The summer signings started to roll in and they where; Richard Wright (West Ham), Gareth McAuley (Leicester), Kevin Lisbie (Colchester), Pim Balkestein (Heerenveen), Ivan Campo (Bolton), Ben Thatcher (Charlton), Jon Stead (Sheffield United) and Moritz Volz (Fulham, Loan).
On paper some quality players, and most of them had crucial premiership and international experience. So first game of the season. Home to Preston. After our incredible home form last term, a win was pretty much expected and with a Lisbie goal within 2 minutes everything looked rosy. But after the 90 minutes a 2-1 defeat signalled how things were going to turn out a "Fortress" Portman Road this season. The next match away at Burnley saw another variance from last season. A convincing away win This saw a goal for Liam Trotter who I had high hopes for this season but he fell out of favour and ended out on loan. But 2 games into the season and already we were seeing the best and worse of Ipswich Town. Defeats to Wolves and Watford followed so it was 4 games and 3 points. Was this going to be another of those seasons?
Then came in my view, a big point in the season, the signing of Jon Stead. He has premier experience and is a good finisher, which what we had been missing since we lost the likes of Darren Bent. His debut saw 2 goals against Reading and I believe his goals are the main reason we were staring up rather than behind our shoulders. Draws at Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday followed before an exit in the League cup were Wigan showed what a long long way we had to go.
It was 27th September when the fans started to show the discontent during the 1-1 with Palace. Chants of "Don't Know What You're Doing" ring out across Portman Road and this well and truly was a sign of things to come. More up and down performances followed before the best side I've seen at Portman Road visited in Swansea. A 2-2 was harsh on them and they gave us a footballing lesson and a draw followed at Forest which left us 18th after 12 games. Not good enough is the simple answer but could "Super Jim " turn it round?
Early signs were good as we secured 10 points from the next 12 which put us in 8th place with 16 games gone, not a bad position in fairness especially after the poor start. But then came one of our worst away performances of the season a 1-0 defeat to bottom of the table, and frankly, poor Doncaster. If we don't beat sides like this we may of well kissed good bye to the play offs then. But as we saw it was the home form that caused concern.
And then December 7th at Carrow Road, the lowest point of the season. We made a very average Norwich side look world class and in a word it was embarrasing. Local pride diminished and results just not picking up, where was Ipswich heading this season? If it was up we were going nowhere fast.
We couldn't string two wins together and a defeat at home to Cardiff signalled Half time in the Championship season. Ipswich Played 23 Points 31 and in 12th place. Only 6 points of the Play offs. Everything to play for!! It is interesting to see that at this point the top 7 were the same at the end of the season, just that Cardiff were seventh instead of Sheffield United. This shows at most teams in the top half stumbled through the second half of season with one or two exceptions.
5 games later and a stunning 4-1 win at palace. Is this finally the turn around. It was a fantastic showing and one that showed our great potential but a settled side was still not chosen. Changes were made most games especially in midfield where Jim couldn't decide between Garvan Norris Quinn Shumi Miller in the centre. A problem he stil hadn't sorted at his departure in April.
A fantastic showing at Chelsea ensued where we did not embarrass ourselves and our 6000 fans easily out-sung their 35000. Again we were showing the potential but what can we actually do with it? The January window saw one of the signings of the season in my opinion. Luciano Civelli, £1m from Banfield in Argentina and what a bargain! He has a good left foot and gives an extra balance to the side and gives us a new dimension. He's not the quickest but gets stuck in and in my view is top class. His awful injury is a huge shame and him being out til 2010 is a huge blow for the team.
Stead continued to score frequently and 3 win-less games led to protests against the manager. But two wins on the trot relieved this a little including a magnificent performance at QPR in front of the Sky camera who we normally struggle in front of. Then the beginning of the end for Mr. Magilton. Game 36 Ipswich 0-3 Southampton. A passionless and dire performance. Looks like our season was going t peter out. 36 games 50 points just 5 off the play offs!!! Still everything to play for. How on earth can the players play with so little passion with so much to gain? This shows a lot of the control Jim had over his players, and even though i have always supported JIm they way he handled his players were in my view his biggest failure.
And then our best 2 game stretch under Jim. 0-0 at wolves and a 1-0 win at Reading thanks to a stunning Stead overhead kick. Again signs of what we can do!! It has always been here we just can't keep it going. These results showed on our day we are among the best in the division. This time also saw the arrival of Giovani on loan from Spurs. And what a player!! He has everything to become world class and was a fantastic coup by Jim and John Gorman, who was also a quality addition to the back room staff. Gio gave us a bit extra fire power and momentum in the close season and it will be a shame to see him go.
Bit once again this was followed by 2 home draws and a away defeat to a strong Sheffield United team. But the next game showed once again the lack of passion and desire in our players. Another home defeat this time to Doncaster and there was nothing left Absolutely nothing. And in game 44 Jim's reign came to n end at a high. Ipswich 3-2 Norwich. Getting the bragging rights back and putting them further into trouble was a perfect solution for us but not for Jim as he was sacked in the following week. Jim has been a loyal servant for this club over the last 10 years and his passion for the club was great to see. But times had ,moved on. He had been given chances and he had not taken them. Yes a weird time to do it but at least it gets a new man in. That man....Roy Keane.
The no-nonsense irishman arrived at change was sure to happen. And it did. A 3-0 away win at Play Off chasing Cardiff was a perfect start and the resurgent Jaime Peters was immense as he was against Norwich in an unfamiliar position. Final game of the season saw a 2-1 win home to Coventry and for the first time this season 3 wins in a row. A perfect end to the season and a perfect stepping stone for the 2009/10 season.
So Let's asses the season. Well by going by my opening statement it is a huge failure. No promotion and a lot of money spent and seemingly wasted, but the foundations are most certainly there.
Most of the signings were a success as well. Richard Wright, player of the year plenty of clean sheets and more and more world class saves. McAuley started shakily but was a rock in the second half of the season. A deserved captain and will be big next season. Him with Pim seemed out best defensive pair and Pim is showing huge potential and also will be huge next year although he will be pushed with Bruce and potential new signings. Thatcher has been solid but he has no pace and hits and hopes alot so a new Left back may be high on Keane's list although Dan Harding could come back into the side. Volz and Campo were not the best but Campo showed signs of his experience and class. Lisbie chipped in with a few but overall didn't contribute as muc has he'd of hoped and could be on his way out. Stead our top scorer and most consistent striker and in my eyes is a must for next season. Civelli top draw and it's such a shame he's out for so long. Eager to play and we are eager to see him. Gio potentially world class and it's a shame we can't hang on to him.
Awards
Player of Season - Richard Wright
Young Player Of Season - Pim Balkestein
Performance of the Season - Reading 0-1 Ipswich
Goal Of the Season Jon Walters (QPR 1-3 Ipswich)
Signing of the season - Luciano Civelli
Bargain of the Season - Jon Stead
Flop Signing of the Season - Ivan Campo
Most disapointing player of season - Jon Walters
Player to look out for next season - Jordan Rhodes
2008/9 Season in Statistics
Click here for player by player stats from the 2008/9 season
Click here for overall team stats for the 2008/9 Season