In the final part of a series looking back at what has been a memorable season, Mullet and HarryfromBath, with the help of some opposition supporters, reflect on its dramatic climax.

May came with only one game inked in the diary, the pencilling in of two more would be confirmed after 90 minutes of scheduled league football. In the month of Taurus Mick McCarthy and Town remained bullish towards their promotion chances.

Whilst Buddhists across the world would spend the month preparing to commune with the universe and feel God's great vibration, Town fans sat in fine force and voice huddled in the cold cradle of Ewood Park all a tremble.

With multiple mathematical variations separating the runners and riders of the final day, the only one that counted was Town doing the business. A point would see us through to the play-offs.

Within minutes we'd made a stab at taking all three. In a move that encapsulated the season, Jay Tabb swung a corner outward, Daryl Murphy ghosted unmarked towards the near post and blasted the ball into the net to the delight and disbelief of all around.

A packed away end and watching Sky audience then witnessed the surge recede. A tide of Blackburn pressure would almost bury Town's hopes. Who else but old boy Jordan Rhodes would rise where others stood flat-footed to nod home? With Rudy Gestede the second fiddle in David Dunn's swansong, he orchestrated a simple tap-in for Craig Conway at the back post as the losing Blues' partying fell a little flat.

The first half was marked by jubilation and trepidation. News of goals from across the division wafted like smoke signals across the stands, from the firing of data packets and crackle of hearsay.

Another Town old boy, the usually deadly Darren Bent, had missed a penalty for Derby who were busy completing their free-fall out of the race entirely. Their 3-0 defeat to Reading would write its own story as meanwhile Town's deficit increased to 3-1. Gestede stabbed home in predictably deadly and disappointing style.

Soon enough our season ended well before full-time with a penalty. The wonderkid Teddy Bishop danced into the box yet again. As he fell, what other figure but Murphy would stand 12 long yards from success? Town had had precious few penalties this season, and thanks to his miss at Leeds even fewer goals from them. When he buried it for his and Town's second of the game, the place erupted. Never can we envisage defeat being so sweet.

Misses and dropped points from across the campaign counted for nought, as ever Murphy and his 27 goals made all the difference breaking teams and records throughout the season. Town took sixth and who more fitting could they face than Norwich?

“Well I must apologise and eat my hat. That was an enjoyable game of football today. Well done Rovers”, “Ipswich missed all sorts of chances and the game probably should have ended in a draw”, “McCarthy has done wonderful job in getting them into the play-offs with that squad.”

Most Rovers felt that a draw would have been a fair result. They were bemused by our increasingly poor play as the first half wore on. “What an earth has happened to Mick's lads?”, “Ipswich aren't handling the pressure well at all”, “They desperately need half time to reorganise.”

“Blimey, there's nearly as many Ipswich here as Rovers! Blue and white balloons and a full section”, “It's like a home game for Ipswich.” Home supporters were impressed by the size and noise of the away support travelling such a long distance for an early kick-off.

“It just isn't going to happen for Ipswich today.” There was some empathy for us as we threw the kitchen sink at them late in the second half. “Sears has missed 82 chances today”, “Wow, how has Sears missed from that close?”, “Daryl Murphy is the one stand-out player in that squad.”

After so many years in the Championship, a couple fewer since Town last challenged in the play-offs and several years without a victory overt he Canaries, the third and fourth derbies of the season combining all the drama, timbres and tastes of such ingredients was too much for some to stomach.

Back to Portman Road for the third Old Farm derby of the season and 2,000 Canaries perched in the away end as the atmosphere left many breathless.

Their tweets and taunts less audible once we could see the whites of their eyes and glint of their Canary fairy wings, Town's capacity crowd subdued them, much like Town's far from capricious pressing and containment stifled the Yellows’ more ostentatious XI.

Mick's spartan spending would amount to more and more in a game where Ipswich stabbed at John Ruddy's goal with headers and shots forcing double save and interceptions, as the gleam of a goal eluded from chances neither clear-cut nor critical.

With the whips of opinion lashing forth from the media oracles and much murkier message boards before the game, all of whom consigning Town to pre-emptive defeat, its realisation would see the resolute defending of the familiar back five fall foul of one stud too few.

A hoof down field saw Tommy Smith stumble in the shouldering of defensive responsibilities and Cameron Jerome cut inside for Jonny Howson to deal the first blow and draw first blood.

Town had already lost the lively Luke Varney to an off the ball rupturing of his achilles and as the gates of Portman Rd had welcomed the 29,000 holders of the hottest ticket in Town - the war cries rose even louder once more.

Paul Anderson his replacement was a winger possessed by mission and duty. Threatening more than once, it was destiny that would smile upon him as Ruddy this time fumbled. Freddie Sears, razor sharp and locked on target stung his silken hands and the substitute was far from inferior as he steadied himself and steered the ball home.

Sir Alf, Sir Bob,and nearly all between and beyond raised a cacophony of jubilation which extended past the heavens as the invading horde crashed to earth and silence took upon them in the echoes of our delight.

Town would see off the second half assault of Wes Hoolahan, a selection curve ball that Mick countered with the rotation of Bishop and Kevin Bru. As Alex Neil opted as ever with like for like and little change or challenge to his orthodoxy. Full-time was merely half-time as the tie rested all square.

The four corners of the known world may well have wondered. Could the team so few of them had considered now, let alone in August as contenders, overcome the masses with masses of Murdoch money in front of his own dry, unblinking lenses and steal a march to Wembley? As ever we waited a long and torturous week; knowing, hoping, fearing and loathing all at once and all as one.

“We can’t complain about how they [Ipswich] football. Wimbledon did it for years with sub-standard footballers. Sometimes it is the only way and it got them sixth place after all”, “We were reduced to playing the Ipswich way - that said, they were bloody awful.”

“It’s very difficult to play against. One mistake, stray clearance or knockdown is what they are after. Their players are looking for that all the time. Every City player has to be switched on and anticipate the play”, “They are very effective and in that respect are a good side”

“We need to back the quality of our players and let them play their own game”, “I think we are worrying too much about stopping Ipswich rather than starting Norwich. At some point you have to play to your strengths”, “We’re the favourites now. I hope we can turn that into the required result.”

Beneath the bluster, most Canaries were relieved and delighted to escape from Portman Road on level terms. The consensus was that they would have to dictate the shape and tempo of the game in order to win the second leg, something they failed to do in the initial encounter.

One Town player was singled out for praise. “Ipswich’s stand-out player was Mings. He was able to deal with Redmond”, “Their main crossing threat”, “Mings is a fast powerful full-back who will certainly play Premier League next season. Redmond did well stopping him bombing forward.”

“To be fair, it’s never easy at Carrow Road, is it?”, “In the last two games we have allowed them to become a bit of a hoof-fest. We actually hoofed it as much as them on Saturday until the last quarter”, “We need to back ourselves to win playing our game and not worrying about theirs.”

As the month approached its middle Town's season approached its end. The country had decided its own hellish fate before the first leg even kicked off with a victory for one sort of Blue. Come the end of this encounter, the world would know if the righteous shade from Suffolk would also put their “noisy” neighbours back in theirs on hostile soil of all places.

With only the revitalised Anderson replacing Varney in the line-up (as he had in the first half a week before) there was little to surprise anyone in the know, as the second leg kicked off. Unsurprisingly the TV pundits were at a loss to explain the start Town made.

Ipswich do not merely take what is given to them and claim it as their own anyway, for we are not a club so fond of counting seats rather than silverware, nor phobic of the past in deference of the present.

Norwich had outdone Town on precious few stats bar a telling amount fouls in the first leg. Within 10 minutes of the second leg Town were on the front foot and taking 70% of possession and the game to Ruddy's gilded gloves once more.

Murphy contrived the first scare, calling on the keeper to claim a thundering flash across goal. All bets were off as the second instalment saw the home side pinned down in their own half, a tight and high Ipswich line again hemming them in too far and too tight for Jerome to ever get comfortable.

Unlike anyone Norwich had on the pitch or on Simon Thomas's smug shoulder, Anderson was now a cult hero. His goal previous, was now complimented by a goal-line clearance from a corner that was wrongly given.

For all their firepower and advantage, Norwich had spent another 45 minutes and half-time team-talk wondering how they might breach the rock-hard and thistle sharp backline they'd overcome on three previous occasions this season.

Sears again threatened more than former McCarthy adversary and Town boss Roy Keane, and likewise failed to land any telling blow. Bishop had tumbled in the box with a case for a penalty but too little protest to make a case.

When the second half came around it took not very long at all to give us the answer. The impression such impressive recruits as Nathan Redmond, Bradley Johnson and Hoolahan might make was to fire a shot goal-bound.

As you'd hope a stiff hand would come to deny them from such a distance but in a season where no Blue had seen red. It was to be Christophe Berra’s hand and instinct that would defy logic and see the Canaries given a penalty, an extra man and the upper hand. The colossal Scot had no sooner slumped into the dressing room as Hoolahan slammed the ball past a wrong-footed Bart.

With hope far from eternal, it was young veteran Tommy who would wage war on the Norwich goal. A set piece set him apart and their defence flailing. The 70-yard dash to celebrate with the delirious corner of Norfolk, now forever Ipswich's. A stark contrast to the three bobbling yards it took him to dink the ball beyond and put us back into the game. There's no wrong way to score a goal, least of all against them.

In a few short minutes the wire-tight net of 4-3-3 which had been sprung so tightly to contain the predatory designs of Norfolk for a game a half had now slackened and unfurled. Anderson a makeshift wing-back as the formation no longer added up with Berra dismissed.

Norwich's digitally-enhanced statisticians delighted, as a numerical advantage span their analytical computers at a dizzying rate. Mick had little he could manufacture as Norwich would be handed more than just room to breathe and play but the decisive goal too.

Besieged and determined not to be beaten an unsighted Bart could bat away shots no more as again Redmond fired on goal, but this time from much closer in, steering past Tyrone Mings and under the keeper to restore and secure Norwich's lead once more in quick succession.

Town would rally, and Mick would bring on fresh legs but fail to return little Norwich's way. It would be Redmond again who would cause the most harm. Even those sat on plastic or sofas from near and far could see the vast space between stretched Town legs as he played Jerome in for the simplest of flicks past Bialkowski for a third and final hammer blow.

Four-two on aggregate and their stoic, ever-silent fans stumbled giddily to break out the selfie sticks and the law, as the thunderous appreciation and overtures of “Ipswich 'til I die” soundtracked the end of the game, the end of the season and the start of new hope.

“What a game, so delighted with the win”, “Well played Ipswich. It was a good spirited committed game. Ipswich fans shouldn’t forget the bulk of this team have played in the Premier League for a number of seasons. They battled hard, but at the end of the day it was a mismatch.”

At half-time, many Canaries were distinctly apprehensive. “The intensity is not suiting us at the moment. Ipswich are doing a good job of pressing us and not allowing us to settle”, “Ipswich far more impressive than when I've seen them before. There is very little football being played.”

“Well in the end it was a hard-fought but well deserved win. Ipswich pushed us hard to be fair and I thought they were going to go on and win it when they got that equaliser. Once Redmond scored you could see that it took all the wind out of Ipswich's sails and Jerome's goal then killed them off.”

“Ipswich fought hard but never looked all that dangerous.” Canaries felt that the game’s outcome hinged on Berra’s red card and Redmond’s goal which saw City retake the lead. “As soon as we got the penalty and Berra got sent off the game opened up and we were able to take advantage.”

“They did very well in the first half of nullifying our attack, and were actually the better team first half even if their style of play was more typical of something you'd see at Twickenham”, “In the second half everyone played well, but first half there were quite a few poor City performances.”

With the end comes a void. No tournaments to distract. Once we finish looking back and over the course of season better than many had hoped and far from the one some had feared we can be left with much to savour, more so in fact to ponder.

Just small drips of tattle and tabloid speculation to prod onward, as rumour and rumination build until this summer breaks and we all go again, once more into the Championship dear friends.

Photo: Action Images

Steve_M added 12:49 - Jun 12 Regardless of how i finished, this has been a most enjoyable season. One where we've remembered just exactly what it is to be Town fans.
5

KBsSocks added 13:21 - Jun 12 Cheers Harry and Mullet. But wassis about Crowe and Tabby and ColU ?!
1

gazzmac4 added 13:48 - Jun 12 I do still wonder to this day how the play offs would have gone had the sears headed chance at the Sir Bob end in the first leg fallen to Murph. Really think he would have been better equipped to head it back across goal and in. Alas it wasn't to be. A top, top, top season with so many highs and very few real lows. I have made memories this year at games that will live long in my memory! Onwards and upwards. Ipswich till I F***ing die! COYBS!

3

PhilTWTD added 13:54 - Jun 12 KBsSocks Tabby/Crowe thing sorted, copy and posting error, I suspect.
2

steve_mcalls_teeth added 13:55 - Jun 12 A great season, so proud of the boys. Even with all their millions, a £5 million pound striker on the bench, one up, one man up THEY STILL STRUGGLED TO BEAT US !! It was great watching them squirm. All hopeful for next season. Id be happy with top 4 i.e. if we dont make automatic then a second leg at home in Play offs - and a few of the moneybags are out of the way. Next stop...Premier League....

3

Mullet added 16:41 - Jun 12 Pretty sad it's all over now - the season and writing about it. Best football campaign for some time. Things look good for next year.
2

tractorgrl added 19:35 - Jun 12 Stand up and take a bow, Mullet and Harry, what a fantastic way to sum up our fantastic season! Brilliant blogs every friday and now this smorgasbord of treats for our delectation. You guys should get an award or holiday or something! Top this next season if you can, no pressure.
5

patrickswell added 21:24 - Jun 14 Brilliantly written and timely too with the fixtures out on Wednesday. Gird your loins boys, we're ready to go again.
0

KiwiBlue2 added 23:41 - Jun 15 Harry and Mullet thank you very much for the time and effort that you have put into these monthly summaries. They have been a great read and the attached you tube videos the icing on the cake. I have followed Ipswich since the mid 1970s and that task has been made much easier and more enjoyable since the advent of the Internet and the development of this website in the early/mid 1990s. The last season has been one of my most memorable in many years after many false dawns. I think that we are very close to a Championship winning team for next season if we can keep our key players, strengthen the midfield and sort out the right back situation to give us a better balance. I also hope that we have a slightly larger squad so that tiredness and injuries to key players do not have a significant affect on our form from January onwards.

1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls