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Down at Portman Road, our man on the terraces delivers his verdict on Ipswich Town with just over a quarter of the season gone.

What do you think of the manager? Is there anyone (realistic) out there who would do a better job?

Very much in the balance. A decent proportion of supporters would have had Jim Magilton out in October but most of those would turn on a sixpence if we managed to push nearer the top six. Magilton is generally regarded as an 'Ipswich man' which is obviously in his favour but the expectation level has risen and his performance in the hot seat has occasionally been erratic. Personally, I say stick for now.

As far as a replacement goes, who can say? The (idiot) minority would try and have you believe that Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Sven-Goran Eriksson would be battering down the door to get into the Portman Road hot seat, but they are in dreamland. If Magilton does leave (which I doubt) I think they'll look for an experienced, hard-nosed manager. I wonder if Joe Royle is available?

Who is the best player you've seen playing for another team this season - and who do you fear losing in January?

A few candidates in the Wolves side that beat us 2-0 early doors and the Swansea side I saw last week was also very good. I'd probably go for Sylvain Ebanks-Blake - an excellent signing.

Hopefully John Walters' contract will be sorted by January - the boy is a terrific footballer - and we need to keep grubby fingers away from Owen Garvan until the summer at least. Alex Bruce's contract is still up in the air so his name may be on some target lists. He's out of favour with Magilton at the moment but I think he'd be a big loss.

What was your first match or oldest memory of the club?

My first trip was October 1987. Town beat Sheffield United 1-0 with a last minute goal from David Lowe. I can still remember that first view of the pitch and the feeling has never really gone away.

Are you happy with the present hierarchy at the club? What do you prefer: a foreign owner or someone from closer to home?

This is a toughie. Marcus Evans ploughed millions in last year and rescued us (maybe temporarily) from a throttling debt. He made money available for transfers and for a few weeks we all drank champagne, smoked cigars and threw scrunched-up 10 pound notes at the paupers in Norfolk. But since then enthusiasm has cooled. Magilton's spending has come under scrutiny and criticism and the local press can not cope with the fact that Mr Evans has no interest in talking to them, or anyone else for that matter. How many clubs would love an owner that kept his mouth shut and his nose out? Well believe me, the other grass isn't as green as all that...

What is the relationship like between the club and the fans? Are ticket prices fair?

A little strained at the moment. Mr Evans is a businessman and any sign of the club moving away from it's 'community roots' (the same community roots that landed us £35 million in debt don't forget) causes gnashing of teeth, waving of banners and brandishing of pitch-forks. As always though, it is the form on the pitch that matters. If things pick up then everyone will be a hero, if not then don't be surprised to see the Bastille stormed before Easter.

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Robert Linsdell / Eurosport