Episode 2 Late Kick Off East

There are rumblings of discontent in the camp. The natives are

restless. And that is just Perry. I Heading for the last chance saloon.

How bad are things at Ipswich Town? The old board sold the family

silver. That a family silver is now 66 million in debt. We catch up

with Peterborough's Mr versatile. And as usual, the pick of the

action. Plenty of plaudits and plonkers. I am thoroughly peed off.

Good evening. We will do your best -- our best to cheer you up. Plenty

of Ipswich Town fans far from happy. With me this evening and also not

happy, Perry Groves. I heard something today that it took my

breath away. Elaborate? I will leave it on to later. Also his

Chris -- also here is Chris Dunleavy. You can have your say by

getting in touch. 2012 has not started brightly for Ipswich.

Without a league win and out of the FA Cup, defeat at Leeds added to

the unthinkable, relegation to What I year, off on a four years at

Ipswich. Brand new owner, bright new hope. We have a real

opportunity to kick on and realise our dreams and get promotion.

But doubts have doubled, attendances have been in steady

decline and managers have come and gone.

I am working with ambitious people. There are enough people out there

with no ambition in life. That is one of the reasons I came to the

club. I am delighted to confirm Paul Jewell as the new manager at

the Ipswich Town. 12 months into the job, Paul Jewell is under

pressure, town and losing games, shipping goals, relegation is a

real possibility. At the players doing enough to turn things around?

Yes, we do. We try to get together as much as we can. We try to get a

better understanding of each other. We all get on together. But the

understanding seems to be missing on the pitch. Sometimes it can be

frustrating. But we're trying our best. Some of the fans think we're

not good enough. I think we are good enough. The Conference was

missing. We are getting it back. How conscious argue that it is the

manager's job on the line? We are conscious. We all like him as a man,

we like him as a manager. It is tough. You want to do well for him.

You think, will be here next week? We know he is are -- our manager.

We know we can get on with our job. He takes the pressure off. I hope

that will boost us. Ipswich need a boost. Performances, consistency,

some stability. Another seven-match losing streak would be unbearable,

or unthinkable. What would Sir Bobby Robson make of it? The man at

the top remains invisible, despite the club's problems. Marcus Evans

refuses to talk to the media. He did share some thoughts in the last

match-day programme. He admitted there was no quick fix but

reinforced his commitment to the club and the manager. He also said

he would continue to invest heavily. Does the Hon or have a duty to the

fans -- does the dollar have a duty to the fans? I can certainly

understand the fans want to hear from the whole Iraq -- honour. In

the past they had David Sheepshanks. Because of the frustration that has

been building, I can understand why. Marcus Evans has a right to his own

privacy. The programme notes and the interview he did last weekend

has at least made one step towards letting fans not what the plan is

for the future. It would be a wonderful thing if he came out into

the open and talked frankly. It would be a major boost for

everybody connected with the club. Has the Marcus Evans era done more

damage than good? I think the damage was done in the previous --

previous era by running the club into such a state that it had to

sell two Marcus Evans. The old board sold the family silver. That

family silver is now 66 million in debt. The debt belongs to Marcus

Adams. The club is running, it is functioning and they are trying to

get back on their feet. Supporters are becoming increasingly agitated,

frustrated at how the club is being run. Now they are voting with their

feet. Crowds are down. Averaging over 25,000 in the Championship in

2004, now it is just over 18,000. Average attendances down for seven

straight seasons. Graham, Justin, Colin and Carl have totted up 150th

years support between them. They are drowning their sorrows. We will

watch Ipswich Town through thick and 10 -- then. My lad, I'd taken

to most games. He has been saying he does not want to go.

Unfortunately if you're losing supporters at that age, the future

of the club will look exception of the bleak. There is concern about

the long-term future. The manager has to manage the resources he has

got. He has got five games or he has to be at home with the Grand

kit. It is not necessarily a good thing to sack the manager if you

can see what they are trying to achieve. I would rather we had

somebody who was building something for the future. He was bemoaning

the mistakes the defence had made. The defence have been making these

mistakes all season. I am thinking, you are the manager, you could

bring better players in. Is it hard to stay positive? Vary. The

entertainment is not great. We are seriously looking at relegation.

Marcus Evans must have spoken to his advisers. Go back to basics,

build a team for the next four years. Hopefully Paul Jewell will

be given the capabilities and the transfer leverage to get younger

players. Recent transfer activity suggests the manager is taking

active steps to overhaul his ageing squad. It is 30 years since Sir

Bobby Robson's name became entrenched in Ipswich folklore.

Robson's respected, attacking, free-scoring brand of football won

admirers all over. He delivered Ipswich's first, their only

European trophy. Three years earlier, FA Cup glory. Golden days,

precious memories. Fans will hope these scenes are not just a

treasure from the past, but an inspiration to the future.

So do I. Shades of Norwich from three years ago when they dropped

into League One. Now they are back into the Premier League. You do not

want to be dropping in to League One. Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield

United and Cardiff are struggling. The biggest thing Marcus Evans can

do is appoint the right manager. It has not worked. Is it Paul Jewell

the right man? He has probably got two games, West Ham and Coventry,

to save his jobs. He went with experienced players and they have

not performed. He has to turn it around quickly. Whose fault is it?

It is the players and the manager. Paul Jewell has to shoulder the

blame. He has bought a lot of older players. They are the oldest team

in the league by miles. If you there after January. He will not be

able to change anything. Give Paul Jewell the chance to get it right.

It was the same old story at the season. Andy Drury had a free kick,

went past the Leeds goalkeeper. All of a sudden, players make rash

decisions. Thomas hit the crossbar. Since beating Portsmouth, they have

lost 11 of the last 15. This is the reason why. Exactly, Sonko was

looking at McCarthy, saying, hold your ground. He makes a rash

decision. The goalkeeper should have stayed on his line. That was

an individual mistake. They defend this one quite well. Evans did OK.

Sonko did OK. Another rush of blood from Sonko. That will go down as an

assistant -- and assist. It is confident. People do not think

straight. They make bad decisions. On this one, Sonko was thinking,

come and get the ball. No communication between the centre

have and the substitute goalkeeper. Becchio added muscles the defender

and makes it 3-1. -- out muscles. They have the worst defence. That

They have the worst defence. That is where the problems lie. They

have conceded 11 goals in the last five minutes of games. They have

lost too many points from winning positions. Lots of response from

A week before the transfer window shut, what can they do? They have

had beards are turned down, Shaun St Leger was talked about -- bids.

He is not in the Leicester side at the moment, they need experienced

centre-half. It is to do with confidence as well, when she

concede the first goal, you drop a bit deeper, so they need to push

out of the penalty area -- once a year. The have you heard anything,

Chris? Not really. I would go for something up front, someone like

Jamie Vardy at freed -- Fleetwood. A million quid, but it could be

A million quid, but it could be worth it. Let's have a look at the

table and see where it leaves Ipswich. They are clear of the

relegation zone, partly due to the fact that Nottingham Forest and at

fact that Nottingham Forest and at Doncaster last at the weekend. Some

big games coming up. West Ham is a huge game, they are better away

from home and they will get balls into the box for the likes of Colin

-- Carlton Cole, Kevin Nolan will be flooding into the box. They went

to Upton Park and one earlier in the season. I think West Ham will

be watching that comedy of errors on video and will be licking their

lips. Top times for Ipswich but plenty more still to come this

evening. -- tough times. It is not looking too posh at

Peterborough right that and we will find out why.

And the original Game of Two Hearts, the MK Dons hero turned villain.

At Stevenage, the early signs are live without Graham Westley will

not be too bad. You have some information on the managerial

situation. There have been some interviews and some names bandied

about, but I would guess from what I have heard it is not going to be

Paul Buckle, and perhaps maybe there were initial rumblings that

they would prefer Mark Roberts with a more experienced man alongside

him but an appointment is being up -- imminent. Gary Smith is another

one, Paul Ince. I think possibly Gary Smith would be a good shared,

Gary Smith would be a good shared, it would fit in with their style.

They got a good point at the weekend. They are not bad away.

They didn't get the knocked down there, that defence is too far up

and a decent finish by Garry Thompson to put Scunthorpe 1 up.

And then they got themselves back into the game. The ball goes out to

the right side, comes the Wilson and it is a typical Stevenage goal.

It comes down to Darius Charles, a good turn, and a well deserved

good turn, and a well deserved point. Unbeaten in 11 away matches,

are difficult to beat. They did concede goals and they have a lot

of players who can run all day -- they do not. And tonight --

tomorrow night, they play MK Dons, who got a valuable point away at

decent volley, but he becomes the villain a later on. They are six

unbeaten away. It will be a really good game. And our tax reformer

bowled. -- a taxi for Macdonald. they miss the sample dog? I think

everybody would. -- do they ms Zammit Baldock? That was never a

penalty. You can tell from the players, nobody expects it to be a

penalty. Hughes finishes it. Karl Robinson said his team played well

in the first half and were poor in in the first half and were poor in

the second half, so fair result. What do you make of the job he is

doing? He is brilliant, he his start in the philosophy of passing

and passing it, just like Brendan Rodgers at Swansea -- he is

keeps them in the same positions as last week, very much in the mix and

they pay -- play each other tomorrow night. It will be a

contrast of styles, Steve Snitch like to get forward quickly and

early, MK Dons like to keep it on the floor -- Stevenage. It should

be a great game for the fans. role club cold Chester, a

disappointing result against the bottom of the league -- the your

old club cold Chester. Yes. Jack Lester are marked in the area. Dan

Cole chest they get themselves back weekend, is that fair? You want to

see your team are putting a shift in. When you are a fan, you will

forgive poor performances but not a lack of effort. That is a big

criticism, do you think that is the case? I haven't seen many games,

but I talked a lot of fans. If players give 100% every week, they

won't moan. The other worry was they took a young lad on loan from

Watford, Gavin masse, and put him on the bench, he didn't play him.

He came on and put the ball through for Henderson and looked energetic

and he hasn't got the stigma of that bad run, so the fans are

wondering why he didn't start. to the Championship and next stop,

London Road. Plenty are changes now as Kevin Piper discovered. That

The landscape at London Road has changed dramatically since the last

time I was here, resembling a bomb site, because it is very much a

work-in-progress but lots of development going on. Unfortunately,

our focus today is on events inside the stadium. -- fortunately. Here

is the first man we have come to see today, fell. What on earth is

happening out there? It is the frontage of London Road being

knocked down as part of the redevelopment of the stadium, but

in time it will be a car park. are a very busy man, it is only

just past 9:30am at John Day has very much begun. As the man in

charge of the media, take us through your day. The phone rings a

lot, week send out the passes for the media like ourselves. I had

better get my pass, them. -- at them. And with that, he embarks

affected pre-match schedule, distributing press tickets,

collecting match-day programmes, up into the press box to check

everything is in working order. We have got fired live here today.

A photography wise, to Just take us through what you have

got to do before kick-off. We have still got grander tours to do,

around 1pm. We will show them around, take them to the boardroom.

By silver plates are the League One and lead to runners-up trophy...

At the end of this season, that stand Welby Unit knocked down. --

will be knocked down. What is the timescale for the

managers naming their team sent you having to print them? It is

normally around 1:45pm. The referee will take the official list and it

is a mad -- from the tunnel into the media room to get the team

sheets tied up -- mad sprint. Then obviously, get them printed for the

directors and the Scouts. One of the final pre-match duties, the

music that they run out 2. This season, a touch of Gardell. --

Adele. It was used on a lot of the motivational DVDs last season. The

players are mouthing the words before they cut out. It might not

be significant to the fans but it is to the players and that is the

most important thing. As 3pm approaches, he takes his place in

the press box, offering ball-by- ball update on the posh website and

Twitter feed. My computer has a frozen, I believe. It won't let me

do anything. Philip has problems and so do his team. Will Buckley's

and so do his team. Will Buckley's long free-kick desert -- deceiving

Joe Lewis. In the second half, they are level through substitute David

Ball. The work is Julie spread. -- Julie spread. Just before full-time,

Will Buckley looks out again. Darren Ferguson keeps his players

Darren Ferguson keeps his players locked in for a full 45 minutes.

That is the manager's prerogative, to keep them there as long as he

wants to. Brighton manager Gus Poyet has done the media and the

players have done the media and the press are waiting for Alla manager

but he can be in there until 9pm it the once did -- our. Let's go,

let's go. Are you the press officer of the fan? A bit of both. Everyone

at the club is a fan. As you can see later on, it is quite

demoralising. Yes, poor performance. I am sorry the result didn't go the

way you and we were hoping for but you have given us a good insight

into what happens on match day. are not allowed back, by the way.

You said you were angry, though one, had your brand. Is that the worst

entrance music you have ever heard -- have your Randa. I thought they

were going to be in the Lights, had a little smorgasbord of cheese.

Sorted out, that is not going to get your blood pumping. What should

they come out to? The one and only by Chesney Hawkes. Chris, you will

appreciate the work they do, do they look after you all right?

are brilliant, one of the good guys. There are some clubs with a bunker

mentality who try and keep the press said but Peterborough are not

one of them. He is a good guy. Excellent. On to Division Two,

where the region continues to where the region continues to

bookend the table, still on top, but only just, Southend. Probably

one of the worst tackles of the weekend. Ma Ben Morgan goes

straight over the top. That could be a career ending tackle -- Martin.

A disappointing result, because against 10 men, you would expect

Southend to go on and win it. Is this a penalty? Yes, it is. He

shouldn't be trying to win the ball, there is no point. Peter Gilbert

goes into the back of James Collins. Ben has some kind of supervision. -

- Perry. Ryan Hall started on the bench at the weekend, I was

surprised. I think he was tried to arrest them. Apparently he missed a

couple of day's training. Leading a neck was a big call. Then there was

bad marking in the penalty box, a free header. When you go down to 10

men with an hour to go, you would think they had a chance of winning

the game. Paul Sturrock has signed a new contract, they will be very

pleased. He is the comeback man, I think everybody expected him to

fade away after everything at Plymouth but he has shown what he

Plymouth but he has shown what he is made of. They are still top of

the table, let's have a look. Three teams are joint top of 52 points,

but Southend are top courtesy of a better goal difference. Next week,

the big game against Swinton, who were just three points behind.

would pay to go and watch that just to watch Paolo Di Canio on the

to watch Paolo Di Canio on the touchline, he is box office. At the

other end of the table, Northampton looks as though he has pushed it

him, but he just bodies the goalkeeper. -- bullies. It is the

7th time in eight games they have gone in front. They have dropped 16

points from winning positions, so I think they lose confidence. Why is

that? Why do they drop-off? I think it is just confident. They have

tried to overplay from the back and it is a brilliant Paul. Aidy

Boothroyd is not happy with this, he thinks there was a foul in the

build-up to this weather. It is just before what being clever. They

try and get themselves get back into it -- it is just before would

being clever. They get an even better chance. Aidy Boothroyd said

it was not a must-win game but he probably feels as though it was.

think he is confident that they can get out of bed. But with every day

that goes by... -- out of it. former is not there, one win in 17

former is not there, one win in 17 games. It is the result of a lot of

years of near managers and new players. They have only won one

game at home all season. But they are not detached at the bottom, a

of it? I think Eddie but what will get them out of it. -- Aidy

Boothroyd. Aidy Boothroyd had a lot to say after the game. He was not a

to say after the game. He was not a happy man.

Do you mad about it or do you get on with it? -- moan about it. I

will get on with it. Is this a low point? I am thoroughly peed off.

And so are my players, because they have given it all. Certainly not a

happy man. On the other side, Norwich are absolutely fine go the

Premier League and Another good point against Chelsea. -- flying.

And another clean sheet, and they have made a new signing. Had that

gone through, the Johne house and deal? I think it is pretty much

going to happen. -- Howson. Is he the right man? Paul Lambert has a

good record of turning it Championship players in two Premier

League players. His judgment up players from the lower leagues is

excellent, cold Pilkington, Steve Morison and Grant Holt, so the fans

will be hoping he has found another one. Is that the lesson for lips

which, -- Ipswich, looking at lower league players and bringing them in

question are absolutely, you have got Swansea, with Leon Brittan

statistically the best pasta in Europe.

With a week for left in the transfer a window, who is the most

likely to do business? It has to be Ipswich. They have the stigma of

the losing run they have been on and we also said about an

experienced centre-half, but most of the transfer action happens on

the last day close to midnight and you'll see a lot of deals coming to

fruition. Fingers crossed they get a few over the line. That is it,