Reflective Murray

Richard Murray and David White faced the fans this evening in a long-awaited Q & A in the North Stand lounge. Over the best part of two hours they kept the 200 plus crowd enthralled as they spilled forth with views on pretty much everything raised.

As a long term observer of Richard Murray at these events, I thought he was more philosophical than I have ever heard him before and at times a touch wistful. No harm in that. As ever he was upfront and honest. I wasn't taking notes and it's hard to recollect everything said over two hours but my summary of what I picked up this evening was as follows:

Curbs

- Richard can't ever see him returning and thinks he's in a difficult place in terms of jobs because he feels he wants something not too disruptive personally and yet the sort of big clubs likely to make him an offer are largely in the north. He would see an Ipswich as an ideal opportunity...

- When he refused to extend his contract, he felt people were telling him it was time to move up, including his brother Bill, which I found interesting bearing in mind his rumoured interest in acquiring the club subsequently.

The need to sell in January

- The Daily Mirror article this week was rubbished. Our finances are sorted for this season. Not to say we wouldn't sell if someone offers us silly money for a player.

- Money is tight and we have stretched ourselves with the loan signings but it's not beyond our means.

- Murray actually told us we were hoping to extend David Mooney's deal by a month today as he thinks he's an intelligent player. He was told by the audience that this deal had gone through according to the late papers and website.

- Similarly, he acknowledged that Carl Ikeme was on his way because he has a big future according to Richard.

- He spoke positively about Akpo Sodje and, I believe, alluded to the fact that he may be a player who is very keen to play for us and that it might come to pass in time, even if it's when his contract expires.

Parkinson

- Very clear that he wasn't blamed completely for relegation last season. Pardew set the rot and we had a squad that contained a number of players who were doing very nicely and who weren't necessarily as motivated as they should have been (we knew that).

- Equally clear that getting shot of Parky at year-end included concerns at the cost of change.

- Then very clear that they have faith in Phil and are expecting him to get us promoted. Both Richard and David were very complimentary about aspects of his management style as well as the type of player he attracts to the club.

- "Spends our money as if it was his" was one comment and he was likened to Curbs in that respect.

Dowie and Pardew

- Old ground with Dowie covered although his case against us continues. The Board are confident over their reasons for dismissal and the hearing is due very shortly.

- Murray's disappointment over how things worked out with Pardew were obvious.

Takeover

- Surprisingly little on this in the circumstances. It's clear they want to sell but also that they would like to be offered the chance to stay involved if possible - the Zabeel deal would have been perfect from that perspective.

- Tony Jimenez and Dennis Wise rumours summarised as"anyone can express an interest."

- More careful consideration given to the prospect of Gold and Sullivan. Murray acknowledged the pair as potentially good for the club and our place in the pecking order with local rivals in terms of their affections.

- Richard still very positive about Charlton as a buyout proposition. A London club that owns it's own training ground and stadium, that has trimmed it's cloth etc etc. Sounds better when compared to West Ham or Crystal Palace.

League One

- With Leeds, we have the largest wage bill and the most valuable squad so it should be no surprise that we are in contention. He bracketted Norwich and Huddersfield with us and also Colchester, in terms of backing, although he wonders how much money can be ploughed into Colchester on the back of 3,000 plus gates.

- Southampton are clearly well backed but their ten point deduction rules them out for this season and he will be intrigued to see how a competitive Alan Pardew fares.

Players

I will save Richard any potential embarrassment but I think it safe to say he sees things pretty much as the rest of us do in terms of the good, the bad and the ugly! Having said that, the current squad got a largely clean billing, certainly compared to some of those of yesteryear.

David White played his part this evening and would also appear to be a plain speaker and clearly one of our own. All-in-all a good evening and, for once, I have to applaud the efforts of the Fans Forum in getting it on and running it.