Ipswich Town fan Karl Fuller defends Freddie Sears against criticism, hail the travelling Town army, then admits some say we should be careful what we wish for!
Fair play Town for Saturday’s win at Sunderland - credit where credit is due.
I would have for sure opened this week’s column with the usual claptrap about Town being a charitable side when the opposition are stuck in some kind of a rut.
When I realised on Friday evening that only two teams have left the Stadium of Light all season without so much as a point to their name, I expected Town to have become the third side to add to the list.
The fact that one of those sides was Fulham who were beaten 1-0 there in mid-December is beyond belief.
So while I was not expecting a win, it actually sums up this particular season in respect of how consistently inconsistent we are.
MORE: Northstander: Nice win, but where have the academy players all gone?
Usually too good for the lower sides, more often than usual, not good enough to trouble anyone who is going to finish in the top six (apart from when we play Derby away of course).
Before the game, there was a fair bit of criticism on social media aimed at Freddie Sears’ inclusion in the starting line-up.
I’m sorry if it lands me in the minority circle but I will always defend Sears against any criticism forced his way.
For me, the guy has been played out of position too long and appears to have had all confidence knocked out of him.
Yet at the same time, when he has played for us, he’s always been a workaholic and given his absolute best.
Sure, in certain situations, he makes some wrong decisions.
But I defy anyone who consistently works an unfamiliar role in their workplace to be entirely happy and without errors along the way.
It is highly unlikely that Sears will play in his preferred position these days due to Joe Garner playing in the out and out central role and I’m not sure that this is always taken on board by some.
MORE: McCarthy hails the professionalism of Freddie Sears
The game is about opinions of course and mine is that Freddie should not be attracting half as much abuse as he does.
Back to the game itself and despite Sunderland really struggling, we still had to weather an early storm before we got our breakthrough and went on to win comfortably enough to record our first-ever win at the Stadium of Light.
I’ll tell you who I am most pleased for – the 921 Town fans that were present.
That is an unbelievable number to travel so far after the season we’re having. I struggle to get motivated to do a home game most of the time these days and my travel time is only 40 minutes.
How so many found it within them to do that game is brilliant and you fantastic fans deserved that win.
As for Sunderland, surely they’re on for doing a double-relegation.
They were awful when we beat them 5-2 at our place earlier in the season and I cannot see them finishing out of the bottom three.
MORE: Huge step in the right direction for Sears, says Andy Warren
Whilst I am far from happy with ourselves at present and would like to see changes made, it is really difficult to comprehend how a side that were in the Premier League last season and are in receipt of parachute payments, can find themselves in their situation.
Just one point ahead of them in the table and also in the bottom three is Hull City who have been on exactly the same journey as the Mackems in the past nine months.
You think we’ve got it bad? I wouldn’t want to be either of those sides at the moment. While I’d like to see a change, could we end up in as much trouble as both of them if Mick was to move on?
There are some that say be careful what we wish for.
Bottom club Burton visit on Saturday – can we make it two wins in a row or will our inconsistencies still be hanging around?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here