Will jinx side Watford be celebrating again on August 21?
Ex-players, bogey side and wounded Premier League clubs means tough start for Town
By Dave Gooderham
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
9:45 AM
PAUL Jewell has been handed the toughest task as he looks to lead the Blues into an impressive new season – and earn himself a new contract.
Town’s tough start
August 18: Blackburn (H)
August 21: Watford (A)
August 25: Blackpool (A)
September 1: Huddersfield (H)
September 15: Middlesbrough (A)
September 18: Wolves (H)
September 22: Charlton (H)
The Town manager knows a good start to the 2012/13 Championship season is imperative as he enters the final 12 months of his current deal.
But he will have to do it the hard way after the Football League fixture list was unkind to the longest serving club in the second tier.
Ipswich first face troubled Blackburn Rovers on the opening day – the first time Town have had a curtain-raiser at Portman Road in four seasons and one that could entice the television cameras.
It doesn’t get any easier with consecutive away days, to bogey side Watford and then defeated play-off final side Blackpool, before Huddersfield – expected to be lead by Jordan Rhodes – visit Suffolk on September 1.
With Middlesbrough, Wolves and Charlton to follow in the season’s second month, Jewell could be facing an uphill battle to improve on last season’s disappointing 15th – and keep his job in the process with his contract up at the end of the season.
The opening fixtures show how difficult the Championship will be next year – with 18 of the league’s 24 teams having Premier League experience.
Jewell said: “The Championship is one of the most competitive leagues in the game.
“It will be just as tough next year, possibly even tougher. You’ve got Sheffield Wednesday coming up, who are a massive club. Huddersfield have shown their ambition and Charlton were playing in the Premier League not so long ago.
“There are plenty of big clubs in this division who will feel they have the stadium and facilities worthy of the Premier League and getting back to that level will be the aim.”
The Town boss continues to scour at home and abroad in search of the new talent he hopes will inject an air of optimism around Portman Road following signs of progress in the second half of last season.
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4 comments
star middle end. good teams do not care. we all play each other twice.this is not a easy leauge.simple we are not strong enough. and with out new players we will struggle.
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mike benham
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
It will be hard for everyone. I certainly hope that Ipswich are successful next season but no doubt if things follow last years trend there will be the usual excuses and all the Jewell apologists will be insisting it was Keanos fault and that he should be given more time. Just so that I can have some form of Benchmark please would the Jewell following tell us what "success" should be measured as next season. After all I do not want to again be told that I am unfairly criticising Jewell. Let us all hope it doesn't come to that and the man proves me wrong. I will be quite happy to admit it if that proves the case.
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SussexTractorBoy
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
It will be a tough start if we don't have the three or four players in place soon...THAT HE SAY'S WE NEED.. Down to Paul Jewell and Clegg-less. To make sure that we hit the season with a great start...LETS SEE...
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david bradley
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Yes PJ has indeed been handed the 'toughest task' & will have to do it the 'hard way' Like you I was hoping we were going to get a nice easy start against the rubbish like Leicester Cardiff Birmingham Bolton Leeds Sheffield Wednesday etc. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All this following a story a few days ago when it was announced by PJ that there were 'no easy games' I know it's the close season but really there's no story here & if there is it's the opposite to the one the day before.
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Old Timer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012