Match day 7 - Ipswich Away

Another tick for list of football grounds when we venture down to Tractor Boy territory in Suffolk and Portman Rd, home of Ipswich Town for a Tue say night game. Jim had warned me to allow 4 hours and that the trip isn't a great one but We have a charmed run with my cruise control set on 70 and only the occasional interruption when one of the Euro bound semi's pulls out to overtake another Euro bound semi of which there are plenty. 3.5 hours later we're checking into the Ipswich Novatel using Amex reward points.

Set off to the ground in search of somewhere to eat on the way. Happy to find a Harvester restaurant that has great clue food and the opportunity to get in a couple of thirsty quenching pre game stellas...seem to be more West Ham fans in there than tractor boys.

Short walk to the ground and we're soon in our seats in the family section this time. Stingy bastards only allocated us 2200 seats but the traveling faithful are in good voice. Unfortunately despite sitting top of the league and playing against the team sitting in 21'st we've soon got that sinking feeling as we concede early and again play poorly going in 3-1 down at half time..after the restart there is 15 min non stop we re West Ham's Claret & Blue army trying to lift the team but alas they concede again. And again.

What is it with us and away games. That's 4 away matches against crappy sides for 3 losses and a draw. And this from the team who had the best away form in the league this season before we got arrived. Good job they are 3 from 3 at home games for us and our last game is at home.

Its the last day of the January transfer window and I sit up till midnight following all the comings and goings. West Ham end up with 3 attacking players all signed on the final day. Many pundits suggesting pound for pound we have done the best business of anyone in the country. Time will tell. For the record we signed Nicky Maynard, Ricardo Vaz Te and badboy wonder kid Ravel Morrison from Manchester United after they gave up on him after too many indiscretions. People in the know say he is potentially the best kid to come through the United youth system since Scholes of Giggs. Hopefully Big Sam can get him on the straight and narrow. I mean what could possibly get up to in London!