Jonny Williams played 70 minutes and Teddy Bishop the full 90, claiming a goal, as Town’s U23s beat Southend United 4-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Playford Road earlier this afternoon.

Luke Varney, who played 45 minutes of the match, and Shane McLoughlin were also on target against a more youthful Shrimpers side, while both teams netted an own goal apiece.

Josh Emmanuel, Myles Kenlock and Conor Grant were also in the side, while Harry Wright was in goal.

On-loan Crystal Palace man Williams is on the way back from the ankle injury he suffered in pre-season and played 45 minutes for the U23s as they lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

Speaking last week, manager Mick McCarthy was hopeful that if he came through this week’s two U23s games the Wales international would be in contention for the first team when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park a week on Saturday.

“He will play on Sunday against Liverpool at Portman Road and then we’re trying to get a game on the Wednesday, so if we do and he’s OK and he can compete in both of them, play in both then he’ll be all right for the Blackburn game,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy will also have been pleased to see midfielder Bishop play the whole game.

“I’ve been willing him to be fully fit and fit to play 90 minutes for the last 18 months almost,” the Town boss said prior to Saturday's game against Huddersfield.

“He’s just getting there and he’s doing all right and he breaks his bugle and he has to have it reset the night before [the Brighton game].

“It’s just been one thing after the other, but breaking his nose is a tiny little one, that’s not going to keep him out for any great length of time and I think he’s over that, so hopefully he can start.”

Photo: TWTD

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 15:57 - Oct 5 So, what I'm reading here is the squad has performance anxiety. If no fans are there, they can knock out four. Good to know :)
3

ipswichdave added 16:10 - Oct 5 I was there, Conor Grant was very good in centre midfield, Bishop and Williams very good on the ball, Southend were not good and seemed to enjoy being late on most tackles. Kenlock had a steady game with some nice forward runs. Good workout and i can see NO reason why Williams Bishop and Grant shouldn't start against Blackburn.
14

blueherts added 16:20 - Oct 5 Ipswichdave - I WOULD LOVE Bishop Williams and Grant to get a start but with a manager who sets up 'not too lose' as a priority that is very unlikely alas
6

Gcon added 16:22 - Oct 5 See! Strip the moaning, apathetic 'fans' away and you get results.
-5

Radlett_blue added 16:28 - Oct 5 Perhaps we should play all our home games behind closed doors?
1

Surco72 added 17:35 - Oct 5 It would have been 0-0 with Skuse , Douglas and Bru playing , nothing to do with who was watching
15

Ferguson added 17:38 - Oct 5 A result that should build confidence across the whole club.
4

unknown100 added 18:14 - Oct 5 Too many central midfielders still I don't even know how I'd fit them in but grant, ward, bishop and williams all need to be in that team for me, skuse not a must for me and the less Douglas plays the better, defence is good enough for me, 1 holding midfielder... And I think we need 442 maybe and I like Lawrence, some smart sharp players in there but needs the right manager Maybe.... Skuse bishop Ward williams Lawrence Best

0

Tony88 added 18:50 - Oct 5 Surco 72 Boring boring this site would be better if you stayed away.
-9

hoppy added 18:53 - Oct 5 I'm sure I'm not the only one hoping this is more than just words, and that for Blackburn, he starts in place of Bru... "...and I think he's over that, so hopefully he can start."
3

Sospiri added 20:18 - Oct 5 Surely even Mick can see that the current team and mentality isn't working. Time to play only Skuse as holding midfielder (who I rate), start with Williams or Bishop ahead of him, and get Grant and Ward on the wings, with Lawrence behind Best. They could hardly do any worse than the current team, and at least it would cheer the fans up.
4

Kirbmeister added 20:48 - Oct 5 Williams won't be starting yet, he's only just coming back from injury. I'm fed up with MM but don't slate him Saturday if he doesn't play JW. He'll need more time yet.
5

midastouch added 22:17 - Oct 5 Conor Grant to start please Mick ahead of Douglas. Blackburn are hardly world beaters. Let's take it to them rather than trying to stifle them for a point. COYB!!!
1

planetblue_2011 added 22:18 - Oct 5 Yes get in Williams played 70 mins & Biahop the full 90. Hurry back Jonny we need you & Bish
1

BrettenhamBlue added 23:27 - Oct 5 Ipswichdave - tried to get in to see this game but no chance. are you Mick or Terry in disguise? How on earth did you get in?
0

DirtyOldNodger added 23:36 - Oct 5 perhaps he was allowed in to watch it PJwellisaGod??
0

GiveusaWave added 00:09 - Oct 6 Jimmyjoojar, pjewellisagod a select few are allowed in. It says a great deal about Ipswichdave that he is one of the select. Ipswichdave always gives detailed commentary on the games and I believe him. Dave Bowman in disguise perhaps?
1

MicksZzzTactics added 00:44 - Oct 6 @Gcon Easily the most clueless, infantile & outright retarded post I've seen in eons by any so called "true" ITFC fan .... anywhere!!! Congrats!
1

midastouch added 01:46 - Oct 6 Tony88, the famous quote "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" springs to mind. Would it not be boring if we all shared the same views like a bunch of clones? Open debate and discussion, as well as differences in opinion is what makes this comment section colourful. Therefore, why call for somebody to stay away (Surco72) just because you don't agree with their tone or opinions? Doesn't that go against the whole point of open, frank and fair discussion? I expect some might not agree with what you say, and I'm certain some of you don't agree with what I say, but that aside I wouldn't want anybody to call for you to go as it's good to have differing opinions. With this in mind, surely it's best to get a broad spectrum of differing views without the need to call for others to depart from the site when they don't mimic our own?

7

Brownie added 07:10 - Oct 6 gcon - Not many apathetic fans on here - whatever our opinions pretty much everyone on here cares otherwise why would be bothered to be involved on TWTD? The odd troll aside we all want ITFC to succeed. Get the creative players & change the midfield!! COYB.
10

beornioblue added 08:20 - Oct 6 well done boys. Bishop full 90 is very positive and Williams 70 is great news also...maybe a different team for the Blackburn game ... with goals in it, pace, guile on the ball..could be a turnaround game on saturday..keep the faith COYB
1

Surco72 added 08:38 - Oct 6 Tony 88.... I think the club would be better if MM stayed away and made us less boring , but unfortunately we do not get everything we want in life . Rather than slate other peoples views why don't you provide one of your own , are you happy with a non creative , non scoring midfield being selected week in week out above other more natural flair players in Grant , Bishop and Dozzell ?

4

beornioblue added 08:42 - Oct 6 also completely off topic but can we please have singing the blues back before kick off..hey jude gets nothing from us and a starts the opposition off, plus Joe Cocker singin the blues is a legendary ITFC track!!!
1

goat_man added 09:04 - Oct 6 Great news that Williams and Bishop got through the whole game. Couldn't care less about Varney
1

rickw added 09:59 - Oct 6 I really can't see Mick dropping 1 of his 2 holding midfielders away from home not when we can go there and get a 0-0.... It would be great to see us try to outplay an opposition with a side like: ___________Skuse _____Bishop___Grant Ward_____________Lawrence ___________Best And with Williams coming on
5

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls