Make Or Break Season For Ipswich

In Ipswich’s Make-or-Break Season, Which is it so far?

The percentage of fans, chairmen and managers who go into a season thinking that it is going to be a make-or-break nine months will always be high. It`s the nature of the beautiful game. However, it might be surprising to some that the owner, the manager and practically all of the fans at Ipswich thought exactly that as they headed to the director`s box/dugout/ turnstiles for the season opener against Harry Redknapp`s Birmingham ? at least surprising for those who haven`t been following the club`s fortunes (or lack thereof) in recent years.

Stability in football is one thing, but it can very quickly turn into stagnation ? and that term is one that has been bandied around Portman Road and the pubs across Ipswich and Suffolk a lot recently. The club (which one shouldn`t forget was justifiably regarded not too long ago as not only one of the best in England, but also in Europe) has now been in the Championship for sixteen seasons. Fans know the footballing world has changed ever since George Burley led Marcus Stewart et al, not only to the promised land, but also to 5th place in the Premier League. But it was the lack of progression ? the lack of something to cling on to ? that was the final straw for many last year. Well, that and their lowest finish (16th) since the 50`s and a brand of football that was difficult to watch, never mind enjoy.

Last season led to fewer fans renewing their season tickets, McCarthy openly considering his future, and Marcus Evans undoubtedly (if not publicly) questioning his future commitment. If the 17/18 season were to resemble anything like the last, it would no doubt see huge changes at the club, and not all for the better. The bookies certainly didn`t think there was much chance of that and had them as third favourites for the drop before a single ball was kicked.

So, with 10 games gone, is it “make” time or is it “break” time for the club that has given the national side its two most successful managers of all time?

As with many things having to do with football, the answer turns out to be quite complicated. The club, which hardly boasts the largest squad, suffered what could have been cataclysmic injury problems. During much of the first two months, as many as 11 potentially first team players were sidelined. These injuries plagued their entire central defence, as well as the player who many hoped would be the one potential bright spark for the season, Andre Dozzell, who tore his cruciate before halftime in the opening match.

McCarthy was forced to turn to the younger players. Suddenly the likes of Tristan Nydam and Flynn Downes were not only starting, but also putting in incredibly mature performances. The summer signings (those who weren`t injured) more than hit the ground running, particularly Rangers duo Garner and Waghorn. Town were also playing exciting, attacking football, keeping the ball, moving it quickly ? and scoring. By the end of September, they had scored more goals than they had during the first four months of the previous season. Suddenly, everyone was talking about Ipswich and McCarthy.

The fixture list had been kind, there was no doubting that. But as the familiar cliché goes, you can only beat those on the pitch. Though they were unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in 5 to table-topping Leeds, results have dipped slightly since. Now, after 10 games, with a game in hand over the vast majority of the division, they sit in 8th position. Bookies still have Town as more likely to leave the division via the trapdoor as opposed to climbing into the Premiership.

The answer to the over-arching question posed in the title of this discussion will be determined in the next run of games. If the pattern of poor results continues, it will test Big Mick`s commitment towards playing the younger players. The return of most of the walking wounded will also deprive him of any excuses, though the Yorkshireman is not one to use excuses. However, the main factor that could very well set the tone for the season, and hence the longer-term future, might be the results of when Norwich come to town on October 22nd.