| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together 20:43 - Feb 11 with 2081 views | Mullet |
Through the ice, mist and chill that pierced the heart of the country Town came to Villa Park with renewed faith. It’s not often you see stained-glass in the sides of a football ground, but 1800 faithful took their seats across two tiers. The Blues made only one change. Ward replacing Skuse in the middle, bringing back a nod to the previous home draw with Reading.
Bart had another 3 or 5 depending on your view point ahead of him. The captain to the right, Berra to left, Taylor right in the middle. Flanking them were Knudsen and Emmanuel respectively. Diagouraga was the sitting minesweeper, beyond him McGoldrick and Lawrence free moving attackers supported by Huws and Ward.
Villa were unrecognisable, yet hauntingly familiar when you stare at the squad list. A who’s who of decent Championship names over the past 3 or 4 seasons, but a reputation this season that matched Town’s on points alone before kick-off.
When Lansbury launched it forward and Taylor et al. easily motioned to contain the aerial ball, Town looked at ease. Pre-match exuberance continued across the stand and onto the pitch. Huws the first fall almost before the ball. It was a nasty moment as Chambers remonstrated with the ref for what seemed minutes. His Welsh colleague catching a clear elbow outside of the box.
There was some nice movement from Town especially down the left-hand side. Knudsen the beneficiary of timing his run to receive the rewards from Lawrence and McG’s magic feet. His touch didn’t allow him to attack the ball, and offloading it again Town’s movement signalled little.
Villa’s first real threat on goal was a soft free kick. Ward tactless in the tackle and grabbing a sleeve instead of fresh air. The ref march the wall back, and back. The shot that came in saw Lansbury scissor kick a volley. Granite hands from Bart signalled a corner. Rock beats scissors. If that £40k a week could buy a decent haircut, maybe he’d know that.
The resultant corner saw another decent chance as Bart and Chambers stopped close range efforts. Hourihane looking to score against his former club and finally get noticed by Ipswich fans. It was a period marked by early excitement and excellent flowing runs by both sides.
Kodjia was arguably the hosts man of the match. With the space afforded to him thanks to the support of free floating Hourihane and Bjarnason it was here he began to push Town back and look more like a multi-million-pound player. However, Town matched that with value of their own.
When Lawrence went into the box and then over his feet, everyone was on theirs in all four sides. It was either a clear penalty or the ban-inducing yellow a long time coming. The ref didn’t know either were options. Choosing to trot away disinterestedly.
Emmanuel saved at the other end felling the begoggled Welshman on Villa’s left, Neil Taylor. What looked like a bizarre haircut initially from a distance, became clear to being eyewear as the harrying youngster saw the danger out for Town.
Ipswich looked the away side, but were enjoying themselves. Taylor hooked away from an onrushing Bart and out to safety as strikers closed in and the longball clearly wasn’t long enough to be handled. It was one of many simple steadying moments the new defender would have in a short time.
Another free kick in a dangerous area as Hogan’s only real contribution to the game seemed to be falling like chocolate soldier. Lansbury marched to the deadball, with Town deep and dense along the goal area the former Gunner bottled firing. A strange short routine slid across the pitch to an unmarked Bjarnason who smashed his shot off the bar.
Myles Kenlock made a welcome return to the side in unwelcoming conditions. Somewhere Taylor slipped from view and took a knee. The fight knocked out of him, he was erect again long enough to shoot down the tunnel. A worrying sight given Town’s injury crisis.
With Villa well on top, Knudsen seemed to step inside not once, but twice for a minute. A makeshift sweeper as Berra didn’t know whether to attack man or ball as both receded away from him and goal on the edge of the box.
Their next best chance saw Kodjia try something that was neither acrobatic or sensible. A scorpion kick of sorts from Hutton’s cross barely a few yards out. Maybe Hogan put him off, but he flopped like a scorpion who had stung itself and Bart collected the venomless remnants.
Town rallied and again it seemed like Lawrence was the best outlet for attacking intent with the slower but beguiling McGoldrick close behind. With Diagouraga in the middle and two fairly attacking central midifelders ahead of him, there was a Claret and Royal mesh in the centre of the pitch that meant runners rather than punters unpicked the best attacks.
Bucking the trend, Lawrence screwed a cross field ball that bounced fortunately for Town and beyond two defenders. McGoldrick collected the speculative effort and cut inside only to have his shot clipped out for a corner. His next effort towards goal would go way off it.
As half time came a second bout of sickness swept over Town fans. Berra making the most of his aerial aggression at the close of the half, and quickening of Blues crosses was hit himself. An arm that looked admittedly accidental crumpled the Scot. Down for a marked length of time it didn’t look good.
Jordan Spence trotted on as many fans and staff vented their disgust and dismay at what might be a costly decision from the referee not to even investigate what he clearly hadn’t seen. The former Don took a controlling position next to Chambers as Town ended the half in yet another tactical teaser.
The second half started with a new look Ipswich. Not just the bizarre defensive fan of centre-back whose better at right back, wingback who can play right back and arguably centre back, left back, and two youngsters who can play either variant as long they can touch the white line enough.
Ahead of them was the large defensive stopper in what looked more like a second midfield ahead of Bart. Villa meanwhile didn’t really shuffle their pack in terms of shape, or approach. Both sides had the room to run, thanks to what looked like soft centres and space to exploit. When defenders were drawn in during either side’s runs forward, gaps appeared on the overlap. Where this benefited Knudsen in the first half, now Ward made a little more of his role.
Bruce clearly spotted it too, replacing Hutton first with another “shouldn’t he be in the Premier League?” name off the bench in Albert Adomah. This was not long before Spence had got forward and from barely three yards repeated Kodjia’s feat with slightly more respectable flailing of his own. Somehow contriving to catch the ball, presumably off balance in the six-yard scrap and miss the gaping portion of the goal.
If the game had died in large parts during the middle of the first half it was regaining some its feeling by the hour mark. Unfortunately for us it was the Clarets that were spilling forward with greater intent but little execution. Had we not already lost two giants to injury the midfield might have benefitted from relieving Toumani from an excess amount of playing time. The loanee seems to age alongside the game still and that played a small part in Town’s best repellents and moves forward starting at the back.
Adomah soon became the first to see the ref’s cards, mainly as he was looking up following a deliberate challenge from Knudsen looking to stem a flowering performance from the sub. More misery all around as the home fans felt they had the advantage.
Once the smoke cleared Lawrence was on the ground holding something, so were we. Our breath. The winger got back up and went back on the attack eventually, but a third sub due to injury and another Leeds away scenario might be all too cruel.
Diagourara’s latency showed as he went late in to stop another attack and take a booking. The free kick was again tame from Villa, swinging just a step to the side of Bart who collected happily. He would be less comfortable when someone cleared off his line, an attempt between those two missing all and should have been buried by an attacking head. This time the header came but not the goal that looked certain.
Town had ridden their luck, good and bad. When they finally broke with something meaningful, it was none other than Lawrence who picked apart the men in front of him. He was then blown up, but the ref didn’t. As his arched body bounced off the turf McGoldrick got lower towards it. Sneaking a run down the white line of the box and squaring. It looked certain to be defended. Huws came from nowhere, unsighted having loitered near the spot. He was our Johnny to smash apart the door and knock the ball home.
1800 throats opened as Brummie blood boiled. Limbs, voices, centres of gravity went every which way as the jubilance made flesh sprayed everywhere like a medieval painting of sin and ecstasy. All wrapped up and nowhere else we wanted to go. The white shirts on the field bristled as they exchanged salutes with those off it.
5 minutes left.
4 more once the board went up.
Kevin Bru would make a late appearance for the winning goal scorer. A little hobble rather than hop in his step as he went off. Meanwhile so did Didzy’s howitzer of a right boot. Slipping himself past one man with the outstep then meeting the ball with his laces and unravelling a shot well off target again. Ill-discipline or careless abandon. Either way it was Villa who looked to fire back with the news of unduly long time added on.
A climb into 13th far from lucky today. There was some excellent work from a host of individuals, and perhaps for the goal alone Huws takes the champagne and adulation. You could see the forced changes, forced innovation and fresh ideas from Town who not only nullified much fancier and well-heeled opposition but reduced them in every conceivable way.
The true cost of victory might well be counted when Matt Byard gets his hands on yet more broken bodies. The lists grow ever longer. But chalk that one, and those three points up at the top of all of them this season. It felt good.
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 21:12 - Feb 11 with 1965 views | cbower |
Fantastic atmosphere amongst the fans and the celebrations a genuine outpouring of football ecstasy. Chambers was outstanding for me today. Being fisted once again felt like a reconnection of sorts. Diagouraga was great for an hour and when he is fully fit and can last the 90 he will be even better. He is calm, can turn away from trouble and retain possession. I'd sign him now. Can't remember the last time I saw a Town midfielder breaking his balls to get into the box like Huws for the goal. When fully fit he will be a real gem. Emmanuel, Spence and Kenlock did well too. Some good work from Bart. I have always thought Ward could play in a three. I like him there. Some energy and forward drive. And what of Jonas? He didn't look out of place on the left of a back three at all. Lawrence is a cut above and he works so hard. Penalty or yellow -ref was a pedantic to$$er all game but that was just baffling. McG was good and his work for the goal sublime. Hope he can find his shooting boots. One thing missing for me from a really great day - a cheer for Mick from the travelling faithful at the final whistle. I still hope he can get us back on track properly and play a better brand of football. Today shows we don't have to hoof and more forward thinking midfield players make a whole different style more of a possibility. r |  |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 21:54 - Feb 11 with 1888 views | Mullet |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 21:12 - Feb 11 by cbower |
Fantastic atmosphere amongst the fans and the celebrations a genuine outpouring of football ecstasy. Chambers was outstanding for me today. Being fisted once again felt like a reconnection of sorts. Diagouraga was great for an hour and when he is fully fit and can last the 90 he will be even better. He is calm, can turn away from trouble and retain possession. I'd sign him now. Can't remember the last time I saw a Town midfielder breaking his balls to get into the box like Huws for the goal. When fully fit he will be a real gem. Emmanuel, Spence and Kenlock did well too. Some good work from Bart. I have always thought Ward could play in a three. I like him there. Some energy and forward drive. And what of Jonas? He didn't look out of place on the left of a back three at all. Lawrence is a cut above and he works so hard. Penalty or yellow -ref was a pedantic to$$er all game but that was just baffling. McG was good and his work for the goal sublime. Hope he can find his shooting boots. One thing missing for me from a really great day - a cheer for Mick from the travelling faithful at the final whistle. I still hope he can get us back on track properly and play a better brand of football. Today shows we don't have to hoof and more forward thinking midfield players make a whole different style more of a possibility. r |
I'm massively concerned about the injuries. To read the lad from Reading is out for six weeks just tops it off. If Huws misses Tuesday too and Diagouraga can't play 3 in a week we could be struggling.
I liked Diagouraga from his debut and I agree, Huws is turning out to be more of what I hoped as well. Both of those would do us.
It's nice to see Emmanuel looking more confident, he had an expected dip of late but that athleticism is being built upon clearly. Knudsen will unlikely get little credit, but he needs to return to the player who started the season. Seems he suffers most when the team does in terms of his mentality.
McGoldrick had it all bar the finish didn't he?
I thought the ref was a massive homer, but was swearing when he waved advantage. Happy to be wrong on that given how it turned out with the finish.
Ideally we'll go back to a proper 4 at the back and a stiffer midfield. A better side would have overrun us today with a bit about them. | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:37 - Feb 11 with 1777 views | Guthrum |
Good report, very decent game from Town. A tussle in which we were able to seize the winning advantage.
That's now 4 points from the "Month of Doom" which was supposedly unlikely to yield any.
Sorry we missed you at the end, but did see Senior for a quick chat. |  |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:40 - Feb 11 with 1762 views | Mullet |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:37 - Feb 11 by Guthrum |
Good report, very decent game from Town. A tussle in which we were able to seize the winning advantage.
That's now 4 points from the "Month of Doom" which was supposedly unlikely to yield any.
Sorry we missed you at the end, but did see Senior for a quick chat. |
Indeed mate. Gutted we didn't catch up.
Snr sent me the soppiest text. He's 64 tomorrow and "Ipswich til he dies" apparently. | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:41 - Feb 11 with 1749 views | Guthrum |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:40 - Feb 11 by Mullet |
Indeed mate. Gutted we didn't catch up.
Snr sent me the soppiest text. He's 64 tomorrow and "Ipswich til he dies" apparently. |
We also met a Town fan from Norway who had come across for the game, was beside himself with happiness. | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:47 - Feb 11 with 1713 views | Mullet |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:41 - Feb 11 by Guthrum |
We also met a Town fan from Norway who had come across for the game, was beside himself with happiness. |
Wonder I that's the chap we met at Brizzle too? Dark hair and beard? | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:49 - Feb 11 with 1693 views | Guthrum |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:47 - Feb 11 by Mullet |
Wonder I that's the chap we met at Brizzle too? Dark hair and beard? |
Very long blondish hair. Huge grin. | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 00:41 - Feb 12 with 1523 views | strikalite |
Great report...." Granite hands from Bart signalled a corner. Rock beats scissors. If that £40k a week could buy a decent haircut, maybe he’d know that.".....
One of many...  |  | | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 01:39 - Feb 12 with 1479 views | syntaxerror |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:41 - Feb 11 by Guthrum |
We also met a Town fan from Norway who had come across for the game, was beside himself with happiness. |
Who was the Norwegian fan who used to be a regular on the board?... Aint seen him for ages.
Hope he has kept the faith. |  | | |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 03:35 - Feb 12 with 1429 views | EdwardStone |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 22:41 - Feb 11 by Guthrum |
We also met a Town fan from Norway who had come across for the game, was beside himself with happiness. |
Happiness
And beer
Good report Mr Mullet, thanks
And lovely to bag three points |  | | |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 07:41 - Feb 12 with 1336 views | hoppy |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 00:41 - Feb 12 by strikalite |
Great report...." Granite hands from Bart signalled a corner. Rock beats scissors. If that £40k a week could buy a decent haircut, maybe he’d know that.".....
One of many... |
And this one that wouldn't look out of place in a report of the match in Viz... (or Carry On Up The Town)...
"...he was erect again long enough to shoot down the tunnel." |  |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 09:39 - Feb 12 with 1165 views | Mullet |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 07:41 - Feb 12 by hoppy |
And this one that wouldn't look out of place in a report of the match in Viz... (or Carry On Up The Town)...
"...he was erect again long enough to shoot down the tunnel." |
I always try and get a small whimsical knob gag in. I call them my Hoppy lines obviously. | |
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| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 13:03 - Feb 12 with 1048 views | EdwardStone |
| If it's not love, then it's the bond that will bring us together on 09:39 - Feb 12 by Mullet |
I always try and get a small whimsical knob gag in. I call them my Hoppy lines obviously. |
Whimsical nob gag that always raises a smile is when Brenner, or any other commentator says
"Goalkeeper made himself big"
The simple things amuse me | | | |
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