Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Smith: Chambo Has Grown Into Role
Friday, 25th Apr 2014 06:00

Town defender Tommy Smith enjoyed being reunited with former partner Luke Chambers in the 2-2 Easter Monday home clash with Bournemouth.

The absence of the injured Christophe Berra saw manager Mick McCarthy hand the right-back role to on-loan Frazer Richardson and switch skipper Chambers to his preferred position in the middle of the back four.

Smith said: “I think he has grown into that role. He would be the first one to tell you that he prefers playing at centre-half but he’s done a really good, solid job for us out there and long may that continue.

“We had a good partnership there last season so we picked up where we left off really. Unfortunately, we conceded a couple of goals but the whole team were dead on their feet.

“We’d had a tough game at Watford on the Saturday and with Bournemouth having an extra day’s rest it took its toll on our squad I think. We gave a good account of ourselves and it was just a pity we couldn’t hold on to get a 2-1 win.”

Some observers may be sceptical about the impact on professional athletes of two games in the space of 48 hours but Smith insisted: “It does make a difference when the games are that close together.

“If it was a Thursday-Monday and a Friday-Monday, obviously we would have had two days to recover, but the one-day turnaround is a problem really and any slight knocks are amplified. Christophe had to miss the game on Monday and if it was a day later he could have played.

“It is tough on the body but we get through it as best we can, although you could see in the last 20 minutes against Bournemouth we were tired and it was a bit of a backs-against-the-wall job. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t hold out.”


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



StowTractorBoy added 12:35 - Apr 25
Call it sour grapes if you like but the fixture dates last weekend were a farce. Our Club were at a huge disadvantage to have to play such high intensity games in such a short space of time. I believe only us and Watford had to endure this predicament. I also believe our fixture list was unfair during other periods of the season having to endure back to back away fixtures on at least two occasions Saturday and Tuesday which involved long journeys. Even MM laughed at the irony of our opening fixtures of the season having to play 3 of the big guns very early on. Also when was the last time we played at home on Boxing Day thus enjoying two home matches over the Christmas period ? We do finish with a home game so lets hope we have something to play for. To conclude it seems ITFC are not Skys' favourite team either. Their scheduling has also been a farce this season.
3


You need to login in order to post your comments

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024