Tell Me Why? I Don't Like Mondays
When your only consolation approaching 5pm on a Saturday is the Budgies loosing and the only thing that makes facing workmates on a Monday morning is the poor performance of other local rivals its a sure sign that your own team is not giving you an awful lot to crow about.
Being an 'Essex Blue' when things aren't going well at Portman Road I can find myself with the albeit mostly closet supporters of Colchester and West Ham right in my face at every avaliable opportunity. Thats without the multitude of others telling me how well the Budgies done at the weekend despite having very little footballing interest in general. Thankfully none of the threesome have been rearing their very ugly heads too frequently throughout the course of this season. Results aside the other issue that needs to be defended is the fact that unlike the afforementioned trio Town have received a considerable financial injection with which to mount and sustain a challenge throughout the season.
While the relegated U's can only half fill their new stadium and investment wise the Budgies are about as attractive as an Icelandic Bank, Towns finances have been stabillised by Marcus Evans and the manager has been given more funds than most of his predecessors to bolster the squad. Even the Premiership Hammers are cash strapped. There lies the bone of contention. Expectations of Town fans have been considerably higher this season than for a long time and not without reason but what's been delivered has fallen far short of those expectations.
The Anti Jim Brigade is growing on a daily basis while the diminishing Pro Magilton Lobby are finding it increasingly difficult to fuel an argument defending the managers position. I've never been totally convinced of Jims ability to gain promotion at this level so early into his managerial career but as yet have not joined the 'Witch Hunt' calling for his dismissal before being given a real crack at the task.
The latest news however of supposedly secret behind closed doors meetings with a select band of players if even holding a shred of truth leads me to believe that Jim has lost it completely.
While fast becoming accustomed to finishing games with only ten men, to start with just eight that feel they have any future at the Club will will not go a long way towards building the team solidarity we have been led to believe exists in the dressing room.
The only person who knows if he is up to the job is Jim himself. The very proud man that he is, if his love for the Club is half as much as we the supporters think then he should step aside if in any doubt of his own ability.
The timer is running out for success or failure at the seasons end but not as quick as the window to make changes that will affect it.
With regard to fortunes this season, it's decision time at Portman Road now. Where we are and what we can achieve in 2009 will be reflected by those decisions.
After assembling one of the largest squads in the Clubs history it looks as though the January sales will see a clearout at Portman Road bigger than that at Woolworths. Whilst the countries arguably most famous High Street institution cannot be saved, this season for Town is not quite over yet.