Wilf

Jackson seemed a complete lightweight for most of last season, and only came good at the end and grabbed a few headlines. I wouldn't recommend him without being sure his end of season form wasn't a flash in the pan.

Great game last night, I can't remember the last time we dominated a first half like that away from home. As others have said, Cork was truly outstanding in midfield; he seemed to win every tackle, hard but fair (don't remember him being penalised despite getting really stuck in), and he keeps his head up all the time so when he wins the ball he's ready to distribute well. He certainly gave Rat-Boy a lesson in assertive midfield play! I'd also single out Connolly for some outstanding lay-offs to keep attacking moves going, Rickie for winning lots of headers, glancing the ball into space for the runner. Lallana just a joy to watch as always, this guy plays without any fear no-matter what part of the pitch he's in with the ball, could easily have had a hat-trick. Guly unpredictable but brilliant at times.

Sorry, what pace was that? I thought Ipswich had some strong players (Scotland, Emmanual-Thomas) but I didn't notice any fast ones.

Sorry, didn't mean to post all that, just the pubs bit !!!!

Share | Contents What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Portman Road (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? The South & Britannia Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Local Rivals The Sir Bobby Robson Stand (photo) Ground Layout Admission Prices Fixtures 2011-2012 Programme Price Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Portman Road Location Map What's The Ground Like? The overall look of the ground has greatly improved, with the re-development of both ends. Both these ends, the South Stand and the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, are similar in appearance and size, and dwarf the smaller older stands, located on each side of the ground. Unusually, both ends have a larger upper tier which overhangs slightly the smaller lower tier. Both have windshields to either side of the upper tier and they are completed, with some spectacular floodlights perched on their roofs. They were both fully opened a year apart in 2001 & 2002. The South Stand was originally called the Churchmans Stand in reference to the Churchmans Cigarette factory which used to be located behind that end of the stadium. Both sides are much older stands and now look quite tired in comparison. On one side, the fair sized Britannia Stand is a three tiered covered stand, with a row of executive boxes running across its middle. This stand was was originally opened in 1957 and was then known as the West Stand. In 1984 an additional tier was added along with a new roof. Opposite is the smaller Cobbold Stand. Again it is two tiered and has a row of executive boxes. However it is only partly covered, with the small lower tier of seating being open to the elements. This stand which was first opened in 1971 and was originally called the Portman Stand. It was later renamed the Cobbold Stand in respect of the Cobbold family who were former owners of the club and old Suffolk brewers Tolly-Cobbold. Unusually the teams emerge onto the field from one corner of the ground between the South and Britannia Stands. Outside are two statues of two former Ipswich and England managers. One is of World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey and is located on the corner between the Cobbold and Sir Bobby Robson Stand, while Sir Bobby Robson's statue is placed behind the Cobbold stand in Portman Road. Top Of Page Future Developments The Club would at some point like to re-develop the Cobbold Stand and boost the capacity of the ground to 40,000. However this is unlikely to happen unless the Club established itself once again as a Premier League Club. Top Of Page Portman Road Thanks to Owen Pavey for supplying the photos for this page. Top Of Page What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Away fans are placed on one side of the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand at one side of the pitch, where up to 1,900 away supporters can be accommodated (or according to some - crammed in). 1,500 of this allocation are housed in the upper tier wing sections. If necessary an additional 400 'premium' seats can be made available which are more centrally located in the upper tier. The away allocation can also be supplemented by a further 400 seats in the lower tier of this stand. Although the views from this area are generally not too bad (unless you are at the very back of the stand where there are some supporting pillars), the leg room is a little cramped and as with the rest of the stand the facilities are beginning to show their age. On the plus side, away fans can really make some noise from this stand, contributing to a real great atmosphere. Food on offer inside the ground include; Rollover Hot Dogs (�3), Various Pies, including the Chicken Balti Pie (�2.60), Pasties (�3) and Jumbo Sausage Rolls (�2.60). Chris Watkins a visiting Coventry City fan adds; 'I felt that I my visits to Portman Road that the stewarding was a little over the top with fans being persistently asked to sit down. There was also a sizeable Police presence, for what really is a low profile fixture'. I have always found this to be a friendly place and pleasurable day out, even though I've never seen my team win there! I even on one occasion got accosted by some Ipswich fans, whilst coming out of the railway station and ended up accompanying them on a pub crawl before the game. Overall Portman Road is a good day out although it does seem to take an eternity to get there! Top Of Page "Where To Drink? "The main away supporters pub for many a season, the 'Drum & Monkey', has now declared itself a 'home supporters only' pub, following refurbishment. This makes the choice of drinking establishments for away fans very limited. The Station Hotel, which is near to the ground and train station, is where most visiting supporters will congregate. Otherwise the Punch & Judy pub on Cardinal Park, which is close to the ground has also been recommended to me as a pub which is family orientated and where both sets of fans can enjoy a drink. Other pubs in the area such as the Victoria, the Hare & Hounds and the Swan, are very much home pubs and are best avoided by visiting fans." http://www.footballgroundguide.com/ipswich_town/#Where To Drink? If I get there early enough for a beer it will be Station Hotel.

"Newcastle United are apparently interested in signing Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard according to reports, with manager Alan Pardew set to offer the West Country side £4.5 million plus Leon Best". http://www.footie-online.co.uk/2011/08/newcastle-to-bid-for-bristol-city-striker/4530/

Didn't "skate" start as an insult that Portsmouth civilianS used for Royal Navy sailors, therefore it has a good relevance to Pompey supporters. Also I like the fact that occasionally you see shops with notices in the window saying "NO SKATES"

Let's not discriminate against her just because the tea bag is in at the moment.

Rudi Skacel to sign soon! http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/07/19/fans-favourite-rudi-skacel-set-to-agree-to-stay-on-at-hearts-for-another-year-86908-23281186/

Living in Norwich I get to see them a fair bit; my view is that we currently have a better squad of players than they had last year; however Lambert proved himself to be an astonishingly good manager; also their promotion depended on other teams failings (stating the obvious here); for example Cardiff self destructed in spectacular fashion with the finishing line in sight.

I saw Norwich .v. Pompey last season and Nugent had almost no impact on the game.... ...except... robbed a Norwich player by the touchline deep in the Pompey half, ran with the ball all the way down the pitch hugging the touchline with Norwich players unable to catch him, squared for Kitson to side foot in. Then, minutes later, went on another long run, past a couple of defenders and into the box where he was chopped down, Pompey score the penalty to seal a 0:2 win. Spoiled my afternoon as I only went to see Pompey get tonked. So, my conclusion is that he still has a bit of pace!

If you strapped Anders Svennson to one leg and Fabrice Fernandes to the other... your legs would still be thinner than John McGraph's However there would be a gasp from the crowd when you came on as substitute....

He also owned several Milky Bars but that is completely different

Terry Paine once owned a "Milk Bar" in Southgate St Winchester. Even at the time nobody was sure what a "Milk Bar" was.

Carrow Road holds around 27,000 Was sold out most home games in Prem

To what extent do you believe football hooliganism is still evident? Hardly at all. Does hooliganism affect your match day experience? No. Research has indicated that football hooliganism is returning to a similar state to the problem days of the 1960’s and 70’s, do you agree with this statement? Absolutely not. In the 60s and 70s the disorder was in and around the grounds and on the terraces. Today all seater stadia, CCTV and more careful ticket sales mean that there is rarely mass disorder in the grounds. A couple of examples of disorder at the Dell in the early 70s: * significant numbers of Millwall fans in the ground when we played West Ham looking to fight their London rivals * A bunch of 50 Spurs fans on constant walkabout round the ground hitting people at random I struggle to see how any research could indicate anything similar happening these days What in your opinion provokes football disorder? Drink, gang mentallity, search for excitement... Does your perception of football hooliganism deter you from attending certain football matches? No

What do people think are the chances of getting a ticket from a tout outside the ground on the day?

or schadenfreude as our german friends might say !!!!!

that's a relief (sort of)

I'm trying to buy tickets on line and am getting this message.... "Application Not Initialized The application is not initialized and is unavailable. Please contact the System Administrator" Is it just me?

Just got 4 in the Chapel for the kids. Can't be there myself today, but to all of you who are going, have a great day, I hope there will be a really special atmosphere.

I can't get there today so I've just ordered a load of stuff from the on-line store. Next I'll have to persuade my family that these items are what they want to give me for my birthday. Good luck to all of you going today.

Nothing wrong with the motivation tonight, I could see one of ours getting sent off, it's just that in the first half there were no options up front and McGoldrick was not up to the lone striker role. Marek didn't play brilliantly when he came on, but he provided options and did a professional job.

If I remember rightly he's a big buddie of Rupert Lowe.

Let's hope not! http://new.pinkun.com/content/ncfc/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PinkUnOnline&tCategory=Norwich&itemid=NOED29%20Sep%202008%2017%3A22%3A31%3A277