Official Ipswich Town Thread [R]

[BanglaBlue]

Guys, I watched the Old Farm derby last weekend. And...it didn't look good...

[el-capitano]

But it was a lot better last night! ;)

3-1 over Bristol City- up to 13th on 28 points, 6 points out of the playoffs!

[LongTimeQuakesFan'74]

Bump-

Come on you Tractor Boys, you Blues...anything to make the playoffs!

ITFC4EVER!

[el-capitano]

Hmmm not looking good! ;)

http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/LeagueTable/0,,10272,00.html

6 games remaining and excluding Cardiff who have two games in hand, 9 points out ot the playoffs! :eek:

Another year of close but not quite- I think the number of home draws is what killed us! ;)

[Alothi]

Just an observation el-capitano, you are Ipswich but lable Liverpool. Why?

[el-capitano]

Liverpool is my team, but I have strong family connecions to Ipswich- so they are my second team who I follow regularly- but obviously- when 'Pool play Town, my loyalties are firmly red! ;)

[BanglaBlue]

Ipswich have Simon Clegg former team leader of the GB olympic team as the cheif executive:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ikXeXWJl6h5WTjgr-Pui4Q9JdDXw

And I had the good fortune to go to the Ipswich Norwich game at the weekend. I had a great time, but by far the best player on the pitch was on loan! De Santos was great, but I doubt he'll be around next season.

[el-capitano]

Gone! :eek:

Ipswich have confirmed they have sacked manager Jim Magilton after the club's failure to make the Championship play-offs.

Magilton was appointed in June 2006 and after being handed STG12million ($A24.8million) to spend on players by new owner Marcus Evans was expected to challenge for promotion this season.

However, despite beating deadly rivals Norwich 3-2 on the weekend, Ipswich are marooned in midtable, some 12 points adrift of the top six.

Magilton had been under fire from Ipswich fans for the majority of the season after a lack of progress on the field despite spending heavily on new players like David Norris, Jon Stead and Veliche Shumulikoski.

Assistant manager John Gorman, who arrived to help Magilton at the end of January, has also left Portman Road.

No announcement has yet been made over who will take charge of the final two games of the season while Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has already been linked with the post.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/england/magilton-pays-the-price-183619/

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Keano's got the job. I think he's the right man to be honest, will give that club a special lift (at least at first). He'll also have a summer to correct some things about the team I feel.

[BanglaBlue]

I'm lost for words!



Keane appointed Ipswich manager

Keane has been out of work since December
Roy Keane has been appointed manager of Championship side Ipswich Town.

The 37-year-old signed a two-year contract following the dismissal of Jim Magilton on Wednesday.

Keane has been out of work since December when he resigned as Sunderland manager, having taken the club from the Championship to the Premier League.

"I truly believe I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side," said Keane.

The ex-Manchester United captain will hold a press conference at 1600 BST on Thursday.

Ambitious owner and entrepreneur Marcus Evans has spent £12m on new players since he took over the club in late 2007 on a quest to reach the Premier League.

Magilton was sacked for failing to guide Ipswich to the Championship play-off places, with Evans immediately turning his attentions to Keane.

"The club's owner (Marcus Evans) and chief executive (Simon Clegg) impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started," added the ex-Manchester United midfielder.

He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play the attractive football

Ipswich owner Marcus Evans on Keane
Keane took over as Sunderland boss in August 2006 with the club languishing second from bottom in the Championship.

He made an immediate impact, transforming the fortunes of the club, guiding them to the Championship title as well as the Premier League in the same season.

And Evans is confident he has lured the best man for the job to Portman Road.

"We are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town," he told Ipswich's official website.

"He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play the attractive football that Ipswich Town fans have come to expect. I believe he is the right man to take this Club where we want to be - the Premier League."

606: DEBATE
What do you make of the appointment?

BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener
BBC senior football reporter Ian Dennis said Evans had targeted Keane weeks ago and will give his new manager financial backing for a promotion push for next season.

"But just as crucial is the fact that 15 players are out of contract at the end of this campaign which will allow Keane to shape his squad straight away," said Dennis.

"They've acted swiftly and hope he is in place for Saturday's trip to Cardiff."

Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg added: "Roy has experienced promotion as Championship winners as a manager and, importantly then kept his side in English football's top flight and I am looking forward to working with him."

Keane walked away from Sunderland nearly five months ago following the arrival of majority shareholder American Ellis Short in September 2008.

He made his name as a tough-tackling midfielder, playing at the highest level in England with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Celtic, along with 66 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.

[Alothi]

OK, this thread has been dead for a long time. I have a feeling we will be talking about many, many, many games on here now. OUr little club has a big time manager.

[Iceblink]

Keano's got the job. I think he's the right man to be honest, will give that club a special lift (at least at first). He'll also have a summer to correct some things about the team I feel.

I was never excited about Magilton, but this looks like it has potential. Good results so far... that's for sure.

[BanglaBlue]

Very interesting article on Town's time in the second tier over the years:

http://www.clubfanzine.com/ipswich_town/v2.showNews.php?id=19391

We're overdue for promotion!

[Alothi]

Do we have any holes to fill regarding positions on field??

[Iceblink]

Do we have any holes to fill regarding positions on field??

Probably do now... lots of players released.

[el-capitano]

So this year we finished in 9th. (http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/LeagueTable/0,,10272,00.html)

SEVEN PLAYERS RELEASED (http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1652198,00.html)

Town have confirmed that Ivan Campo, Tommy Miller, Billy Clarke, Dean Bowditch and Chris Casement have all been released.

All five are now out of contract at Portman Road and have been told by manager Roy Keane that they will not be offered new deals.

Jai Reason , who is on loan at Cambridge, and Kurt Robinson, who spent the closing stages of the season on loan at Rushden, have also been released. Both are out of contract.

Roy has confirmed though that the Club are in talks with Alex Bruce, Shane Supple and Ed Upson about extending their stay at Portman Road, with their contracts up in June.

[BanglaBlue]

interview with Simon Clegg:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/20/roy-keane-simon-clegg-ipswich

[PZ]

SEVEN PLAYERS RELEASED (http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1652198,00.html)

It's up to Nine now. Keane has been associated with a number of possible signings the last few weeks. It's going to be a busy summer for him. I can't wait for August.

[suncoastranger]

Ipswich news wanted/needed...

[PZ]

Wake up lads...Town are in Ireland w/ their Irish manager*....it must mean the season is almost here

* somethings haven't changed.