You were very unlucky but don’t be too downbeat (47 Viewers)

[suffolkblue]

Hi,

Ipswich fan here. I watched both games, you were definitely the better side in both and yet again, just like the FA cup semi-final last year, didn’t get the rub of the green. Rotten way to lose a play off (much easier if you’re Bristol City and are just outplayed across two games) and on top of the way you lost the first leg it must be a really bitter pill to swallow.

This may be too soon, it may be too raw and let’s face it it’s none of my business but don’t be too downhearted. After 20 years away, it was like a dream watching my team go up last season, complete back to back promotions and see us finally return to the league we were in throughout my childhood. I know many of you in your 40s and older will have the same feeling about Cov. Your kids have never seen you in the top division and it would mean the world for them to.

For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be happier next season watching a good team in a competitive league than if you’d won last night and then won at Wembley. We went up on the crest of a wave, almost unbeatable for two seasons and with a man who I still believe despite relegation is the best young manager in the UK. The new signings in the summer were fantastic. Players were joining us who a year before would have been so far out of reach it would be laughable to even consider it (Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics and a host of others). The kits and season tickets with the with the Premier League logo, fixture list coming out and seeing we start the season at home to Liverpool etc etc. and then reality bites.

The Premier League isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for clubs like ours. It’s for the elite and those artificially bankrolled by billionaires who use it as a play thing. I can’t wait to be back in the EFL next season!

I honestly thought we’d be able to compete. I knew it would be a struggle but thought we’d have a fighting chance of survival. After a handful of matches though it dawns on you just how big the gulf is now. It’s not like when we (and you) were there before. Squads of the established clubs are so strong that they can loan you a player that can’t get in their squad that becomes one of your best players (Enciso from Brighton is going to be one hell of a player). On top of that the decisions all go the way of the bigger, established clubs, VAR is horrendous and the atmosphere when you go to the likes of Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea isn’t a patch on what it is at the bigger championship clubs. The half and half scarves ar every game, tourists and day trippers, silly flares and pyros before every game, patronising media and so on make it all far less enjoyable than you expect it to be.

Anyway, a long rambling message from an outsider on a day when you’re feeling hurt probably isn’t what you want but keep the faith, look forward, get behind your team and see you next season when from what I’ve seen you’ll be up there again .

 

---

[shmmeee]

I just want the money mate. Easy to say it’s shit when you’re drying your tears with £100m a year post relegation.

 

[TomRad85]

I just want the money mate. Easy to say it’s shit when you’re drying your tears with £100m a year post relegation.

Football is broken there's no doubt about it, not even sure what you can do at this point. A class of club has been created that is hamstrung from competing in the Prem but has huge financial benefits over every other Championship club. Our ambition is to become one of those. It's a shite ambition but it's where we are.

 

[suffolkblue]

I just want the money mate. Easy to say it’s shit when you’re drying your tears with £100m a year post relegation.

I get that and in the long term this season should take us up a level but it’s a painful process. We had a team we loved - players we’d seen grow and develop, bond and achieve something really special. Most of them have now left or are way down the pecking order, replaced by talented footballers with no affinity to the club who will be leaving as soon as a promoted premier league club comes knocking in the summer. Most of the money will have gone on inflated salaries, agent fees and transfers. Our ground has a big upgrade that was long overdue but yours doesn’t need it.

Lampard has done an incredible job but you are so far off the level you need to be at (I don’t mean that to sound offensive) that I honestly think you’d struggle to get into double digit points next season even if the owners, like ours did, spent £100m in the summer.

 

[shmmeee]

I get that and in the long term this season should take us up a level but it’s a painful process. We had a team we loved - players we’d seen grow and develop, bond and achieve something really special. Most of them have now left or are way down the pecking order, replaced by talented footballers with no affinity to the club who will be leaving as soon as a promoted premier league club comes knocking in the summer. Most of the money will have gone on inflated salaries, agent fees and transfers. Our ground has a big upgrade that was long overdue but yours doesn’t need it.

Lampard has done an incredible job but you are so far off the level you need to be at (I don’t mean that to sound offensive) that I honestly think you’d struggle to get into double digit points next season even if the owners, like ours did, spent £100m in the summer.

I honestly wouldn’t care if we got zero points. It’s about financial stability of the club. We’ve already had our team of hero’s ripped up and replaced with lazy arseholes, at least yours are talented!

 

[suffolkblue]

I honestly wouldn’t care if we got zero points. It’s about financial stability of the club. We’ve already had our team of hero’s ripped up and replaced with lazy arseholes, at least yours are talented!

Fair enough! You’re right that it’s easy for me to say what I have when we’ve benefitted from the money, have parachute payments and without sounding cocky should have a decent season to look forward to. Trust me though, when Sunderland or Sheffield United are getting smacked 6-0 at home you’ll be sitting there thinking you’re glad it’s them or you! Horrible watching your team get totally outplayed week after week. We’ve had our moments, had a couple of great results and put some decent performances in but I spent most of the season reminiscing about the EFL!

 

[shmmeee]

Fair enough! You’re right that it’s easy for me to say what I have when we’ve benefitted from the money, have parachute payments and without sounding cocky should have a decent season to look forward to. Trust me though, when Sunderland or Sheffield United are getting smacked 6-0 at home you’ll be sitting there thinking you’re glad it’s them or you! Horrible watching your team get totally outplayed week after week. We’ve had our moments, had a couple of great results and put some decent performances in but I spent most of the season reminiscing about the EFL!

Nah I get that. It must be horrible to go through and you looo at what it did to Luton. Still, it’s the game these days.

 

[Calista]

We’ve already had our team of hero’s ripped up and replaced with lazy arseholes,

This is nonsense

 

[shmmeee]

This is nonsense

Come on, if you think Haji Wright and Ellis Simms have the same cult status as Liam Kelly and Marty Godden I’m not sure what to say. The “L2 to PL” dream died with Robins this is a new thing now and the likes of Wright and Simms couldn’t care less about the club, Lampard either really, we’re at that level where we’re a stepping stone now.

 

[Nick]

Come on, if you think Haji Wright and Ellis Simms have the same cult status as Liam Kelly and Marty Godden I’m not sure what to say. The “L2 to PL” dream died with Robins this is a new thing now and the likes of Wright and Simms couldn’t care less about the club, Lampard either really, we’re at that level where we’re a stepping stone now.

Ah back to Lampard not caring.

 

[shmmeee]

Ah back to Lampard not caring.

I don’t think many do at this level. Why would you if you’ve not got history with a club? Saddle said as much last year. Players don’t socialise together. It doesn’t mean as much as it did to the L1 winning side. It’s a job, one of many and not the one they want to end up in.

 

[SkyblueTexan]

No offence but I wish others didn’t come here to try to console us when the pain is still raw. I wouldn’t mind being a yo-yo team which is what Ipswich and the others coming down will be. Plus we also have to contend with loaded teams coming up from League 1 like Birmingham and Wrexham. We will dust ourselves down and go again. I’m proud of how we played in the playoffs. At least we didn’t play a shameful and cowardly brand of smash and grab football like Sunderland. Even against Man Utd last season and Spurs this season we showed true attacking intent and ultimately got undone due to our defensive frailties. Defence is an area we have to prioritise this offseason.

 

[TomRad85]

I don’t think many do at this level. Why would you if you’ve not got history with a club? Saddle said as much last year. Players don’t socialise together. It doesn’t mean as much as it did to the L1 winning side. It’s a job, one of many and not the one they want to end up in.

The players look pretty together for a Championship bunch, who are all mainly highly paid pros these days. They won't be as emotionally attached as a Kelly or a Godden who've had largely lower league careers and fought their way up but unfortunately you have to move on from players like that at some point. Also i think its clear Lampard cares, i think he's bonded with the club and its fans pretty quickly.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

 

[shmmeee]

The players look pretty together for a Championship bunch, who are all mainly highly paid pros these days. They won't be as emotionally attached as a Kelly or a Godden who've had largely lower league careers and fought their way up but unfortunately you have to move on from players like that at some point. Also i think it’s clear Lampard cares, i think he's bonded with the club and its fans pretty quickly.

This isn’t about individuals but I think people are seeing what they want with Lampard he still talks as if he’s apart from the club and here doing something for us but that’s by the by.

The point was that the Ipswich situation of having a tight night group of cult heroes that got them up the leagues doesn’t apply to us!

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

I don’t think many do at this level. Why would you if you’ve not got history with a club? Saddle said as much last year. Players don’t socialise together. It doesn’t mean as much as it did to the L1 winning side. It’s a job, one of many and not the one they want to end up in.

I think mate on the players there has been a real effort from Lampard to get them socialising again. Since he came in they stay at the same hotel over night and get to the arena super early.

On Lampard, I don’t generally get how he can be seen as uncaring after his interview last night and the supporter groups etc. Just seems cynical to me, no offence.

 

[shmmeee]

I think mate on the players there has been a real effort from Lampard to get them socialising again. Since he came in they stay at the same hotel over night and get to the arena super early.

On Lampard, I don’t generally get how he can be seen as uncaring after his interview last night and the supporter groups etc. Just seems cynical to me, no offence.

None taken. I just see someone who talks as if he’s not part of CCFC. Thats what I heard in his interview. I don’t think he’s planning to be here for years and years.

 

[fernandopartridge]

I honestly wouldn’t care if we got zero points. It’s about financial stability of the club. We’ve already had our team of hero’s ripped up and replaced with lazy arseholes, at least yours are talented!

I don't think the club would necessarily be that much more stable in the long term after one season in the prem, look at the likes of Huddersfield (they had two). Your expenditure grows with your income ultimately. Quite difficult to manage at least having a go at competing with profit.

 

[suffolkblue]

No offence but I wish others didn’t come here to try to console us when the pain is still raw. I wouldn’t mind being a yo-yo team which is what Ipswich and the others coming down will be. Plus we also have to contend with loaded teams coming up from League 1 like Birmingham and Wrexham. We will dust ourselves down and go again. I’m proud of how we played in the playoffs. At least we didn’t play a shameful and cowardly brand of smash and grab football like Sunderland. Even against Man Utd last season and Spurs this season we showed true attacking intent and ultimately got undone due to our defensive frailties. Defence is an area we have to prioritise this offseason.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

None taken. I just see someone who talks as if he’s not part of CCFC. Thats what I heard in his interview. I don’t think he’s planning to be here for years and years.

To be fair I don’t disagree that he won’t be here for as long as Robins. He‘ll probably go next summer and unlike some others I could see him going in the summer if the right chance came up. But I think he cares, just cause he won’t be here forever doesn’t mean he doesn’t care us about now if that makes sense.

 

[suffolkblue]

No offence taken. I said it was raw and have watched my team lose more play off semi finals than I care to remember. If we’d missed out last season and a Luton fan had popped up on TWTD I’d probably have had a similar reaction to you.

When you get there (you will, it’s cyclical for all clubs like ours) you’ll have a different perspective of the Premier League to the one you’ve got now. Just about the only genuine positive I can come up with is that tickets for away fans are capped at £30. There is not one other thing about it that makes it a more enjoyable experience for fans of a newly promoted club than the championship.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

No offence taken. I said it was raw and have watched my team lose more play off semi finals than I care to remember. If we’d missed out last season and a Luton get had popped up on TWTD I’d probably have had a similar reaction to you.

When you get there (you will, it’s cyclical for all clubs like ours) you’ll have a different perspective of the Premier League to the one you’ve got now. Just about the only genuine positive I can come up with is that tickets for away fans are capped at £30. There is not one other thing about it that makes it a more enjoyable experience for fans of a newly promoted club than the championship.

The journey is always better than the destination and all that. If I’m honest I just want to have stability, the money buys our stadium and probably some very decent players for when we come down. Course I have no doubt we’d get spanked every week like Southampton have

 

[shmmeee]

To be fair I don’t disagree that he won’t be here for as long as Robins. He‘ll probably go next summer and unlike some others I could see him going in the summer if the right chance came up. But I think he cares, just cause he won’t be here forever doesn’t mean he doesn’t care us about now if that makes sense.

Yeah so again no different to anyone we might get in the PL. point is I think we crossed that Rubicon and so unlike OP wouldn’t have the added issue of your team of cult heroes being replaced by mercenaries cos it’s already happened.

 

[CovValleyBoy]

Hi,

Ipswich fan here. I watched both games, you were definitely the better side in both and yet again, just like the FA cup semi-final last year, didn’t get the rub of the green. Rotten way to lose a play off (much easier if you’re Bristol City and are just outplayed across two games) and on top of the way you lost the first leg it must be a really bitter pill to swallow.

This may be too soon, it may be too raw and let’s face it it’s none of my business but don’t be too downhearted. After 20 years away, it was like a dream watching my team go up last season, complete back to back promotions and see us finally return to the league we were in throughout my childhood. I know many of you in your 40s and older will have the same feeling about Cov. Your kids have never seen you in the top division and it would mean the world for them to.

For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be happier next season watching a good team in a competitive league than if you’d won last night and then won at Wembley. We went up on the crest of a wave, almost unbeatable for two seasons and with a man who I still believe despite relegation is the best young manager in the UK. The new signings in the summer were fantastic. Players were joining us who a year before would have been so far out of reach it would be laughable to even consider it (Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics and a host of others). The kits and season tickets with the with the Premier League logo, fixture list coming out and seeing we start the season at home to Liverpool etc etc. and then reality bites.

The Premier League isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for clubs like ours. It’s for the elite and those artificially bankrolled by billionaires who use it as a play thing. I can’t wait to be back in the EFL next season!

I honestly thought we’d be able to compete. I knew it would be a struggle but thought we’d have a fighting chance of survival. After a handful of matches though it dawns on you just how big the gulf is now. It’s not like when we (and you) were there before. Squads of the established clubs are so strong that they can loan you a player that can’t get in their squad that becomes one of your best players (Enciso from Brighton is going to be one hell of a player). On top of that the decisions all go the way of the bigger, established clubs, VAR is horrendous and the atmosphere when you go to the likes of Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea isn’t a patch on what it is at the bigger championship clubs. The half and half scarves ar every game, tourists and day trippers, silly flares and pyros before every game, patronising media and so on make it all far less enjoyable than you expect it to be.

Anyway, a long rambling message from an outsider on a day when you’re feeling hurt probably isn’t what you want but keep the faith, look forward, get behind your team and see you next season when from what I’ve seen you’ll be up there again .

Ipswich for me got what they deserved this season.
I like and can well believe a lot of what you said.

But that last match last season where you beat us at our ground to confirm promotion.
You time wasted throughout , feigning injuries for coaching meetings on the touchline, yr keeper taking for ever to take a goalkick & all orchestrated by your "impeccable" young manager.

I thought you were exponents of the dark arts that day & would therefore have enough to stay up.
Not to be. Watch out Burnley ! They played this season like Ipswich did last.

 

[fernandopartridge]

If you want a season of getting pumped every week every other season you are weird and too bought into a marketing gimmick

 

[suffolkblue]

Ipswich for me got what they deserved this season.
I like and can well believe a lot of what you said.

But that last match last season where you beat us at our ground to confirm promotion.
You time wasted throughout , feigning injuries for coaching meetings on the touchline, yr keeper taking for ever to take a goalkick & all orchestrated by your "impeccable" young manager.

I thought you were exponents of the dark arts that day & would therefore have enough to stay up.
Not to be. Watch out Burnley ! They played this season like Ipswich did last.

 

[suffolkblue]

That was the penultimate game of the season. A win meant we only needed a point from the last game to go up. Of course we did what we had to, every team would do the same. I couldn’t care less what fans of other teams think of us and if that’s your takeaway from what we achieved last season then fair enough. It does suggest you don’t want much championship football though. The football we played for most of last season and the season before was brilliant to watch. Burns goal at Portman Road against you being a great example of what we were about.

 

[Nantwich Skyblues]

Hi,

Ipswich fan here. I watched both games, you were definitely the better side in both and yet again, just like the FA cup semi-final last year, didn’t get the rub of the green. Rotten way to lose a play off (much easier if you’re Bristol City and are just outplayed across two games) and on top of the way you lost the first leg it must be a really bitter pill to swallow.

This may be too soon, it may be too raw and let’s face it it’s none of my business but don’t be too downhearted. After 20 years away, it was like a dream watching my team go up last season, complete back to back promotions and see us finally return to the league we were in throughout my childhood. I know many of you in your 40s and older will have the same feeling about Cov. Your kids have never seen you in the top division and it would mean the world for them to.

For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be happier next season watching a good team in a competitive league than if you’d won last night and then won at Wembley. We went up on the crest of a wave, almost unbeatable for two seasons and with a man who I still believe despite relegation is the best young manager in the UK. The new signings in the summer were fantastic. Players were joining us who a year before would have been so far out of reach it would be laughable to even consider it (Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics and a host of others). The kits and season tickets with the with the Premier League logo, fixture list coming out and seeing we start the season at home to Liverpool etc etc. and then reality bites.

The Premier League isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for clubs like ours. It’s for the elite and those artificially bankrolled by billionaires who use it as a play thing. I can’t wait to be back in the EFL next season!

I honestly thought we’d be able to compete. I knew it would be a struggle but thought we’d have a fighting chance of survival. After a handful of matches though it dawns on you just how big the gulf is now. It’s not like when we (and you) were there before. Squads of the established clubs are so strong that they can loan you a player that can’t get in their squad that becomes one of your best players (Enciso from Brighton is going to be one hell of a player). On top of that the decisions all go the way of the bigger, established clubs, VAR is horrendous and the atmosphere when you go to the likes of Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea isn’t a patch on what it is at the bigger championship clubs. The half and half scarves ar every game, tourists and day trippers, silly flares and pyros before every game, patronising media and so on make it all far less enjoyable than you expect it to be.

Anyway, a long rambling message from an outsider on a day when you’re feeling hurt probably isn’t what you want but keep the faith, look forward, get behind your team and see you next season when from what I’ve seen you’ll be up there again .

Appreciate the words and be another helluva season in the championship next time pusb

 

[Saddlebrains]

I think mate on the players there has been a real effort from Lampard to get them socialising again. Since he came in they stay at the same hotel over night and get to the arena super early.

On Lampard, I don’t generally get how he can be seen as uncaring after his interview last night and the supporter groups etc. Just seems cynical to me, no offence.

Yea seconded

The main thing Lampard has instilled in them is togetherness. He knows you get nowhere without it. They realise that now

 

[Gint11]

Hi,

Ipswich fan here. I watched both games, you were definitely the better side in both and yet again, just like the FA cup semi-final last year, didn’t get the rub of the green. Rotten way to lose a play off (much easier if you’re Bristol City and are just outplayed across two games) and on top of the way you lost the first leg it must be a really bitter pill to swallow.

This may be too soon, it may be too raw and let’s face it it’s none of my business but don’t be too downhearted. After 20 years away, it was like a dream watching my team go up last season, complete back to back promotions and see us finally return to the league we were in throughout my childhood. I know many of you in your 40s and older will have the same feeling about Cov. Your kids have never seen you in the top division and it would mean the world for them to.

For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be happier next season watching a good team in a competitive league than if you’d won last night and then won at Wembley. We went up on the crest of a wave, almost unbeatable for two seasons and with a man who I still believe despite relegation is the best young manager in the UK. The new signings in the summer were fantastic. Players were joining us who a year before would have been so far out of reach it would be laughable to even consider it (Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics and a host of others). The kits and season tickets with the with the Premier League logo, fixture list coming out and seeing we start the season at home to Liverpool etc etc. and then reality bites.

The Premier League isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for clubs like ours. It’s for the elite and those artificially bankrolled by billionaires who use it as a play thing. I can’t wait to be back in the EFL next season!

I honestly thought we’d be able to compete. I knew it would be a struggle but thought we’d have a fighting chance of survival. After a handful of matches though it dawns on you just how big the gulf is now. It’s not like when we (and you) were there before. Squads of the established clubs are so strong that they can loan you a player that can’t get in their squad that becomes one of your best players (Enciso from Brighton is going to be one hell of a player). On top of that the decisions all go the way of the bigger, established clubs, VAR is horrendous and the atmosphere when you go to the likes of Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea isn’t a patch on what it is at the bigger championship clubs. The half and half scarves ar every game, tourists and day trippers, silly flares and pyros before every game, patronising media and so on make it all far less enjoyable than you expect it to be.

Anyway, a long rambling message from an outsider on a day when you’re feeling hurt probably isn’t what you want but keep the faith, look forward, get behind your team and see you next season when from what I’ve seen you’ll be up there again .

A decent post tbf

 

[edgy]

Yea seconded

The main thing Lampard has instilled in them is togetherness. He knows you get nowhere without it. They realise that now

They do seem a good bunch from what we see in City Unseen. Just silly little things like them playing basketball after training etc. Another pre-season together will only add to that.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Yea seconded

The main thing Lampard has instilled in them is togetherness. He knows you get nowhere without it. They realise that now

Saw that to be fair, when Rudoni went to get Milan’s head up after the own goal. As a side note, it’s a bit bizarre we lost that togetherness before. Always thought Robins and Adi were good at installing that into every team they created during their time here.

 

[coop]

Hi,

Ipswich fan here. I watched both games, you were definitely the better side in both and yet again, just like the FA cup semi-final last year, didn’t get the rub of the green. Rotten way to lose a play off (much easier if you’re Bristol City and are just outplayed across two games) and on top of the way you lost the first leg it must be a really bitter pill to swallow.

This may be too soon, it may be too raw and let’s face it it’s none of my business but don’t be too downhearted. After 20 years away, it was like a dream watching my team go up last season, complete back to back promotions and see us finally return to the league we were in throughout my childhood. I know many of you in your 40s and older will have the same feeling about Cov. Your kids have never seen you in the top division and it would mean the world for them to.

For what it’s worth, I think you’ll be happier next season watching a good team in a competitive league than if you’d won last night and then won at Wembley. We went up on the crest of a wave, almost unbeatable for two seasons and with a man who I still believe despite relegation is the best young manager in the UK. The new signings in the summer were fantastic. Players were joining us who a year before would have been so far out of reach it would be laughable to even consider it (Kalvin Phillips, Jack Clarke, Sammie Szmodics and a host of others). The kits and season tickets with the with the Premier League logo, fixture list coming out and seeing we start the season at home to Liverpool etc etc. and then reality bites.

The Premier League isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for clubs like ours. It’s for the elite and those artificially bankrolled by billionaires who use it as a play thing. I can’t wait to be back in the EFL next season!

I honestly thought we’d be able to compete. I knew it would be a struggle but thought we’d have a fighting chance of survival. After a handful of matches though it dawns on you just how big the gulf is now. It’s not like when we (and you) were there before. Squads of the established clubs are so strong that they can loan you a player that can’t get in their squad that becomes one of your best players (Enciso from Brighton is going to be one hell of a player). On top of that the decisions all go the way of the bigger, established clubs, VAR is horrendous and the atmosphere when you go to the likes of Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea isn’t a patch on what it is at the bigger championship clubs. The half and half scarves ar every game, tourists and day trippers, silly flares and pyros before every game, patronising media and so on make it all far less enjoyable than you expect it to be.

Anyway, a long rambling message from an outsider on a day when you’re feeling hurt probably isn’t what you want but keep the faith, look forward, get behind your team and see you next season when from what I’ve seen you’ll be up there again .

Great Post pal and I have seen us in the premier league and like you say its my kids who want to see the big teams at CBS even it is for one season.Its the toughest league to be in especially when relegated teams get a multi million pound bonus for going down.But that's beyond our control and should be stopped. I love being in the championship as we can compete. Good luck next season think you will probably go up again as you have quality players but hopefully one behind us.

 

[shmmeee]

Saw that to be fair, when Rudoni went to get Milan’s head up after the own goal. As a side note, it’s a bit bizarre we lost that togetherness before. Always thought Robins and Adi were good at installing that into every team they created during their time here.

I think it’s clear that the Robins/Viveash fall out, Lawrence leaving, and the cup loss, plus TBF losing O’Hare/Godden/Kelly/Fadz who had been the off field spine as well as on field all in the space of what six months did some real damage.

 

[Saddlebrains]

I think it’s clear that the Robins/Viveash fall out, Lawrence leaving, and the cup loss, plus TBF losing O’Hare/Godden/Kelly/Fadz who had been the off field spine as well as on field all in the space of what six months did some real damage.

Indeed. The seige mentality at the club had gone

Lampard has brought it back