The Twenty Questions - Ipswich

Last updated : 27 August 2004 By Bigrich.....
Who are you; where are you from and how long have you supported your club?

I'm Phil Ham, I was born in Ipswich and, having been brought up a Catholic, I have been a Town fan since conception.

What was your first game?

Town against Southampton in November 1979, Mich D'Avray's debut. We won 3-1 (Wark, Gates, Brazil for Town Williams for Saints). Paul Mariner hit the back of Churchmans with a penalty.

Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?

I reckon Tuesday's dire 2-0 win against Brentford must rank amongst the most boring, although losing 6-0 at home to Liverpool a couple of years back comes close on the actual bad front.

As for the best matches, I'd go for the two play-off semi-final second legs against Bolton in 98/99 and 99/00. We lost the first on away goal (4-4 on agg) and won the second 5-3 (7-5 on agg) but both were fantastic end-to-end, heart-on-your-sleeve battles. I left both those games as knackered as if I'd played in them.

European trips to the likes of Moscow and Milan rank pretty highly as well, but I can't see us repeating them for a while.

Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?

Norwich City. Despite not being the nearest league club geographically (Colchester United), they are the nearest club to our size in the region.

Who are the best and worst players you have seen?

The Robson sides of the late 70s and 80s rather spoiled us for later eras. The likes of Mariner, Muhren, Thijssen, Wark, Brazil, Beattie, Butcher, Osman, Cooper and all the rest still make most people's best XIs. More latterly people like Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright, Marcus Stewart and Hermann Hreidarsson are amongst those players we miss most.

As for worst, Graham Harbey comes fairly high in nmost people's lists while Finidi George probably ranks as the worst value for money. We paid £3 million for him and rarely saw an impressive performance before he departed, the club settling his contract to the tune of £1 million.

Which current or former Rotherham player impressed you most?


Chris Swailes, obviously. He scored an own goal on his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. He actually did OK with us, particularly in Division One when he was part of a defence which kept five clean sheets in five games.

We quite liked Sedgwick last season as he scored an excellent goal. We don't like Shaun Barker because he can throw the ball miles and he ought to have been sent off against us two years ago. Football fans never forget!

How did you fare last season?

I think we made about 'par'. The squad had been so weakened that the best we could probably have hoped for was the play-offs. Just a shame we couldn't couldn't get a result against West Ham. We're still feeling the effects of administration and relegation, so most people are adjusting their expectations accordingly.

How do you think you'll do this season?

I think we could surprise a few people but only if we avoid injuries. We have a small squad which could well be our downfall. We probably have a better XI than last season, but the rest of the squad is made up of largely untried youngsters.

What's the local drink and snap?

The Station Hotel and Zest club are the current venues for away fans. Both are seconds away from the er.. station and the ground.

If Ipswich were a TV personality, who would it be and why?

Carol Vordeman. Neither are looking quite so good as they once did.

So what do you think of Rotherham?

I quite like it in a strange sort of way. The ground is a bit of a tip (sorry) but has some character to it unlike some other more modern places.

Is your manager barking mad?

Not mad, so much as occasionally irascible. Isn't very pleased with Spanish striker Pablo Couñago at the moment for his apparent lack of effort.
Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

The fans are split regarding chairman David Sheepshanks. Some lay the blame for the club's financial problems at his door. Others look at factors outside of his control. New chief executive Derek Bowden is more popular.

Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?

West Ham in a play-off final would be nice. We weren't entirely impressed with some of the comments coming out of Upton Park around the time of the semi-final last season. Funnily enough Palace fans were similarly dischuffed but they got to gloat.

What sort of line-up can we expect from you?

It will probably be 4-4-2 and we've got Matt Richards (foot) on the sidelines. Fabian Wilnis is a doubt but I reckon he'll make it. Team: Davis, Diallo, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor; Magilton, Miller, Horlock, Westlake; Bent, Kuqi. I reckon Joe Royle will leave out young striking sensation Dean Bowditch for the greater strength and power of Shefki Kuqi. Jim Magilton will play an hour as he's short of match practice.

Predicted score?

2-1 to us. Your goal will be the result of a 70-yard throw-in.

Who's going up?

Wigan will win the division, followed by Leicester and one from us, Leeds, West Ham and Forest.

Who's going down?
Brighton, Gillingham and QPR.

Phil

MillersMad would like to thank Phil for his time. The Ipswich Trust site is http://www.ipswichtownfirst.co.uk/