a broad church of opinions from the dedicated, and not so dedicated followers of Ipswich Town.
I might even be in the minority these days, but that does not mean to say that I am wrong. I am proud of the Marcus Evans statement because it clearly shows he has not lost the plot. The very fabric of his five-point plan is to maintain a stable management and coaching team, and this was why Paul Lambert is here for the long haul. It is the reason he was given a five-year contract extension. This is the blueprint for future success and to rip it up and start again would be counterproductive.
Evans was adamant that this time he knew where his priorities lay. Everything I have seen close at hand, behind the scenes and on matchdays, this season gives me confidence that, despite what is always a bumpy path, we are on the right track.
Renewal is a slow process but it has been made even slower by the impatience of some supporters to see rapid change. Every managerial dismissal has taken us backwards not forwards, and this has gone on since the days of Jim Magilton. He should never have been dismissed in my view, and I think Evans knows that he was ill-advised.
I am a strong believer in continuity, and Evans is giving us that. Yes, some supporters will not like what he has said, but it is right that he supports his manager and to throw him to the lions would be a backward step. Paul Lambert has his faults, and I guess having had his only real managerial success at our fiercest neighbours does not help his cause. Nor does the Coronavirus – or indeed a horrendous injury list, which has left him to make do with the bare bones of our first-team squad.
When I spoke with Graeme Mac on Match Night on BBC Radio Suffolk, he asked me what I thought would happen at Plymouth tomorrow so here is my belated answer. Town will win 1-2 and Kayden Jackson will finally get onto the scoresheet!
Yes, I understand where you are coming from, and in theory it sounds good, but how far are you prepared to allow us to drop and crowds to dwindle. The problem with Lambert is his tactics anyone who has played the game can see one upfront isn’t working. And to play a passing game, everyone, on the pitch has to be comfortable in possession and happy to accept the ball when under pressure for example Man city or Barcelona. I’m afraid to blame injuries, referees, bad luck is no excuse we haven’t beaten a top team in this league yet. To give Lambert another five years was stupid what incentive has he got now just waiting for another big payoff for failure.
Keit, so 13 first team injuries do not matter then ?.
The tactics were not too bad today Keith. We played some good football in patches, and Paul Lambert made some decisive substitutions, which helped to changed the game.
Hey Keith, I disagree entirely. I think Marcus Evans has shown remarkable courage to stick by his man, in the face of a barrage of criticism from a certain group of rather familiar supporters and journalists, who know that bad news is good news when it comes to selling stories – or preaching a gospel of distrust. Evans has learned the lessons of the past, and we should try to move on, slowly but surely, to the next exciting phase of Ipswich Town football club. Hats off to Marcus Evans!
Agree entirely Frank.
But can any of you provide any evidence of progress under Evan or Lambert? I’m no manager and don’t claim to be but I can tell you now that if nothing changes then we will not get promoted (and on current form the play offs might be to much). Feels to me like you fully expert us to stay in this division for some considerable time if following Evans’ master plan. I thought it would be good to look upwards after so many years backsliding….but maybe we have found a level where Marcus feels comfortable in running the club. If so then forget league positions and concentrate on trying to get to the FA Cup third round (next season) where we can get a money spinning tie against the big boys……….Wow all that to look forward to….sigh!!
I admit that progress is depressingly slow at times Mark, but don’t give up on us. This league is full of bizarre results, and we have a crowd back at Portman Road next week – albeit a small one.
I am glad I am not the only one who thinks this way Trevor.
Won some money with my prediction today with my 1-2 prediction and suggesting that Kayden Jackson would score. It is not all bad news folks. We are third in the table, and still have more than a teams worth of injured players still to come back.
Im not criticising Marcus Evans without him we would be in big trouble, but no body’s perfect and he has made some strange decisions. If every thing is so rosy at the club why are crowds dropping season after season. Ive got friends who are not season ticket holders and have purchased tickets and said they would never go back because the entertainment value is so poor. And what was the reason for last season’s dramatic collapse, injuries bad refereeing too many game’s. Next season will be the same more excuses it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee.