ian__marshall

Missed up until the opening goal, but from what I saw of the second half, we looked really good tonight especially against a decent Ipswich side. Beaten by two outstanding goals. Yes, defending arguably could have been a bit better for both, but I thought our shape, passing, energy and pressing were light years ahead of the games we've seen so far. Surprised to say it, but I even thought Bobby looked a bit more lively tonight too. RM has stumbled upon a very good side tonight. Keep playing those lads in League 1 and we may well have managed to seal the huge hole in the hull and pumped all the water overboard, so that HMS P*ss The League can rule the waves once again.

What a finish that was. Despite the goal, we look decent.

Sorry lads, didn't know this was on Sky. Just turned it on as they broke into the box. Blame it on me 🤦

Doris in seat: 203, row: AA, block: SK4 would be an upgrade on the two clowns we currently have.

Agreed, but you'd think that anyone supposedly that close to highly confidential information would know that Klopp wasn't even part of the organisation anymore, let alone suggest he may be in attendance this weekend.

Think he's most likely talking out of his backside. The fact he was adamant that Klopp was the driving force behind this, yet had no idea Klopp no longer works for RB pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Don't think there's too much in it between League 2 and bottom third of the Championship in all honesty. Most team's are pretty solid in their play, with limited technical ability. Gap seems to open up a bit above that and Championship top 6. Top 6 are generally a bit more consistent (top 3 generally are consistent and semi decent), and then PL is just on a completely different level altogether.

Fits the narrative well... bunch of tools

Apparently Watkins and Martinez on their way out too according to my mate who's a Villa fan. Could be in for a tough season ahead.

The topic of the training ground is an interesting one. On face value it looks like an overpriced asset. However, having given this a bit more thought over the weekend when the rumours about Red Bull surfaced, I think such a group could see huge value in an asset such as Seagrave and especially the academy that accompanies it. To acquire a world class facility with a proven track record of developing valuable talent is a real asset in the right hands. Having two decent airports nearby too, also makes it highly accessible. A group operating a multi-club operation, could in theory send all it's top academy prospects from across the entire network to Seagrave for development knowing it'll develop said talent into highly saleable assets. Furthermore, the facility has enough capacity in terms of training pitches, to send all 1st team's to Seagrave for pre-season conditioning and in group friendlies, giving all teams in the group a solid foundation for the season ahead in terms of conditioning. Likewise, the facility could be used as a rehabilitation centre of excellence for all players in the group across Europe. When you look at it from that perspective, and factor in that it's already built and ready to go, I actually think there could well be a lot of value in acquiring the club if a deal can be struck at the right price.

Was going to buy the Red away top, but having seen fans wearing it at the weekend I've changed my mind. The background pattern really doesn't do the shirt any favours. Such a shame as it had the potential to be one of the best we've had in a long while. Will have to see what this 3rd kit looks like.

Very disappointed with that result. Cowardly performance from our senior pro's. Souttar, Thomas, Skipp, and Reid should all take a good hard look in the mirror. They may not be the greatest players in the world but all technically are far better than this level (excluding Thomas, don't think he'd make a Sunday League side. No idea how he came through the England youth ranks). Souttar looks checked-out, and Skipp and Reid look so devoid of confidence I genuinely have concerns for their mental health. I'll let Cullen off for the time being as I suspect he's not match fit and also needs more time with the other players to understand each others game, however that performance in isolation was abysmal. The application levels were not there from any of the above. We lack both winners and leaders. Where are the highly driven characters in the side getting after individuals misplacing simple passes, or missing simple chances? I'd also echo concerns raised about the support in the stands. First away game for a while, but our support was atrocious, so so quiet. Seeing people in the standing section sitting down just doesn't feel right. Clearly advertised as a standing section, so why buy up tickets there when you have no intention of standing. On a more positive note, the young lads should be incredibly proud of themselves, Joseph, Braybrooke, and Alves were outstanding. Only gripe I have is that I think we win that game with Otchere rather than Reid up top. Disappointed that Russell tried to defend the lead once we scored, invited pressure unnecessarily. You could land a jumbo jet in the gap between the midfield and the attack. That needs a lot of work given we had quite a few AMs on the pitch. That said, I won't go in on Russell yet, as the team are still adapting, and clearly he has players who need moving on. Team looks a lot different with the likes of Page, Chaplin, McFarlane, and Bristric involved, so still plenty of room for improvement. Want to see a marked improvement versus Burton. Early days, appreciated, but we need to be showing the rest of the league we mean business.

Can't wait to get the season underway properly. Hoping with the weather it should be a good away trip. Need to lay down a marker to the rest of league. No messing about. Show everyone we mean business and plant the psychological seed that everyone else is playing for 2nd place. I want to see confidence and a positive arrogance in our performance. Will be a real test of the character of the players RM has brought in, because previously any such arrogance would manifest itself as lack of effort, but instead it needs to be the opposite, arrogance that we'll outwork, technically outplay, and dominate the opponent. Of course, that needs to be backed up in both the statistics and more importantly the scoreline.

The Washing Bowl?!?

I don't disagree on the point of having the best talent picked off by the top clubs, and would agree that the academy clearly is operating at the expected level. No one's saying if a club like Utd come along we can expect to keep our best young prospects even as a PL club, however, there's simply no chance whilst we're playing in L1. The point I was making was that if we were still a PL club these players are leaving for 3-4x the value. The other issue is that whilst we're down in the lower leagues, the less likely we are to attract the best young talent. The current crop are the result of being an established top half PL team. The next few generations will be nowhere near that level. For example, Villa currently have academies operating in all the larger towns across Leicestershire hoovering up all the best young players. If you're either a young lad with talent or a parent of said youngster you're not picking a L1 club above a PL team who's competing at the top of their league and recently won a European trophy.

Needs to be a ridiculous fee in my opinion to let him go. He himself was only saying the other week that he was looking forward to getting regular game time this season, so we need to play hard ball. Does highlight the mismanagement of the club though. Plough a humongous amount of cash into a facility to develop top talent at the expense of investing in quality on the pitch, only to then descend the leagues and see the top talent you've developed sold for a pittance. Why no one has been held accountable is inexcusable.

I have no idea how you'd put a value on our club, we're quite unique in many ways. My thoughts are that I think we're somewhere in between both Methven and MacAnthony's valuations. The debts and lack of future cash flow of course make us less attractive to a potential buyer, unless they have deep pockets and are in it for the long haul. That said, I don't think comparing us to Sunderland as an example is entirely accurate either, as inflation will mean general club valuations have increased, whilst regional variances would value the land we own at a far higher price than the same footprint located in Sunderland (much like you'd expect to pay a premium for a London club). Additionally, I'd argue that with the right people in place to maximise the commercial value of the brand, we have the potential to leverage our story globally and generate some of the highest revenues outside of the top 6/7 (assuming we're in the PL and have exposure to an international audience). Whilst I acknowledge that Methven has some valid points, certainly concerning the here and now, I also agree with MacAnthony that club could and should be able to bounce back quickly, and if it were, the price right now (even including the debt) would look like chump change if an owner can get us back competing in the PL. I know we see Seagrave as a millstone around the neck and think what's to stop a lesser club being bought and building a similar facility, but on the plus side it is there ready built, a tangible asset that can be utilised from day one. It's one thing to have aspirations for a facility like that we have, but it's an entirely different matter to turn that into reality. As others have mentioned, I think other than the story in the FT, I doubt we'll hear much until a deal is all but concluded. Hopefully, that is sooner rather than later.

I think both have enough quality to sustain promotion challenges in both L1 and the Championship. Beyond that they may struggle, but I'll happily see them sidelined for 1 year drawing down a wage as a bit part player if they help us get back to the PL. It's important to remember that both played key roles in getting Ipswich promoted to the PL in 23/24, and Burns did so again last season. Similar to Cullen, I think these signings will be really important in terms of what they bring from an attitude/work ethic perspective, which is something we have struggled with hugely the past few seasons.

Been speaking to a former colleague who's a big Tractor Boys fan, and he reckons both Chaplin and Burns are class and we'll easily go up with them pair in the side.

Bit disappointed with this. Thought he might be a surprise package this season. Seemed a real fox in the box throughout pre-season. I suppose with the new lad coming in he isn't guaranteed game time so if he can get that out on loan it will benefit his development.

Or doesn't trust the head of recruitment

Tielemans as well.

Agree with others. Vardy the player was a super star, but as a person he's not a particularly pleasant character. That sort of attitude particularly from a senior member of the squad is completely unacceptable. Whilst the decision ultimately cost Puel his job, it was the right decision at the time. Vardy had been poor for a while, and in all honesty I thought at the time his legs were gone. He went on to prove me wrong, as he had two great seasons under Rodgers, but I can certainly see why Puel felt the need to make an example of him as listening to that interview clearly the culture around the dressing room required a reset. It was a brave and risky decision by Puel, but you do have to wonder if Vardy had simply become a bit complacent and that was kick up the backside he needed up his game again.

Where's he off to @GLC, and is it likely the add-ons will be achieved?

Agree with the McCarron comment, hoping it's work in progress and it's next on his to do list. That comment about Glover brought a smile to my face. @Ric Flair classic! 😂