vos

To answer lappintup the profit of £13.4 m was used to substantially reduce the debt for the same year. Assuming they will make a similar profit for next year then they will clear the £11m debt. The only possibility of temporarily running out of cash is purely due to the timing of receipts, in particular Sky Money. The Club already receives a huge cash flow boast in that they will ask for season ticket money in the spring of 2013 for viewing matches which take place up to May 2014. As regards future income next year we will get about 75m from Sky and ticket receipts - assuming a 5% increase will be below £12m. By the way based on this split Delia was wrong to suggest increases in tickets were necessary to keep up with "premiership wages". In a nutshell premiership football is more or less totally controlled by Sky so that it will probably be not too long when they will arrange for a premiership game to be played every day/night. It brings in more advertising revenue etc. So ticket sales are not a big deal and thats why the Club realises there is no need to increase capacity as its all about money these days. The big question is how long will the huge worldwide football TV market last ?? It is all massively hyped at the moment although it is my personal opinion that the standard has fallen this year and frankly many games are pretty predictable and boring. But you will never beat a live game when your heroes see off Man United.

As a Chief Executive it is his basic job to appoint a good manager and hopefully achieve promotion. This is what he achieved and I do not see there is any justification to pay out a ridiculous bonus. Any bonus should be based over a longer period - say 5 years. Having been paid a huge sum now he can now tick over for a while in the knowledge that he is very financially safe. I do not actually suggest that McNally is that sort of person, but we can only wait and see. Let there be no doubt about it, the person who got us in to the Premiership was Paul Lambert. The Club are only following current business practice and as we all know this has led us in to a terrible mess. I am old enough to have worked  in an era when bonuses were unheard of and yet companies were run on a far more efficient basis. I would suggest the Club spends a little more time looking after their many long term supporters.

With a very, very  poor Villa side there for the taking I was dissappointed with the contributions of Snodgrass, Bennett and Pilkington. I felt Snodgrass should have been more positive and as with the rest of the team played too many balls backward. Bennett is the paciest of the three but again was not incisive and should have made more contribution. I am afraid he is not a very consistent crosser of the ball and overhits a lot - as do much of the rest of the team !!! Pilkington usually starts well for 20 minutes or so then disappears for long periods. He has potential but needs to considerably improve for the permiership. Lacks confidence in taking on full backs on the outside.  

Entirely agree with Smooth. I thought the whole quality of the game was well below premiership standards. Villa were there for the taking but we were very poor. We barely made a decisive pass throughout the match and the crossing from the flanks plus the set pieces was awful. I have noticed this season in particular that we are tending to over hit corners etc. Don''t know why. This was a game when E.Bennet and Pilkington should have excelled but sadly they both made little impact.

Interesting replies. Do not normally receive too many kick backs to my comments. Actually normally agree with most of Ricardo''s general observations and I think we are basically on the same wavelength. By the way VOS stands for very old supporter, I first saw the Canaries in 1947/48. I am a shareholder and usually attend fans meetings but missed last night due to a prior commitment. I will readily accept that as I was not there you do not get the full picture. But judging from the mood on this Messageboard coupled with comments of other longstanding supporter friends, I thought it would be a difficult night for Chris. Is he too nice !!! The point I am trying to make is all the media has really talked about is Lambert rather than more specifics from Chris. I consider that both Bowkett and McNally are first class and it is comforting when they are working for you. However they are also just as skilful when they are on the other fence, if you know what I mean. Overall the current Lambert situation is sadly typical football these days. With all the money in the game it is a goldmine for lawyers and agents.

So you arrange a Fans Forum and are fully aware that the Manager is going to face a lot of difficult questions. Of course you need to deflect the heat. What do you do ?? Well out of the blue you bring up the compensation issues re the previous manager. It has been ongoing for some time but until now it has been kept quiet. So bring it up now. Result all the media talk today, currently on Radio Norfolk, is all about Lambert. Fans reaction to Hughton - barely a word.

The deliveries since Hughton has been here have been poor. Don''t know whether they are instructed, but tend to hit high long balls some 10 yards beyond back post. Holt has barely seen a decent cross this season. Basically we are not getting beyond any defence due to lack of quality in midfield. Dare I say it, but Lappin and Drury could regularly both find space on the left flank, although it appears full backs are not now encouraged to get too far forward. Quite agree that Surman''s corners were poor with two or three not even passing the first defender. Yes it does not help to moan at him but I fail to see what respective managers see in him. Never tackles just fills space, most passes are just square short hurried balls, and lacks pace. Just not premiership standard.

Saw the game on HIT (highly interrupted TV). Thought we played well and dominated most of the game. Our weakness was time and again the final ball and generally poor quality crossing in to the box. Seems as if players at all set ball situations are told to send the ball long some 5 yards futher than far post. OK now and again but generally would be far more successfull if we looked for the player close to the penalty spot. Wes was our best player but we lacked anyone who would provide a cutting edge. I would prefer to see Howson play more of an attacking game - he has looked a bit anonymous this season in a more defensive role. On his current form Johnson has been very strong in midfield and probably can cope with less support. I still do not see either Surman or Morrison making much long term impression in the Premiership. Couple of other general points. The standard in the premiership appears in general to be somewhat lower than last year. Many average teams which currently would include even Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal. The best news - Hughton seems to have moved away from our boring defensive displays in the pre-season games, and if we can start finding the net we should be OK.  

I believe the talk of administration was exaggerated presumably to put the new board in a better light. Insurance companies at the time, in common with many banks, did not employ skilled lenders and gave out money as if it had gone out of fashion. It certainly was no big deal for Bowkett to renegotiate the debt is was "bog standard" financial basics. Obviously it did help us in view of his past corporate experience. "Proper bankers" stopped lending to football clubs about 20 years ago as then and now there is little hope of repaying anything via income. That by the way is a basic condition of most lending decisions. As has been stated the banks also did not want to become involved because in most cases they were faced with a deteriorating position and once they took a hard and justifiable line, they would upset a lot of local people which is clearly not good for business. One of the problems clubs will always be faced with is the moment they have any money the supporters will demand they spent it on players. (Many who prove to be useless!!) So clubs now survive either by operating on a shoestring and delay paying everyone in sight, including the Inland Revenue, or by taking season ticket income, in some case some 18 months in advance. (As is still happening at Carrow Road !!) The other scenario is of course "hot money" coming from overseas. As regards Marcus Evans, he does not appear to have put much "cash" in, and it looks as if it is some sort of juggling operation to suit his overall financial situation. Businessman in that sort of situation will close down the operation when it suits them. Anyone who is prepared to put up with the Town''s results over the past year or so and still retain Jewell certainly gives the impression that he is not exactly interested in the long term future of football in good old Ipswich.

Like to see a lot more from Pilkington. Tends to start well but fades rather quickly. Elliot Bennett not fully fit, but would Wes fit in the present lineup ?? Unchanged team I expect.

Please can we have a sniff of the rumour ????

Slightly surprised with Ricardo''s optimism. Against a very average QPR side, who tended to play spoiling tactics, we had quite lengthy spells where we were far from dominant in possession. Neither side had much quality in midfield. Thought the new boys had reasonable games but in reality were not any better than we already have. I accept it is early days and players need to gel. Providing we achieve more attacking options we could hold our own. The tough fixtures now looming will give us a clearer indication of our prospects.At least the fans seems to think we were a big improvement on last week.

Grant Holts 3 year contract.. How can you say they are an improvement. You have not seen them play yet !!! Don''t get carried away with press talk. Surely the point is that the boys did well last season and in the case of many of the younger players they were not yet the finished article i.e the Bennets, Pilkington, Howson, Tierney etc. I would have rather preferred to have given them more time rather than be replaced by the dreaded "journeymen".

Very true SC. BUT last season we did not stand still, but so far this season we are standing still i.e. no movement. I realise early days and as usual "time will tell" per Asil Nadir

Have to agree with Ricardo. We retained most of last years successfull side who did finish 12th !!!. Yes we needed an experienced strong centre back plus a striker to support Holt. It was only 3 weeks ago that Hughton said that they were progressing nicely and we would notice a difference once the real season begins. The new players may well prove to be a little better than we already have but such an implosion will not help team spirit. None of them will play upfront to support Holt and so far as I can see will not get forward enough to supply him with any ammunition. I do not see it as a case of the inadequacy of the players but the defensive tactics are a complete change round to what we have been used to seeing. I have a feeling that Hughton is trying to copy the Spain/Barcelona style with one up front. Plenty of possession but not looking like scoring much and worse still boring to watch. I really hope that I have got it all wrong, but I visit Carrow Road tomorrow with great trepidation. The N & P will not be happy to see little action from our front men with a lack of goals.

                                       Ruddy                 K.Smith   R.Martin  Bennett Tierney    Howson                 Johnson              Snodgrass                                 Hoolahan                           Holt       Vaughan

As usual entirely agree with Ricardo. We have the players to maintain a mid-table place. Thought Hughton was a good appointment, largely based on observations of other people, but so far non-plussed both by his tactics and signings. We are playing two strict lines of four with another midfielder supposedly supporting Holt. It is already apparent that our more attacking midfielders - Howson, Bennett and Pilkington - are concentrating on defensive duties and so far have barely crossed the halfway line this season. This is hopeless and hence lack of goals and attacking play. Towards the end today I noticed we had eight players back in our penalty box trying to contain four Fulham players and even then we did not look defensively solid. Do not understand the signings of Turner and Whittaker who do not look as good as we already have. Why sign a left back when a fully fit Tierney looks completely adequate. Apparently talk of signing another goalkeeper when we already have two very good prospects. As regards interviews I do at least undertand Chris and he seems to talk a good story. I realise it is early days but to date he has got it all wrong and he desperately needs a good win aginst QPR to settle the supporters nerves and I suspect convince the senior players that he is the right man for the job.

I do not necessarily agree we need extra quality players. I think we can continue to hold our own with the existing squad. Lambert relied on teamwork coupled with young keen players with potential and he was a great motivator always prepared to take a chance to win. Hughton is clearly more defensive minded, probably being concerned that he does not want to start off with a few defeats. It looks as if he is employing two strict lines of four midfield and defence. What concerns me is that the wider players appear to be told to keep it tight with no real freedom to move forward. Howson, particularly against Ajax, made very few forays forward. To date we have had little of the ball against the classier continental sides with the support to Holt virtually non-existent. Vaughan and Jackson seem to have played as well as anyone and surely one of them is needed to supply some width and space. It is early days and the matches are "pre-season" but several players, compared with last season, have barely made a start. I am concerned but hope I have got it all wrong.

Now reopened with different owners. Nice couple with Welsh Background. Worth a visit.

Relax guys. Blackburn/Wolves cannot get 43 points. Wigan can, but they have an inferior goal difference of 13. We are safe.

The boys have down us proud this season but it is clear they have now virtually run out of steam. It should also be borne in mind that three of the back four are second choices and young Bennett has made a massive leap coming from Peterborough. Once again we had plenty of possession against a poor Blackburn side, but no real cutting edge. We seem to be trying to copy Swansea a bit i.e. a lot of ineffective midfield short passing but no real pressure on the opponents defence. Whilst the service to Holt and Vaughan was average they both seemed to lack sharpness. I am afraid I am going to say it, but please can someone tell me what Andrew Surman brings to the team. Yes he has scored a couple of goals or so but has no pace and cannot tackle. Several free kicks float straight in to the keepers hands. Many of the team today looked tired but to me Surman was largely non-existent. Not particularly blaming him for this defeat but just don''t think he is up to premiership standard.

What amuses me is that the Club have today E.Mailed me with the story of the new kit which is called "Pass it On". Likewise Stephen Fry has been twittering like mad to pass on the info. As regards the new kit Mr. McNally says it was introduced to keep up with the big boys in football. I accept he has no alternative albeit that many football clubs are not exactly whiter than white - and thats being polite !!!!

I agree with Clint. No need for Baldyboy to apologise. Lambert has done a tremendous job but I do not think it is unreasonable for some constructive comments to be made. If the match at Fulham was Lambert''s first game in charge I think many people would say "what the heck is going on" 1) The traditional four man defence has done very well. For example strikers such as Ba, Cisse, Carrol, Torres,  have virtually been non-existent. Why suddenly switch to a three man defence which clearly was unsettled in the early stages of the Fulham match. 2) To introduce Ryan Bennett from Peterborough in a kind of right centre back/right back in a three man defence was very ambitious. By the way he looks very promising. 3) Russell Martin is a good attacking fullback, but playing as an attacking wing back is not his strength. Does not have the pace and is not suited to a tight short passing midfield role. Much the same can be said about Kyle Naughton. A very good right fullback but again not a left sided wing back. 4) Johnny Howson showed a much needed directness against Wigan - but again was bogged down with the midfield. Again looks good. 5) Morrison is so out of form that he should not have started. To be fair he has scored some great goals but on most occasions he looks as if he has just come from the Anglian Combination. Our overall performances have slipped a bit over recent weeks and as a Sky commentator correctly noted we have plenty of the ball but no cutting edge. In my view the midfield is not providing quality support to the strikers and we have no width. Since Lambert has been here I think most supporters would agree with his team selections based on form etc. All I can think is that the Fulham game was some sort of experiment, which he would not advertise in advance. All seemed very strange. Like Clint I await the onslaught. I am only trying to make observations on what I have seen. Paul Lambert has done wonders and is clearly a great manager. Perhaps my expectations are too high !!!

Generally agree with "Banana". Would have given Whitbread a 7 who won a lot in the air against two big strikers. Ward looks too slow for the Premiership and I think I would have preferred Russell Martin. Also felt he should have attempted to block the cross which led to their goal. Surman never really involved. Bennett and Pilkington need to be a bit more positive when they approach the opponents goal. Both young players who are not yet the finished article, but have high potential and have done well in their first year in the Premiership. Morison is strong in the air and to be fair has scored some good goals but I do not see he has sufficient footballing skills to make any further progress at the top level. Once again teamwork and fighting spirit kept us in the game and we were in control of most of the secondhalf. Lets hope we have a thumping win over Wolves so that we can all relax!!!!

Gruffalo stated "Hoolahan for Jackson substitution was a  poor one which handed the initiative to Man United for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd Half" Completely agree. Without his running to worry about, United were able to push more forward. When Wilbraham came on to support Holt we then had more of the game. Don''t think it particularly affected the result. Have no wish to make any real criticism of Lambert who without spending a fortune has built a very, very  promising team.