WRIGHT ON TARGET

Thank goodness for that! At last a win at the fifteenth opportunity. David Wright, full back, heading in the only goal of the game in the 66th minute. A poor game, which frankly Derby deserved to take a point from, but hey, a win is a win.

Although still bottom, the league table looks better now. Only six points separates us from mid-table. Looking at the nine teams above us then all, with the exception of Derby, have still to come to Portman Road this season. The play-offs seem a totally unrealistic dream but surely the nightmare of relegation is similarly unrealistic?

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?

The corner kick is taken by Gary Roberts. Curling in, it is met by the head of Jordan Rhodes for him to score his third goal of the game. Hat-trick hero Rhodes has scored his eleventh goal of the season by early October.

Of course these two ITFC players have now both moved on to Huddersfield Town and the action I describe above took place this season on October 10th with both players wearing Huddersfield Town colours. I used to enjoy watching Gary Roberts play at Portman Road. He would try some skillful touches - they didn't always come off but when on form he looked a useful and entertaining player. Last season he was voted Huddersfield Town's player of the season. Young Jordan Rhodes rarely got a chance to shine at Portman Road but his form whilst on loan to Brentford last season showed him to be a player of promise. A goal I saw him score pre-season which I observed from just behind the goal was a piece of sublime finishing.

Now there are rumours that some Premier League managers are casting their eyes over Rhodes with a price tag of £2million mentioned. It is difficult to dispute that Roy Keane has let slip an exceptional young talent at a bargain price. Some of our recent signings need to step up a gear to justify to the fans why we are watching them play rather than seeing the talents of Rhodes and Roberts at Portman Road.

Let's hope the improvements start this weekend at home to Swansea, then on Tuesday next at home to Watford.

IS THIS JUST A BAD DREAM?

Nine games into the season and the worst start ever for ITFC. On Saturday evening the club put on a wonderful tribute to Sir Bobby Robson both before the game and at half-time. In contrast, the team put on a woeful display of football. The game against Newcastle could best be summed up as "Men versus Boys". We were outclassed in every position.

I missed the previous home game against Nottingham Forest (1-1) so this was my first opportunity to see three new signings - Leadbitter, Edwards and Rosenior. None of them had much opportunity to impress in the Newcastle game. I do suspect however that Newcastle will be a class apart in the Championship this season so maybe it isn't totally doom and gloom. However if things don't pick up soon we will have a real relegation battle on our hands. Who would have thought that in early August?

PERFORMING AT LESS THAN 10%

Fifteeen days and four games into the 2009/10 Season and what a disappointing start! Equal bottom of the league with only one point. Two goals scored in 360 minutes of football. One point out of twelve - an abysmal 8.33% performance.

Now the Ipswich Evening Star is leading their latest match report with the opinion that Ipswich face a relegation battle this season. That seems a little pessimistic after only four games but then the next six games include matches against Middlesboro, Preston, Newcastle and Sheffield United. What's the likelihood of just another 3 or 4 points out of a possible 18 from those six games? Fifteen days ago I was hopeful that we'd be going into the West Brom game with 9 points already on the board as the first three fixtures all seemed very winnable.

We were unlucky not to get anything out of the first game against Coventry. We were lucky to get a point against a good Leicester side who could easily have scored three goals against us. The Palace game was an entertaining game but we were generally second best throughout most of that game.

You can tell things are not going well when two substitutes come on at the start of the second half - this has happened twice now in four games. The captain has been dropped to the bench. A sixteen year old striker, just getting his GCSE results, is choosen ahead on the recently signed £1million+ international striker. Healy and especially Delaney look poor purchases from recent appearances. These two new signings didn't even make the squad for the WBA game.

Oh dear! "Things can only get better"? When that expression heralded the dawn of New Labour things only got worse with the equivalent of a Sunday League player first in charge of our finances and then made captain. So let's just look on the bright side of life.

Let's hope for a decent result in the Carling Cup on Tuesday against Peterborough and some decent play by the home team against Preston next Saturday. Stay tuned!

RIP - SIR BOBBY

Sad news that Sir Bobby Robson has passed away today at the age of 76. I wasn't here when he was Ipswich manager but I do remember watching those teams on 'Match of the Day'. He was also so close to being a World Cup winner in 1990. He will be remembered for his passion for the game and the gentlemanly way in he always conducted himself. Truly a football giant and legend. There will be a two minutes silence at the friendly game tonight to honour and remember him and the players will wear black armbands. RIP Sir Bobby.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

I wasn't going to go to the Wilnis Testamonial as these can be quite farcical. However I changed my mind on the SAturday morning after reading that Roy Keane was treating it as a serious pre-season friendly. So it was probably the only chance of watching a derby match this season and a chance to see the new signings.

I went in the North Lower Stand (first time) through the cash turnstyle and was given an allocated seat in Row B (2nd row) just behind the goal. A much poorer view than my usual Cobbold Upper Stand seat which is on line with the penalty spot. However it was a beautiful sunny afternoon.

So what has changed teamwise? Haynes has gone to Bristol and in have come Martin, Delaney and Brown. Lee Martin played on the wing and looks very promising. Delaney though looked very ordinary and not a patch on Wright or Thatcher (hope I'm proved wrong though). Brown didn't play so I was unable to shout "Come on Troy [Brown]".
Colchester started brightly and looked the better team first half. That was disappointing. From where I was sitting Town seemed to be forever passing the ball side to side with little excitement.

At the break there was a short nine a side game with old Town players including of course Wilnis. An enjoyable short game with three goals. Interesting to see Stockwell for the first time who Rosy said looks like my Town gnome Ignatius (see Troy blog). I think she may be right.

Several changes in the second half and a fine own goal scored just in front of me. Then Jordan Rhodes came on and within a couple of minutes had scored a great goal - a clinical finish at the near post, just feet from where I was sitting. Worth the £15just to see that composure and skillful play at very close quarters.

Final score 2-0, but not a convincing result against lower league opposition. I was sorry to see that Town were proposing to sell Counago to Swansea but subsequently pleased to read that Pablo could not agree personal terms. I hope he stays with Ipswich.

Next game, for which I'm sitting in the Britannia Stand, is against the Spanish team Real Valladolid on Friday 31st. I'll probably do a short blog on it.

ANTICIPATING THE NEW SEASON

It seems a long time since last season ended. There doesn't seem to have been much news on the transfer market regarding Ipswich but I'm guessing things must be about to happen as the start of the new season gets closer. I turned over my calendar to July today (not surprisingly!) and saw the two home friendly matches come into view - the Wilnis testamonial on the 24th and the game against Real Valladolid on the 31st. I'm looking forward to the Spanish game - lets hope they put in a bit more effort than last season's Spanish team.

I'm also pleased to see that our first away game (against Coventry) will be live on Sky. Also hot news today is that the home against Newcastle in September will be live on BBC (k.o. 5.30pm). That will give my father a chance to see the Super Blues in action as he doesn't have Sky Sports.

Unless something drastic happens in the transfer market I doubt I'll post again prior to the start of the season. I hope you are all enjoying the Summer weather and Wimbledon.